Not to mention sending beauties; all of this was at the Empress Dowager's behest, so he can't be blamed!

After saying this, he bowed to Su Wanyan again: "Your Majesty, I am honored. The Empress Dowager has issued an edict, and I request that Your Majesty... receive the edict."

What could Su Wanyan do but kneel down?

When Su Wanyan knelt down, everyone in the front yard, including Dai Zhiwan, had no choice but to kneel down as well.

Eunuch Sun opened the imperial edict: "Princess Gongbei is intelligent and virtuous, with a kind heart and a gentle spirit. She has been at the forefront in border affairs, proving herself to be a role model for all people. However, Princess Gongbei should not neglect her duties as a wife while pacifying foreign threats. The Gongbei Prince's Mansion has been childless for a long time, and the imperial offspring are dwindling. Princess Gongbei is busy with the affairs of the mansion. The Empress Dowager sympathizes with her and therefore bestows dozens of beauties upon her to reward Prince Gong for his achievements in pacifying the East China Sea. This is the imperial decree."

Su Wanyan sighed inwardly. This was hardly a reward; the imperial edict was a reminder that she had failed in her duties.

However, Su Wanyan was not unprepared. After all, this was ancient times, and a man's monogamy would be ridiculed. As the Princess Consort of Prince Gong, she was probably already the subject of much gossip among the people of the capital.

She had anticipated this outcome long ago, but she didn't expect it to come so late.

Therefore, Su Wanyan was not greatly disturbed. She slowly reached out and took the imperial edict from Eunuch Sun's hand.

Eunuch Sun also knew that Yu Nanqing was famously devoted to one woman, so after handing over the imperial edict, he couldn't help but cautiously say, "Your Majesty, this is all... the Empress Dowager's will."

Don't let the fire spread to him.

Su Wanyan didn't say anything, but Dai Zhiwan suddenly stood up: "What does the Empress Dowager mean? Does the Empress Dowager think she can act so recklessly? Prince Gong's Mansion has just returned from pacifying the East Sea and is about to set off for Fuzhou tomorrow. What does the Empress Dowager mean by sending people to Prince Gong's Mansion now?"

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Sun was immediately startled and knelt down hastily: "Oh, my lady, this servant... this servant was just following the rules... this servant... this servant..."

He was alarmed because Dai Zhiwan was questioning the Empress Dowager.

Not only Eunuch Sun, but Su Wanyan also hurriedly pulled Dai Zhiwan aside and said, "I have received the imperial decree. Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Sun."

Dai Zhiwan frowned: "Wanyan!"

"The Changguo Duke's Mansion has just secured its position in the court, so don't get angry with them over such trivial matters."

"But...you are now great heroes, and the Empress Dowager..."

“But ultimately, she is the one in power.” Su Wanyan was afraid that Dai Zhiwan might say something she shouldn’t in a moment of impulse, so she interrupted her.

No matter how great their contributions, imperial power is always imperial power, sacred and inviolable.

Dai Zhiwan opened her mouth, but suddenly felt that the little grievances she had complained about today were not grievances at all. She took Su Wanyan's hand and said, "You are right."

She was right; the capital was not a place for them to stay, and they should leave as soon as possible.

Whether it was when the late emperor was alive or now that the Empress Dowager is in power, none of them wish for the Prince Gong's Mansion to prosper.

Su Wanyan had no idea what was going on in her mind: "I know you're anxious because you're worried about me, but there's always a solution. No matter how angry you are, the decree won't be taken back. Calm down, it's not a big deal."

Dai Zhiwan was speechless for a moment, then hesitated before saying, "Wanyan, I wish I could be like you."

When she heard that the Empress Dowager was going to send someone to Yu Nanqing and had also lectured Su Wanyan, she was already furious. Su Wanyan, however, remained calm and composed, as if she could easily resolve these trivial matters.

No wonder Su Wanyan was able to play a crucial role at the border, doing things that others could not.

“You don’t need to imitate anyone, just be yourself.” Su Wanyan chuckled.

Dai Zhiwan and Xu Yixuan are both very good people. They understand the principle that the family's prosperity and decline are intertwined, and they accept everything the family arranges for them.

Despite being a junior member of the household, Su Wanyan knew her mission early on, which she felt was a kind of strength.

"Tomorrow, I will see you off. I will go to write a letter of introduction to the Grand Secretary's residence. No matter how busy I am, I cannot fail to say goodbye to you."

Su Wanyan nodded: "Okay."

As they were talking, a figure in white came into view.

Dai Zhiwan lowered her eyes, took two steps back, and curtsied respectfully: "Your subject Dai Zhiwan greets Your Highness."

Yu Nanqing nodded slightly and said, "The Marquis of Ding'an's residence is already on its way back to the capital."

He received news that the Marquis of Ding'an would return to the capital in two months, at which time the marriage between the Duke of Changguo's family and the Marquis of Ding'an's family should be finalized.

Dai Zhiwan was Su Wanyan's close friend, which is why he mentioned it.

This action surprised Dai Zhiwan, who looked up in astonishment.

After all, Yu Nanqing ignored both her and Xu Yixuan, as if he couldn't see them at all.

However, at this moment, Yu Nanqing's gaze was already fixed on Su Wanyan, and his expression was not good: "Yan'er, there is something I need to tell you."

Dai Zhiwan concealed the surprise in her eyes and lowered her gaze, saying, "This humble woman has disturbed Your Majesty for a long time, so I will not bother you any longer. This humble woman will take her leave now."

Su Wanyan reached out to support Dai Zhiwan and instructed, "Qiuye, Xiaobu, escort Miss Dai back to the manor."

"Yes." The two bowed respectfully.

However, before they even reached the entrance, a slender figure appeared at the gate of Prince Gong's Mansion.

Dai Zhiwan's eyes widened instantly: "Dai Yiqiu!?"

Su Wanyan heard the sound and looked over curiously.

On the steps of the mansion gate, a woman of about fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in a dress with autumn butterflies and flowers, slowly walked down the steps. She had a polite smile on her lips, ignored the gaze cast by Dai Zhiwan, and went straight to Su Wanyan. She bowed and greeted her: "This humble woman, Dai Yiqiu, greets Your Highness, the Princess."

Su Wanyan frowned slightly. Dai Yiqiu, she had heard of this name before.

She was born to the fourth branch of the Changguo Duke's family, that is, the daughter of Dai Zhiwan's fourth uncle. Dai Zhiwan had to call her his cousin.

Seeing the smile on her lips and her confident demeanor, Su Wanyan sensed that something was amiss. She looked up at Yu Nanqing and saw that Yu Nanqing's brows were furrowed even more, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated and had done something wrong.

Before anyone could speak, Dai Zhiwan exploded, striding forward to demand, "Dai Yiqiu! What are you doing here? Who gave you permission to be so rude!"

Dai Yiqiu smiled politely: "Why can my sister do it, but I can't?"

Dai Zhiwan grabbed Dai Yiqiu's wrist: "Come on! You're coming with me!"

Dai Yiqiu abruptly shoved her away: "Go? Ha! Why should I go with you!"

She glanced coldly at Dai Zhiwan, then triumphantly approached Yu Nanqing and Su Wanyan, lowering her eyes and smiling, "Your Majesty, I have come on the orders of the Empress Dowager to accompany the Prince to Fuzhou and serve him."