That day, the gossipers in the capital who were waiting for news of the Duke's mansion heard that Shi Lingqiao had questioned and contradicted her mother-in-law while serving tea, and that Huo Jiwen had once again made his mother faint from anger because of Shi Lingqiao.

While everyone was enjoying the show, they couldn't help but feel sorry for the eldest princess.

How did I end up with such an unfilial son who forgets his mother after getting a wife?

They naturally felt even more disgusted with Huo Jiwen and Shi Lingqiao.

In particular, after hearing about this, the wives of the various families all instructed the women in their households to stay away from Shi Lingqiao in the future.

One should not associate with a woman who is tainted, has no reputation, and is unfilial; it would be detrimental to one's own reputation.

Having seen it all in the inner quarters, they knew from the rumors that Shi Ling was trying to use Huo Jiwen to gain a foothold in the Duke's mansion and go against her mother-in-law.

Having such a daughter-in-law is truly unfortunate for the eldest princess.

The fourth prince also learned of the news very quickly.

Previously, Shi Lingqiao inexplicably rode off on horseback, and he believed her, since she was usually quite intelligent and rational.

Now that she has successfully married into the Duke's mansion, she has not been recognized by her aunt. When she paid respects to her parents on her wedding day, the altar was empty, and she failed to serve tea on the second day.

At this point, Shi Lingqiao cannot be considered Huo Jiwen's wife yet.

He was extremely anxious, and at the same time, he cursed Shi Lingqiao for being so useless.

Especially recently, a Taoist priest named Qingfeng appeared and disrupted his entire plan.

Not only was the crown prince saved, but all his previous arrangements in the Eastern Palace were also discovered.

Although he had taken precautions to avoid being discovered before he arranged the poisoning of the crown prince, and thus left no evidence or clues, he still couldn't help but worry.

He was even more worried that the poison in his father's body would be discovered by Daoist Qingfeng.

If Huo Jiwen hadn't been stripped of his title as heir apparent, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry.

The series of setbacks has made him anxious.

So they sent someone to sneak into the Duke's mansion at night, and while Huo Jiwen was in his study, they made contact with Shi Lingqiao.

On the day Shi Lingqiao married into the Duke's mansion, Qingyou placed paper figures in the four directions.

Upon discovering that the Fourth Prince's men had entered, she made a move that alerted the secret guards sent by the Emperor to protect her.

When the guards came to report, Qingyou instructed them to keep an eye on the person and track where they went after they left.

Half an hour later, the guards came to report that the man had entered the Fourth Prince's residence.

Qingyou immediately wrote down the situation on a piece of paper and had her secret guards send the message to the emperor in the palace.

The Imperial Palace.

After receiving the message from his sister and inquiring about the details of the secret guards, the emperor's face turned grim.

The fourth prince is really stretching his reach; does he intend to take the Duke's mansion for himself?

Today, my sister was angered by my nephew's reaction to that woman, and he found out that my sister had fainted from anger. He was furious.

If Huo Jiwen and Shi Lingqiao do anything excessive again, he'll just have his sister separate the two troublesome things.

Out of sight, out of mind; this way, my sister won't get so upset that it harms her health.

The Duke's Mansion.

Huo Jiwen was unaware that he had already been implicated by Shi Lingqiao, and that the emperor had put him on the blacklist.

He thought about it in his study, then asked the head kitchen to make chicken soup, which he then personally carried to the backyard.

backyard.

Qingyou was leaning against the couch reading a book when Granny Qi walked in.

She smiled and said, "Madam, the young master has brought you chicken soup."

He was clearly satisfied with Huo Jiwen's actions; he had finally remembered to be filial to the princess.

Qingyou was a little surprised, not expecting that the char siu bao would lower itself so quickly to come over.

She waved her hand, "I won't see him. Tell him to get lost."

She won't give Char Siu Bao a chance to clear his name now.

Granny Qi thought for a moment and then advised, "Madam, it's rare for the young master to back down. Why don't you give him a chance?"

"He probably already knows he's wrong."

After all, the young master and the princess are mother and son, so she naturally hopes that the two can reconcile.

Qingyou shook her head. "He brought chicken soup today to show his filial piety, but he just wants me to keep that vixen. I dare not drink this soup."

She sighed again, "I can't back down, otherwise those two will definitely take advantage of me. When I get old, where will I have a place to live in this house?"

Hearing this tone, Granny Qi couldn't help but feel heartbroken.

She stopped speaking up for Huo Jiwen, saying, "Madam, you still have the Third Young Master; he'll be back next month."

If you can't rely on the princess's own son, then you can rely on her brother-in-law whom she raised herself.

Huo Xi was someone she had watched grow up, and she knew he was a good child who had been filial since childhood.

Mentioning Huo Xilai eased Qingyou's unpleasant expression, and she smiled. "Yes, he'll be home next month."

Seeing that the lady had distracted herself from her grief by mentioning the Third Young Master, Granny Qi breathed a sigh of relief.

So he went out and told Huo Jiwen that his wife had already gone to bed.

Huo Jiwen was unwilling, but he couldn't rush in, so he could only hand the chicken soup to Granny Qi and ask her to take it in.

Granny Qi didn't refuse, but after taking the chicken soup inside, she handed it to a maid and asked her to take care of it.

Huo Jiwen did not go to the study again, but returned to his room.

Shi Lingqiao was not faking illness; instead, she patiently comforted and coaxed Huo Jiwen.

Then she revealed her best side, speaking to Huo Jiwen in a seductive tone to ignite his passion.

She originally intended to keep Huo Jiwen hanging for a few days, but today her wicked mother-in-law used the fact that they hadn't consummated their marriage as an excuse.

She feared that if they didn't consummate their marriage, her wicked mother-in-law would actually order the steward to send her back to the Shi family.

Therefore, she must succeed tonight. Only by consummating their marriage can she stay in the Duke's mansion.

Seeing his beloved like this, Huo Jiwen naturally couldn't help himself.

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