“Madam Song, it’s fortunate that your family broke off the engagement with the Prime Minister’s family a long time ago, otherwise the Prime Minister’s family would be ridiculed now, and your family would also be implicated.”

At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Song Xia, as a noblewoman, went to the palace with her son to attend the banquet. As soon as she sat down, the lady of the Marquis's mansion next to her spoke mysteriously.

Song Xia feigned surprise: "Could it be that something happened to his family again?"

Lady Hou, upon hearing this, perked up and turned slightly to the side, saying, "That's right, Madam Song. You don't go out often, so it's not surprising that you don't know about the rumors in the capital. Didn't that imperial merchant, Madam Qi, say that when she was a wet nurse in the Prime Minister's residence, she switched her own child with the Prime Minister's daughter?"

Song Xia nodded: "I have indeed heard people talking about it."

"I thought it was dramatic enough, but who knew there was something even more dramatic. You didn't see it. Yesterday, the Prime Minister's wife made a scene at her own family home and got into a fight with her sister-in-law. It just so happens that my sister-in-law's family lives next door to the Fang family, so she heard everything that happened."

On the other side of the Marquis's wife was the wife of the Vice Minister of War, who also came over upon hearing this: "What exactly happened?"

"It is said that after the Prime Minister's daughter was switched by Madam Qi once, she was switched again by the Prime Minister's sister-in-law, so the identities of the two children have actually returned to normal."

"Really? Why would Madam Fang do such a thing? And how could no one have noticed after the children were switched twice? Are the people in the Prime Minister's residence so easily fooled?"

"That's why His Majesty is wise to let Prime Minister Xu manage his family affairs before going to court!"

"I might know a little about why Madam Fang would do this," another lady said, standing further away. She instructed a maid to move her chair. "Back then, Madam Fang and the Prime Minister's wife both fell for Prime Minister Xu. Both families sent people to propose marriage, but in the end, Prime Minister Xu married the Prime Minister's wife, and Madam Fang turned around and married into the Fang family. Over the years, Lord Fang's career has not progressed as far as Prime Minister Xu's. Perhaps Madam Fang harbors resentment because of this..."

"It's all because of love! But if this happens, won't Hsu Hui-hsin be able to marry Prince Hsun again?"

"Who knows if it was a deliberate scheme by the two families? After all, the Prime Minister's wife only made a scene; she didn't actually send Madam Fang to the yamen or anything. If such a scandal happened to be in the home of an ordinary official, they would be trying to hide it. How did it happen that the neighbors overheard everything?"

"That can't be right, can it? If it's really an act, then wouldn't these be a brother and sister..."

"They can't bear to give up Prince Xun's power, so they'll just give him a few maids as part of his dowry. They won't have to give birth to their own children."

Song Xia was practically laughing hysterically as she listened to everyone's speculations. This whole thing was even more effective than her previous predictions. It was true that outrageous gossip was the most captivating.

She looked at the Prime Minister's wife, and under the gossipy, scrutinizing, and questioning gazes of the noblewomen, the veins on the Prime Minister's wife's forehead were practically bulging.

"The Imperial Concubine, the Virtuous Concubine, the Wise Concubine, and the Wise Concubine have arrived." At this critical moment, the arrival of these consorts eased the Prime Minister's wife's embarrassment.

After paying his respects, Song Xia silently observed the ladies-in-waiting. The imperial harem of this dynasty was well-ordered. Although there was no empress, there were four consorts, among whom Consort Chen was the most respected.

Although Consort Chen came from a humble background, she was the first to be granted the title of Consort because she gave birth to the eldest prince. She was eventually promoted to Imperial Consort and put in charge of the Empress's seal. As a result, the civil and military officials all felt that the eldest prince was the most likely to succeed to the throne.

However, Consort Shu, who ranked second among the imperial concubines, was no ordinary woman. Consort Shu came from the best family and had given birth to twins, the second and third princes. There has always been a legend of auspiciousness between the dragon and the phoenix, so there were many people in the court who supported the second prince.

Another is Consort De, who gave birth to the fourth princess. Consort De had a very low profile in the palace because the fourth princess was weak from a young age and had no other sons, so she never participated in the palace intrigues.

Finally, there is Consort Xian, who is raising the Fifth Prince. Among the four consorts, Consort Xian has the least seniority, but she is the most favored by His Majesty. Last year, in order to promote Consort Xian, His Majesty specially entrusted the Fifth Prince, born to a low-ranking concubine, to Consort Xian for upbringing. Because of this unique favor, the Fifth Prince also has some supporters, but not many. This is mainly because the Fifth Prince is too far older than the other two princes. The Fifth Prince is still a baby, while the First and Second Princes are about to enter the court to participate in politics.

But Song Xia, who had memories of her past life, knew that the one who would eventually succeed to the throne was this child who knew nothing.

After Prince Xun Si Hengnian takes power, he will not allow the eldest and second princes, who are already old enough to understand, to become a threat. Only when the fifth prince succeeds to the throne can he become the regent.

"Are you Madam Song? I've heard so much about you." Accompanying the four consorts were the Third Princess and the Fourth Princess. No one expected that the two of them would walk straight up to Song Xia.

here we go again!

Looking at the two princesses, Song Xia felt a special sense of kinship. Could it be that these two were like Yuqing and Lingling?

"Greetings, Your Highnesses."

"Madam Song, please rise quickly." The Third Princess and the Fourth Princess helped her up from both sides at the same time. "How can we accept Madam Song's courtesy? General Feng is protecting the country and the people. My sister and I have long admired you for cultivating such a talent as General Feng."

"You two princesses are too kind."

Hearing their words, the ladies all became suspicious. Could it be that the Third Princess and the Fourth Princess had both taken a liking to Feng Shao? Feng Shao is so lucky!

At this moment, both the Third Princess and the Fourth Princess were extremely excited. It wasn't the first time they had seen Madam Song, but it was the first time they had felt this way. The Madam Song they were looking for was the one they had been searching for!

"Madam Song, may we pay you a visit another day?"

"With the arrival of the two princesses, the General's Mansion will naturally offer its warmest welcome."

"We have nothing to do tomorrow, so Madam Song won't mind our recklessness, will she?"

"Won't."

The Prime Minister's wife watched from the sidelines, her teeth itching with anger. Both princesses were showing interest in Song Xia at the same time; could it be that they both intended to marry her down? And why didn't Consort Shu and Consort De stop them?

So what if he won a few battles? How could Feng Shao be as powerful as His Highness Prince Xun?

His Majesty had previously intended to marry the two princesses to Prince Xun! After being rejected, he turned to second best. A princess is nothing more than this. It is Huixin who is truly capable, able to firmly capture Prince Xun's heart.

The third and fourth princesses exchanged a glance, their intense joy overshadowing any trace of jealousy.

Years ago, after several encounters with Song Xia, the two noticed each other's unusual behavior and later concluded that they were the same kind of people. Today, they have finally confirmed it.

Song Xia thought that was the end of it, but then the eldest prince and the second prince came to pay their respects and said they would visit the general's mansion together the next day. Song Xia was completely taken aback. She dared not recognize the princes and princesses as her adopted sons and daughters!

What exactly is going on in this world?

Unfortunately, no matter how she called out to Xiaoling, Xiaoling pretended to be dead and did not appear.