Even now, he still can't forget the words "Duke's Mansion".

Jiang Jian said yes, and said, "I don't know when the Emperor will let you go to court. Well, I'll just keep quiet tomorrow. It's a matter for civil officials anyway."

Hearing this from outside the door, Madam Ji stomped her foot and angrily poured the porridge that Zhu Yun was carrying into the holly bush next to her. After doing so, she left in a huff.

"Madam..." the servant called out, but Madam Ji ignored him and had already disappeared.

Inside the room, Jiang He and Jiang Jian exchanged a glance. Jiang Jian opened the study door and smelled the aroma of porridge. A servant was standing next to Dong Qing with a bitter face. "Third Master, Madam just brought over some porridge, but for some reason she poured it into Dong Qing."

Jiang He came out, glanced at the scene, and knew that Ji Shi must have overheard his words. He waved his hand and said, "Get things sorted out, second brother. The date is about right. Send out invitations." It was obvious that Ji Shi couldn't persuade him anymore, so they should just get married directly. If they dragged it out for too long, and Princess Jun of the Prince Yong's Mansion remembered and went to the Emperor to complain, it would be difficult to handle.

"Yes, elder brother." Jiang Jian nodded, his face still full of worry. He had a feeling that the same thing would happen to the Ningguo Marquis's mansion.

This night seemed both exceptionally long and exceptionally short. At dawn, the silver moon was already hanging low in the sky, and the world was about to fall into the darkest hour before sunrise.

Wei Caitao, covered in sweat, climbed off Zhong Shi and thoughtfully covered her with a blanket. He then prepared to get out of bed, but Zhong Shi grabbed him as soon as he moved.

She hugged Wei Caitao from behind, her well-maintained, slender hands holding him tightly, her naked body pressed against his back. "Where are you going, sir? Is my service not satisfactory?"

Wei Caitao had just finished his work and was covered in sweat, but Zhong Shi was clearly not satisfied. Her hands began to wander restlessly, and the voice she spoke sent shivers down his spine.

But he held back, slowly pried open Zhong's hands, and coaxed, "That rebellious son returned to the capital but didn't come back to the mansion. And some people from the Huo and Yan families have come to the capital, probably to attend court. I'll go and tie that rebellious son up and bring him back."

With a nimble roll, Zhong rolled from behind Wei Caitao to in front of him, lying in his arms. Her two soft mounds pressed against Wei Caitao's chest. Zhong's mouth was close to Wei Caitao's ear, and she breathed hot air as she said, "Master, please come back soon. I will wait for you at home."

Wei Caitao felt his blood surging. This second wife was far more captivating than the previous one. At this moment, he wished he could die on her body, but he restrained himself. He kissed Zhong Shi on the cheek, pushed her away, and called the maid guarding the door to come in and help him bathe and change.

After bathing and changing, Wei Caitao boarded the carriage and left the Wei family home in the quiet of the early morning.

At Prince Yong's residence, Zhao Shu only slept for a few hours before getting up, washing up, and hurriedly going to Chensong Courtyard.

Today, Prince Yong was going to court. As before, he prepared breakfast and went there early. When he arrived at Chensong Courtyard, he found that the Huo siblings were also there, which surprised Zhao Shu. It was understandable that Huo Baichuan was there, after all, this was her father's courtyard. However, it was a bit unreasonable for Huo Danlan, an unmarried girl, to be here so early. However, Zhao Shu did not feel the same disgust as she did for Zhang Yuxiu.

Huo Danlan was taking breakfast out of the food box when she saw Zhao Shu coming over. Her eyes immediately lit up with a smile. "Why are you up so early, Ah Jun? You're still young and growing. You should sleep more."

"My father is going to court today, so I was thinking of preparing some breakfast for him. My aunt is still not fully recovered and needs to rest more." After saying this, he walked to Huo Danlan's side, curtsied, and said to Huo Baichuan, who was oblivious to what was happening around him, "Good morning, Mr. Huo."

“Calling me ‘A-Jun’ sounds too formal. The boys in the family all call me Uncle Baichuan. You’re not an outsider, so just call me Uncle Baichuan.” Huo Danlan pulled her along, straightened her clothes, and stroked her black hair that hung down her back. Her actions were affectionate and doting, just like she would treat her daughter.

Zhao Shu had never known what maternal love was, but the feeling Huo Danlan gave her made her inexplicably want to hold on to it.

Huo Baichuan snapped a wooden stick in half with a "crack." It was unclear where the stick came from; it looked quite sturdy, yet he managed to break it. He himself looked like nothing more than a frail scholar.

Zhao Shu looked over and saw that under the lamplight, he was just sitting casually in a chair. His posture was far from the demeanor that a young master from a noble family should have, yet he had a kind of otherworldly air about him. "Princess, please don't make relatives indiscriminately. I don't have such a stupid niece."

After speaking, he picked up the porridge that had already been served and began to eat. His face was cold and expressionless. Zhao Shu knew that he was definitely not happy about Huo Danlan getting close to the Prince's Mansion.

“Sir, you are joking. My surname is Zhao and yours is Huo. We are not relatives, nor are we family friends. I would not presume to be related to you without reason. I call you Auntie because I like your quiet nature. As for your unruly nature, I will keep my distance.”

He regretted it as soon as he said it; he was asking for favors now, he should have been more obsequious...

However, after finishing his porridge, Huo Baichuan stood up, came to Zhao Shu, blinked twice, and gave a fake laugh, "Little Princess, with such a bad temper, you'll never get married."

"Bai Chuan!" Huo Danlan quickly stopped Huo Bai Chuan, "How can you joke about a young lady's reputation like that?"

Huo Baichuan glanced at his elder sister, then turned to Zhao Shu and asked, "Does she have this?"

"Bai Chuan!" Huo Danlan stomped her foot in anger, pulled him away, and smiled with her beautiful eyes turning into crescent moons. "Don't listen to his nonsense. Our A-Jun is the best. Those shallow-minded people, don't pay attention to what they say. In your aunt's eyes, A-Jun, you are the best."

Huo Baichuan was faking a smile beside her. Zhao Shu noticed that he had a particular fondness for faking smiles. She had heard him faking smiles several times in less than a day since arriving at the Prince's Mansion.

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