The next day, before dawn, servants began to dress and groom Cui Yulu.

Qiao Qiao also arrived early to help Fu Xiaoyu wash up and change clothes.

Cui Yulu noticed that she was wearing a bright red palace dress, which belonged to the principal wife, while her own dress was a light red one, which belonged to concubines.

This made her feel very uncomfortable.

"I'm quite heavy now, so these clothes don't suit me very well. Please let me wear my old clothes instead."

As she spoke, she instructed her servants to bring her a set of plain white wide-legged robes, over which she draped a white fox fur coat, making her appear much more elegant.

"My sister's outfit is too plain; it would look better if she wore something brighter."

So he ordered someone to pick a red plum blossom from the courtyard, intending to put it in her hair.

"No need for that. Today's palace banquet is mainly to celebrate for the Prince and you. It may not be a good thing for me. I'll just keep it simple."

Cui Yulu tossed the plum blossom on the table and had her servants put some plain-colored hairpins and hair ornaments on her head. She didn't even touch the coral hairpin that Fu Xiaoyu had given her before.

This was their token of love.

"My sister is angry with me and the prince. We had no choice in the matter, so please don't take offense."

"What a convenient excuse, what else can I say?"

Cui Yulu gave Fu Xiaoyu a meaningful look before leaving the house alone to get into the carriage.

"Did Yulu sleep well last night? Do you want me to go with you today? I'm always worried about you going to the palace alone."

Third Sister arrived at the courtyard gate early to wait for her, but did not go inside for fear of disturbing her.

"It's alright. I'll probably be free again after today, and I'll definitely need to trouble you and my brother then."

Hearing this, San Niang's suspicions were confirmed: Cui Yulu definitely wanted a divorce.

"Don't worry, no matter what happens today, your older brother and I will stand by your side. Your older brother is ready, and no one will dare to touch you."

Although Cui Yulu didn't understand what San Niang meant, she still nodded heavily.

"Could you please spend less time with Yulu in the future? I've done what I promised you, and now it's your turn to fulfill your promise. Don't push your luck."

"Hmph, you killed my man, is it wrong for me to ask you to raise his child? And don't forget that your lives are in my hands. I can take Cui Yulu's life anytime I'm unhappy, and make you wish you were dead."

Qiao Qiao continued to speak with a smile, but a murderous intent flashed in her eyes.

Fu Xiaoyu didn't say anything more, but went out to chase after Cui Yulu with a cold face, afraid that she might accidentally slip and fall.

When San Niang saw Fu Xiaoyu come out, she walked away in a huff, not wanting to pay any attention to the so-called prince.

"Don't take what happened earlier to heart."

"Yes, my heart is big enough to hold the whole world, but it can't hold you and her."

After saying that, Cui Yulu turned and left without waiting for him at all.

However, Fu Xiaoyu still followed behind her, afraid that something might happen to her.

Qiao Qiao then chased after them.

"Hey, cavewoman, be careful. The snowy road is very slippery. It would be bad if you fell."

When Third Sister saw her chasing after her, she was so angry that she snapped at her.

"Hmph, you should worry about Cui Yulu instead. Don't hang around here unless it's absolutely necessary. I'm not someone to be trifled with."

She would fight anyone who tried to harm the child in her womb.

"So what if she's not someone to mess with? She's still a scumbag who meddles in other people's lives. How noble can she be?"

Third Sister disliked her, so she naturally didn't hold back in her words.

"I won't argue with you since you're pregnant. Let me tell you, my relationship with Fu Xiaoyu isn't what you think. I don't need to explain to you."

"Hmph, I'm too lazy to listen to your explanation. What kind of good person can you be, interfering in other people's lives? You secretly did something shameful while Fu Xiaoyu was unconscious, which is how you got that bastard in her belly. You really have no shame."

After finishing her sentence, Third Sister turned and went back to her own courtyard, leaving Qiao Qiao there sulking.

When she arrived at the door, she found herself alone in the carriage, while Fu Xiaoyu was with Cui Yulu.

The servants around were still whispering, saying that the previous rumors seemed to be untrue, and that the prince clearly had no feelings for the cave girl.

Although Qiao Qiao was angry, she couldn't show it, so she silently got into another carriage.

"Don't be afraid, I will protect you. Also, the Dowager is not an unpleasant person to get along with. She may have a sharp tongue, but she is not a bad person at heart."

Cui Yulu didn't say anything, but simply nodded slightly.

Since she doesn't like me anyway, I don't need to try to please her.

After a night of internal struggle, she finally came to terms with it. It was just a failed relationship; she could let it go.

All the way to the palace, Cui Yulu didn't say another word.

After enduring the tedious formalities, Cui Yulu finally met the Empress Dowager Jia.

A dignified middle-aged woman sat upright in the main hall, her expression dignified.

After a brief exchange of greetings, she called Qiao Qiao to her side, completely ignoring Cui Yulu.

They didn't even notice that she was still bowing.

Cui Yulu knew this woman would definitely give him a hard time.

Before long, Cui Yulu felt her legs were sore, her stomach was cramping, and her complexion turned pale.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!