She almost abruptly changed the subject, shifting the focus of the conversation to Zheng Yu. He Yi knew that saying more about Gao Dekai's merits or demerits would be pointless and might only annoy Jiang Shu.

A deep sense of powerlessness almost brought He Yi to the brink of collapse. Zheng He Yi forced a smile and chatted with Jiang Shu about various things in the mansion and the shop.

After about half an hour, He saw that Jiang Shu was becoming increasingly tired, so he got up to say goodbye.

Jiang Shu didn't try to keep her, only letting Yun Yu see her out. Stepping out of the house and through the covered corridor, He Yi's mood plummeted to rock bottom in an instant.

Yunyu escorted Zheng Heyi and Qingju to the door. Seeing that only she and Heyi, mistress and servant, were around, she said in a slightly sharp tone, "The county princess has been in a terrible mood lately. It's rare to see you here today, so I thought you could offer some comfort, but who knew..."

He Yi looked at Yun Yu in astonishment.

Yunyu sighed and continued, "Your Highness means well, I know that. But there are some things that she thinks too much to hear. You said that Gao Tanhua is not good, but this marriage was approved by the Princess."

"knew."

He Yi had never really liked sex and was preparing to leave.

But Yunyu, as if to spite her, continued, "That Gao Tanhua is a legitimate Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), his future is assured, not to mention the arrival of Prince Ning and his consort..."

"What can the county princess do? What you've said, besides making her feel even worse, what has it changed? It just makes it seem..."

The brat paused, then looked at He Yi and said, "It's as if you can't stand seeing the county princess marry well."

Holy crap! This maid is really...

[This is an attempt to sow discord; their intentions are despicable.]

Why is there something like this around the female lead?

[The villainous female supporting character's inner monologue: I tried to be kind, but I was completely ungrateful.]

He Yi turned her head and looked at Yun Yu with a cold and sharp gaze!

She never expected that her good intentions would be maliciously misinterpreted and distorted by this damned guy!

Yunyu felt a chill run down her spine under her gaze and instinctively backed away, but she still forced herself to continue talking.

"This servant was only thinking of the county princess. It seems I was being too talkative. Please forgive me, princess." After saying this, she gave a perfunctory bow and prepared to leave, but He Yi was immediately furious.

Yunyu's attitude seemed submissive, but in reality, it concealed murderous intent. Zheng Heyi thought of Jiang Shu's situation today and suddenly felt it was utterly absurd.

"Princess, let's go." Qingju couldn't stand it anymore. To say another word to this boy would be beneath her dignity! Qingju gave Yunyu a cold glance, and Heyi also sneered.

That cold laughter silenced Yunyu like a cicada in winter.

"Yunyu, I see you really have no sense of propriety. From now on, please watch your mouth. It's none of your business, a servant, to discuss Sister Shu'er's affairs. You're always trying to sow discord between me and my sister, and here you are again today?"

He Yi's question was as cold as ice.

Qingju, standing nearby, was also furious. "Yunyu, you brat, stop trying to sow discord here. I think the one who really can't stand to see the county princess doing well is you!"

After exchanging harsh words, Zheng Heyi stopped looking at Yunyu, whose face was deathly pale, and left with Qingju in tow.

Once seated in the carriage, He Yi finally let out a long sigh of relief. She leaned back lazily on the cushions, feeling utterly exhausted. Qing Ju lifted the carriage curtain and watched the Ning Prince's mansion recede into the distance. For a moment, both of them were filled with mixed emotions.

Inside the Prince's Mansion.

After Zheng Heyi left, Jiang Shu remained seated by the window, her unfocused and emotionless eyes fixed on the dark sky outside.

Seeing that Jiang Shu remained motionless, Yun Yu quietly approached, draped her coat over Jiang Shu's shoulders, and then poured her a cup of tea.

"Heyi is gone?"

Jiang Shu turned around and asked softly in a dry voice.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Yunyu glanced at Jiang Shu's expression and slowly nodded. Then, the air fell into an eerie silence once again. Recently, Jiang Shu had stopped taking the initiative to talk to her.

Yunyu stared at Jiang Shu's distraught appearance, hesitated slightly, and then gritted her teeth and said, "The princess seemed very unhappy when she left. She even scolded me, saying that I was too talkative and tried to sow discord between you."

Hearing this, Jiang Shu did not turn around and remained silent.

After a long while, just when Yunyu almost thought that Jiang Shu would not speak to her again, she heard Jiang Shu let out a sad sigh, "Yunyu, don't you think it would be better if Zheng Yu were a powerful third-rank official in the court?"

Jiang Shu's voice sounded light and airy at this moment, like a kite soaring into the sky. She seemed to be asking Yunyu, or perhaps asking herself.

It's more like throwing a question into the void that you know can't possibly have an answer to.

[Ahhh! So Jiang Shu really does like Zheng Yu.]

[Unfortunately, his background is a major disadvantage! Yu-ge is a stepson and hasn't yet achieved any official rank.]

Upon hearing this, Yunyu was taken aback at first, then a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.

As she stood behind Jiang Shu, gently massaging her shoulders, she looked at Jiang Shu's weary eyes reflected in the bronze mirror. "Why did you suddenly bring up Young Master Zheng? Speaking of which, Young Master Shen is in his prime, but he is, after all, Minister Zheng's stepson..."

“Of course I know,” Jiang Shu sighed.

[Yunyu: Professional eye drop application for a hundred years!]

Yunyu has always sided with Princess Ning. Moreover, she dislikes both Zheng Heyi and Zheng Yu, so she would never encourage Jiang Shu to go to Zheng Yu.

Most importantly, Jiang Shu should be a proud and arrogant woman. There is a huge gap in status between her and Zheng Yu. Even if she were to pursue someone, it should be Zheng Yu pursuing her, not her chasing after Zheng Yu.

"Princess, in the end, Young Master Zheng is still far inferior. Moreover, Minister Zheng is currently ill, and Young Master Zheng is at home; his future is truly uncertain. How can he compare to the third-ranked scholar?"

[Brother Yu! Hurry up and pass the imperial examination! Hurry up and get promoted! Miss Jiang Shu needs your help!]

At this point, Yunyu's eyes lit up, and she continued, "Gao Dekai is a genuine Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), a true scholar of noble birth. Princess Ning also said that the future of this third-ranked scholar is limitless!"

Seeing that Jiang Shu remained silent, Yun Yu assumed that Jiang Shu had listened to what Jin Qi had said and went on to say something further.

"In my opinion, you should spend more time with Gao Tanhua. He is the right person for you in the future. As for Young Master Zheng and Young Master Fang, no matter how good they are, they are not relevant to you."

Yunyu's words provoked her.

Jiang Shu didn't speak again, but slowly closed her eyes.

"I..." In the end, Jiang Shu could only let out a sorrowful sigh, and at that moment the air seemed to freeze along with the sigh.