Jiang Shu forced a smile, a fleeting curve appearing at the corner of her mouth. "Heyi, thank you for your concern. However, Mother brought up the matter of the third-ranked scholar again today, insisting that I go and meet him."

Jiang Shu's voice was full of resistance. "Although I have regained my freedom today, I am also worried about being locked up in the ancestral hall again."

Zheng Heyi was heartbroken. She understood Jiang Shu's situation but felt helpless to help her.

At the time, she didn't know much about Princess Ning, nor did she know why Princess Ning had gone to such lengths to arrange her daughter's marriage to a complete stranger.

However, He Yi had already figured out the whole story when she came here last time, and at this moment, she suddenly remembered Princess Ning's instructions.

Looking at Jiang Shu's pained expression, He Yi was momentarily at a loss for words, and even tried to offer some words of comfort.

Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.

Just then, Princess Ning came out from outside. Seeing Zheng Heyi, she seemed to see a savior and hurriedly said, "Heyi, you've come at the perfect time! Quickly persuade Shu'er to go and meet the High Scholar. This marriage..."

"Mother!"

Jiang Shu suddenly stood up, staring at Princess Ning in astonishment, as if she didn't recognize her at all. "Are you really forcing me like this?"

"Shu'er, I'm doing this for your own good!" Princess Ning sighed and looked at Zheng Heyi. "Heyi, you and Shu'er are the best of friends. Please help me persuade her not to be so willful anymore."

Zheng Heyi looked at Princess Ning, her eyes filled with pleading, a sentiment shared by parents everywhere. Heyi glanced at Jiang Shu, whose eyes were stubborn and unyielding.

He Yi was caught in a dilemma. She knew that Princess Ning was doing this for the good of her precious daughter, fearing that she would really be betrothed to a prince. However, Jiang Shu was clearly strongly opposed to this marriage.

“Shu’er,” Zheng Heyi said cautiously, “perhaps you could go and meet Gao Tanhua first, and see what kind of person he is? Maybe…”

"Maybe what?"

Jiang Shu abruptly interrupted her, her eyes brimming with shocked tears, her gaze misty. "He Yi, even you think I should go? You know perfectly well that this is a pit of fire for me." As she heard Zheng He Yi's words, the distance between them in Jiang Shu's eyes deepened.

[This atmosphere is off! Why is the villainous female supporting character insisting on speaking up for Princess Ning? Jiang Shu is bound to misunderstand.]

[Oh no, are these two sisters going to break up? No way! I'm waiting to see them team up and build a business together!]

[The villainous female supporting character, explain yourself! You have your reasons! Don't let Jiang Shu misunderstand!]

He Yi naturally noticed the distant look in Jiang Shu's eyes, and she was heartbroken. "Sister Shu'er, men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age. Perhaps Princess Ning has her own reasons."

Jiang Shu sneered and turned her face away, seemingly not intending to listen any further.

"You say my mother's predicament is that I'm being forced to have a romantic relationship with a man I've never even met? He Yi, how can you be like them, only thinking about social status and not caring about my feelings at all! I am a living, breathing person with flesh and blood, thoughts and a soul, not a toy to be manipulated."

Zheng He said anxiously, "Sister Shu'er, please let me explain, it's not what you think!"

Jiang Shu turned around. "Enough! If you came here today just to persuade me to see that third-ranked scholar, then please leave. I heard everything you said; you can go now!"

Seeing Jiang Shu's icy demeanor, He Yi knew that saying anything more at this moment would be futile.

Jiang Shu had already decided that she was there to persuade her to get married, so naturally she wouldn't listen to anything she said.

Oh my god! This is a huge misunderstanding!

The baby is suffering inside, but the baby can't express it.

[Quiet down! Maybe things will take a turn for the better? Let's see what the villainous female supporting character has to say!]

Zheng Heyi took a deep breath and decided to put aside the matter of persuading her to marry for the time being. "Sister Shuer, I actually came here today for another matter."

She then recounted to Jiang Shu everything that had recently taken place in the Princess's residence. Upon hearing this, Jiang Shu's expression changed drastically, and she frowned, puzzled, asking, "So, Jin Keming is dead? And the Empress Dowager is taking her anger out on you because of it?"

This is truly an unbelievable case. Jiang Shunan said, "I never imagined that so many things have happened recently. I've been locked up in the ancestral hall. Time flies in the mountains, and I don't even know when the cold will end."

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Jiang Shu's lips, and Zheng Heyi also offered a bitter smile, "The people in the Princess's mansion are in a state of panic right now, and I really don't know what to do. That's why I came to you, hoping to ask you for advice."

Jiang Shu pondered for a moment, the cold light in her eyes gradually fading, replaced by a hint of silent worry: "The situation in your household does seem quite troublesome now. How about this, I'll have Granny Feng help you manage it for a while. Although she's a bit strict, her housekeeping skills are unmatched by ten Grannies Li."

[To be honest, Jiang Shu still cares about He Yi! The misunderstanding just now was just a misunderstanding!]

[Granny Feng? Since Jiang Shu recommended her, she'll definitely be able to handle things well at the Princess's residence!]

Sisters united in heart, their strength can break even metal!

Zheng Heyi was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Really? That's wonderful! Thank you, Sister Shu'er!" Jiang Shu looked at her sincere smile, and all the resentment in her heart vanished. She took Heyi's hand and said, "It was nothing. You should go back now."

Zheng Heyi knew that Jiang Shu was still angry about her persuading her to get married, so she didn't say anything more and just nodded: "Okay, then I'll go back first. Take care of yourself."

Stepping out of the palace, Zheng Heyi felt utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally.

This trip not only failed to persuade Jiang Shu, but also created a rift between the two. Fortunately, Jiang Shu still put herself in her shoes and was willing to recommend someone to help her manage the Princess's Mansion, which was a stroke of good luck amidst misfortune.

[Granny Feng is coming! Looking forward to seeing her skills!]

He Yi also knew that today's turmoil was just the beginning, and the road ahead would be long and arduous, but as long as Jiang Shu and Zheng Yu were there, she was confident that she could keep going.

The next day, He Yi was resting at home when someone came from the Ning Prince's Mansion. Qing Ju invited the nanny in, and the nanny greeted her with a smile and told He Yi that the Ning Princess was preparing to hold a grand flower banquet in the East City.

The old woman beamed, "What Hundred Flowers Banquet? The young princess knows about it. We're just using this as an excuse to matchmake the third-ranked scholar and the county princess. The county princess's marriage is really complicated these days."

Zheng Heyi knew the key to this perfectly well, but she didn't say much.

"What about time?"

"Her Majesty's intention is to ask for help in half a month." He Yi nodded, actually preparing to dismiss him. However, the old woman seemed to have something to say, staring at He Yi, "The Princess Consort's intention is for you, Little Princess, to lend a hand. If this matter is successful, she will definitely thank you properly."

Zheng Heyi sighed and nodded slightly.