Qiao Zhen and Chen Siyuan were quite close. Chen Siyuan was taken away by Qiao Yuchen, and she kept many things to herself, feeling very distressed.

Because of this, I was almost going crazy, but then Aunt Xu came and made things worse.

Aunt Xu meant well and was also interested in the Third Prince's status; she didn't know what this would bring her.

Knowing that Aunt Xu had been suppressed by Madam Qiao for so many years and was waiting for a chance to rise above others, she was not about to miss this opportunity.

Qiao Zhen felt very complicated. Every time she went to the palace, she would vaguely see things that she knew would actually happen. These things had come true countless times since she was a child.

Over the years, she has been terrified every time she goes to the palace.

Unable to refuse, they could only silently endure it all.

Over the years, it has become the last straw that breaks the camel's back, and she feels she can't take it anymore.

"I heard about a bird that is very special. It can't fly on its own, but it tries its best to lay eggs. After the chicks hatch, it will do everything it can to make the chicks fly."

"Pfft—" Qiao Zhen laughed.

This smile was a rare sight, one that had appeared only once in several days.

Hearing this, Juhong, who was serving nearby, was happy for the young lady.

Aunt Xu's arrival will only increase the pressure on the eldest young lady, while the young mistress is the one who can truly bring her happiness.

"Alright, you know what's going on, why get angry with Aunt Xu?" Chen Siyuan knew that Qiao Zhen was a perceptive person who understood many things and couldn't accept that the woman who gave birth to her valued her rights more than her daughter.

Many things can only be truly understood through experience; it is one's own mother who has selflessly given so much to them, and she doesn't want Qiao Zhen to have any regrets.

I just hope they can all calm down and sit down quietly to handle this matter. Noisy arguments are not the way to solve things.

Besides, if Qiao Zhen continues to make trouble with Aunt Xu, it will be a slap in the face to the Third Prince.

A man's heart is not big; his face is more important. As the third prince, his heart is not much bigger than the eye of a pin.

"Sister-in-law, did you go out to play these past two days?" Qiao Zhen put it down and didn't intend to dwell on it. Looking at Chen Siyuan, she felt much more at ease.

"Yeah, going out for some fun will cheer me up," Chen Siyuan said nonchalantly.

"How did my sister-in-law and second brother meet?" Qiao Zhen started gossiping.

She has absolutely no feelings for the Third Prince now, and the person next to her is the best example of this; she wants to learn from him.

Chen Siyuan thought for a moment, "Your second brother was injured, and I saved him. To repay my kindness, he..."

"Such an old plot?" Qiao Zhen had been bored lately and had been reading a lot of books, including some short stories. The plots in these stories were similar to this one, and most of Qiao Zhen's beautiful fantasies about love disappeared along with them.

"You!" Chen Siyuan tapped Qiao Zhen's forehead with her finger. "How many of them do you think have a life full of excitement? Many people live ordinary lives. I'm just one of them."

"So...sister-in-law, do you think I should get married?"

"I don't know," Chen Siyuan said bluntly.

Even if Qiao Zhen really marries the Third Prince, many things will happen, and there will be a lot of bloodshed in the palace. She doesn't want the Qiao Zhen in front of her to change.

I think about what I've seen, but I can't make a decision.

At this moment, Qiao Zhen was confused; she didn't want her words to interfere with her life.

"I don't know, I just hate the feeling of being manipulated."

Chen Siyuan fell silent.

Everyone hates being manipulated, and those without power will always be manipulated.

After thinking for a long time, Chen Siyuan asked, "Do you still remember that person?"

Qiao Zhen smiled bitterly and nodded slightly.

Will you ever like someone else?

Qiao Zhen was uncertain again, at least not at the moment.

"Women should never marry someone they love, otherwise they will only get hurt. If you must marry, marry someone you don't love. If something really happens, all that will be left in your heart is hatred, not hurt."

"you mean?"

Chen Siyuan smiled and patted Qiao Zhen's head, "You should marry a man who loves you, so you can torment him to death and he will still treat you like a treasure in his palm."

Qiao Zhen couldn't understand these words.

At first, she thought Chen Siyuan approved of her marrying the Third Prince. With the Third Prince's advantages, her future life would only be glorious, but she also had to marry a man who loved her.

This is so difficult!

"Don't force things; let everything take its natural course."

This time, Qiao Zhen understood what Chen Siyuan meant.

He nodded, indicating that he understood.

The two women talked for a long time, and Qiao Zhen also planned to invite Chen Siyuan to stay for dinner. Chen Siyuan agreed. Suddenly, Lin Ma, who was by Old Madam Chen's side, came over and said that her eldest brother was missing.

Logically speaking, it should be normal for the eldest brother to go out frequently, sometimes for several days at a time. However, Chen Siyuan noticed something amiss on Lin's mother's face.

Without thinking twice, she immediately rushed to the Chen family's house.

On the way, I heard a rough outline from Lin's mother.

......

The Imperial Palace.

The Emperor learned that Consort Hua had proposed marriage to the eldest daughter of General Qiao's family on behalf of the Third Prince.

When the emperor found out, he was furious.

This was the second time that Consort Hua had offended the Emperor's imperial power.

Consort Hua learned the truth on her way to the Imperial Study and was terrified.

She didn't understand why the Emperor would be angry about such a wonderful thing.

Could it be that someone whispered something in the Emperor's ear?

I heard that the Emperor visited Consort Qing yesterday. Could it be that Consort Qing took the opportunity to say something?

Consort Hua was filled with anxiety. She trembled as she entered the Imperial Study and saw the Emperor with a cold expression. She immediately knelt on the ground.

Regardless of why the emperor was angry, she could neither admit nor deny the matter.

"You sent someone to the General's Mansion to propose marriage?" There is only one daughter in the General's Mansion who is of marriageable age. It doesn't need to be said explicitly; everyone knows who you are talking about.

"yes."

Consort Hua replied quietly. Not hearing the Emperor's roar, and without speaking further, she forced herself to break the silence, "Your Majesty, I saw the eldest daughter of the General's Mansion at the palace banquet that day. She seemed very quiet, and I felt..."

"Xun'er used to be so quiet all the time. When I saw that other child, whose personality was very similar to Xun'er's, I thought that it would be a blessing for Xun'er to have such a child by his side in the future."

"Don't waste your breath on me," the emperor said, his face darkening further.