"Am I not low-key enough? I'm so well-behaved these days! I just stay in my room, either reading or embroidering my wedding dress! I haven't shown my face in a long time, what more do you want?"

"Just hang in there, it'll be over soon. Don't lose your patience at this crucial moment! Otherwise, you'll regret it! I haven't thought of a better way yet. Your father has locked himself in his room, and no one except the old lady can get him to come! I thought I hadn't tried my luck, but I came back empty-handed! I really don't understand what your father is doing, so don't do anything rash for now!"

"Dad is probably studying his calligraphy and paintings. Didn't he do this all the time? What's so strange about it? I often see him bringing home calligraphy and paintings, looking like he's found a treasure! That's his favorite thing to do, it's normal! There's nothing to be surprised about!"

"You really carried calligraphy and paintings, not just letters? Can you see for yourself?"

"Absolutely true! I'm not blind, how could I not tell the difference? This is the only hobby Dad has; he's not very interested in anything else!"

"No matter what, we can't let our guard down, but we also need to learn to be patient. Now is not the time to show our true colors! Only when you're truly married to the Crown Prince and everything is settled can we finally breathe a sigh of relief! Do you understand?"

"Okay! I got it!"

Su Mingyue pouted, seemingly unconcerned. She had heard the words, but none of them had taken to heart.

She felt that everything was settled now, so what other trouble could possibly arise?

Her beloved elder sister has been missing for so long, and the people she sent out all said she was dead and would never come back!

What else does she have to worry about?

Now everyone in the capital knows that she has had intimate relations with the Prince of Jingnan and will soon marry him!

Even if her stunningly beautiful older sister comes back, so what?

Could it be that the young lady would compete with her for the position of concubine?

If that's really the case, then it's not unacceptable to her; in fact, it's perfectly acceptable!

The thought of being able to thoroughly torment the young lady filled her with joy!

What a pity, what a real pity!

The Prince of Jingnan has promised her that he will treat her well and take responsibility for her!

She, a concubine's daughter, was indeed unworthy of the noble prince, but who could blame her when the prince was injured and unable to get out of bed?

The imperial physician has spoken, though he said it in a very veiled way, but those who understand will understand: he will probably be a cripple from now on, spending the rest of his life in bed!

There's nothing we can do, she's just lucky!

She earned this luck herself!

Her stepmother was right. If you want to get ahead, you need to be shrewd and resourceful. You have to be able to assess the situation, utilize various resources, and create the impossible!

Her mother is a role model. If her mother were less talkative and more decisive, she would be even more perfect!

Su Mingyue didn't take her mother's words to heart. She was feeling too stifled in her room and wanted to go out for a stroll, but when she thought about the trouble she might cause, she pulled her legs back in.

With the wedding date fast approaching, it would be a huge loss if something unexpected happened!

Apart from her concubine, there's no one else in the manor who would help her!

Even her father is unreliable!

So Su Mingyue went back to her room to continue embroidering her wedding dress.

The aroma wafted in from outside, and she thought of going out several times, but she held back at the last moment.

He gritted his teeth and cursed under his breath at the people on the other side of the mansion for eating alone!

They won't die from overeating!

But no matter how much they muttered and cursed, the other person continued doing what they were doing, completely unaffected.

Su Mingyue probably felt it was pointless, so she stopped cursing and shifted her focus to embroidering her wedding dress, which was almost finished!

She can finish it in a day or two, I'm really looking forward to it!

Let those people be smug for a while longer!

Once she becomes the Crown Prince's wife, hmph, everyone will have to bow down and greet her!

The idea is wonderful. If no one interferes, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, Su Mingyue will be able to get married smoothly.

Although it wasn't exactly honorable, the goal was achieved, and the victor was one of them, so they didn't care what others thought!

The betrothal gifts were not much, which was quite ordinary considering Su Mingyue's status. It didn't show any sign that the Prince of Jingnan loved Su Mingyue as much as the rumors suggested.

Su Mingyue knew she was no match for the Prince of Jingnan; he hadn't even given her a second glance!

Even if someone is disabled and can't get up, their inherent pride still remains; they look down on you!

In order to save face, Su Mingyue thought of asking for a generous dowry, but she couldn't possibly have much dowry, and neither could her stepmother!

We can only place our hopes on other people, such as Old Madam Su and Madam Hou. If they add some, it will definitely not get better!

In fact, what Su Mingyue wanted most was Su Nanxi's dowry, which was specially prepared for Su Nanxi by the Lady of the Marquis. It was so generous that it made Su Mingyue's mind twisted with envy!

In addition, the Long family also prepared a lot of dowry for Su Nanxi. All things considered, it was quite a lot. Her marriage was incredibly glamorous and she was very proud!

People only covet what others have if they don't have it themselves!

If you can't get it, try to steal it; if you can't steal it, try to make it yours!

Anyway, that pampered young lady is gone, and keeping her around would just leave her gathering dust in the storeroom, so we might as well make good use of her!

Don't be surprised, this isn't the first time Su Mingyue has taken Su Nanxi's dowry. Ever since she was old enough to understand, she's been envious, and later she became jealous and hateful!

My mind has always been controlled by an obsession, and I always fantasize about having a glorious wedding day!

Two days later, the people from the Marquis of Anping's residence went out to watch a play. It was said to be a very difficult troupe to invite, so almost all the masters went out.

Su Mingyue also wanted to go out, but Luo Xiaoniang stopped her. Was the outside a place a young woman of marriageable age should go?

Su Mingyue sat down listlessly. Fine, she knew what was important!

It's just a play!

However, after they returned, for some reason, the people in the manor looked at them and their daughter strangely!

If it is said that the principal wife and sons look down on the concubines, that is understandable. Isn't that the case in every household?

But even the maids and servants who sweep the floor look at you like that!

There's definitely something wrong with that!

Upon closer inquiry, it turned out to be related to the content of the opera performance they had attended earlier!

Upon hearing this, Su Mingyue's face turned deathly pale with fear. After recovering from her shock, she immediately went to find Luo Xiaoniang.

Luo Xiaoniang immediately scolded him, deliberately raising her voice as if she were speaking to someone in particular.

It was probably a reprimand for Su Mingyue's clumsiness, lack of composure, and naivety. How could she possibly achieve anything great? If she were to marry into the family like this, with no shrewdness whatsoever, she would surely be bullied!

Su Mingyue didn't understand her mother's good intentions. She thought her mother was really scolding her harshly, and she felt very sad and glared angrily at her mother.

Seeing Luo Xiaoniang winking and making faces, she thought her mother was a fierce demon who hated her to the core!

The meeting ended unhappily.

It's none of your business!