Meanwhile, chaos reigned in the palace. Princess Shaohua was sobbing on the Empress's lap, lamenting, "Mother, how can I face anyone now! The whole capital will laugh at me."

"Alright, who would dare laugh at you?" The dignified and elegant empress patted the princess's back weakly, then coughed a few times.

"I don't care, I want to marry Brother Mo Yan. Mother, please talk to Father for me."

"Alright! Your mother will definitely speak to you on your behalf. Stop crying!"

Li Weiwei, who was standing beside her, chimed in, "Your Majesty, you have no idea how arrogant Tian Yu was at the Marquis's residence that day. She pointed at me and the princess and started cursing. I was beaten by her, and my face still hurts." She then covered her face as she spoke.

“I’ve already heard about this from your fifth brother. What you did was wrong too, but it’s all in the past now. Tian Yu has done a great service, and your father just rewarded her. It’s best not to cause any trouble for now.”

"Mother, Mother doesn't care about your son at all. I'll go talk to Father myself." Princess Shaohua stood up and ran outside.

The Empress called out from behind, "Ling'er, Ling'er, don't be naughty and make your father angry, or you'll be punished again!"

But Wu Ling'er had already run far away. Li Weiwei also bid farewell to the Empress and chased after her. The Empress told her to stop the princess and prevent her from causing trouble. Then she dismissed the servants. She wanted to lie down and rest but was worried. The nanny who was serving her said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Take care of your health. You should drink your medicine and rest for a while. Even if the princess makes a fuss, she won't cause any major trouble. At most, she will just be scolded by the Emperor."

"Oh well, let her be. I can't control her anymore." He coughed a few more times as he spoke.

The princess on the other side hadn't run far before Li Weiwei caught up with her and advised her, "Princess, you can't go to the Emperor, or we'll be punished."

"Why are you stopping me too? Didn't you tell me before that I couldn't just let it go like this?" the princess asked, puzzled.

“Princess, what I mean is, we can’t force it; we need to find a different approach.”

"What method? Father has already bestowed upon her the title of First-Rank Lady, which clearly acknowledges that she is the Marquis's wife."

“So we can’t force it, listen to me.” Li Weiwei said, whispering something in the princess’s ear.

The princess frowned in doubt and asked, "Are you sure this will work?"

"Don't worry! I'll help you."

So the two changed their route and went to Consort Li's palace.

When Tian Yu woke up from her nap, it was already evening. Qiu Ju and Lv Liu were both there. Tian Yu sat up and asked, "Where are Tang Yuan?"

"Reporting to Madam, the young master is doing well and is practicing swordsmanship with Xuan Yu," Green Willow said, handing water to Tian Yu.

"Where is the Marquis?"

"After the lady went to bed, the Marquis went to the military camp and hasn't returned yet," Qiuju said as she combed Tianyu's hair.

"What about my brother?"

“Uncle is in his room, but he told me to let him know if Madam wakes up,” Qiuju said while combing Tianyu’s hair.

"I'll go inform Uncle right away." After saying that, Green Willow saw Tian Yu nod in agreement and left the room to find Li Xingyun.

After Green Willow left, only Tian Yu and Qiu Ju remained in the room. Tian Yu asked Qiu Ju, who was combing her hair, "Qiu Ju, do you still have the same idea as before, planning to stay by the Marquis's side for the rest of your life?"

“Madam, Qiuju has no other thoughts, she only wants to serve you for the rest of her life.”

“But you’re already of marriageable age, and I don’t want to hold you back. I remember you’re a bit older than Green Willow, right?”

"Yes, does Madam find Qiuju distasteful?"

“That’s not what I meant. I remember that in the Wu Kingdom, women who were not engaged by the age of eighteen would be punished.”

"Yes, but I am a maid in the Marquis's mansion, and I can remain unmarried for life."

"Both the Marquis and I hope that you and Green Willow can have a good ending. Do you still want to stay by the Marquis's side?"

Qiuju knelt down and said, "Madam, this servant dares not. Having been by your side for so long, this servant has long seen the Marquis's affection for you. This servant is only envious, nothing more. This servant is willing to follow you for life."

"Get up quickly, what are you doing? Didn't I tell you not to refer to yourself as a servant? I didn't mean anything by it. I just hope that you and Green Willow can both marry into good families, so that I can rest assured."

"During the time she spent with Madam, Qiuju was deeply influenced by her teachings. She only wanted to marry one man, otherwise she would rather remain unmarried for life."

"To find one heart and stay together until old age. In those days, it was such a simple thing, but here it is so difficult, especially for a woman. Do you know that when I heard that the Marquis had been imprisoned, I had already convinced myself to let him marry the princess?"

"Madam, it's alright now, it's all over."

"I hope so! But after this incident, I still hope that you and Qiuju can marry into good families as soon as possible. If something happens to the Marquis, we may not be able to protect you. You may be exiled or sold to other families. Do you understand?"

"Don't worry, Madam, Qiuju understands. We'll accept it if that's the case."

"Okay, but remember to tell me if you find someone you like."

After Qiu Ju helped her, Tian Yu finally put on a plain white dress, styled her hair in a simple and elegant ancient women's hairstyle, and sat in the courtyard with Li Xingyun drinking tea.

"Brother! Thank you for everything you've done for me. Now, all I can do is offer you a cup of tea instead of wine!" Tian Yu said, offering the tea with both hands after brewing it.

"No need! Helping you is helping myself too. Don't forget, if something happens to you, my mother's money will be gone!"

Yes! But thank you anyway!

Li Xingyun took the tea and drank it down in one gulp, asking, "Is the injury on your back any better?"

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