"I'm clearly the legitimate daughter..." she bit her lip indignantly, "Why..."

"Why does she get all these benefits...?"

Shen Zhiyi is merely a concubine's daughter, of lowly status, how could she be worthy of being matched with him!

Lianxing was also indignant.

"These things should all belong to you, Miss."

She remembered Madam Shen's instructions, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes. "Miss, you should listen to Madam and harden your heart."

Shen Qingyuan was startled.

Still somewhat hesitant, "But..."

Lianxing said anxiously, "If Miss continues to soften her heart, both the Crown Princess and the Ye family matriarch will only end up in Second Miss's hands!"

"From now on, you and your wife will truly be at the mercy of others!"

Shen Qingyuan turned her head and looked at the Buddha statue on the throne, her palms suddenly sweating.

Dependent on others' breath...

As long as Shen Zhiyi is around, even if I am the legitimate daughter, I am like a pearl covered in dust, dim and without luster!

She clenched her fist tightly, her eyes resolute and filled with ruthlessness.

Shen Zhiyi...

Don't even think about stopping her from moving forward!

...

Outside the palace.

Shen Zhiyi didn't stop walking; instead, she slowly walked towards the meditation room.

"Does Young Master Ye have anything else to say?"

Ye Jinghong looked at her profile illuminated by the sunlight, his heart racing. He turned his head and said, "I came here to tell Miss Ye that the change of family members in the marriage was not my intention."

"If my mother hadn't threatened to kill herself, I would never have agreed."

“In my heart…” He lowered his eyes.

Suddenly, he stepped forward and blocked Shen Zhiyi's path.

"Does the Second Miss remember the poem she recited at the poetry gathering that day?"

Shen Zhiyi stopped and looked at him with some confusion.

After a long pause, he laughed and said, "Young master is joking. I admit that my talent is not as good as my elder sister's. At the poetry gathering that day, I just made up a few nonsensical lines on the spot."

"I've forgotten myself."

Ye Jinghong said firmly, "But I remember it very clearly!"

"The second young lady said that even if it is difficult, you will still go to find the bright moon and the lone boat."

He stepped forward again, "I know that Miss Er wants to find someone she can truly entrust herself to, someone who can weather the storms with her."

"If you're willing, I..."

“Young Master Ye.” Shen Zhiyi smiled and interrupted him in a clear voice, “You seem to have misunderstood.”

She smiled, but her eyes held a distant expression.

"What I'm looking for isn't someone I can truly entrust my heart to, but rather..."

She raised her eyes and said, word by word, "Power."