Even though the princess personally helped him up, it couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the Chu family.
Chu Jingde didn't even need his cane anymore. He knelt and kowtowed three times and nine times, which startled Chu Jinjin so much that she quickly helped him up. Then she found that not only was he alright, but he was also full of energy, with rosy cheeks, just like a young man.
A mental cure requires a mental cure.
Since Chu Zujian's incident, the Chu family has been in turmoil, with one problem after another, never stopping. Although Chu Jinjin is there, the family has lost its former vigor and spirit.
Now that the princess has visited, along with a first-rank imperial consort, the news will spread throughout the entire capital tomorrow.
Princess Le'an, having witnessed this since childhood, naturally understood and was filled with regret. On a whim, she realized she should have brought some gifts. After thinking for a moment, she took off the bracelet from her wrist and gave it to Madam Liu—Chu Jinjin's biological mother was a concubine, so she had to be given priority.
She then removed two more gold hairpins and gave them to the Chu Lanlan sisters.
This is the only way; if we pick any more, we'll be bald.
Chu Jinjin invited the two to her small courtyard, and only then did things quiet down for a while.
"Thank you, Your Highness, and thank you, Sister Li." Chu Jinjin wasn't the type to use sweet words; a simple "thank you" was enough, and everything was understood without being said.
The three continued their previous conversation.
What was Xu Wenda doing at the Wang family's house?
The Wang family could certainly come up with 60,000 taels, but there was no need for them to help the Xu family. The two families were not even normal in-laws; if they weren't already married, they would be enemies.
Li Xinzhi suddenly thought of something: "Could it be that they'd exchange it for a divorce?"
The Wang family's greatest hatred wasn't for Chu Jinjin, but for Xu Wenda. If their daughter hadn't been bewitched, how could they have agreed to it?
Li Xinzhi was at the very top of the social circle of noble ladies, and she was well-informed. She glanced at Chu Jinjin and said with a smile, "On the day of the wedding, Jinjin came to ask for her dowry, which completely ruined the reputation of the Xu family. The Wang family even considered divorce at that time."
For most women, being divorced or having a separation would be devastating, but the Wang family, a large and influential family, is open-minded and prioritizes their daughter's happiness.
However, the result was that the daughter was not happy.
Princess Le'an frowned: "Wang Ruoyun won't agree, will she?"
Chu Jinjin understood.
It's fine if Wang Ruoyun disagrees. In marriages of this era, men are dominant. As long as Xu Wenda is determined, the marriage will have to end whether they want to or not.
After thinking it over, it seems that this really is the only feasible solution.
Although the Xu family will be completely destroyed by then, and it will take several generations to recover, at least the family will be saved.
Li Xinzhi sighed, "Poor thing, yet another woman ruined by a man."
Le An chuckled: "Indeed, the three of us have similar experiences."
One met Xu Wenda and was divorced on their wedding day; the other met a phoenix man who, when he became successful, seduced his wife with another man in order to get a divorce. Compared to him, Zheng Fuma was actually better.
"I've finally escaped this hellhole." With no one else in the room, Princess Le'an spoke frankly about her thoughts. "The Emperor doesn't care about me, and as for the Empress Dowager, she probably won't either. Even if we were to arrange a marriage, what family would want a princess who's been married before? So, I'm planning to find a bunch of male concubines. Hehe, men, I can do whatever I want with them."
If the other person hadn't been a princess, Chu Jinjin would have really wanted to pat her on the shoulder and encourage her.
That's so well said.
Men can have multiple wives and concubines, so why can't women?
Of course, there are some, but they are all done secretly.
“Xinzhi, stop shaking your head. You are a first-rank noblewoman, how many women in the world can compare to you? Don’t hang yourself on that crooked tree of Zhou Guoshou, and stop hesitating and thinking so much. Just leave him quickly. While you’re still young, find a male concubine or a good family. Don’t waste any more time.” Princess Le’an’s words were shocking. “I think you don’t know the pleasures of men. How about this, I’ll arrange it another day.”
After saying that, she glanced at Chu Jinjin and said, "Miss Jinjin, come along too."
Chu Jinjin: "......I guess I'll pass."
Li Xinzhi covered her mouth and laughed: "Jinjin is still a virgin."
Chu Jinjin: "......."
Married women really dare to talk about anything.
“It’s not that I don’t want a divorce, it’s that I’m unwilling to accept it.” Li Xinzhi let go of Chu Jinjin and steered the conversation back to herself, sneering, “If I get a divorce, it would be tantamount to giving Zhou Guoshou his wish. I’ll wait, I’ll wait for God to punish him.”
Chu Jinjin thought of that ledger again.
At this moment, the maid rushed in in a panic, as if she had encountered some thugs. When she saw Princess Le'an, she realized that there was more than just Chu Jinjin in the room. She knelt down straight and said, "This humble servant greets Your Highness the Princess and Madam Li."
Chu Jinjin frowned: "What happened?"
She is entertaining distinguished guests here, and she will only be disturbed by something as catastrophic as the collapse of the sky.
The maid's face turned bright red, and she stammered as she pointed outside: "Third, Third Miss, someone from the palace has come and says they want you to receive an imperial decree."
Chu Jinjin: "......."
"Did you say something?" Princess Le'an remained calm and wanted to ask for details, but then remembered that the maid probably didn't know anything, so she stood up and said, "Don't panic, I'll go and see."
To welcome the princess, the Chu family wore New Year's attire as summer approached, and then an imperial edict arrived.
It was so lively it made me want to faint.
Compared to the princess, this is no surprise. Could it be that the Imperial Concubine has made a move?
In the hall sat a capable-looking eunuch, none other than Eunuch Zhao, who had clashed with Chu Jinjin before.
All the prominent members of the Chu family came to accompany them, in addition to Zhan Qin.
Upon seeing Princess Le'an arrive, they all rose to greet her.
Eunuch Zhao, standing at the front, said: "This servant greets Princess Le'an and Madam Li."
“No need for such formalities, Eunuch Zhao.” Princess Le’an didn’t put on airs as a princess when dealing with this lackey of the emperor. She looked at the Chu family members and was about to be polite when her gaze inadvertently fell on Zhan Qin, and she froze on the spot.
Zhan Qin's eyes met briefly and then looked away, unseen by anyone. He blinked, as if trying to express something.
Princess Le'an reacted quickly, calmly helping Chu Jingde to his feet and leading him to the main seat. She said indifferently, "Does Your Majesty wish to see Miss Jinjin?"
She knew that Eunuch Zhao had gone to her residence to test Chu Jinjin, and she could roughly guess what he meant.
Eunuch Zhao nodded with a smile: "I didn't expect the princess to be here as well. His Majesty instructed me to visit you after I finished my business here and inquire about the donations. It's good that I don't have to make an extra trip, hehe."
"Jinjin has never been to the palace before. Please wait a moment, Eunuch Zhao, while she changes her clothes. I'll also give her a few more instructions on what to be careful about when entering the palace." Princess Le'an's words sounded like a suggestion, but they were actually an order. After speaking, she waved to Chu Jinjin and turned to leave.
Li Xinzhi naturally followed suit.
There are indeed many things to be careful about when entering the palace, and she had to give some instructions, since it was the imperial palace.
Once inside, Princess Le'an immediately closed the door herself and asked anxiously, "Who was that man just now?"
She asked very tactfully, without directly revealing her name.
There must be some hidden reason for its reappearance here after so many years.
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