The man in blue robe helped the staggering Duke Mu to sit down on the Luohan bed.

The wife of Duke Mu asked nervously, "Duke, your foot..."

"I'm fine. I just sprained my ankle accidentally. It's just a slight injury." Duke Mu waved his hand and smiled generously, "Lin Ye was worried and insisted on sending me back."

"Lin Ye, it's a good thing you helped me up in time, otherwise I would have fallen down."

"It's a small matter." The man called "Lin Ye" smiled indifferently, like a breeze gently blowing through the treetops.

Lady Mu looked at him and said with some emotion: "Lin Ye, you have become darker and thinner. You haven't been back to Beijing for five years, right?"

"Cousin aunt, you have a very good memory." Lin Ye nodded.

Pei Linye was the eldest son of General Pei, the cousin of Lady Mu, and his first wife. He was not in Beijing for many years. Five years ago, General Pei passed away, and he returned to Beijing to attend his grandfather's funeral. After the funeral, he left Beijing in a hurry and returned to the north.

He had not returned to Beijing for five whole years, and General Pei had already publicly announced that he did not have this son.

The wife of Duke Mu moved her lips, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, wanting to persuade him to go back to the Pei family, but in the end she didn't say it. She just sighed with emotion: "It's good that you come back safely!" As long as people are alive, there will always be a chance for them, father and son, to resolve their past conflicts and misunderstandings.

Pei Linye smiled gently and bowed, "Uncle father, aunt mother, cousin, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave now. I'll come visit you another day."

His clear eyes swept over the three people, and he looked at Shen for a second longer. He noticed that her eyes were a little dark, and frowned slightly.

Duke Mu did not keep him and asked the housekeeper to see the guest off for him.

Pei Linye left, and soon after, the doctor invited by the Duke's Mansion arrived. The doctor checked Duke Mu's sprained right foot and said it was not serious. He only gave him a bottle of medicinal wine and asked them to massage Duke Mu for three days.

The main courtyard returned to peace only after the doctor left.

Shen finally had the opportunity to ask about the arranged marriage: "Father, how is it going?"

Duke Mu frowned slightly, sorted out his thoughts, and then said, "The morning court had just begun when Cheng Linhua, the chief secretary of Prince Chen's Palace, came and said that he came on the orders of His Royal Highness Prince Chen. He returned the imperial decree granting marriage, and then left. The emperor was furious."

The Prince of Chen had always been willful, but neither the emperor nor the civil and military officials had expected that he would let the chief secretary openly disobey the emperor's order at the morning court session. At that moment, some civil officials proposed to punish the Prince of Chen in order to please the emperor.

"..." Shen opened her eyes slightly, shocked at first, then felt it was natural.

Maybe the Prince Chen's Mansion had been quiet yesterday because it was waiting to show the Emperor a warning in public at today's morning court session.

Duke Mu stroked his beard and continued, "The Emperor almost wanted to punish Prince Chen, but Su Mubai, Ming Xiyang and others stepped forward in time and pleaded that since Prince Chen was unwilling, it would be better to forget about the wedding. After all, we can't force Prince Chen to marry a concubine..."

Duke Mu's eyes darkened as he recalled the scenes from the morning court session.

Many civil officials in the court today are royalists, but most of the military generals stand on the side of Prince Chen. If the two sides really confront each other, it is hard to say who will win and who will lose.

"At first, the emperor refused to give in, insisting that he was doing this for the good of the prince, even though the prince did not understand his painstaking efforts. Otherwise, he would not be able to face the spirit of the late emperor in heaven."

The emperor and the generals argued about the wedding for nearly half an hour, each holding their own opinions, but they could not come to a conclusion.

"They were at a stalemate, so I took the opportunity to make a report, saying that this marriage was indeed a little hasty. Even if it was for the purpose of getting married, it was still the prince of Chen marrying his principal wife. If it was done in such a hurry, the prince's mansion might not have enough time to prepare."

"This important matter of marriage should be accompanied by three letters and six ceremonies, so as not to disgrace the prince."

Duke Mu's words also gave the emperor a way out. The result was as Duke Mu expected. "The emperor finally took a step back and said that the prince was in poor health. He asked the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the wedding and postpone the wedding date to one month later."

Although he had done what he promised his daughter, Duke Mu was frowning and drank his tea absent-mindedly.

Anyone with a brain can see that the commotion at the morning court session was a game between the Prince Chen's Palace and the Emperor. The Emperor made a move yesterday, so the Prince Chen's Palace fought back today.

Cheng Linhua and Su Mubai were clearly singing the same tune.

If Cheng Linhua had asked the emperor to postpone the wedding date from the beginning, the emperor would definitely not agree. It was because the Prince Chen's Mansion strongly resisted the order at first that there was room for bargaining later.

Postponing the wedding date should be the purpose of Prince Chen's Mansion.

Duke Mu glanced at Shen with a subtle expression.

Since Prince Chen's Mansion intends to delay the wedding, I'm afraid it's...

Duke Mu thought of a possibility and sighed secretly in his heart. In the end, he said nothing and started drinking tea.

"Father, I thank you on behalf of Sister Chen." Shen stood up and bowed to Duke Mu, breathing a sigh of relief.

She also knew that this marriage involved the court and was not as simple as a marriage between two families, but as it stood now, it was already good that the wedding date could be postponed from the day after tomorrow to a month later.

At least she still has a month to prepare a decent dowry for Sister Chen.

Based on Lady Mu's understanding of Duke Mu, she could vaguely sense that her husband had some reservations, but in her view, Chu Qianchen was just a concubine's daughter, not the eldest daughter's biological daughter. What the Shen family had done for her was worthy of her life-saving grace to Chu Yunmu.

Lady Mu immediately changed the subject: "I have invited Ah Zhi to have lunch at home. Lord, would you like to serve the meal now?"

Duke Mu also knew his wife's intention and readily agreed.

The three of them had lunch together. No one mentioned the wedding again. They were all happy and cheerful, chatting and laughing.

Shen did not say goodbye before she left. After she left, the wife of Duke Mu's face suddenly became gloomy.

The atmosphere became depressing and the air was heavy.

"I really regret that I shouldn't have arranged this marriage for Ah Zhi," Lady Mu said regretfully, "There's also a cousin and aunt sandwiched between the couple. They grew up together as childhood sweethearts, but it makes Ah Zhi look like a nobody... What the hell is going on!"

Duke Mu also regretted it. Deep wrinkles appeared between his brows and he looked much older.

More than twenty years ago, the old marquis of Yongding Marquis's Mansion saved my father's life on the battlefield. Before his death, my father kept saying that he owed the old marquis a life. Therefore, when the old marquis came to propose marriage that year, Duke Mu was also very embarrassed.

At the beginning, Shen was afraid of putting herself in a difficult position so she took the initiative to accept the marriage. Although she was a little hesitant, she thought that the old marquis had good character, so she finally agreed. Who would have thought that Chu Lingxiao was such an irresponsible and incompetent fool.

Duke Mu also sighed and rubbed his brows. "It's already come to this. There's no point in being upset. We'll help him out more in the future. When Brother Mu grows up, we'll ask for him to be crowned the Crown Prince as soon as possible."

The wife of Duke Mu knew this truth, but she was just holding her breath. Her daughter, whom she raised like a treasure, was being humiliated and treated with contempt. And Awan and Prince Jing also had a hard time getting along...

Lady Mu, Duke of Mu, gathered herself together and gradually calmed down.

She was a smart person, and she said bluntly: "...Does the emperor want to use the concubine's daughter to slap the face of the prince?"

"Nine out of ten," Duke Mu nodded with a sullen face. Only now did he reveal to his wife what he had been hiding, "What I'm worried about is how sick the Prince is..."

Duke Mu thought about it carefully. He felt that Cheng Linhua, Su Mubai and the others' concerted actions in the Golden Palace today were really not like the style of the Prince of Chen. It was more like they were undecided and had to resort to the tactic of "delaying" for the time being.

Thinking about it carefully, Duke Mu felt terrified.

Is it because Prince Chen is so sick that he has lost consciousness, so Cheng Linhua, Su Mubai and the others are leaderless and can only drag it out?

If that were true, everything would be explained.

Lady Mu looked outside the house and asked hesitantly, "Will Lin Ye know?"

Pei Linye is a member of the Northern Army. He happened to return to Beijing at this time, which made Lady Mu Guogong wonder whether it was related to Prince Chen's serious illness.

"Not appropriate." Duke Mu shook his head decisively in rejection.

Pei Linye did not stay in the Duke's Mansion for long just now, probably to avoid suspicion. After all, there are so many eyes watching him in the capital.

At this time, the more the Duke's Mansion knows, it may not be a good thing. The emperor cannot tolerate the Prince of Chen, so he will inevitably think too much and worry too much, and he will be afraid of enemies everywhere...

Duke Mu raised his lip sarcastically, "The Emperor is still as petty as ever. He couldn't tolerate Prince Chen back then, and he always felt that the late Emperor favored Prince Chen, so the late Emperor sent Prince Chen to the North."

"Prince Chen fought bravely on the battlefields of the North and made great contributions to the Great Qi. Even now, the Emperor still cannot tolerate Prince Chen."

At the end of his words, he let out a long sigh.

The previous emperor has passed away, and there is no one who can restrain the emperor anymore. As long as the emperor is the emperor, the marriage between Prince Chen and Chu Qianchen is difficult to refuse. Prince Chen is seriously ill now. If he can't pass this test, he will die before Chu Qianchen enters the palace, and Chu Qianchen will become an ominous person.

Duke Mu was worried about the political situation as well as his eldest daughter. It was obvious that his eldest daughter had taken a fancy to this concubine's daughter and he was afraid that she would lose her composure.

The old couple exchanged glances, and Lady Mu said helplessly, "Let's take it one step at a time."

The flowers and trees outside the window swayed in the wind, and the rustling sound seemed to echo her.

The air was filled with the scent of flowers and grass. The weather was a bit hot and humid, and both the people and the plants seemed a little wilted.

All the way back home, Shen was in a daze, her eyes blank, and no one knew what she was thinking.

When the carriage of the Marquis' Mansion stopped, she didn't realize it. It was only when Nanny Chen called her twice that she came to her senses and got off the carriage with the help of the maid.

Shen was originally planning to return to the main courtyard, but she saw Nanny Wang walking towards her from the inner courtyard with an expressionless face. It was obvious that she was coming for her.

"Madam," Nanny Wang bowed with a fake smile, "Madam, please come over."

Shen stroked her sleeves and said calmly, "Lead the way."

Nanny Wang was choked and felt that Shen was really a bitch. She knew how to get to Rongfu Hall, so why did she need someone to lead the way? No wonder the lady was always indifferent to the eldest daughter-in-law and couldn't like her.

"Madam, please."

Nanny Wang walked in front to lead Shen and took her to the left side room of Rongfu Hall.

Incense was curling in the corner, and the lady closed her eyes and twirled the string of beads in her hand, looking very pious.

After hearing Shen's greeting, the lady slowly opened her eyes with a complicated look. She also knew that Shen had gone out early in the morning and that she had returned to her parents' home.

It is very common for a married woman to return to her parents' home, but when she thought about why Shen returned to her parents' home, the lady felt as if she had eaten a mouthful of rotten food and felt extremely unhappy.

The lady tightly clenched the string of beads in her hand, and said to herself, well, as long as this marriage can be disrupted, it will be a good thing for the Chu family.

The lady held back her anger and said patiently, "Azhi, is your father-in-law doing well recently?"

Shen answered whatever the lady asked: "Thank you for your concern, mother. My father accidentally sprained his ankle this morning, but everything else is fine."

The Madam asked again: "What does your father say about Sister Chen's marriage to His Royal Highness Prince Chen?"

"The emperor said at the morning court that the wedding date will be postponed to one month later, and the Ministry of Rites will prepare the three books and six ceremonies for the wedding." Shen replied calmly.

"..." The lady's face suddenly darkened.

The lady was not at all satisfied with this result.

Postponing the wedding will not help at all, their Chu family is still inseparable from Prince Chen's Mansion!

Shen saw through the Madam's thoughts at a glance, but ignored them, laughing sarcastically in her heart: Be it the Madam or Chu Lingxiao, they had never considered Chu Qianchen at all. In their hearts, blood ties were nothing, and they could be discarded at will!

Shen was too lazy to talk nonsense with the lady, and took the initiative to suggest: "Mother, I plan to register Sister Chen under my name..."

What did she say?! Madam Tai looked at Shen with a look that said, "Are you crazy?"

If Shen Shi registered Chu Qianchen under her name, then Chu Qianchen would be the legitimate daughter of the Chu family. Wouldn't this mean that the Chu family attached great importance to this marriage? In the eyes of the emperor, would the emperor think that the Chu family wanted to rely on Prince Chen? !

Even though the lady didn't say anything, Shen could see that she was obviously not happy.

But in order to register Chu Qianchen, besides her own consent, she also needed the clan's consent, so she mentioned it to the lady dowager.

"Mother……"

Before Shen could say anything, she heard the creaking of a cane outside the door, and the voice of a maid saluting, "My Lord."

Chu Lingxiao was also called by the lady-in-law. She wanted to discuss the matter of Chu Qianchen with her eldest son and daughter-in-law.

After the door curtain was raised, Chu Lingxiao came in with a cane, looking at Shen with eyes as sinister as an owl.

Upon seeing this, Nanny Chen sighed secretly: If someone who doesn't know the truth is, they might think that this couple is not husband and wife, but enemies!

"Lingxiao, you're here." The lady could hardly suppress her irritation. Seeing her eldest son coming, she couldn't wait to tell Chu Lingxiao that the emperor had ordered the postponement of the wedding.

"Unlucky star! It's really an unlucky star!" Chu Lingxiao slammed his crutch heavily on the ground several times, making a thudding sound.

The Chu family has been harmed by Chu Qianchen, this jinx.

After Shen left Rongfu Hall yesterday, the family gathered together to discuss the matter until midnight. The more they discussed it, the more they felt that this marriage was inappropriate, and the more they felt that the Marquis' Mansion was in danger.

This was originally a feud between the Emperor and Prince Chen. It was Prince Chen who was ungrateful and reluctant to hand over his military power, which caused the Emperor to be furious.

Prince Chen is too ill to get out of bed, and Chu Qianchen is only there to bring good luck. If Prince Chen is alive, Chu Qianchen is not likable; if Prince Chen dies, Chu Qianchen is also not likable, and it will also affect the reputation of the Chu family girl, making others think that the Chu family girl is unlucky.

Anyway, in the eyes of the emperor, no matter whether Prince Chen is alive or dead, Chu Qianchen will not have a good ending. Just like her name, she is destined to fall into dust.

All will be humiliated together, and their Chu family will be disliked by the emperor because of Chu Qianchen!

The more Chu Lingxiao thought about it, the darker his eyes became, as if they were an endless hell, emitting a chilling dark aura.

He sighed, gritted his teeth and said slowly: "Chu Qianchen can't stay."

As long as Chu Qianchen is gone, this marriage will naturally be invalid.

This was a decision he made last night after careful consideration.

"What did you say?!" Shen's eyes were almost widened to the limit, looking at Chu Lingxiao in disbelief.

She thought she had seen through Chu Lingxiao and that she no longer had any expectations of him, but she never imagined that he could actually break new ground.

Is this man really her bedmate? !

Shen only felt an indescribable nausea spreading rapidly.

"..." The lady was also a little surprised, with a look of hesitation in her eyes. She lowered her eyes slightly and muttered something, without making any comment.

"Let her die suddenly." Chu Lingxiao simply said it bluntly.

He took a step closer to Shen with his cane and said softly, "Azhi, don't be so naive. That girl is trying to please you for profit. How sincere can she be?"

"She coaxed you with sweet words and said a few nice things, but you are so open-hearted. Is it worth it?"

"After all, she is just a concubine's daughter."

There was a hint of pity and mockery in Chu Lingxiao's eyes when he looked at Shen, and his expression even revealed a kind of detachment as if "everyone is drunk but I am sober".

Shen pursed her lips and looked up at him. Her cold and sharp eyes seemed to see through Chu Lingxiao.

Chu Lingxiao hesitated for a moment, raised a hand and gently placed it on Shen's shoulder, and continued to persuade: "Azhi, the Chu family is not just Chu Qianchen. You are the mistress of the Marquis's Mansion, you have to consider the overall situation!"

"Besides, you still have Sister Huang and Brother Mu. They are your biological children. Even if you don't consider others, you should at least consider them, right?"

As he spoke, Chu Lingxiao's eyes brightened, revealing his determination to win. "Just listen to me and leave her alone."

Shen didn't say anything, still looking at Chu Lingxiao, seeming speechless.

Chu Lingxiao felt that he had convinced Shen, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, then returned to their original position, and said in a gentle voice: "You are tired too, go back and rest early. Leave the rest to me."

"I will arrange for someone to send her to the farm today. This matter should be done sooner rather than later. We must let the emperor know..."

“Bang!”

A crisp slap interrupted Chu Lingxiao's words, so loud and so crisp.

Chu Lingxiao's face was knocked to one side.

A clear five-finger mark appeared on his left cheek, and his cheek suddenly became red and swollen. He stared at Shen in disbelief.

She actually dared to hit herself!!

Although Shen was a woman, she had learned riding and shooting since she was young, so the strength in her hands was not light, and she used all her strength in that slap just now.

The lady dowager and Nanny Wang were all dumbfounded when they saw this scene, unable to react for a moment.

"Shen Zhi!" Chu Lingxiao was so angry that he went crazy. His left cheek was burning with pain. He was angry, angry and ashamed, and his facial features were hideous.

If looks could kill, Shen would have died thousands of times.

Shen was still not satisfied, so she took the crutch from his hand and hit his injured left leg rudely...

"ah!"

Chu Lingxiao's sharp scream almost blew the roof off.

Shen didn't care about Chu Lingxiao's reaction, nor did she care whether his injuries would get worse. She just turned away.

She was too lazy to say anything more to Chu Lingxiao. There was no benefit in talking to someone like him.

Even after Shen left Rongfu Hall, she could still hear Chu Lingxiao's screams and cries: "Quick! Call a doctor for me! My legs hurt so much!"

Shen walked forward angrily, faster and faster, her chest heaving violently.

Nanny Chen fell a few steps behind Shen, thinking about what had just happened, with mixed feelings in her heart. She consoled her, "Madam, please don't be angry... It's not worth it to get yourself hurt by anger."

Nanny Chen had already seen through what kind of person Chu Lingxiao was as early as last month when he secretly replaced Chu Yunmu's Ten-Herb Ointment. She felt sorry for her wife for marrying such an irresponsible man.

Shen suddenly stopped under a tree. The sunlight filtered through the dense branches and leaves above, casting mottled shadows on her face, making her expression look even more heavy.

Shen knew that Chu Lingxiao hated Chu Qianchen and could trample on her and abandon her at will, but she never expected that he would hate her to the point of wishing her dead.

When the wind blows, the lush branches and leaves sway, and even the mottled light and shadows sway along with them, making the surroundings seem particularly peaceful.

Shen suddenly asked, "Madam Chen, have you found out what I asked you to find out last time?"

She was talking about the last time she asked Nanny Chen to investigate the matter between Aunt Jiang and Chu Qianchen.

Shen turned her head and looked towards Rongfu Hall. After what had just happened, the sense of disharmony in her heart became even stronger.

Why do Chu Lingxiao and Aunt Jiang dislike their biological daughter? !

Their "dislike" is really unreasonable!

Shen always felt like she was in a thick maze, something was about to come out, but she couldn't find the answer...

"Madam, we have found out some things..." Nanny Chen has received some reports about this matter one after another in recent days. She originally planned to report it to Shen, but the imperial edict granting marriage came too suddenly yesterday, so she did not take care of this matter for a while.

The temperature has dropped, don't catch a cold~

(End of this chapter)