Shen Wan knew how much her elder sister loved her biological daughter Chu Qianhuang in the past. She also knew that there had been some friction between them recently, but a mother and daughter would never harbor grudges overnight.

Shen Wan smiled slightly, and simply acted as a peacemaker, and took the initiative to suggest: "Let Sister Huang come in."

Shen didn't embarrass her sister, but just smiled as a response.

After a while, Chu Qianhuang came over here. She was wearing a fiery red jacket with a vase and peony pattern, her hair was in a double bun, and she wore a South Pearl hoop. The jade-like round South Pearls sparkled in the sun.

Her every move was so graceful and calm, graceful and elegant, just like a lady from a noble family.

Chu Qianhuang first greeted Shen, who was sitting at the head of the table, and then greeted Shen Wan and Gu Zhiyan with a smile: "Third Aunt, Seventh Aunt."

Chu Qianhuang looked the same as always, graceful and elegant.

In the past, when Shen looked at her eldest daughter, her heart and eyes were full of smiles. However, she didn't know since when, when she looked at her, she was left with only a feeling of exhaustion and didn't want to say anything.

Shen simply picked up the teacup and drank the tea.

Shen Wan looked back and forth at the mother and daughter, feeling more and more sad. She wanted to warm up the atmosphere and asked, "Sister Huang, are you used to living in the palace? The palace servants treat people differently based on their status. If you are wronged, tell me and your aunt, the imperial concubine, and don't bear it."

Chu Qianhuang smiled sweetly, "Don't worry, Auntie, the Third Princess treats me very well."

"Originally I was supposed to come back tomorrow, but the Third Princess asked me to come back a day earlier and told me to stay at home for one more day."

In fact, in Shen Wan's opinion, there was no need for Chu Qianhuang to go to the palace to be a companion, as it would restrict her hands and feet. But since her niece liked him, it was not appropriate for her as an aunt to interfere.

"The rules in this palace are strict, and you have worked hard, Sister Huang." Shen Wan sighed, "Big sister, I see she has lost weight. I have some top-quality blood swallows. I'll have someone send some over later."

Shen Wan had good intentions, so she didn't try to offend her sister and said calmly, "Sister Huang, why don't you thank your aunt?"

The maids in the main courtyard were all sighing: Madam was angry with the eldest daughter before and had always refused to see her, and they, the servants, felt bad watching. This time, Princess Jing came forward to act as a peacemaker, and it seemed that the mother and daughter could finally put aside their past grudges.

Only Nanny Chen clenched her handkerchief and recalled the day when she saw Chu Qianhuang waiting in the corridor.

Nanny Chen felt heavy in her heart. She just stared at Chu Qianhuang blankly and didn't hear anything they said next.

After lunch, Shen Wan again proposed to take Gu Zhiyan back to the palace.

Gu Zhiyan, who had been well-behaved at first, immediately showed a gesture of resistance and grabbed Chu Qianchen's skirt, reluctant to let go.

Rong Mama, the wet nurse, and everyone else in the main courtyard were already used to this.

Gu Zhiyan was almost clinging to Chu Qianchen, mumbling, "Sister, Yueyue."

The little black cat that was still eating dried fish stopped, licked its mouth and nose, gave Gu Zhiyan a look, and went back to eating.

Shen Wan couldn't help but look at Chu Qianchen a little more. This was what happened last time at Duke Mu's Mansion. Her daughter hugged Chu Qianchen's waist and wouldn't let her leave. She couldn't do anything about her daughter, so she agreed to let her stay at the Marquis' Mansion for a while.

Chu Qianchen rubbed the top of Gu Zhiyan's head and said, "Good boy, it's time for you to go home."

She stuffed a pumpkin-shaped sachet into Gu Zhiyan's hand. The sachet contained the spices she specially prepared for Gu Zhiyan. On it was a black cat catching a butterfly embroidered by Amber herself. The agile and graceful little black cat had snow-white hooves, and it was clearly embroidered in the shape of Yueying.

Gu Zhiyan held the sachet tightly in her hand and smiled. Her eyebrows were curved like a crescent moon, and her dark pupils were sparkling with a happy smile.

Shen Wan's heart melted when she saw her daughter's cute and sweet look.

She saw that her daughter was reluctant to leave Chu Qianchen and the little black cat, so she said softly, "Qiniang, mother promises that I will bring you to see cousin and Yueyue in two days, okay?"

Gu Zhiyan showed two fingers, which meant two days! Shen Wan also showed two fingers with her right hand and stretched out her left hand to Gu Zhiyan.

Gu Zhiyan looked up at Chu Qianchen, who gave her an encouraging smile. She finally let go of the hand that was holding Chu Qianchen's skirt and held Shen Wan's hand.

Shen Wan became even more excited. She kept a slight smile on her face and moved gently, fearing that she would scare her daughter.

Shen Wan looked at Chu Qianchen twice more, her gaze moving around her face, especially her beautiful and clear phoenix eyes. She felt that the more she looked at them, the more familiar they looked.

Who does he look like? Chu Qianchen noticed Shen Wan's scrutinizing gaze and smiled generously.

She was not worried whether Shen Wan would recognize her. Under the current circumstances, even if Shen Wan recognized her, she would not say anything.

On the contrary, Shen looked at Shen Wan with a thoughtful expression, a little worried that she would recognize Chu Qianchen as the miracle doctor of Jishiditang, so she spoke to divert Shen Wan's attention: "Third sister, since you promised Qi Niang, you can't go back on your word."

Shen Wan really turned her eyes away from Chu Qianchen's face and said with a smile: "Sister, I promised Qi Niang, of course I will keep my word."

She didn't want Qi Niang to bear a grudge against her over such a small matter.

Gu Zhiyan didn't know if he understood or not. He looked down and just focused on the little black cat that was eating happily.

Chu Qianchen gave Amber a look, and Amber picked up the greedy cat and said with a smile: "County Lady, Yueying and I will see you off together."

So, Gu Zhiyan finally followed Shen Wan.

Shen sent Chu Qianchen away as well: "Sister Chen, you should go back and have a rest as well."

Chu Qianchen stood up, bowed, and left.

Chu Qianhuang's eyes flickered, and she still sat there elegantly, her body slightly stiff.

As soon as Chu Qianchen left and the Xiangfei curtain was lowered, she heard Shen's indifferent voice from the other side of the curtain:

"Kneel down."

Besides Shen, there were only Chu Qianhuang and Nanny Chen in the room. These two words were definitely not addressed to Nanny Chen.

Chu Qianchen's long, comb-like eyelashes trembled slightly, and his eyes moved.

She only paused for a moment, then continued walking forward and left without looking back.

Behind the door curtain, Chu Qianhuang looked at Shen's cold eyes and was shocked.

She stood up slowly, then knelt obediently on the mirror-smooth ground.

Nanny Chen's eyelids twitched, and she quickly retreated, sent away all the maids serving in the main room outside, and asked the head maid Dongmei to guard the door, and then returned to the side room.

Chu Qianhuang looked at Shen blankly, with a hint of grievance in her expression.

Shen asked directly, "On the 27th of last month, the day you returned home from the palace, did you hear what Nanny Chen and I were talking about?!"

Shen seemed to be asking questions, but her expression and tone were very firm. When she asked Chu Qianhuang "Did you hear it?", it was actually more like a question.

At this time, Nanny Chen, who had returned to the room, also heard it. She naturally knew that Shen was just deceiving the eldest girl.

Chu Qianhuang was still confused and shook her head, "Mom, I talked to Ruoxiang in the corridor when I came back that day."

"If you don't believe me, feel free to ask Ruoxiang to come and question me."

Chu Qianhuang raised her chin and stared at Shen, with a look of grievance and sadness.

"Mother, what did you say to Nanny Chen and why did you deliberately avoid me? Now you are still doubting me..."

As she spoke, she bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, causing her lip to turn slightly white.

She turned her face to the side, as stubborn as a rose blooming in the sun, and as fiery as fire.

Shen stared at Chu Qianhuang closely, expressionless.

She had asked Nanny Chen to ask the maids in the yard a long time ago. Both Ruoxiang, who was talking to Chu Qianhuang, and the few maids who were sweeping the yard at that time said that after Chu Qianhuang entered the yard that day, he waited in the corridor and did not go into the house.

The maids all knew that Shen and Nanny Chen had something to say, so they didn't dare to let anyone in.

But even though Nanny Chen asked again and again, Shen still felt a thorn in her heart.

This thorn has been in her heart for the past few days, prickling her from time to time, making her unable to help but think about Mei'er's words.

Even if Chu Qianhuang knelt in front of her like this, the thorn could not be removed.

"Sister Huang." Shen called out in a hoarse voice.

Chu Qianhuang then looked at her again, and on the girl's proud face was a hint of hurt that she was trying hard to suppress.

Shen's heart became even heavier. She had never wanted to question her daughter like this, but her daughter's actions in the past few months really disappointed her.

She took a deep breath and said the decision she had made long ago: "I will ask the Queen to resign your position as the third princess's companion on your behalf. After your second sister gets married, you will go to Shangde Academy to attend classes."

What?! Chu Qianhuang's eyes widened in an instant, almost to the extreme, and she couldn't believe her ears.

Of course she knew what Shangde Academy was.

The girls who would be admitted to Shangde Academy did not have a good reputation. They were often the girls who were unpopular or disliked in various mansions, as well as those with a blemish on their reputation.

Shen rubbed her brows feebly and said in a deep voice, "Sister Huang, you should control your temper."

"..." Chu Qianhuang felt as if he was stabbed again, and his eyes became bottomless.

Her lips moved and she fell silent.

Chu Qianhuang didn't speak, and Shen didn't speak either.

The mother and son looked at each other quietly, and seemed to be fighting silently.

There is an indescribable depression contained in this silence, which makes people feel heavy and suffocated.

Nanny Chen was anxious and looked back and forth between Shen and Chu Qianhuang.

During this period, she watched helplessly as the mother and daughter went in opposite directions and drifted further and further apart, and she felt extremely uncomfortable.

Of course, she knew that the person who felt more uncomfortable was Shen. Chu Qianhuang's performance hurt Shen more than Chu Lingxiao. After all, Shen had placed high hopes on Chu Qianhuang, her biological daughter.

Nanny Chen took two steps forward and walked to Chu Qianhuang's side, trying to persuade her not to be so stubborn.

Nanny Chen just opened her mouth when Chu Qianhuang spoke first: "Okay."

After a pause, she continued, "Mother, I promise you that I will not enter the palace after my second sister gets married."

She sighed softly and sincerely admitted her mistake: "Mom, I have been thinking wrongly these days."

"After my grandfather passed away, I watched the Marquis' Mansion gradually decline. I thought that since I was the daughter of the Chu family and thought about everything the Chu family had given me, I should do something for the family. That's why I wanted to enter the palace to be the third princess's companion and please the Queen."

"I am too utilitarian."

"It was actually my father's idea that I should be the princess's tutor. I think my father and you..."

She pursed her lips hesitantly, as if she felt that as a daughter she shouldn't gossip about her parents, and her expression was gloomy.

She paused again, and said in a softer voice, "I want to please my father, and I hope you and my father can put aside your past grudges."

“…”

"I was wrong, mother."

A myriad of thoughts turned into these last four words, and her eyes gradually became moist.

Nanny Chen also sighed in her heart and advised: "Madam, the eldest lady knows her mistake."

Shen stared at Chu Qianhuang kneeling on the ground, her gaze fixed, without the slightest wavering.

The girl in front of her is her biological daughter. The child she gave birth to after ten months of pregnancy is a part of her.

She doted on her, taught her, raised her, and watched her grow up, hoping that she would live a bright and happy life with a clear conscience, just like a phoenix in the sky, spreading its wings and soaring.

She gave her daughter this name, which was her good hope for her daughter.

It was not until these few months that she gradually realized that her daughter was not what she had thought...

The daughter was wrong, and she was wrong too.

If a child is raised but not taught, it is the mother's fault.

No one is perfect, Shen told himself.

Although the thorn in her heart was still there, she finally let go: "Madame Chen, help her up."

Nanny Chen quickly helped Chu Qianhuang up. She had been kneeling for a while and her knees were numb, so her movements were stiff and slow.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

Nanny Chen felt extremely distressed. She bent down and stroked Chu Qianhuang's skirt, brushed off the dust on it, and helped her sit down.

Shen took a sip of tea and continued, "It will be a few days before your second sister and His Royal Highness Prince Chen get married. You should come back early after entering the palace this time."

Chu Qianhuang responded meekly.

Nanny Chen brought her tea. Chu Qianhuang thanked Nanny Chen and when she took the teacup, she exerted a little force on the fingers holding the tray, so that her fingertips turned white.

She lowered her eyes and took two sips of tea, and her emotions gradually calmed down.

When Chu Qianhuang looked at Shen again, a faint smile appeared on the corner of her lips. "Mother, I want to go to Wanyan Courtyard to find my second sister. My third aunt and Qi Niang were here just now, and I was busy talking to them. I forgot to tell my second sister that the Third Princess gave me some pearl flowers and specifically said that she was going to give them to my second sister."

"Ever since the Third Princess accidentally met the Second Sister once in Yunting Pavilion, she has liked her very much and always mentioned her to me. When I returned home today, she almost followed me, but it was the Queen who persuaded her not to."

She was smiling and speaking in a cheerful voice, obviously trying to liven up the atmosphere.

Shen just said, "Go ahead."

After Chu Qianhuang packed her luggage, she took her leave.

After the Xiangfei curtain fell, it shook slightly and then became motionless.

Shen stared blankly at the Xiangfei curtain, her expression had changed a long time ago, no longer as graceful and gentle as before.

There was only weakness and fatigue left on her face.

The sky outside had become gloomy at some point, the sun was blocked by thick clouds, and the room also became dark, making Shen's face look even uglier.

Nanny Chen's heart skipped a beat, and she asked in a low voice, "Madam, is there anything wrong with what the young lady said?"

Shen shook her head.

The explanation Chu Qianhuang just gave was reasonable and his attitude was very sincere.

But because of this, Shen felt uncomfortable and uneasy. It was an indescribable feeling.

Nanny Chen also thought about it again and comforted her, "Madam, are you thinking too much? The eldest girl knows that you are doing this for her own good."

"I hope so." Shen rubbed her brows again and sighed, "Maybe I'm really not a good mother."

Mother and daughter are connected by heart. She should have realized that her daughter's temper was not right a long time ago. If it was a few years ago, she could have kept her close, kept an eye on her, and gradually changed her temper. Now her daughter is almost fourteen years old, and her mind has become too heavy, and she can no longer control it.

Shen looked out the window again.

The dark clouds in the sky seemed to be thicker, piling up layer upon layer, as if they were about to fall at any time.

At this moment, Chu Qianhuang had already walked out of the yard.

She turned her head to look at the main courtyard, then continued walking forward and went to Wanyan Courtyard as she had said to Shen.

She did not stay in Wanyan Courtyard for long. After handing over the box of pearl flowers given by the third princess, she said goodbye.

It took less than a cup of tea to go in and out.

Chu Qianchen asked Amber to see the guest off, and he leaned lazily on the armchair, casually picked up a red gold filigree beaded bracelet from the box and played with it casually.

Ever since she and Chu Qianhuang had a falling out on the way to the palace on the Wanshou Festival, Chu Qianhuang had never come to see her alone again. When they met occasionally, they only exchanged ordinary sisterly greetings and kept to themselves.

She put down the bracelet, went to the inner room to change into a jade-colored dress, and then went out with Amber.

Today is the day when I go to Prince Chen’s Mansion for a “follow-up visit” every three days.

It was just a pretense. Even the medicine box that Amber took out was actually empty. It was just like the girl was visiting Prince Chen's mansion.

Every time, the housekeeper of the palace would take Chu Qianchen to a hall and prepare tea, cakes, fruits, books, chess boards, etc. for her. She would respond to her every request and almost worship her as a bodhisattva.

Actually, today is no exception.

Chu Qianchen planned to drink a cup of Longjing tea and leave, but someone was already waiting for her in the hall.

Su Mubai was wearing a sky-blue robe with dark patterns and was reading a book in the hall, looking gentle and elegant.

However, people who knew him would not be deceived by his appearance. After all, he was the champion of the Wanshou Festival martial arts test, and his skills were among the best among the military generals in the capital.

Chu Qianchen had known him for two lifetimes, so his understanding of him was naturally deeper than that of others. He guessed that he would not come to visit without a good reason.

He must be here for a reason.

Chu Qianchen signaled Amber to wait under the eaves, and he stepped over the threshold and entered the hall.

"Commander Su." Chu Qianchen nodded slightly to Su Mubai as a greeting.

"Miss Chu Er, please take a seat." Su Mubai put down the book in his hand and stretched out his hand as a gesture of invitation.

Chu Qianchen sat down obediently.

"This morning we received a pigeon letter from the northwest. It was a handwritten letter from the prince." Su Mubai said as he observed the changes in Chu Qianchen's expression. He immediately noticed that her eyes outside the veil brightened up, sparkling like gems.

Su Mubai's eyes flashed, and he felt there was hope.

Before the Ministry of Internal Affairs issued the betrothal proposal, Chu Qianchen did not get angry with Tang Yuchu because he could not find a prince. He felt that this marriage had a chance, and his original confidence, which was only 50% to 60%, increased to 70% to 80%.

Man proposes, God disposes.

"Commander Su, when will the prince be back?" Chu Qianchen breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the letter from Gu Jue. He thought: Since there is news from the prince, the Lin people should have been dealt with.

While feeling relieved, she felt that Xue Fengyan was indeed unreliable. The prince had sent a letter in the morning, but he didn't tell her earlier! Outside the hall, Xue Fengyan, who was lazily leaning on a tree branch, felt a little itchy on the tip of his nose and sneezed.

The corners of Su Mubai's lips curled higher, thinking that whether his prince would live alone for the rest of his life depended on him.

He could see that Chu Qianchen respected the prince but had no romantic feelings for him, so she was willing to risk her own reputation for the prince.

She had no intention of really marrying the prince, so she had been asking about news from the prince these days.

However, in his opinion, Chu Qianchen cares about the prince, and the prince also cares about her.

That's enough.

This marriage couldn't be more perfect.

Su Mubai sighed softly and looked worried.

Chu Qianchen's heart, which had just been put at ease, became tense again, and he hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"

Is there a change in the war situation? Impossible, how could the Lin Kingdom be a match for the prince!

Su Mubai hesitated and sighed, "The prince had just defeated the Lin Guo army and set out from the northwest overnight. However, the northwest is a long way to the capital. Even if we gallop, it will take seven or eight days to get to the capital."

"You also know the prince's health..."

"Didn't Qin Xiguang stop the prince?!" Chu Qianchen frowned.

Although she gave the prince her special pills before leaving, the prince's body was full of holes and he hated fatigue the most.

"Can he stop the prince?" Su Mubai asked back.

He pulled out a piece of silk paper from his sleeve and placed it on the coffee table between them. "This is a letter from the prince. The prince asked us to try to postpone the wedding date for three days. He will come back as soon as possible."

Su Mubai deliberately said "we" to include Chu Qianchen, just short of saying that they were on the same front.

Chu Qianchen took the letter and unfolded it quickly.

What caught my eye was Gu Jue's familiar handwriting, with vigorous strokes and flowing lines.

She read the letter quickly. There were actually only a few sentences in the letter, which was roughly what Su Mubai meant. The last sentence said that after he arrived in the capital, he would meet the emperor in person and leave everything to him.

Leave everything to him.

Chu Qianchen stared at the last line of words with mixed feelings.

The prince is always like this, shouldering everything on his own and protecting all of them under his wings. It was like this in his previous life and it is still like this in this life.

"Are there more people on the street staring at Prince Chen's Mansion today?" Chu Qianchen suddenly asked, staring at the piece of silk paper.

The corners of Su Mubai's lips curled up, and he thought: Just as he expected, this Miss Chu is really sharp! "It should be someone from the Jinyiwei." Su Mubai stood up, walked to the window, and looked out the window with his back to Chu Qianchen. "That day, the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs came to inform us of the wedding date, but we ignored them. From the next day, the number of people outside doubled. Maybe the emperor is really concerned about the prince's "condition."

Chu Qianchen's brows furrowed even more tightly.

Since the emperor could break into Prince Chen's palace once, he could do it a second time.

As long as the emperor has not seen the prince in person, he will probably always have certain doubts about whether the prince is really seriously ill. Given the emperor's suspicion, once such doubts accumulate to a certain extent, they may erupt.

Chu Qianchen thought for a moment, put down the silk paper, and said, "The best way is to use stillness to overcome movement."

Su Mubai's lips curled higher, and he sighed in his heart: It seems that Chu Qianchen cares about the prince more than he thought! Otherwise, this plan would never go so smoothly.

Xue Fengyan, who was sitting on a big tree outside the window, happened to see Su Mubai's foxy smile, and suddenly got goose bumps all over his body.

When Su Mubai turned to face Chu Qianchen, his expression had returned to normal, and he looked solemn, "What does Miss Chu mean?"

When Chu Qianchen met Su Mubai's deep and wise eyes, he felt a familiar feeling in his heart.

In both lives combined, she has known Su Mubai for more than ten years.

This guy is an old fox with nine tails. He is always cunning. When he wants to trick people, he usually digs a pit and lets people jump into it.

Just like now, he dug a hole for himself.

(End of this chapter)