She looked at the girl in front of her who was an inch taller than her, and said slowly and confidently: "If you serve a man with your beauty, your love will fade when your beauty fades."

"For a woman, character, appearance, and moral integrity are all indispensable. A mistress of an aristocratic family needs one more thing: talent."

Her words were well-reasoned, and several princesses listened and nodded thoughtfully.

That's true.

If an ordinary family wants to marry a wife, it is enough as long as she has decent character and moral integrity and can take care of the husband and children.

But it's different for a family like theirs. If they marry a talentless person who can't manage the household, that would be the root cause of the family's ruin.

Marrying an unvirtuous wife will bring disaster to three generations.

Yuan Zhitong was still looking at Chu Qianchen, and immediately felt a subtle change in the atmosphere around him.

She straightened her back even more and continued, "My Yuan family has a long tradition of poetry and literature. I have been taught by my parents since I was young and have read the "Nujie" and "Nu Xun". I have been able to listen to the teachings of my father and grandfather, and later I studied under Yunlin Jushi."

"Our Yuan family is nothing, but I am also the niece of the Queen Mother. If the princess does this, where does she put the Queen Mother?"

Yuan Zhitong's voice was sonorous and powerful, and he was proud of his family background.

She never felt that she was inferior to Chu Qianchen in any way. No, she was obviously better than Chu Qianchen.

Her father was the governor of a state, and the Queen Mother was her aunt;

However, Chu Qianchen's father is a prisoner, and it is unknown when his title of marquis will be taken away by the emperor.

She studied under a famous teacher and was proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry and songs; while Chu Qianchen was just a concubine's daughter who was raised by a concubine. Apart from this face, what else did Chu Qianchen have to show for it? What else could she compare with herself? !

Yuan Zhitong stood proudly, with her hands clenched tightly in her sleeves, her nails digging into her soft palms, suppressing the shame and anger in her heart.

Chu Qianchen is really going too far. In that case, I don't have to worry about anything.

At this moment, Yuan Zhitong had only one thought in his mind, which was to turn the situation around and embarrass the other party in public!

There was silence in the bamboo shed.

The queen smiled slightly, her expression much more relaxed than before, and felt that she had not chosen the wrong person.

Yuan Zhitong was quite clever, knowing how to bring out Queen Mother Yin to suppress Chu Qianchen. The blood relationship between Queen Mother Yin and Yuan Zhitong was Yuan Zhitong's natural advantage in this game.

"Niece?" Chu Qianchen chuckled nonchalantly and asked, "But isn't your mother's last name Tong?"

The Empress Dowager's surname was Yin, and Madam Yuan's surname was Tong.

In other words, Empress Dowager Yin and the deceased Madam Yuan were not biological sisters at all.

The expressions of those princesses suddenly became interested.

Yuan Zhitong's face flushed, and he said anxiously, "My mother is the Empress Dowager's cousin!"

It would have been better if she didn't say anything. Once she said it, the female relatives all showed expressions of sudden enlightenment.

After all, every family has a relative who lives thousands of miles away.

It turns out that this Miss Yuan is the niece of Queen Mother Yin! "My mother has been fasting and chanting for the late emperor for many years, and she has always been kind and generous to others." Chu Qianchen smiled again, with a trace of condescending pity in his smile, "Oh, forget it, as long as my mother is happy. Who doesn't have this... What is it called in the folks?"

Amber and Chu Qianchen were in perfect sync and immediately said, "A relative who is begging for money!"

“Puff!”

I don't know who laughed out loud. The others didn't dare laugh out loud for fear of the queen, but they couldn't help laughing. Their shoulders trembled slightly, and some people pretended to wipe the corners of their mouths with handkerchiefs to hide the sneer on their faces.

Isn’t it?!

A cousin who is so distant from her husband dares to call the Queen Mother "Aunt" all the time. Isn't this just flattering herself? !

Yuan Zhitong: “!!!”

Yuan Zhitong never expected that Chu Qianchen would change the situation with just a few words.

She only felt that the slightly sarcastic gazes of the crowd were like needles piercing her.

"Yuan Zhitong," Chu Qianchen called her by her name with a smile, his tone was neither hurried nor slow, but the content of his words was extremely sharp, "You used the name of the Queen Mother to bully me and falsely convey the Queen Mother's order. Do you really think that I can't expose you now that I can't see the Queen Mother?"

The lanterns hanging on the bamboo shed emitted a soft light, casting a hazy golden glow on her face and dress.

Chu Qianchen was still smiling, his smile was simple and his temperament was noble. He looked like a bright moon in the night sky, or a snow lotus on the top of Tianshan Mountain.

So noble, yet so out of reach.

Yuan Zhitong: “!!!”

Yuan Zhitong's pupils shrank sharply. After a brief moment of daze, she quickly said, "Nonsense! Princess, you can't throw dirty water on me like this!"

At this moment, Yuan Zhitong was a little confused. She didn't know whether Chu Qianchen really knew or was lying to her.

It's impossible. Chu Qianchen hasn't entered the palace since the flower viewing banquet. She couldn't have known.

Yuan Zhitong told herself this over and over again in her heart, her nails pinching her palms tighter, her eyes reddened. Perhaps she was the only one who knew the fear and anxiety hidden deep in her heart.

"Didn't you say that the Queen Mother asked you to pass on her instructions?" Chu Qianchen stroked his sleeves casually, "Then tell me."

"..." Yuan Zhitong opened his lips slightly, his throat tightening.

She told Prince Chen during the day that Queen Mother Yin asked her to deliver a message, and she just wanted to use this opportunity to talk to Prince Chen, but it was a private matter.

Now that so many princesses and consorts are present, if people find out that what she said is false, she will be charged with false instructions, and even the queen will not be able to save her.

Yuan Zhitong pursed her lips and hesitated.

The next moment, she heard another low sneer in her ears.

Yuan Zhitong felt even more confused. She felt that Chu Qianchen seemed to see through her inside and out. She seemed very sure that Queen Dowager Yin had not asked her to pass on any message.

There was a flicker in Yuan Zhitong's eyes, and he had complicated feelings towards Queen Mother Yin.

At first, Yuan Zhitong thought that the empress dowager looked at her differently. After all, the empress dowager was very kind to her and rewarded her with a lot of clothes and jewelry.

But gradually, Yuan Zhitong discovered that Queen Mother Yin only treated her as a kitten or puppy to be amused. She said a few nice words to the Queen Mother just like a puppy asking for favors. Queen Mother Yin was happy to listen and was also happy to reward her with two things.

But that's all, there are no other substantial benefits.

Queen Mother Yin never asked about her father's job, nor did she ever promise her anything. Even when she proposed to go to Prince Chen's mansion to pay her respects to Prince Chen and get to know him, the Queen Mother did not respond, as if she had not heard anything.

Only she knew all this, not even the Queen. The Queen always thought that the Queen Mother liked her very much, and therefore the Queen valued her very much, and this time she specially took her with her on the winter hunting trip.

Then, how did Chu Qianchen know this? ! Yuan Zhitong gritted his teeth secretly.

The eyes of the other female relatives around fell on Yuan Zhitong, and their ridicule became even stronger.

They didn't know whether Yuan Zhitong had falsely conveyed the Queen Mother's instructions, but now seeing Yuan Zhitong's hesitant look, they guessed that there was something fishy. Yuan Zhitong was probably relying on her status as the Queen Mother's cousin's niece to show off in front of Princess Chen! This girl from the Yuan family is really not presentable! The burning gazes of others made Yuan Zhitong feel like a thorn in her back.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

The mountain wind was blowing wildly, making the surrounding trees creak. A lantern nearby was suddenly blown out by the wind, and the light in the bamboo shed also dimmed, making Yuan Zhitong's little face look a little gloomy.

If she didn't do something, it would mean that what Chu Qianchen said was true. I'm afraid that tomorrow everyone would know that she was using the Queen Mother to bully others. How could she gain a foothold in the capital in the future? Her grandmother taught her that if she wanted to suppress something, she had to use a bigger thing to divert other people's attention.

Yuan Zhitong's eyes gradually became deeper, and a storm was brewing.

"Princess, I didn't want to say it..."

Yuan Zhitong bit her lower lip slightly, and acted as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, as if she was being forced by Chu Qianchen.

The atmosphere became condensed.

In no mood--

At this time, the queen stopped them in a deep voice: "Enough!"

The queen had a blank expression on her face and gloomy eyes, and she began to dislike Yuan Zhitong again.

Alas, Yuan Zhitong is young and hot-tempered after all. If we let her continue talking, she will only make more mistakes and it will be irreversible. Then, Yuan Zhitong will be useless as a chess piece.

Yuan Zhitong has to be kept until there are other better chess pieces.

After all, she was somewhat of a relative of the Empress Dowager, and she was also very nice to her. Whenever she went to pay her respects, the Empress Dowager would keep her to talk and dine, and also reward her with many good things.

The queen glanced at Yuan Zhitong coldly. She knew very well the little thoughts Yuan Zhitong was hiding.

Ever since the emperor ascended the throne, the empress dowager has been hiding in Shouning Palace, rarely seeing outsiders and ignoring worldly affairs. This is the first time she has looked at a court lady with such a different eye.

Yuan Zhitong was favored by the Queen Mother, so she became a little arrogant and lost her composure. She probably wanted to fake the Queen Mother's order to suppress Chu Qianchen, but she was suppressed by Chu Qianchen instead.

The queen has seen this kind of thing many times in the palace. She curled the corners of her mouth into a sarcastic arc.

Yuan Zhitong didn't dare to look at the queen, so she could only shut her mouth, lower her little face slightly, and try hard to control her emotions.

Just now, she was provoked by Chu Qianchen and became furious, and almost lost her mind. However, after the Queen's interruption, she finally calmed down and realized that she was too impulsive.

It's not time yet.

The matter between Chu Qianchen and the Second Prince is the most important bargaining chip in her hand. If she tells it now, it would be such a waste... Besides, Prince Chen is not here, so if she tells it now, the effect will be greatly reduced.

Yuan Zhitong took several deep breaths and was glad that she did not act impulsively.

Don't be in a hurry, she must choose the most appropriate time.

She must bring Chu Qianchen down to the ground in one fell swoop, making her a divorced woman who is laughed at by everyone and never has a chance to turn things around again.

"Miss Yuan," Amber took a step closer to Yuan Zhitong with her chin raised, her contemptuous eyes flickered across Yuan Zhitong's face, and she said arrogantly, "A good dog doesn't block the road!"

"..." Yuan Zhitong's face turned pale again.

How dare a maid treat her like this! She almost lost control again, but she finally endured it, and moved aside with frustration, her fists clenched and creaked.

Originally, she was not determined to win over Prince Chen, but Chu Qianchen went too far and forced her to this point.

After tonight, it is inevitable that some people will suspect that she falsely conveyed the Queen Mother's orders. Only by marrying Prince Chen can she make everyone shut up, and this will be the best way to prove her innocence!

Her half-closed eyes were like the sky filled with dark clouds, exuding a chilly air, and her appearance was humble and submissive.

Chu Qianchen looked at the Queen and sighed in a light tone: "Why does Her Majesty the Queen always choose such a companion for the Third Princess?!"

She shook her head and didn't need to say anything more, which was enough to make everyone present think about it.

Chu Qianchen never looked at Yuan Zhitong again. He turned around and walked away leisurely.

Just after taking two steps, there was a loud slamming of the table and the Queen's angry rebuke from behind:

"Yuan Zhitong, why don't you kneel down for me!"

"You are disrespectful to Princess Chen and you are below your superiors. I will punish you with ten strokes of the ruler."

The queen's voice became louder and louder with each word, and her anger was surging.

Chu Qianchen smiled slightly and told Amber, "Go and get my horse. I'll go for a walk over there."

"Yes, Princess." Amber quickly agreed.

The master and servant ignored the burning gazes of the people behind them and left gracefully.

(End of this chapter)