News of Empress Ōbuchi's actions soon reached the seas.
Shi Lingci's eyes were icy cold. "This person is truly unrepentant. She actually sent the Prince of Yan's heir back to the capital to compete for the throne. She has completely abandoned her brother-in-law. This is outrageous."
He was furious.
He felt indignant on behalf of Xie Tingzhou. Under Xie Tingzhou's sob stories and sweet talk, he had already treated Xie Tingzhou as his brother-in-law even before seeing his sister.
Gu Xuerui's face also darkened. "Even tigers don't eat their cubs. This person has gone too far."
Children who are pampered and raised will only say "that's too much" when they are reprimanded, and they won't say anything more hurtful.
She said, "Should we tell my brother-in-law about this, so he can be prepared?"
Shi Lingci nodded, "It's not appropriate for family members to keep it a secret any longer."
Thus, Xie Tingzhou also learned that Shi Lingci and her husband had sent the Empress's niece to the palace, and that the Empress had used the niece to contact the Prince of Yan's heir.
"Don't be angry. We weren't this close back then. Of course, I had to consider my sister's feelings. Normally, we would never get involved in other countries' affairs."
Shi Lingci offered a sophistry to defend what she had done.
Xie Tingzhou nodded, "Tingzhou, don't be angry. Even if my cousin didn't do it, the Empress would find someone else to send the message."
Since that falling out, he has refused to call her "Mother Empress."
The Emperor had doted on the Empress for decades. After she left, the Emperor might soften his heart and relax the defenses of Fengyi Palace.
The Empress intended to have the Prince of Yan replace him. Even if Shi Lingci did not participate in the matter, the Empress would still try to find ways to take away his position as Crown Prince.
Ironically, before this, he had been thinking that perhaps the Empress wouldn't be so ruthless...
Xie Tingzhou gave a self-deprecating laugh, "That's fine too."
The last vestiges of motherly affection were completely gone; from then on, he truly had no mother left.
Shi Lingci patted his shoulder, "Don't be sad, you still have Zhen-mei, and you still have us."
Just then, a messenger delivered a letter.
When Shi Lingci opened it, she was delighted. "My parents are back. My father is helping me with the administration."
Little Imperial Aunt is back too. The family is preparing for their wedding. Xuexue, Tingzhou, we have to hurry back, or we'll miss Imperial Uncle's wedding.
However, Xuexue, your parents-in-law didn't come this time. Your grandmother said they'll come to see you after they've finished their work.
He then said to Xie Tingzhou, "The Imperial Uncle is pregnant and must be in a very good mood. Your arrival in Wei at this time will surely be twice as effective."
Gu Xuerui nodded in agreement, "I've never seen an elder get married before, Brother Ling, speed up the boat, it must be very lively at home right now."
She was so happy for her uncle that she didn't feel so bad about not being able to see her parents this time.
Shi Lingci thought so too, especially after he learned that his parents had returned. He could slack off on official duties and go home without any psychological pressure, only joy and anticipation.
Xie Tingzhou, on the other hand, felt a little uneasy, like an ugly daughter-in-law about to meet her in-laws.
Ye Zhen couldn't care less about Xie Tingzhou at this moment.
She followed behind her aunt, watching her aunt try on makeup for Ye Jinghong.
The wedding dress was prepared in advance by Wei Qingyan and had just been sent over. Immediately afterwards, her aunt came over with several boxes, wanting to personally try out the makeup and styling for Ye Jinghong's wedding dress.
Several boxes were opened, revealing a dazzling array of cosmetics and skincare products, which stunned Ye Zhen and the others.
My aunt gave everyone two sets of skincare products and then brought out various cosmetics for everyone to choose from.
At first, Madam Wang and the others were a bit polite, but the eldest aunt gently took out foundation and lipstick suitable for them and applied them for them. The women looked at themselves in the mirror and saw that they looked much more beautiful with almost no trace of makeup. They could no longer be reserved and thanked her and accepted the gifts.
Aunt laughed, "These are nothing, I'll have someone send you more later."
She then looked at Ye Zhen and said, "When you get married, your aunt will also come to help you with your makeup."
Ye Zhen only then remembered the man still adrift at sea, and her face flushed slightly. "Thank you, Auntie."
Her aunt stopped teasing her and started applying makeup to Ye Jinghong. After each makeup application, she had Yin Jiuniang and the others judge the results.
But in fact, Ye Jinghong was beautiful, and her aunt's makeup skills were superb. In the eyes of Yin Jiuniang and the others, every makeup look she made was stunning.
Madam Wang, in particular, exclaimed countless times, "Heavens above, seeing this makes me want to marry our old Wang again."
The others laughed along, and the eldest aunt said, "If you want to learn, I can teach you. You don't have to be a bride; a woman can have exquisite makeup every day."
She has always loved beauty, and in those modern years, she ingrained refinement and elegance into her very being.
Ye Jinghong, fearing that Madam Wang and the others might feel embarrassed, said with a smile, "I also want to learn. You can teach me together later."
Her aunt gently patted her hand, "Here you go, I am now your own sister-in-law."
Ye Jinghong, being straightforward, said directly, "Sister-in-law, I'm confused."
The group burst into laughter again.
Madam Wang then thought of their leisure pavilion. If they learned makeup techniques, they could teach other women, or even develop a series of related industries that would allow many women to make a living.
My aunt, who runs a business in modern times, listened to their plan to open a leisure center and gave them some suggestions based on Dayuan's situation.
Ye Zhen felt extremely happy on this day, and couldn't help but link arms with Ye Jinghong and Yin Jiuniang, leaning on one person for a while and then on the other.
Happiness is nothing more than this.
Outside the door.
Shi Yu and Shi Yan were eagerly waiting.
"Why isn't it ready yet?"
Shi Yu asked his grandson.
He and Zhenbao had made plans to go out of the city today, and he would have to go back after his son got married.
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