Chu Pingyao was taken aback at first, then slowly brightened up, and her back gradually straightened. "Your Highness... I understand. Thank you for your guidance!"
"It's hardly a suggestion," Rong Ning waved her hand casually, "just my own shallow opinion. As for how to do it, that's your own business."
Just remember this: whoever becomes the Crown Princess, as long as she acts in the Crown Prince's favor and doesn't betray or harm him, I will treat her as family and support her.
This is Rong Ning's attitude.
She knew that the Crown Prince still longed for You Jiang, and it was impossible to make him fall in love with another woman immediately.
But at least give them some dignity.
Chu Pingyao was somewhat moved. "This humble woman thanks Your Highness for your kindness."
“No need…” Rong Ning smiled. “As I said, it’s getting late. Miss Chu should go back to the manor soon.”
"Very well, this subject will take her leave!"
Chu Pingyao got off the carriage, and Rong Ning remembered something. She lifted the curtain, poked her head out, and said to her, "I have another piece of advice for you. When you are with the Crown Prince in the future, don't look at him for too long. His eyes are so affectionate, even when he looks at a dog. You are a teenage girl. If you look at him for too long, you will inevitably have illusions. Don't let yourself fall for him."
"Your Highness..."
Rong Ning chuckled and then instructed A Ying to drive the carriage.
After the carriage had traveled some distance, Rong Ning lifted the curtain to look and found that Chu Pingyao was still standing there, looking as if he was in a daze.
Rong Ning glanced at it, then retreated back into the carriage and closed her eyes to rest.
Everything that needed to be said has been said. As for the final outcome, it's up to fate. If we disregard feelings, Chu Pingyao's entry into the Eastern Palace is perfectly acceptable in terms of status and position. If they can show mutual respect and understanding, it would be a good result.
In fact, as long as her elder brother doesn't lose his mind and Chu Pingyao herself is clear-headed, her days in the Eastern Palace won't be difficult if she becomes the Crown Princess.
Since the Emperor did not appoint an Empress, if the Emperor and my elder brother wished to later do so, they could have transferred the power of the harem from the Consort to the Crown Princess.
At that time, no one will be able to bypass the Crown Princess.
Arranged marriages are inherently based on shared interests. Whether one likes or loves another is irrelevant; what matters most is that both parties share common interests and can work together against external threats.
The Chu family is now fully supporting the implementation of the new policies, and their interests are highly aligned. Therefore, as long as the Chu family does not part ways with the royal family after Chu Pingyao marries into the Eastern Palace, Chu Pingyao's position will never be shaken.
What a wonderful thing! Everyone got what they wanted.
"Your Highness, should we tell the Crown Prince what Miss Chu just said?"
"It's nothing important. We can talk to him about it later when we have time. Let's go to the Ministry of Justice now."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
With a flick of her whip, A-Ying propelled the carriage forward.
The Zhu family were serious criminals and could not be visited casually. The people in the Ministry of Justice prison originally wanted to stop Rong Ning, but they did not dare to actually stop her. In addition, Rong Ning was only visiting female relatives, so they let her in.
Dozens of Zhu's female relatives were imprisoned in several crowded and filthy cells!
They were used to being pampered, and after being locked up in such an environment for so long, and facing cruel interrogations every day, they had become numb. When they saw Rong Ning appear, they only rolled their eyes. The few timid girls shrank into their mothers' arms, seeking protection.
Oh dear, what a terrible thing to do!
At such a young age, they have to suffer like this.
Rong Ning sighed softly, called over the jailers, and ordered them to bring the Seventh Madam and her child to the interrogation room alone.
The jailer was quick; a moment later, a disheveled woman appeared, carrying a three-year-old girl.
The woman's face was haggard and pale, her clothes and hair were disheveled. After being locked up in the prison for so long, there were still some dirt on her body, which was very different from the image of the noblewoman she used to be. But if you look closely, you can still see that her pretty face is hidden beneath the dirt and filth.
If she had gone with her family when they wanted to take her home, she wouldn't be suffering like this now.
The girl in her arms was three years old. She was a little dirty because she had been locked up in prison with her mother, but her little bun on her head was neatly made. Even though it was a bun made of straw from the prison, it was strangely cute.
It's clear that even in prison, the Seventh Madam did her best to give her child peace.
Perhaps because they had been locked up for too long, their reactions were somewhat sluggish, and they looked at Rong Ning with fear.
Since the Seventh Young Master Zhu had no official rank or position, he generally couldn't enter the palace. Therefore, the Seventh Madam probably had never met Rong Ning.
The seventh wife huddled in a corner with her child in her arms. When the jailer saw this, he was about to push them away.
"Don't be rude!" Ah Ying said, stopping them. "Everyone, leave. Her Highness the Princess wants to speak with the Seventh Madam alone."
"Your Highness, the orders from above are..."
"Um?"
Aying immediately interrupted, "Confess? Confess what? Do you dare to stop me, Your Highness?"
The jailer shut up!
He glanced at it, then slunk away.
Upon hearing the words "Princess," the Seventh Madam knew Rong Ning's identity and quickly knelt down, clutching her daughter, saying, "This sinful woman greets Your Highness!"
"Get up..." Rong Ning pointed to the stool opposite her, "Sit down!"
That's what they said, but the mother and daughter didn't dare to move and just knelt there stiffly.
Seeing them like this, Rong Ning walked over, personally helped them up, and made them sit down. She said softly, "Seventh Madam, don't be afraid or nervous. I came here today specifically to see you. I don't have any other intentions. I just want to tell you something that I think you don't know."
The Seventh Madam glanced up, then quickly lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper, "Your Highness, this humble woman knows nothing about Zhu's affairs."
"I will investigate the matter of the Zhu family myself, and I will not ask you. It is because I have recently found out some things about your husband that I believe you have the right to know."
Rong Ning wasted no time and went straight to the point. She raised her hand, took the portrait from A Ying, and placed it in front of the Seventh Madam. "Have you ever seen this mother and son?"
The Seventh Madam glanced at it and instinctively shook her head, but immediately stopped and leaned closer to examine it closely.
After a while, she replied, "Your Highness... I have seen this mother and child, but not many times, only a few times."
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