Chapter 071: The Second Young Lady Who Came to Cause Trouble

Wu Qingqiong lingered at the gate, basking in waves of compliments and congratulations until her heart felt thoroughly pleased. Only then did she suddenly recall Wu Tan’s existence. She wanted to take another look at Wu Tan’s dejected expression, but after searching all around, she realized the girl was nowhere to be found. All at once, her mood soured.

She turned to ask Mian, “Where’s Wu Tan?”

The two maidservants had been so caught up in sharing her happiness that none of them had noticed the other mistresses had already gone inside. Mian looked slightly confused. “I think she’s already gone in.”

After another glance around, Wu Qingqiong realized even Madam Meng was no longer there, and her spirits crashed entirely. What was wrong with her mother today? It was rare for her mother to make an appearance, and she’d barely managed to avoid public embarrassment without her mother’s help. Now, not only had her mother failed to wait and share her good fortune, but she had even gone in alone.

She was about to marry the Crown Prince—a tremendous honor for both herself and the entire Wu family. Yet, aside from these sycophantic servants, it seemed not a single soul in the whole household was truly happy for her.

Wu Qingqiong’s face darkened, her lips pursed in open displeasure. Earlier, when Tao Renzhi had come to deliver the imperial edict, the commotion had already drawn the attention of the neighbors. Now, both alleyways were packed with onlookers, and the steward from the mansion opposite had come out to exchange pleasantries and congratulations with Steward Qin.

Mu Jin felt this was unseemly and quietly reminded her, “Miss, we should go inside. It’s not proper for you to remain standing out here so long.”

Though the customs of Great Yin were not overly rigid, young ladies of high birth were still not supposed to show themselves in public. With no one to share her happiness, Wu Qingqiong’s enthusiasm waned, and she nodded slightly. Mu Jin quickly took her arm and led her inside.

Still unhappy, Wu Qingqiong headed straight for Madam Meng’s quarters. By then, Madam Meng had already returned and was sitting in her room, lost in thought.

“Mother!” Wu Qingqiong barged in, only to find Madam Meng looking deeply troubled. She immediately flew into a rage, stormed over, and, pouting, began to complain, “Today is the happiest day of my life! Why are you hiding here? Outside just now, you didn’t help me reward the palace attendants, and I nearly lost face in front of everyone. Do you know that?”

Madam Meng was already vexed about the marriage. Annoyed, she snapped, “Why are you storming in here shouting? After being outmaneuvered by that little vixen from the Huo family, I’m upset enough. Can’t you use your head for once? What’s there to be happy about, being used by others?”

Stunned by her mother’s harsh rebuke, Wu Qingqiong stood dumbfounded. For a moment, she couldn’t tell whether her mother was being slow-witted or if it was herself who was missing something.

She stared at Madam Meng in disbelief, opening her mouth several times before finally managing to retort, “Mother, what’s wrong with you? I know I was caught off guard by Huo Yunhua before, and you were worried I’d be implicated if things blew up. But today is different…”

Thinking how she had finally replaced Wu Tan and would marry the Crown Prince, Wu Qingqiong couldn’t suppress her joy. Excited, she grabbed her mother’s hand and said eagerly, “Mother, I’m about to become the Crown Prince’s consort! Didn’t you see? The palace has already sent the edict to our house—this matter is set in stone. No one can ruin it now. And that wretched Huo Yunhua—I heard she caused more trouble last night. She can barely fend for herself and won’t dare come after me again. What’s there to worry about?”

Madam Meng grew even more agitated as Wu Qingqiong boasted. With biting sarcasm, she replied, “That’s exactly why it’s dangerous. If Huo Yunhua had gotten what she wanted, she might not have gone to extremes to hurt you. But now that she’s been pushed to the edge… if she’s truly desperate, she’ll drag you down with her.”

Though her real concerns had nothing to do with Huo Yunhua, she couldn’t reveal the truth to Wu Qingqiong. Watching her daughter grow increasingly complacent, she feared Wu Qingqiong would blindly devote herself to this marriage, and that if she ever did find a way to stop it, her daughter’s disappointment could lead to disaster.

The imperial edict had always been delayed; Madam Meng had been clinging to a sliver of hope that perhaps the match wouldn’t happen. But today, upon receiving the edict, her last illusions were shattered. The shock had left her reeling ever since, causing repeated lapses in composure. Now, regaining her calm and knowing there was no escape, she began to devise a way out.

Undermining Wu Qingqiong’s confidence in the marriage was the first step.

Wu Qingqiong had never imagined her mother would douse her joy with such cold water. She was about to lose her temper, but Madam Meng’s warning struck a nerve. Wu Qingqiong, timid by nature and lacking her own judgment, grew flustered at the thought that Huo Yunhua might still expose her.

Her eyes darted anxiously before she muttered, “That can’t be… If it comes out, she’s the mastermind. If Their Majesties must punish someone, at worst I’ll lose my engagement, but she’ll be executed!”

Madam Meng snorted, “Yesterday, Wu Tan and your brother provoked her again. If you push her too far, she’s capable of anything.”

Wu Qingqiong was frightened. After all, Huo Yunhua had tried to frame Wu Tan just to snatch the Crown Prince for herself. Now that she’d lost everything, if she couldn’t swallow her anger…

Panic rising, Wu Qingqiong sidled over to Madam Meng and nervously suggested, “Mother, should we try to make peace with her…”

Before she could finish, Madam Meng nearly choked with anger. “Make peace? Are you afraid she’ll forget she has your secret in her grasp?”

With someone like Huo Yunhua, you had to fight fire with fire—just like Wu Tan did. People like her, always scheming for wealth and status, only preyed on the weak and feared the strong.

Shut down again by her mother, Wu Qingqiong was left even more at a loss, anxiety mounting.

While the mother and daughter sat in uneasy silence, Madam Meng glanced up and saw Wu Tan entering the courtyard with several attendants. Over the years, Madam Meng had always held the title of Marchioness in the eyes of others, but she knew that, to Wu Qinglin and Wu Tan, she was and would always be merely Wu Xun’s concubine—not worthy of being called “Mother.” Wu Tan always ran to the old matron’s quarters, and this was the first time she had come to Madam Meng’s of her own accord.

Madam Meng instantly grew wary.

In the courtyard, Shurong couldn’t let Wu Tan wait outside, so she led her in while announcing loudly, “Madam, Second Miss is here.”

Wu Qingqiong, already on edge, hadn’t expected Wu Tan to show up and immediately turned to look. Madam Meng rose, putting on a gentle, gracious smile as she personally welcomed Wu Tan onto the veranda. “Tan’er, you’re here!”

Wu Qingqiong, bracing herself for a confrontation, rushed out only to see Wu Tan approaching cheerfully, followed by four maidservants, some carrying trays with brocade boxes, others holding bolts of fine silk.

Seeing Wu Tan, Wu Qingqiong felt a surge of irritation and blurted, “What are you doing here?”

“Greetings, Second Mother!” Wu Tan merely glanced at her, then sweetly and affectionately went up to Madam Meng, smiling. “Today is Third Sister’s joyous day—a great day for our Marquisate as well. As her elder sister, I naturally had to bring a gift. I hurried to find things she might use. I was heading to Yunlan Pavilion, but when I heard she was here, I came straight over.”

With that, she gestured. Cheng Cheng had the maids line up.

Madam Meng and Wu Qingqiong looked over. Wu Tan explained, “A few pieces of jewelry and two bolts of Sichuan silk. The jewelry is the latest style from New Year’s; I haven’t even worn it yet. The silk was sent by my aunt last autumn—I was saving it for spring, but now I’ll offer it to my sister as a token of good wishes.”

Cheng Cheng opened each brocade box in turn.

A full set of silver and jade hair ornaments, a pure gold hairpin, pairs of ruby and Hetian jade earrings, a string of pearls for the wrist, and two rare bolts of Sichuan brocade… Such lavish gifts were not only generous between sisters, but more than fitting as a dowry contribution from an elder sister at a wedding.

Madam Meng’s alarm bells began to ring—this girl had always been at odds with her daughter, rarely passing up an opportunity to suppress her. Why now, out of character, offer such heavy gifts as a sign of goodwill?

She suspected her own recent lapses had aroused Wu Tan’s suspicions, prompting this visit as a test. The thought filled her with regret.

Wu Qingqiong was equally bewildered—Wu Tan, coming to present her with gifts? What was going on?

“You’re hardly so kind,” she muttered, still suspicious despite her confusion.

Madam Meng composed herself and shot Wu Qingqiong a stern look. “Mind your manners. Thank your second sister.”

But Wu Qingqiong would never thank Wu Tan. With a cold snort and her chin raised defiantly, she turned away. Their squabbles were routine in the household, so Madam Meng did not press the matter, merely signaling Shurong to accept the gifts. Turning to Wu Tan, she said, “Your sister is spoiled by me; don’t take her to heart. Since you’re here, come in for some tea.”

Uncertain of Wu Tan’s intentions, her invitation was slightly probing.

Unexpectedly, Wu Tan agreed cheerfully. “Certainly!”

Madam Meng could only lead her inside.

Wu Qingqiong followed. She had thought Wu Tan’s visit was meant to curry favor, planning to use the opportunity to assert her superiority. But Wu Tan ignored her entirely, speaking only to Madam Meng.

Annoyed, Wu Qingqiong tugged at Wu Tan the moment they were inside. “Weren’t you just here to deliver gifts? Now that you’ve done so, you can leave. Mother and I are busy with private matters!”

Her tone was haughty, chin lifted in open challenge. Before, with the old matron’s support, Wu Tan had been a threat, but now, as the Crown Prince’s future consort, Wu Qingqiong feared neither Wu Tan nor the old matron herself.

Seeing her attitude, Madam Meng grew even more irate, about to speak when Wu Tan, smiling, addressed her instead: “Second Mother, though it’s not my place, Third Sister is not the girl she once was. The palace is not like our home; if you can’t change her ways within two months, her life there will be very hard.”

Wu Tan was still Wu Tan! Of course this wretched girl had not come with good intentions. Such generous gifts were a ploy to win her mother’s favor and have her discipline Wu Qingqiong.

Wu Qingqiong, humiliated, grabbed Wu Tan before she could sit down, trying to shove her out. “Don’t posture with me! It’s not your place to lecture me…”

But Wu Tan was not one to suffer in silence. As Wu Qingqiong pushed her, Wu Tan deftly seized her wrist and twisted it, forcing Wu Qingqiong to turn, then kicked her sharply behind the knee.

The move was swift and decisive.

Wu Qingqiong crashed to her knees with a loud thud, crying out in pain. The maids in the courtyard, who had been about to deliver the gifts, froze in shock, staring into the room, dumbfounded.

The Second Miss had truly stormed in and was beating the Third Miss before Madam Meng’s very eyes!

In the high halls of noble families, the inner court was never peaceful—wives and concubines, sisters at odds—but such fights were usually covert. Who would risk their reputation so openly? Especially for young ladies—rumors of shrewishness could ruin marriage prospects.

So this public confrontation left the servants gaping in disbelief.

Inside, Wu Qingqiong, suddenly thrown down, saw stars from rage and pain. She scrambled up and lunged at Wu Tan, swinging her hand for a slap. “How dare you touch me!”

Madam Meng had not expected the two girls to come to blows so suddenly and was momentarily stunned.

Wu Qingqiong was out for blood, but Wu Tan, prepared, caught her wrist with lightning speed.

“Let go!” Wu Qingqiong shrieked, “Someone! Come here! Are you all deaf and blind? Can’t you see this lunatic kicked me?”

Before she could finish, Madam Meng rushed over, pulling her into a tight embrace and scolding in a low voice, “Do you have no shame? So many are watching!”

“Mother, let go! I must teach her a lesson today. She bullies me too much, coming here and attacking me right in front of you!” Wu Qingqiong was now crying from anger, shaking off Madam Meng and clawing at Wu Tan again.

This time Wu Tan didn’t retaliate, only stepped back with a taunting smile and shouted, “Go ahead, hit me if you dare! I tell you, even if you’re engaged, the match can still be broken. If you want to be sent to a convent, go ahead and try!”

Her tone was bold and fearless as she rolled up her sleeves.

Wu Qingqiong froze, the threat hitting home. Her face flushed red, and her eyes darted with panic.

For if the Emperor and Empress doubted her virtue, the engagement could be canceled before the wedding, and no woman who had been formally engaged to the royal family could ever marry again. Wu Tan wasn’t exaggerating—if it came to that, her only future would be a solitary life in a convent.

Suddenly recognizing the risk, Wu Qingqiong dared not move, but screamed, “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? I knew you couldn’t possibly mean well by giving me gifts—you’ve deliberately set a trap to ruin my reputation and destroy my marriage!”

The thought that Wu Tan was jealous, pretending not to care but secretly plotting her downfall, drove Wu Qingqiong nearly mad.

But Wu Tan was barefoot, and she herself wore shoes—she didn’t have the courage to fight this mad girl head-on.

Madam Meng, headache mounting from their quarrel, also felt Wu Tan was stirring up trouble. But as Wu Tan was not her own child and rarely visited, she couldn’t throw her out. She simply coaxed Wu Qingqiong out, “Enough, enough! Sisters quarrel, but don’t take it seriously. Shurong, take the Third Miss back to her quarters.”

Having suffered a loss before Wu Tan and now fearing her marriage might be sabotaged, Wu Qingqiong knew that staying would only mean further humiliation. With Madam Meng offering her an out, she had no choice but to accept, fists clenched in silence.

Shurong quickly handed her tray to Mu Jin and personally supported Wu Qingqiong out. At that moment, Mu Song entered the courtyard.

“You…” Shurong instinctively tensed. Why was someone from the heir’s household here?

Mu Song had heard the commotion on his way over and could guess trouble had occurred. He peered inside and asked, “Is Second Miss here? I heard from those at Jingchun Studio that she was here.”

Since Wu Tan was indeed present, Shurong could not refuse him. “Madam, Mu Song from the heir’s household wishes to see Second Miss.”

Madam Meng was nearly at her wit’s end after the morning’s events. She glanced at Wu Tan, hoping she would finally leave.

Wu Tan did go out, but paused at the door and called, “What is it?”

Before responding, Mu Song glanced at Wu Qingqiong. She looked back in confusion before Mu Song bowed to Wu Tan and said, “The heir asked me to inform Second Miss—he just received word that half an hour ago, Her Majesty the Empress issued another edict, betrothing the Huo family’s young lady to the Crown Prince as a consort as well.”

“What?” Wu Tan hadn’t spoken yet; Wu Qingqiong had already broken free from Shurong and rushed over, glaring, “Say that again. Who did Her Majesty betroth to the Crown Prince?”

“Miss Yunhua of the Huo family,” Mu Song repeated, detail for detail.

Wu Qingqiong’s face changed dramatically. Her eyes darted in confusion before she spun around, desperate, “Mother…”

How could this happen?

She and Huo Yunhua were mortal enemies. She had thought Huo Yunhua’s schemes had backfired, bringing triumph to herself and humiliation to her rival. But now—

Huo Yunhua would marry Xiao Yun as well, as an equal, a consort?

Wu Qingqiong was so furious she wanted to cry. “That wretch! Why her? How could Her Majesty… Oh, what is the meaning of this?”

No matter how much she questioned the Empress’s judgment, she dared not voice her objections aloud.

Madam Meng, too, was caught off guard. But Wu Tan, watching her closely, noticed that Madam Meng was surprised but not at all worried or resentful.

If Wu Qingqiong fell into Huo Yunhua’s hands, she would be no match for her. Yet Madam Meng seemed entirely untroubled?

How could this be?

Wu Tan didn’t believe Madam Meng possessed such deep cunning as to mask all her emotions.

As Wu Qingqiong seemed about to cry again, Madam Meng quickly ordered Shurong, “Take her back. I’ll come by later.”

“Come, Third Miss,” Shurong said, supporting Wu Qingqiong as she left.

Only then did Wu Tan turn to Mu Song. “Is that all? Nothing else?”

“That’s all. The heir thought it necessary to inform you,” Mu Song replied.

“I see,” Wu Tan nodded. “Has Grandmother heard? Please let her know as well.”

“Yes, Miss.” Mu Song took his leave.

With Wu Qingqiong gone, Madam Meng collected herself and forced a smile for Wu Tan. “Your third sister speaks without thinking—please don’t mind her.”

This was clearly a polite way to send her off.

But Wu Tan stepped forward, her tone grave. “Second Mother, I’m not so petty. In truth, I didn’t come here to trouble Third Sister.”

Her candor caught Madam Meng off guard, her smile freezing. “Then…”

Seeing her caution, Wu Tan waved at Cheng Cheng, “Take everyone outside—I have a private word for Madam.”

“Yes, Second Miss.” The maids from Jingchun Studio left at once; the others only glanced at Madam Meng for approval before withdrawing.

Once the courtyard was cleared, Madam Meng found herself strangely unsettled by the twelve-year-old before her, unable to muster any sense of superiority.

“So serious—what is it?” She forced a natural smile.

Wu Tan’s own smile faded, and she looked Madam Meng straight in the eye. “With Third Sister’s marriage settled, you don’t seem happy. In fact, you’ve been terribly distracted. I find it odd—may I ask why?”

From the moment Wu Tan arrived, Madam Meng had worried the girl might have grown suspicious. She had been planning all along how to cover up if tested. She had never imagined Wu Tan would just ask her outright.

Madam Meng felt her intelligence was being put to the ultimate test. No matter how skilled she was at concealing emotion, she could not control her expression now. Her smile became a stiff mask as she blurted, “You misunderstand. I’m not unhappy about the marriage. I just slept poorly last night—I’m not feeling well. Rui’er hasn’t slept with me in a while, and he fussed all night.”

“Is that so?” Wu Tan smiled slightly, her true thoughts unreadable. She pressed further, “So, it’s just my own suspicious mind, is that it?”

The words hung in the air, fraught with tension.

Madam Meng’s heart lurched, pounding uncontrollably. “Child, why are you saying such strange things?”

Wu Tan smiled. “Since I’ve been so petty, let me apologize here and now. Please forgive me. I shouldn’t keep you—you must be busy preparing Third Sister’s dowry. I’ll take my leave.”

Having been so sharp a moment ago, now she accepted the flimsy excuse and left without protest?

Madam Meng was left reeling by Wu Tan’s unpredictable manner, standing in a daze long after she had gone, staring at the doorway in thought.

Shurui entered with the servants and found her thus. “Madam, Second Miss has left. Would you like to see Third Miss now, or rest for a while?”

Only then did Madam Meng frown deeply.

She glanced at Shurui, then turned back inside. “Brew me some ginseng tea.”

Meanwhile, as Wu Tan left the southern wing with Cheng Cheng and the others, she too seemed lost in thought.

Cheng Cheng, noticing her slow pace, sent the other maids ahead, then asked, “Miss, what did you just say to Madam?”

“I asked why she seemed so unhappy about Wu Qingqiong marrying the Crown Prince,” Wu Tan replied, glancing at her.

“What?” Cheng Cheng was startled. “You asked her directly?”

“Mm. Very directly.”

Unable to fathom her mistress’s motives, Cheng Cheng nonetheless was curious about the outcome. “What did Madam say?”

“The same excuse she gave Grandmother at the gate—she said she wasn’t feeling well, hadn’t slept.”

“Do you believe it?”

Cheng Cheng looked confused. “So… you don’t believe her?”

Wu Tan sneered. “I all but spelled it out for her—if she’d told me she was worried about Wu Qingqiong, I might have believed her. But she ignored the excuse I handed her and invented her own. Why?”

Cheng Cheng shook her head.

Wu Tan continued, “It means she’s hiding something. She’s so afraid of the real reason for her distress being discovered that she’s prepared an excuse in advance. Anyone inquiring about this would be fobbed off.”

Madam Meng was clearly panicked by Wu Qingqiong’s marriage—so much so that, even after nearly an hour, her subconscious was still in turmoil, her words betraying her.

Wu Tan narrowed her eyes in thought. “Now I’m even more inclined to agree with my brother’s suspicions. There must be some enormous secret behind Wu Qingqiong’s engagement to the Crown Prince.”

No one would go to such lengths to scheme against Wu Qingqiong alone. So—

Is there a plot against the whole Wu family?

If so, it must be uncovered quickly—the family cannot be ruined by this marriage.

But who is targeting the Wu family?

The Emperor? The Empress? But if so, how could Madam Meng sense it while Wu Qinglin and Wu Xun remain oblivious?

What could possibly make Madam Meng so fearful?

Wu Tan couldn’t work it out, but resolved to keep a close eye on Madam Meng.

If the problem lay with her, sooner or later she would slip.

Back in the southern wing, Madam Meng sat in silence, brooding, eyes closed, until the ginseng tea revived her slightly. She took several deep breaths to regain her composure.

Shurong returned from Yunlan Pavilion and reported, “Third Miss has calmed down and won’t cause more trouble. Madam, you needn’t worry.”

Madam Meng shot her a sharp look.

Shurong grew uneasy, lowering her gaze. “Truly, Madam, it wasn’t all Third Miss’s fault today. Second Miss’s intentions were rather malicious—she deliberately provoked Third Miss, hoping to ruin her reputation and sabotage the marriage. Fortunately, Third Miss restrained herself. If word of a scandal had reached the palace, the consequences would have been dire.”

“Consequences? What consequences? If they truly annulled the engagement, I’d be delighted!” Madam Meng retorted bitterly, clenching her fist. “The Emperor and Empress want the Dingyuan Marquisate. If such a small matter could change their minds, I wouldn’t have to worry now.”

Both maids knew Madam Meng had never approved of the match, but now her words left them utterly bewildered.

“Madam, what do you mean?” Shurong finally asked. “I know you want what’s best for Third Miss, but her fiancé is a prince. Now that it’s settled, you should ensure she marries smoothly. Surely you wouldn’t let Second Miss have her way and ruin Third Miss’s life?”

To marry the Crown Prince was a matter of palace intrigue, but as Wu Tan had said, once engaged to royalty, a girl who failed to marry would never be able to wed again.

Madam Meng’s words seemed so extreme the maids could only believe she’d lost her head. They glanced at each other, both worried.

Indeed, Madam Meng was beside herself with rage. But realizing the maids’ anxiety, she quickly hid her emotion and composed herself. “Enough, I’m tired of these quarrels. I’ll nap a while. Shurong, how many invitations have arrived these days? Bring them to me.”

“Yes, Madam. Are you starting on preparations for Third Miss’s dowry? None of the invitations are urgent; I’ll tell the porter to return them, say you’re too busy. The other ladies will understand.”

“I said, bring them here. I’ll decide,” Madam Meng snapped, feeling for the first time that over-attentive maids were not always a blessing.

The two maids fell silent.

Meanwhile, in the palace, as soon as the Empress’s latest edict betrothing Huo Yunhua to the Crown Prince was issued, Consort Xian was the first to object. Hearing the news from Aunt Qi, she smashed a teacup in anger.

Princess Lin’an, sitting beside her, frowned. “How could this be? Mother knows everything that happened yesterday, and Father said afterward that not holding the Huo family accountable didn’t mean they were innocent. It’s only been a night—if they can’t punish them openly, they shouldn’t be rewarding them! This kind of misplaced kindness only emboldens the wicked. Does Mother not understand this?”

Consort Xian said nothing but exchanged a look with Aunt Qi.

Aunt Qi hesitated. “I hear the Crown Prince himself pleaded for the edict.”

“Mother!” Princess Lin’an snapped at Consort Xian, unable to contain her anger.

Consort Xian was hardly willing to swallow her resentment and was already plotting how to deal with Huo Yunhua.

Aunt Qi, watching carefully, ventured, “The wedding is set for late June—there’s still time. The princess is right. We can’t let that vixen have it so easy. Should we…”

Consort Xian cut her off, “Let it be for now.”

This was not just any matter—it concerned Princess Lin’an herself. Both Aunt Qi and Lin’an looked at her in confusion.

After careful thought, Consort Xian explained, “Lin’an, don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. There will be time to deal with that wretched girl later. Let’s be magnanimous for now—this is not the time for mishaps. Wait until your own affairs are settled first.”

The Dingyuan Marquisate valued reputation and face. After the humiliation suffered by Princess Qingyang and her daughter that morning, Consort Xian was determined not to repeat the mistake.

Lin’an understood at once, though the affair left her blushing and anxious. “Mother, do you think the Wu family will approve of me?”

“Are you worried the young marquis will not want you?” Consort Xian teased, feeling confident. If she’d had doubts the night before, today was different. The Wu family, having now offended two branches of the royal clan, would have to consider their place in the capital’s elite circles.

With Princess Qingyang out of the way, Consort Xian’s hopes of taking Wu Qinglin as her son-in-law soared. She waited for the old marchioness to visit the palace as promised, but two days passed with no word, even though Lady Dingyuan brought Third Miss to thank the Empress in Zhengyang Palace.

Mother and daughter grew restless. On the third day, Consort Xian sent Aunt Qi to the Wu family, but she returned in less than an hour, flustered and breathless. “Your Highness, something terrible has happened—something’s happened to the princess!”

— End of Chapter —

Tan never plays by the rules, easily leaving Madam Meng bewildered. Don’t ask me what’s wrong with Madam Meng—her only goal is to prevent Wu Qingqiong’s marriage at all costs.

PS: Let’s deal with Big Brother’s troublesome admirers first, then move on to Tan’s future as a son-in-law. Don’t be impatient~

This novel is an original release. Please do not repost!