Mother?

  He Lingsheng's brows knitted tightly. He had always been aware of his mother's little schemes. Usually, he could turn a blind eye to them, but this matter was different. He Jingheng held something that he desperately wanted to obtain. Before getting that thing, He Jingheng had to stay alive. And there was also Shang Ruoyi. He had clearly given instructions, but unexpectedly, the people below were playing the game of feigning compliance while actually going against his orders.

  "I see. You may leave."

  He Lingsheng thought for a while, then got up and walked towards the Lanqing Palace.

  As soon as he arrived at the palace, he heard a burst of light laughter coming from inside.

  "I never thought there would be such interesting things. Shuyi, you must come and talk to me often. These novel things can't be seen in the palace."

  "If the empress likes them, it's the fortune of these things." Shen Shuyi smiled. "My grandfather and father have been fighting in all directions all year round and are often away from home. My mother passed away early, and I have no siblings at home. I often feel bored. Thanks to the empress's love, if I can accompany the empress, I will be extremely delighted."

  "Very good, very good. This girl, I like you." A trace of satisfaction flashed in Noble Consort Zhao's eyes. "I heard that your grandfather led the troops to fight against the Western Turks this time, defeated the enemy, and will return to the court soon. The emperor is very happy and said he will welcome them in person!"

  Shen Shuyi stood up, performed a deep curtsy, and said with a faint smile on her face, "Thank you, Your Majesty and the empress, for your love."

  Noble Consort Zhao looked at Shen Shuyi with satisfaction. This was the daughter - in - law she wanted.

  He Lingsheng stood outside the palace. The maid lowered her head and asked, "Your Highness, shall this servant announce your arrival?"

  "Yes."

  The maid walked in. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has come."

  "Quickly invite him in!"

  He Lingsheng entered the palace. A woman in a white dress was standing inside. When his eyes fell on Shen Shuyi's face, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

  Noble Consort Zhao looked at his expression with satisfaction. She knew her son would be pleased.

  "Your servant, Shen Shuyi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, pays her respects to the Crown Prince." Shen Shuyi performed the ceremony in a proper manner, her eyes lowered. Her appearance bore a five - point resemblance to Shang Ruoyi.

  "Rise."

  "Thank you, Your Highness." Shen Shuyi raised her eyes to look at He Lingsheng. The shrewdness and calculation in her eyes fell into He Lingsheng's sight, making his brows furrow.

  Her eyes were not like this.

  He Lingsheng withdrew his gaze with a bit of disappointment and sat down next to Noble Consort Zhao.

  Noble Consort Zhao looked at him. "Sheng'er, do you have something to talk about today?"

  Seeing that the mother and son had something to say, Shen Shuyi got up to take her leave. "Noble Consort, my grandfather and father are about to return. There are many things to take care of in the mansion. Your servant will take her leave first."

  "It's really not easy for you to manage the huge Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. Hurry back!" Noble Consort Zhao waved her hand, and Bixi came over with a box. "Look, girl."

  Inside the box was an east pearl the size of a thumb. One should know that east pearls were not something anyone could wear, especially such a large and high - quality one. Basically, only the empresses and concubines in the palace could wear them. When Shen Shuyi saw the east pearl, her heart skipped a beat with joy, but she didn't show it on her face. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your love, but this east pearl is too precious. Your servant really can't accept it."

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  "It's just a pearl. How can it be so precious? I think you are even more dazzling than this east pearl. Take it!"

  "Since the elder bestows, one cannot decline. If I decline again, it will seem that I'm not well - behaved. Then, your servant thanks the empress for your kindness."

  After Shen Shuyi left, Noble Consort Zhao said to He Lingsheng, "What do you think of the legitimate daughter of the Shen family?"

  He Lingsheng was shocked. So his mother knew all about his little thoughts.

  "As long as mother thinks it's good. Of course, I'll follow mother's decision in these matters."

  Noble Consort Zhao nodded and smiled with satisfaction. "Sheng'er has been sensible since childhood. Mother is very gratified. Is there anything else?"

  He Lingsheng shook his head. "I just came to visit mother today."

  After that, Noble Consort Zhao kept him for lunch and he didn't leave until it was time for her to take a nap. After He Lingsheng left, Bixi told her everything about the Eastern Palace in detail.

  "Your Majesty, His Highness was very unhappy when he learned that you intervened in this matter. According to the servants in the Eastern Palace, he was very angry when he left."

  "Humph, angry?" Noble Consort Zhao sneered. "Without me, could he sit firmly on the position of the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace? Everything I do today is for him. When he ascends the throne, he will understand my hardships." She took off the hairpins on her head and said with a smile, "I really like that Shen Shuyi. Her manners are proper, neither humble nor arrogant. She is a suitable candidate for the Crown Princess."

  "Your Majesty has a discerning eye. The one you choose must be the best."

  Noble Consort Zhao lay down on the couch contentedly. Now she was just waiting for an excuse to let the emperor issue an imperial edict.

  Shen Shuyi returned to the mansion and told her personal maid, Furong, to put away the east pearl bestowed by Noble Consort Zhao.

  "Miss, that's an east pearl! Only in the palace can one find such a good one."

  Shen Shuyi sneered. "It's just a pearl. What can't I get if I want it?"

  "Yes, yes. Even if the miss wants the stars and the moon, the master will pick them for the miss." Furong smiled.

  Shen Shuyi looked at her beautiful face in the bronze mirror, and the image of a handsome young man couldn't help but appear in front of her eyes. Yes, she could get even the stars and the moon, but that person wouldn't even look at her directly.

  Since he didn't like her and married someone else, she would become the most noble woman in the world. Then, he would surely regret it.

  The man whom Shen Shuyi both loved and hated was chewing on a dry coarse - grain cake in the exile site at this time.

  He Jingheng looked at the coarse - grain cake in his hand, then at the others on the table who were eating meat and vegetables, and smiled helplessly.

  He Yunyi whispered, "Well, sister - in - law, did you vent your anger?"

  Shang Ruoyi looked at her with a mix of amusement and annoyance and nodded randomly. "Yes, I did."

  Hearing this, Qin secretly let out a sigh of relief. "Good girl, it's good that you're not angry anymore. If Jingheng makes you angry in the future, come to us. Mother will stand up for you. Don't mention divorce again."

  Shang Ruoyi nodded reluctantly.

  She never expected that when she said the word "divorce" at the end, He Yunyi would hear it. What's more, the two of them kept asking questions all night, insisting on knowing why she wanted a divorce, whether she disliked He Jingheng's leg.

  Shang Ruoyi had no choice but to say that he had made her angry, and she was so angry that she didn't want to live with him anymore. The two of them took turns to persuade her for a whole day. Shang Ruoyi was really annoyed by this mother - daughter pair and promised not to divorce.

  He Jingheng saw her nod and a triumphant smile curled up on his lips.