Hua Ruochu opened the book but couldn't read a single word.

  This is the day after Qi You went out on a long journey.

  It's hard for someone who has tried their best to please you to keep their heart from straying.

  The sound of rapid footsteps came from the courtyard, a rare occurrence in her yard.

  She sat up straight and waited quietly like before.

  The newcomer was Di Zhui, and she was accompanied by Chun Yu.

  "Madam, the Crown Prince's consort has arrived and is asking to see you. The elderly madam asks that you hurry over. Also, the elderly madam asks that you must be mindful of etiquette and not provoke the Crown Prince's consort."

  She touched her loose hair knot and said "Wait a moment, Chunyu, let's change clothes and style our hair."

  "Yes."

  The waiting time was not long, Shuang Ji was a stable person, even if she was anxious in her heart, she didn't show it on her face, and from time to time, she would chat with the little girl sitting next to her.

  Hearing footsteps, he quickly stood up.

  At this time, Hua Ru had already changed into a lake-green dress, with a single-colored emerald headdress on her head and pink-white lotus shoes embroidered with silk threads, looking cool even in the sweltering heat.

  Her makeup was light and wouldn't steal the spotlight from the Crown Princess, but it complemented her perfectly, making her even more stunning.

  Shuang Ji suddenly felt that even Old Lady might have misjudged this time.

  "Hurry up, this is the first time I'm meeting the Crown Prince's consort, I mustn't be rude and let the Qi Manor lose face, also letting my husband become a laughing stock. Shuang Xi, help me take a look if there's anything improper about me."

  Shuang Ji's gaze lingered on her head for a moment, shaking his head repeatedly "No, you're fine just the way you are."

  Hua Ru's expression changed to one of relief, and she stepped out "Let's hurry up, don't keep the Crown Princess waiting."

  The Qi family's gate has been deserted for many years, and occasionally when outsiders come, they are only relatives of the Qi family by marriage.

  The royal family's full-dress arrival is a first in many years.

  Even when Qi You became a relative by marriage, the Crown Prince only brought two attendants and sat quietly, without displaying his usual majestic demeanor.

  The main gate of the Ying Song Temple, used to entertain guests, was wide open, with bamboo curtains hooked on one side. Four maidservants stood on either side of the door, their mouths slightly curved upwards, their hair combed neatly, and wearing pinkish-purple palace-style dresses.

  Behind her stood four young palace maids, all dressed in pink dresses, extremely beautiful.

  Hua Ru Chu stopped in her tracks for a moment, took a deep breath, pursed the corners of her mouth, and walked quickly with a tense face.

  Outside the door, he bowed and said, "Qī Huáshì has been summoned to pay respects to Her Highness, the Crown Prince's Consort."

  The eunuch on the left front side sized her up from head to toe without leaving any trace, and understood that this was the person the princess wanted to see today. He then smiled and said: "Please come in quickly, the Crown Princess is waiting for you."

  "Thank you, Auntie." Turning around, Yun Shu glanced at her before following Hua Ru Chu into the house.

  Yun Shu secretly congratulated herself on her thorough preparation, and with a smile, she handed each of the four senior ladies-in-waiting and eight palace maids a red envelope, as if it were only natural.

  "Miss has arrived in a hurry and hasn't made any preparations, so please have some refreshments, all the aunties and sisters."

  They rubbed the red envelope and a few people laughed more warmly, repeatedly expressing politeness, but also didn't say no.

  Shuang Ji watched from one side and saw it clearly, knowing that this was also the kind intention released by the Crown Prince's consort towards Madame Shao.

  If it weren't for the Crown Princess's consent, she wouldn't believe that these people would dare to accept benefits so openly.

  The young lady seems to have caught someone's eye upstairs.

  The old lady was getting older and older. She was a native daughter of the Qi Mansion, and her best course of action would be to become the concubine of one of the young masters in the mansion.

  But that was not what she wanted.

  All these years by the old lady's side, she has seen too many dirty things, and even her own hands can't be said to be clean.

  The thought of having to live in such an environment for the rest of her life made her break out in cold sweat.

  She's no longer young and will be married off by Old Lady at the latest next year.

  She had resigned herself to her fate, but now, can't she reconsider?

  But then, with a soft "yes", Hua Rujiu lowered her head and entered the main house.

  "Qí Huá shì has paid her respects to the Crown Princess. May Her Highness enjoy a thousand blessings and golden peace."

  "No need for formalities, I presume this is the wife of Yuanji? I wasn't able to attend your wedding and offer my congratulations, it's truly regrettable. Now that we've met, I must make up for it with a gift."

  As she spoke, the crown princess slipped off a gold-inlaid jade cuff from her hand and beckoned to Ah Hua with a gentle wave of her hand.

  Hua Ru ignored the various gazes on her body and walked slowly in front of the Crown Prince's consort.

  She pulled up her hand, put the bangle on it, and looked at it from left to right. The crown princess nodded in satisfaction: "It's no wonder that Yangzhou is a place where beautiful people are raised. This skin is really enviable."

  Hua bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Ladyship, for your gift. I am unworthy."

  The crown prince's fiancée held her hand and didn't let go, carefully examining this young woman who had helped the crown prince.

  Her appearance is not stunningly beautiful, nor does she have a slender and delicate figure. Her physique appears to be much less healthy and robust compared to women from Hebei province.

  Those delicate facial features paired with that fair and tender skin, set off by the white, made her eyes even darker, her nose even more upturned, and her lip color even more vibrant, making it impossible for people to look away.

  Tao Jia is recognized as a beauty, with an air of elegance and nobility that makes her seem like the most dignified person under heaven. Her demeanor can captivate men's eyes, but women do not like her.

  The beauty in front of her eyes is not so piercing, and she also thinks it's pleasant to look at.

  No wonder the prince said Yuan and Cheng got married and returned home diligently after their wedding.

  There is a beautiful woman hidden in the house, who can bear to let her live alone.

  The scrutiny in her eyes gradually faded away, and the crown princess smiled, unintentionally revealing a hint of genuine delight: "To have such a beautiful and virtuous wife, I am truly blessed."

  The old lady had a guess as soon as she heard that the princess was coming, and now seeing her holding onto her daughter-in-law tightly, she understood it even more clearly.

  Smiling, she replied: "Your Ladyship is wise, this daughter-in-law of mine, apart from being a bit timid and not being able to hold her own in public, has no other flaws. As you said, it's Yu'er's good fortune to have married her."

  Three wives-in-law, whether willing or unwilling, are now all smiling and responding with courtesy. At this time, no one will make a mistake.

  Hua Ru Chu slightly lowered her head, covering up her expression. In front of the Crown Prince's consort, she couldn't show too much weakness.

  It's not about showing off.

  In the government, she can get away with anything. If one day her true nature is exposed, at most she will just be scolded a few times, but she doesn't care about that.

  It's different with the Crown Princess, you can't afford to offend her, if she finds out that she was pretending in front of her, she will definitely not have a good ending.

  "Look, she's shy again, my queen, this daughter-in-law of mine is indeed not one to be praised."

  Qī Wǔ's words made Huá Rú chuckle secretly in her heart: "Mother-in-law, have you gnashed your silver teeth to pieces?"

  The crown princess patted Hua Ru Chu's hand and instructed sideways, "Bring a brocade stool over, let her sit beside me."

  "Thank you for your kindness."

  Qifu people see weakness, Taizi's wife sees calm and unruffled, Hua Ru is doing very well.

  It was just that the Crown Princess was kinder to her, and she always maintained a respectful attitude.

  Neither dare to gaze straight at the phoenix's face nor trample oneself into dust.

  The Crown Prince's consort was delighted.

  "The Crown Prince originally wanted to invite you to the palace to thank you in person for your great help, but Yuan Ji was not happy about it, saying that you were timid and the Crown Prince would scare you. Now looking at it, it's clear that Yuan Ji is afraid of being seen by others and wants to keep you as his own treasure. I'd like to see how long he can hide you. Taking advantage of his absence, tomorrow I'll host a banquet and introduce you to the noblewomen, let him get anxious."

  The old lady was overjoyed, if Qi's eldest grandson's wife were the crown prince's consort and brought into the inner circle, it would have a completely different meaning.

  Three daughters-in-law, none of whom can hold their own, the third daughter-in-law is well-behaved and may have the ability to manage the household, even if she doesn't, as long as she meets the eye of the crown princess, everything will be fine.

  Thinking of this, I got up and thanked my daughter-in-law on behalf of my son.

  Unexpectedly, Hua Ru was even quicker in her movements, and with a slight bow, she said, "This is an honor that I couldn't have asked for, but my husband is only worried that I won't understand the situation and lose face for him. He wouldn't stop me from taking on the responsibility of being the eldest grandson's wife. However, as I was born in Yangzhou, I'm familiar with some of the ladies there, but I don't know any of the noblewomen in Ji Zhou. I also don't want to be rude or provoke anyone who might cause trouble for my husband and make the Qi family lose face. Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to give me a little more time, until I'm more familiar with things, before seeking your support."

  The words were spoken with great propriety, neither rejecting the Crown Princess's kindness nor revealing his own difficulties, and everyone who heard them felt relieved.

  It's just that Taiyuan people don't even dare say they completely understand the power dynamics between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, let alone a newly arrived young woman.

  He's worried that the Second Prince will cause trouble and make it difficult for Qi You!

  The crown princess smiled more and more brightly, with less calculation and more sincerity. At just over twenty years old, her face, which was not considered absolutely beautiful, seemed to be covered in a layer of light.

  "You're someone who knows your own weight, I've agreed to this here, whenever you're ready, come find me, my words count."

  "So, thank you, Niangniang." Hua Ruyi's face relaxed, and she slightly raised her head, saying: "I've taken advantage of you today, I don't know how to repay you. I don't have many things that are worthy of giving, please accept this small token as a gesture of gratitude."

  This gift is indeed generous and impressive. The old lady blinked her eyes and took a closer look at Hua Ruochu.

  Handing over the small box she handed over, the crown prince's wife was curious, but there was no reason to open it in front of her. "Then I'll take it with a thick face."

  With a sweep of her eyes, the expressions of everyone in the room were clear to her. The Crown Princess knew that her task for today was accomplished, and thinking that it was time to leave, she stood up and said: "Today's disturbance is over, please take care of your health, Old Madam, and also please convey the Crown Prince's greetings to Old Master."

  The crowd stood up one after another, the old lady was so excited that she didn't know what to do, her eyes were red. "Yes, I will definitely pass it on, thank you to the Crown Prince's wife for taking care of our Qi Manor."

  "It's also worth it for the Qi family to be treated with sincerity by the palace." The crown prince's consort patted the old lady's hand, then turned her head and said to Hua Ruichu: "You shouldn't stay cooped up in the house all the time either. When you're free, go to the Crown Prince's residence to find me, I just happen to want someone to chat with."

  "Yes, I will definitely come. At that time, Your Ladyship must not dislike me for talking too much and drive me away."

  "This hasn't even started yet, and you're already making excuses for yourself." The crown princess smiled and chided her with a hint of closeness, which made the other women in the room jealous to the point of gritting their teeth.

  Hua Ru smiled shyly and stopped talking, she had already shown enough today, if she continued to show off, she would reveal her true intentions.

  A crowd of people escorted the crown prince's consort to the gate and didn't turn back until she was out of sight.

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