After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 535 Comparison of the Two Women
Princess Qingkang's eyes lit up with interest. "It seems my sister is determined to steal this marriage from Princess Huai'an's family. What are you planning to do?"

Princess Qingfeng smiled and pondered, "Thirty years ago, Langya Kingdom and Longxia Kingdom were at war. Langya Kingdom was defeated and sent a princess to seek peace. This princess was a young lady from the Duke of Ji's mansion. To appease the Duke of Ji's mansion, the late emperor bestowed a golden phoenix upon them. The Duke of Ji's mansion could use the golden phoenix to find a marriage for a woman in their clan. Even if they wanted the position of empress, it would be perfectly reasonable."

It's a pity that the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Ji's family is still young, while the illegitimate daughter is either on her deathbed or her mother was a courtesan and is only of average appearance, not worthy of Murong Jue's attention.

So the Duke of Ji adopted Ruan Haizhu as his goddaughter, and told the outside world that she was the orphan of the old Duke's subordinate and had been raised in the Duke of Ji's mansion. Tomorrow we will go to the palace with the Duke of Ji's wife. We will go there early and get this done before the Shen family's daughter enters the palace.

With that golden phoenix, I refuse to believe this can't be accomplished!

Princess Qingkang's heart skipped a beat, thinking that Princess Qingfeng had gone mad. "This marriage with the Princess's mansion is good, but it's not worth sacrificing a golden phoenix. What exactly are you plotting?"

Even the dumbest person would realize something was wrong by now.

Princess Qingfeng cursed Qingkang inwardly, but said sincerely, "What else could I be scheming? Of course, I hope your good son-in-law can come back. If the Second Prince comes back, Wanyi will still be the esteemed Second Prince's Consort. Wouldn't everything I've done be a good thing for you, sister?"

The original intention of the Duke of Ji's mansion in keeping the Golden Phoenix was to have an empress emerge from the clan when the family declined, so as to ensure the Duke of Ji's mansion's wealth and honor. However, the current Duke of Ji is a lecherous man who has done many immoral things outside. Recently, he even raped the daughter of a minor official and caused her death.

If the Emperor knew about these things, even if he sent a girl into the palace with a golden phoenix, he would still die. Princess Qingfeng was using this as leverage to coerce Duke Ji into cooperating.

Of course, the Duke of Ji also wanted to take a gamble. If the Second Prince really returned to the palace and became the Crown Prince, all the things he had done could be wiped clean, and the Duke of Ji's mansion could be guaranteed to prosper for a hundred years.

Qingkang's smile was forced and insincere.

After Princess Qingfeng left with Ruan Haizhu, she suddenly felt flustered and said to the nanny beside her, "Are we really going to the palace together tomorrow?"

The old woman nodded. "Princess, you're just going to watch the play and stir up trouble tomorrow. Anyway, this has nothing to do with you, so it can't be blamed on you no matter what."

Princess Qingkang thought about it for a moment and realized that it was true. She immediately laughed and said, "You're right. Today, the Princess has humiliated us so much. I'll see what she does tomorrow!"

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, several luxurious carriages were already parked at the palace gate, during the morning court session.

Many court officials saw the carriage and recognized which family it belonged to.

Many people secretly sized up Grand Tutor Zhao and stepped forward to inquire, "Grand Tutor, why are the two princesses and the Duchess of Ji so early in the palace? Has something happened?"

Grand Tutor Zhao lowered his eyelids, glanced back at the crowd, and sneered, "How would I know about women's affairs? Just wait! Maybe some good news will come out later!"

good thing?

The ministers looked at each other, each with their own doubts.

The Empress Dowager didn't wake up until after 5 a.m. She was a little puzzled when she learned that Princess Qingkang, Princess Qingfeng, and the Duchess of Ji had come to pay their respects.

"Yesterday, Princess Qingkang brought her niece over, and Huai'an ridiculed her so much. Why is she still so persistent today?" The Empress Dowager was furious when she mentioned yesterday's events. Granny Gui hurriedly said, "Today, Princess Qingkang didn't bring anyone with her, but the Duchess of Ji brought a young lady."

The Empress Dowager was taken aback, her eyes widening suddenly. "I remember the Duke of Ji's mansion having a golden phoenix, could it be..."

The Empress Dowager looked very unwell, and Granny Gui realized what was happening and panicked, "Oh dear, Your Majesty, if this is the case, we can't see them today!"

The Empress Dowager was furious, but she didn't agree on the spot. "If you can't see the Shen family girl without seeing them, people will think I'm against this marriage! I never expected Qingkang to go to such lengths to deal with the Shen family! Go! Summon them in. I want to see what tricks they're playing!"

The Empress Dowager knew about Princess Qingkang's plan when she brought Zhao Moli over yesterday. She could understand Princess Qingkang's anger and resentment, so she didn't hold it against her. Unexpectedly, this only emboldened Princess Qingkang, who brought so many people over today. It seems that she can no longer be soft-hearted.

Soon Princess Qingkang and her entourage were brought before the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager's attention was immediately drawn to Ruan Haizhu, clearly impressed by her beauty.

"This is?"

Ruan Haizhu stepped forward and respectfully greeted the Empress Dowager, her voice soft and bright, "This commoner, Ruan Haizhu, pays her respects to the Empress Dowager."

Lady Ji followed suit and explained, “Empress Dowager, Haizhu is the orphan of my father-in-law’s subordinate. The Duke took pity on her and adopted her as his goddaughter. She has been raised in the Duke’s mansion for many years. Although she is not his biological daughter, she is better than his own. Now that the child has reached marriageable age, I am powerless to find her a suitable husband. It is truly heartbreaking.”

"Aside from her humble origins, Haizhu is outstanding in every way. She is worthy of being married to a nobleman. I wish to use the golden phoenix bestowed upon Haizhu by the late Emperor to arrange a marriage for her. I humbly request the Empress Dowager to grant Haizhu and Murong Jue this marriage."

Princess Qingfeng and Princess Qingkang exchanged a glance, their eyes sparkling with smiles.

Princess Qingfeng stepped forward and echoed, "Your Majesty, I was also very shocked when I first met Miss Haizhu these past two days. Her appearance is among the best of all the noble ladies in the capital. Moreover, the Duke of Ji's mansion has put a lot of effort into educating Miss Haizhu. Miss Haizhu can ride a horse and strictly follows the three obediences and four virtues. She is truly a wonderful person!"

Princess Qingkang had just been ridiculed for bringing Zhao Moli to the palace yesterday, so she couldn't very well praise Ruan Haizhu now, but she kept an approving smile on her face.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager remained silent, the Duke of Ji's mansion continued, "The reason I went to the palace to ask for this marriage for Haizhu is because Young Master Jue is just too outstanding. The day he returned to the capital, riding his horse through the streets, he was a young man in his prime, with an outstanding temperament."

Haizhu took a liking to him upon seeing him, and after returning home, she even mentioned Young Master Jue to me. I couldn't bear to see her so disappointed and heartbroken, so I mustered my courage and brought Golden Phoenix to see the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager remained expressionless, secretly pondering how to resolve the matter.

Just then, Princess Huai'an arrived with Murong Jue and Shen Yuezhang.

Everyone looked towards the entrance, their gazes falling on the girl in the pale yellow brocade dress standing beside Princess Huai'an.

The girl's skin was like jade, her eyebrows and eyes were gentle and tender, yet there was a hint of determination in them, and her gaze was clean and clear.

It was only when she saw Shen Yuezhang that Empress Dowager noticed the incongruity of Ruan Haizhu. Although Ruan Haizhu was well-mannered and had an outstanding appearance, her skin was not as good as Shen Yuezhang's, and her eyes were not as clear and clean as Shen Yuezhang's. It seemed that there were many things hidden in her eyes.