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

Chapter 536 Miss Ruan, it's been a long time

The three had just paid their respects to the Empress Dowager when the Duchess of Ji looked at Murong Jue with delight. Ruan Haizhu's cheeks were flushed, and although she was shy, her eyes were glued to Murong Jue, completely undisguised.

If you say she's not reserved, then why is her face so red?

The Empress Dowager disliked it more and more the more she looked at it.

Princess Qingkang couldn't wait to speak up, "Empress Dowager, look at how happy Miss Haizhu is. It's clear that she truly loves Young Master Jue. The two of them standing together are a match made in heaven. This marriage is definitely a match made in heaven."

Shen Yuezhang's expression tightened, but he showed no sign of panic. He simply stood respectfully beside Princess Huai'an.

Princess Huai'an was the first to get angry. "Qingkang, what nonsense are you talking about? My daughter-in-law is right here. What kind of slut dares to drag my son into this?"

Lady Ji's smile froze, and Ruan Haizhu realized what was happening, reluctantly lowering her head.

Princess Qingkang, however, was not angry at all. Instead, she "kindly" told the story of how the Duchess of Ji brought the golden phoenix to the palace to propose marriage.

“Your Highness, Young Master Jue’s surname is Murong, and he is also a member of the royal family. This is the decree of the late emperor. We cannot disobey the decree! I think this Miss Shen should be sensible and able to understand.”

When Shen Yuezhang was called out, facing the ill intentions of Princess Qingkang, she stood up, curtsied respectfully, and slowly said, "The marriage of children should naturally be decided by the parents and the matchmaker. I cannot make such a decision."

Princess Qingkang's smile froze, and she snorted, "Then why not invite Madam Shen into the palace? After all, this marriage was approved by the late emperor, so we should take the late emperor's approval first."

"You!" Princess Huai'an was furious.

Before Murong Jue could speak, Shen Yuezhang, her face pale, secretly shook her head at him.

The Empress Dowager observed everyone's reactions. Originally, she did feel that Murong Jue had wronged Shen Yuezhang. However, after learning of Shen Yuezhang's superb painting skills yesterday and seeing her remain calm and composed in such a predicament, she came to approve of her.

However, the current situation is not something that can be resolved simply by her approval.

After thinking for a moment, the Empress Dowager said unhurriedly, "Summon the Vice Minister of Works and Madam Shen to the palace, and also invite the Emperor and Empress."

Anything involving the late emperor is no small matter.

The emperor and empress learned the whole story on their way here.

The Emperor expressed his anger: "Everyone knows about the marriage alliance between the Princess's residence and the Shen family. For the Duchess of Ji to enter the palace with the Golden Phoenix to snatch the bride at this time is a slap in the face to the Shen family. They can't sit still now that Shen Yi has been given an important position by me!"

Eunuch Zhou nervously advised, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Although the Golden Phoenix was bestowed by the late Emperor, he was benevolent and would certainly not allow the Duke of Ji's family to act recklessly. Young Master Jue and Miss Shen are already engaged and are just waiting for the wedding ceremony. Such a thing as breaking up a marriage is against etiquette, so it is understandable that the Duke of Ji's family is rejected."

"Hmph! I know these principles, what angers me is that they know I value Shen Yi, yet they still resort to such despicable tactics against the Shen family. What do they take me for?"

No one dared to provoke the enraged emperor.

The Emperor and Empress arrived one after the other. Upon seeing Ruan Haizhu, they were indeed quite amazed. But upon seeing the dignified and gentle Shen Yuezhang, they felt that Shen Yuezhang's elegant and dignified temperament was more suitable for Murong Jue.

Thinking of Shen Yuezhang's superb painting skills, the emperor and empress felt even more pity and favor towards her.

The Empress beckoned Shen Yuezhang to sit beside her and asked affectionately, "Have you settled into the capital yet?"

Shen Yuezhang obediently lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty, the capital is wonderful. The city is filled with pearls and jewels, flowers and brocade, and magnificent palaces. With the protection of the Emperor, Empress and Empress Dowager, how could I not be comfortable?"

The Empress burst into laughter, "How adorable you are, child! Huai'an, if she weren't your future daughter-in-law, I would definitely adopt her as my goddaughter." Princess Qingkang and Princess Qingfeng, who were waiting to see a good show, both changed their expressions.

The Empress Dowager suddenly looked up, as if she had thought of something, and her expression softened. She echoed the Empress's teasing remark, "If you really recognize a goddaughter, I'll have another adorable granddaughter!"

"Your Majesty, I congratulate you on gaining such a wonderful granddaughter."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law worked together to successfully break the defenses of the other women.

Murong Jue was getting restless; if Shen Yuezhang hadn't been giving him those meaningful glances, he would have already spoken.

Ruan Haizhu stood to the side, sometimes jealous of Shen Yuezhang, sometimes gazing at Murong Jue with a dreamy look.

Just then, Shen Yi and Su Tai arrived.

The couple entered the hall with their heads bowed and knelt down to pay their respects.

The emperor asked them to rise and offered them seats.

Princess Huai'an looked guilty and distressed. Holding Su Tai's hand, she glared angrily at the Duchess of Ji and recounted what had happened. "Back then, my father bestowed the Golden Phoenix to protect the glory of the Duke of Ji's mansion. I never imagined that the Duke of Ji's mansion would use it to commit evil and betray my father's good intentions."

Lady Ji's face changed drastically. She immediately knelt down and cried out with deep emotion, "How could the Princess wrong the Ji family like this! Haizhu is the orphan of the old Duke's subordinates and a descendant of loyal martyrs! I only presented the Golden Phoenix to ask the Empress Dowager for a marriage because I love her and can't bear to see her sad, and I can't bear to hurt the hearts of my father-in-law's old subordinates. How did it become that we did something wrong?"

“Indeed! As a princess of the royal family, the eldest princess should prioritize righteousness.” Princess Qingfeng knelt earnestly.

Princess Qingkang knelt down as well.

The three were clearly trying to force Princess Huai'an to accept the marriage proposal from the Duke of Ji's family.

The Empress Dowager and the others suppressed their anger.

Even Shen Yi felt aggrieved.

Su Tai noticed Ruan Haizhu when she heard the name Haizhu. Seeing Ruan Haizhu staring at Murong Jue with a lovesick expression, she looked at her without restraint. After a while, she confirmed Ruan Haizhu's identity, withdrew her gaze, and curled the corners of her lips.

He patted Princess Huai'an's hand reassuringly.

Princess Huai'an saw that Su Tai was smiling, and her anger turned into confusion. What time is it? How can Su Tai still be smiling?
Su Tai rose and respectfully curtsied to the emperor. "Your Majesty, may I speak of something?"

The emperor nodded slightly.

Everyone looked at Su Tai, wondering what she still wanted to say in this situation? Was she going to point at the Duchess of Ji and yell at her to vent her anger?
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Su Tai gracefully walked up to the Duchess of Ji.

Everyone thought to themselves, "Madam Shen really is going to have a verbal battle with the Duchess of Ji."

Lady Ji, with a sullen face, had already prepared herself mentally, but then she saw Su Tai look past her at Ruan Haizhu.

"Miss Ruan, it's been a long time."

When Su Tai spoke, everyone was stunned. Did Madam Shen know the adopted daughter of the Duke of Ji's mansion?
Lady Ji stood up and shielded Ruan Haizhu behind her. "Madam Shen, I know you're upset because Haizhu is fighting with your daughter for the marriage. If you have any problems, come at me. She's still a child and can't be easily frightened."

Su Tai's smile grew even brighter. "Why is the Duchess in such a hurry? I'm just catching up with an old friend. Back then, when Miss Haizhu ran away from home in a fit of pique, it was my soft heart that led someone to take her in. Otherwise, she wouldn't have made it to Langya Kingdom. What? Now that you've climbed the social ladder, you're turning your back on us?"