The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 740: Rotten Peach Blossom

Tong Huaqiong's confrontation with the Prince Yu's mansion caused a great stir throughout Shengjing.

What surprised everyone even more was that he actually won the argument, forcing Princess Mingyue to apologize in public.

The popularity of Tong Huaqiong's shops, Peach Blossom Dessert and Jufulai, skyrocketed instantly.

After this battle, Peach Blossom Dessert and Jufulai have firmly established themselves in Shengjing.

Everyone was asking what Tong Huaqiong's background was that made her so arrogant, not even putting the Prince Yu's Mansion in her eyes.
After learning that Tong Huaqiong was the foster mother of the Crown Prince from the common people, she began to speculate on the old emperor's attitude towards the Crown Prince. Even the Yu Prince's Mansion, which had always been favored, was almost accused of treason, which shows how much the old emperor favored the Crown Prince.

Prince Yu and the third prince, Prince Ning, have always been close, leading some to interpret this as the old emperor indirectly expressing his dissatisfaction with Prince Ning.

Prince Ning, without even leaving his residence, was so enraged by the loss of the emperor's favor that he nearly vomited blood. In desperation, he rushed to the palace to pledge his loyalty to the old emperor.

On the contrary, the Prince Yu's residence was caught in a public opinion storm, having lost the emperor's favor.

Some even suspect that the loyalty of the Prince Yu's family over the years has been feigned, and that they might be plotting a rebellion behind the scenes.

Upon hearing this discussion, Prince Yu was so frightened that he hid at home and refused to leave. In the middle of the night, he developed a high fever and became delirious. Even the emperor sent the imperial physician to him.

After Princess Mingyue dealt with the maid, Prince Yu originally wanted to send her to Longhua Temple as soon as possible. However, after Princess Yu pleaded with her, he managed to get her to attend the Crown Prince's welcome banquet before going to Longhua Temple.

As a royal temple, Longhua Temple would naturally not mistreat Princess Mingyue.

But having grown up in luxury, leaving the Prince Yu's residence meant hardship. Princess Yu couldn't bear to see her daughter suffer, so she raced against time to prepare Princess Mingyue's luggage for the trip to Longhua Temple and arrange for attendants.

Princess Mingyue was ordered by Prince Yu to stay obediently in the mansion and not go anywhere before going to Longhua Temple.

Princess Mingyue was bored out of her mind at home when she suddenly remembered the stunningly handsome young man she had met on the street.

The more she thought about it, the clearer his face became, and the more she thought about it, the more eager she became to see him.

Taking advantage of the moment when Prince Yu was running a fever, Princess Mingyue quietly left the mansion and headed straight for the Imperial Academy.

Gu Jingzhe entered the Imperial College as the first rays of dawn broke.

Since arriving in Shengjing, he has been the most diligent student at the Imperial Academy.

Princess Mingyue's disturbance at Peach Blossom Dessert Shop further strengthened his belief in achieving fame and fortune to support his family, so he has been studying even harder these past few days.

I leave early and return late every day.

From afar, Princess Mingyue saw that unforgettable face, but before she could catch up, she saw Gu Jingzhe enter the Imperial Academy.

A startling glance.

Princess Mingyue froze on the spot.

Princess Mingyue originally wanted to go to the Imperial Academy to find the person herself, but considering her family's recent reputation and Prince Yu's repeated instructions to keep a low profile, she gave up the idea of ​​going to the Imperial Academy to find the person herself.

After regaining his senses, he instructed his maid to inquire about the background of that stunningly beautiful face.

The maid returned quickly, her face filled with disdain. This young master was nothing more than someone from Ningcheng Township; he was incredibly lucky to have caught the eye of their princess.

"Your Highness, I have found out everything." The maid lifted the carriage curtain, put away her disdain, and told Princess Mingyue the details she had learned about the young master.

"This person is named Gu Jingzhe. He came to Shengjing from Ningcheng Township this summer. I heard that he is the junior brother of Lu Zhaoyang of the Ministry of Revenue. He was able to enroll in the Imperial Academy because of Lu Zhaoyang's connections."

Because Gu Jingzhe always kept a low profile at the Imperial College, and because the Crown Prince and Tong Huaqiong had just arrived in Qinghe Bay, not many people knew that Gu Jingzhe was the son of the owner of Peach Blossom Dessert Shop.

Princess Mingyue listened to the maid's words with amusement.

She said she had never seen this face before in Shengjing, and that it turned out the person came from Ningcheng Township.

In that case, meeting her was incredibly lucky. Since she only got into the Imperial Academy because of Lu Zhaoyang's connections, it's as if she had no background at all.

For a handsome scholar from the countryside, the ambition to study at the Imperial Academy was extraordinary.

Every year, countless ambitious scholars flock to Shengjing, but without a background or connections, it is very difficult to stand out and realize their ambitions. Even those who become the top scholar still have to endure hardship.

The fastest way to realize one's ambitions is to find someone with a powerful background to rely on.

Just like Lord Su Shihang, who caught the emperor's eye by clinging to the powerful general's coattails, he is now the Minister of Personnel, while his fellow top scholars are still suffering in exile.

To be favored by this princess is the greatest blessing a country scholar could have accumulated over eight lifetimes.

Princess Mingyue was very confident that she could win over Gu Jingzhe.

"Princess, if the Prince finds out that this is just a country scholar, he will be furious," the maid Caiming reminded Princess Mingyue, who was completely infatuated with the scholar.

Following the princess is risky; if something goes wrong, they will be the ones to take the blame. Caiming is still haunted by the memory of Caiyun having her tongue pulled out after causing a scene at Peach Blossom Dessert yesterday, and she can't help but worry that she will be next.

Princess, being of noble birth, how could the prince possibly marry her off to a scholar from the countryside?

"Remember your place. I will make the decisions for you." Princess Mingyue wouldn't listen to any of her advice.

She knew what the maid was worried about.

Although she was a princess, her marriage was in the hands of the emperor.

When the people of Mobei came to accept the surrender this year, some people suggested that she go to Mobei to marry and establish good relations between the two countries, but fortunately the emperor refused.

What if the emperor suddenly decides to win over a powerful family or a small country and marries her off to a place far from Shengjing or to a foreign land? Wouldn't her life be ruined?

Rather than that, she might as well find a suitable husband she likes.

Gu Jingzhe from the countryside fits this description perfectly.

Without any backing, they can only rely on the Prince Yu's mansion, which will make them easier to control.

Secondly, by finding a scholar with no background, the emperor would lower his guard against the Prince Yu's residence.

Princess Mingyue felt more and more that she and Gu Jingzhe were a match made in heaven.

"Junior brother, the maids of Prince Yu's mansion are asking about you," a senior brother from Wanliu Academy kindly reminded Gu Jingzhe.

This senior brother had already heard about the conflict between Peach Blossom Dessert and Prince Yu's Mansion yesterday. When the maid came to inquire about Gu Jingzhe, he was careful and managed to find out the maid's identity.

After all, they were all students from Wanliu Academy, and they would support each other in their future careers. Gu Jingzhe was the most outstanding student in this class.

The senior brother was worried that the Prince Yu's Mansion had suffered a great loss and would take revenge on Gu Jingzhe, so he suggested that Gu Jingzhe go to his brother-in-law Lu Zhaoyang to discuss the matter.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother." Gu Jingzhe replied calmly.

The Gu family has already offended the Prince Yu's mansion.

He didn't know why the Prince Yu's Mansion was asking him about it, but he was certain that the Prince Yu's Mansion wouldn't deal with him at this critical juncture.

The suspicion of treason has not yet been cleared. If the people of the Prince Yu's mansion were smart, they should lie low in the mansion instead of running out and causing trouble again.

However, as her mother Tong Huaqiong said, we will meet force with force and water with water.

With this in mind, Gu Jingzhe continued to bury himself in his studies.

Unseen by him, the tainted romances of his past life are still swirling around.