After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

Granny Feng turned around and saw Shen Lingyi. Her heart skipped a beat.

When Shen Lingyi met her resentful eyes, the image of herself being pierced by a thousand snakes flashed through her mind.

A voice seemed to be constantly warning: Do not make things difficult for the people around the female lead; be her lackey, and you will be able to save your life...

Shen Lingyi raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Snapped!"

A crisp round of applause rang out, and Shen Lingyi glanced at her as if she were trash.

She now knows the whole story.

What's the difference between this and a mouse getting into a rice jar?

A ruthless glint flashed in the girl's eyes: This time, she was determined to make everyone like her, to make those who had previously blocked her path to success pave a smooth road for her, and to be admired by thousands and showered with glory.

Since women cannot control the power of the world, let those in power be used by them.

Granny Feng covered her face, looking at Shen Lingyi with resentment. Knowing that she had overstepped her bounds, she dared not utter another word.

Shen Lingyi snapped out of her daze, stepped forward, her eyebrows curving into a beautiful arc, her voice melodious like the shattering of jade in Kunshan, yet her words pierced the heart like needles: "You lowly thing! You're utterly unworthy of respect. Since Shen Tingjiao can't teach servants, then I'll do it for her."

"You shall kneel here and wait until it gets dark before you get up."

How could Granny Feng possibly kneel?

But Peony had already kicked her between the legs, forcing Granny Feng to kneel down. She gritted her teeth in hatred and subconsciously tucked her sleeves in tightly.

Shen Lingyi caught a glimpse of the exposed corner of the envelope out of the corner of her eye, scoffed lightly, and smugly walked away.

Qixiang Courtyard.

As soon as you push open the door, a wave of heat hits you; the stove is burning brightly, making it feel as warm as springtime.

Her room was the most luxurious in the mansion, with priceless ornaments, a gold incense burner, and even a jade bed frame. Thick cashmere carpets covered the entire room, allowing her to play barefoot.

General's wife, Madam Jiang, was sitting by the stove waiting for her. Upon seeing her daughter, she immediately came over with a smile and took her hand: "The palace banquet has been over for quite some time now. Your father was so worried about you. You naughty girl, did you take your maid to play in the street?"

Although the words were meant to be reproachful, they were spoken with obvious affection.

Jiang looked at her with eyes full of love that almost overflowed, as if he were looking at her most perfect work.

Shen Lingyi's unbridled confidence stemmed from Jiang's unreserved affection.

When she abandoned her childhood sweetheart and was rejected several times, ruining her reputation, her mother said that women could also be romantic and dare to love and hate.

Even if he never marries, he is willing to support her for the rest of his life.

Thinking of this, Shen Lingyi couldn't help but snuggle against her mother like a cat, her watery eyes misting over.

Madam Jiang hugged her daughter and smiled gently: "Your father just sent over a lot of fashionable fabrics, and coincidentally, your maternal grandparents also sent over a few fine fox fur coats. Take your pick."

Shen Lingyi nodded obediently, looking at the mountain of silk and satin, and said, "Mother, have someone pick out a good piece of fabric from the ones Father sent and send it to my sister."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Pick some good rouge and face powder from the storeroom, and send them along with some hairpins and jewelry."

Jiang's eyes turned cold. "She has your grandmother to take care of her."

Shen Lingyi winked playfully: "Mother, just do as I say."

"I'll listen to you." Madam Jiang affectionately flicked her nose, a worried look appearing on her face.

"Mother, what happened?"

Madam Jiang knew she couldn't hide it from her, so she slowly said, "Today your father heard that Prince Huaizhen will be returning to the capital soon. The annulment of the engagement back then was so embarrassing... Your mother is afraid that he still harbors resentment and might harm you."

The two broke off their engagement years ago, causing a huge uproar in the city. Their love turned to hatred, and they became bitter enemies.

Wei Chengrui cut off one of his fingers to atone for the marriage agreement, causing a stir throughout the court and the public.

In the end, to ensure her safety, her maternal family donated several hundred bushels of grain to aid the border region. Only then did the Crown Prince intervene and mediate. Wei Chengrui was punished by being sent to the northern frontier for three years of training.

Mrs. Jiang looked at her daughter with concern, but she could not find a trace of unusual emotion on her face.

Shen Lingyi gently twirled her fingers and smiled softly, "Mother, don't worry. Hate is the ultimate form of love. I am his first love in this life. Three years have passed, and he will only amplify his longing and forget my shortcomings."

Helpless, Madam Jiang said reproachfully, "Fine, you know what you're doing."

After Jiang left, Shen Lingyi wrote a letter and gave it to Shaoyao, instructing her to secretly send it to the Eastern Palace.

The next day.

Xu Yanqing's guards made a big show of inviting Shen Lingyi to the East Palace for a chat, bringing gifts with them.

The procession of horses laden with gifts was grand and impressive, attracting a large crowd. Shen Changsheng and Jiang Shi were overjoyed, and Shaoyao was even more excited, but Shen Lingyi claimed to be ill and refused to see them.

No matter how Xu Yanqing sent people to invite her, she ignored them.

Rumors circulated in the capital that the Crown Prince was in love with Shen Lingyi and was willing to lower himself to pursue her, and more and more powerful figures came to visit the General's Mansion.

Upon hearing this, Shen Tingjiao was heartbroken and fell seriously ill.

Until the day of the welcoming banquet for Crown Prince Huaizhen—

The current emperor specially arranged a banquet in the palace to welcome Wei Chengrui.

On the shore of the lake, Shen Tingjiao, dressed only in a white dress, without any makeup or makeup, quietly gazed at the fish swimming in the lake. She looked sickly and worried, which unconsciously aroused one's protective instincts.

Xu Yanqing approached and took the hot water bottle from Yuan Feng, handing it to her: "Jiaojiao, have you been waiting long?"

"Your Highness?"

Shen Tingjiao turned around in surprise, her eyes gradually reddening as she looked at him, and she timidly lowered her head.

She murmured, trying hard not to cry out, "Your Highness loves my sister, so why are you coming to find me? I am not worthy of Your Highness, you should leave..."

She turned to leave after speaking, but Xu Yanqing stopped her, his brows furrowed: "Who said I have feelings for her?"

Shen Tingjiao remained silent. Xu Yanqing pondered for a moment and quickly understood the reason. He explained helplessly, "It's not what you think. I was looking for her only because she sent me a letter."

Xu Yanqing instructed Yuan Feng to deliver the letter to Shen Tingjiao.

Xu Yanqing's birth mother suddenly fell into a coma after the beginning of winter. He searched for doctors all over the world but no one could cure her. This matter has always been a worry for him. Shen Lingyi's letter said that the reason his birth mother fell into a coma was because a villain had buried a witch doctor's doll with her birth date and time in front of the door. As long as it is taken out and burned, the comatose person will wake up.

Upon seeing the small print, Shen Tingjiao's pupils widened suddenly: "This...this letter, is it from my sister to His Highness?"

Xu Yanqing nodded, seemingly lost in thought, and said, "I originally thought she was making things up, but I didn't expect that there really was such a filthy thing. Now that my birth mother has woken up, I sent her a gift only to express my gratitude, and seeing her was only to clear things up."

Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the letter, and Shen Tingjiao's body trembled slightly as she bit her lower lip hard.

This was clearly the information the abbot of the temple had told her when she consulted the oracle.

On the winter solstice, Feng Mama was sent to deliver a message, but unexpectedly, she was punished by Shen Lingyi by being forced to kneel.

Later, because the Crown Prince frequently visited Shen Lingyi, she was confined to her home, and even those around her were not allowed to leave the mansion, so as not to affect Shen Lingyi's good fortune, which is why it has been delayed until now.

She had planned to tell him today, but why did Shen Lingyi beat her to it?!

Xu Yanqing looked her up and down, then frowned slightly: "Jiaojiao, you are in the prime of your life, why are you dressed so plainly? It's such a waste of your youth."

Shen Tingjiao forced herself to come to her senses and smiled, "...I don't like luxury, nor do I care about those material possessions, so this is just right."

Seeing this, Granny Feng muttered, "It's clear that the eldest young lady has no money to buy clothes, while the second young lady gets all the benefits. It's already difficult enough for her to just survive..."