My Prince said he'd break my legs.

Liang Qingwan didn't respond to Gao Shi's topic, but instead showed concern for them: "It's been a while since I've seen you. How has Mother been? How is Zhiyi? How is everything at the manor?"

"It's all good, it's all good, you don't need to worry about us." Gao said with a smile.

"Your father is also arranging a marriage for Zhiyi. The other party is the second son of the deputy envoy of the pacification commissioner. I secretly sent someone to inquire. The second young master Guan is handsome and talented, has no bad habits, and his family background is comparable to ours. They are considered a good family."

Madam Gao became more and more enthusiastic as she spoke, probably genuinely satisfied with the marriage. She glanced at the door and lowered her voice, saying...

"The deputy envoy of the pacification commissioner is a man of Prince Chen. If Prince Chen ascends the throne in the future, your father's career will be bright, and our family will enjoy endless wealth and honor..."

"Mother."

Liang Qingwan stared intently at Madam Gao: "Didn't you ever consider what would have happened to our family if Prince Chen hadn't ascended the throne?"

Liang Zhiyi was idly playing with her teacup when she heard this, she paused, and opened her eyes to look at Liang Qingwan.

Finally, someone who understands.

Gao was stunned: "Qingwan, you..."

The Gao family never imagined that Prince Chen would not be able to sit on that position, or that Prince Chen's faction was confident of victory.

"This morning I heard from your father that the Empress's father, Duke Xie, was recently dismissed from his post and is now at home because His Majesty found something wrong with him. This... no matter how capable the Crown Prince is, he can't do without anyone supporting him."

The Duke of Xie was dismissed by the dying emperor? This was something Liang Zhiyi hadn't expected, since Pei Yue was currently in control of the court, and in this matter, Pei Yue hadn't been able to suppress the emperor.

Perhaps the emperor knew his days were numbered and was in a hurry to pave the way for Prince Chen, so he cut off Pei Yue's right-hand men.

Liang Qingwan sighed deeply: "I can't explain it to you. Take my advice: go back and tell your grandfather to stop sending money to your father. Sell all the shops in the capital and head south. If that day ever comes, at least you'll be able to save your life. Some wealth and status are hard to come by..."

Gao didn't understand why Liang Qingwan said that. Given the current situation, Prince Chen had the upper hand, so there was no reason for him to give up now.

Before Gao could retort, Liang Qingwan interrupted her.

"Mother, you should go back to the Gao family yourself and convey my message to Grandfather. He will understand. If you can do that, please send Zhiyi away as well."

Liang Zhiyi stood up and said in a low voice, "Big sister..."

Liang Qingwan lowered her eyes and gently stroked her slightly protruding belly: "The imperial physician said that I am most likely having a boy this time. The prince said that after he is born, he will be sent to the princess to be raised and registered under the princess's name."

Princess Chen had been married for seven years without having children, so it was quite normal for her to adopt a child from one of her concubines.

"It's not a big deal. You're still young, you can have more children."

Gao didn't think it was anything special; in wealthy families, such things were commonplace.

"Does Mother really think I can have more children?" Liang Qingwan asked with a mocking expression.

"If Your Highness truly ascends to that position in the future, and this child is registered under the Princess's name, then he will be the eldest legitimate son. Mother, do you think the Princess and her maternal family can tolerate the birth mother of the eldest legitimate son living?"

If Prince Chen ascends the throne, whose status as the eldest son of the legitimate wife is more important?

"If Your Highness loses, I am a member of the Prince Chen's household and have even borne a son. Do you think I can survive? Either way, I will die. So, Mother, go back and make preparations as soon as possible. Before things get to that point, go back and divorce Father to avoid being burdened by him later. If you don't believe me, you can gamble with Father. Life and death are predestined, and wealth and honor are determined by fate. It all depends on Prince Chen."

It's like gambling; once you place your bet, one side will always win or lose.

Gao was speechless and had nothing to say.

Liang Qingwan didn't chat with them any further. She had already told Gao Shi what she needed to say, invited them to stay for lunch, gave them many gifts, and then sent them home.

Once inside the carriage, Liang Zhiyi opened the box Liang Qingwan had given her, which was filled with gold, silver jewelry, and banknotes.

The social hierarchy in this dynasty was as follows: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

Merchants were ranked last. Although the Gao family were wealthy merchants, their status was very low. One can imagine how great an honor it would be to have a sixth-rank official as their son-in-law. That is why the Gao family did not hesitate to offer tribute to Liang Huaijing.

Although a sixth-rank official position was as insignificant as an ant in the capital, it was already an unattainable goal for ordinary people.

For the past ten years or so, they have been giving money to the Gao family and Liang Huaijing, so the Gao family and Liang Zhiyi are not short of money.

Liang Qingwan is the eldest daughter of the Gao family and is very knowledgeable. Since she knows this, why would she still bestow these things upon Liang Zhiyi, who doesn't lack them? Could there really be a major change in the future?

Madam Gao, being simple-minded, didn't think much of it. She glanced at the box and simply said, "Your eldest sister is really something. We have money; how could she be afraid we'd go hungry?"

Liang Zhiyi was speechless. Well, Liang Qingwan's words were all for naught.

She closed the box and held it close to her chest. These things might be her life-saving possessions, so she had to think of a good place to hide them. In any case, she couldn't leave them in the Liang residence.

Seeing that she was silent with her head down, Gao didn't pay much attention. She instructed the driver to take Liang Zhiyi back to the Liang residence, and then turned the carriage around to go to the Gao residence, presumably to convey Liang Qingwan's words.

Liang Zhiyi, carrying the box, encountered Liang Youyou as soon as she entered the mansion. It seemed Liang Youyou had been waiting for her there, and she spoke as soon as she saw her.

"You're finally back! You just left this morning, and the Guan family sent someone to propose marriage right after you left."

Liang Youyou was born to Aunt Qiu. Gao was weak-willed and couldn't even control the concubines, let alone Aunt Qiu.

Therefore, Liang Youyou usually acted arrogantly and domineeringly in the mansion because of Aunt Qiu's favor, and she didn't take Liang Zhiyi, the legitimate daughter, seriously at all.

The original owner's personality was exactly the same as Gao's. In the past, she could be said to be completely dominated by Liang Youyou without even knowing how to resist.

It wasn't until she arrived and retaliated against Liang Youyou several times that Liang Youyou became more restrained, at least not resorting to violence so easily.

Liang Zhiyi didn't believe that she had gone to such lengths to wait here just to tell her about the Guan family's marriage proposal, and rolled her eyes at her.

"Spit it out."

Liang Youyou chuckled: "And what happened? The betrothal gifts weren't even exchanged before the Guan family was raided. Hehehe... You really are a jinx. You brought bad luck to the Guan family before you were even engaged. I'm afraid no good family will want you in the future."

The Guan residence was raided? This was unexpected. She couldn't understand why Pei Yue would start with a sixth-rank official.

Considering Liang Qingwan's words, could it really be a matter of life and death?

She needs to make plans soon; she doesn't want to die with Liang Huaijing.

"If even I can't marry into a good family, what good family do you think a concubine's daughter like you can marry into? Don't you understand the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'? You idiot!"