The legitimate daughter returns to the capital and embarks on a splendid life, tearing apart the fak

Princess Yi's eyes darkened. She had been kneeling for half an hour? Perhaps she had calculated that she and Xiao Jingyan would return at this time and went to wait for them to come back.

She glanced at Xiao Jingyan and snorted, "Look at the mess you've made."

Xiao Jingyan helplessly touched his nose, took half a step back, and said in a low voice, "Mother, you promised your son that you would help me handle this."

Princess Yi glared at him and said through gritted teeth, "I really owe you something."

Xiao Jingyan immediately put on a smile, said, "Thank you, Mother, but I have to go out for a while." Before Princess Yi could react, he turned around and strode out.

Princess Yi watched his retreating figure and said to Guan Shan beside her with annoyance, "Look at Ayan, he caused trouble himself and now he has to leave me, his mother, to clean up his mess. He really owes me a debt."

Guan Shan smiled ingratiatingly, not daring to reply, but simply pointed in the direction of the main courtyard and gestured for him to enter.

Princess Yi sighed and walked towards the main hall.

Upon entering, she saw Zhou Qing kneeling in the hall. Hearing footsteps, she turned around, her eyes filled with tears. But when she saw that only Princess Yi was there, her eyes darkened instantly, and she called out in a slightly aggrieved voice, "Princess Yi."

Princess Yi glanced at her indifferently, did not call her up, and went straight to sit down in the main seat.

When the maid brought the tea, she took it and slowly sipped it before smiling and saying to the maid beside her, "We've finally settled Ayan's marriage. In a few months, this household will have a proper mistress, and the Princess Consort can finally rest assured."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qing's face paled inch by inch.

She bit her lip, fighting back tears, and after a long while, asked in a sobbing voice, "Your Highness, is the Prince... really going to marry that Princess of Ninghai?"

Princess Yi seemed to only then remember that there was someone kneeling below her. She turned to look at her and said in a calm tone, "Yes, the wedding date is set for May 26th. It's a blessing for Ayan to marry the Princess of Ninghai. Zhou Qing, aren't you happy for the Prince too?"

Before Zhou Qing could react, she continued, "By the way, I have already had all the eligible men in the capital selected. I will be looking for suitable men for you in the next few days. Don't worry, with me taking care of things, I guarantee you will be the principal wife after you marry into the family, and I will never let you be bullied."

Zhou Qing gritted her teeth so hard they almost broke. Who wants to be the principal wife? I want to be a princess, or even a concubine.

She remained silent for a long time before stubbornly saying, "Your Highness, Qing'er does not want to get married."

Princess Yi looked at her, sighed heavily, and said earnestly, "Zhou Qing, you're not young anymore, you're seventeen this year, aren't you? You can't stay unmarried your whole life. Before, when I wasn't in the capital, Ayan, being a careless man, didn't think about these things. Now that I'm in the capital, I will definitely find you a suitable husband, so as not to fail your father's trust."

Zhou Qing raised her eyes, her gaze filled with resentment, grievance, and stubbornness: "But Qing'er doesn't want to get married. No matter how good a man is, he's not as good as Brother Yan."

Princess Yi was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "Zhou Qing, I understand your feelings. But Ayan doesn't have you in his heart. If he had even the slightest intention, why would he have waited until today? You should give up on these thoughts, otherwise, in the end, you'll be the one who suffers."

Zhou Qing crawled two steps on her knees, grabbed the hem of Princess Yi's skirt, looked up, and pleaded, "Your Highness, Qing'er is willing! Qing'er doesn't ask for any title, even being a concubine or a maid will do, as long as I can be by the Prince's side, Qing'er will be content! Please, Your Highness, grant Qing'er's wish..."

Princess Yi felt a headache coming on; she couldn't understand why.

She slammed her hand on the table and scolded, "What are you talking about! Did your father entrust you to Ayan to be his concubine? If Ayan accepts you, what will others think of him?"

Furthermore, you should know that with your status, you cannot become the principal wife, and Ayan will never take a concubine, much less a maidservant! There is no room for negotiation on this matter; you should give up on this idea as soon as possible and not mention it again.”

Zhou Qing wanted to say something more, but Princess Yi had already switched to a businesslike tone, saying indifferently, "I have already had Guan Shan arrange for you to settle in that small house in the west of the city, with servants and all the furniture provided. You can pack up and move there in the next couple of days."

Zhou Qing's heart sank. She bit her lip and pleaded, "Your Highness, I'll be scared living alone outside... Could... could you let me stay in the manor?"

Princess Yi pondered for a moment, and also felt that it was somewhat inconvenient for an orphan like her to live outside the mansion. Besides, she always felt that this woman was not simple, so it would be better to keep an eye on her for the time being.

Thinking of this, she nodded, her tone softening slightly: "If you wish to stay at the manor, you may, but you must follow my arrangements."

Zhou Qing knew that the price of staying was to obediently follow the Princess Yi's arrangements to go on a matchmaking trip. She bit her lip and finally agreed: "Qing'er will listen to the old Princess."

Princess Yi nodded in satisfaction, but still added with concern, "Now that Ayan and Princess Ninghai are engaged, to avoid any suspicion, if you need anything, go directly to Steward Guan or come to me. It would be bad if any misunderstandings arose and Princess Ninghai misunderstood."

Zhou Qing dared not say no, and nodded with her lips pursed, saying, "Qing'er understands, Your Highness, please rest assured."

Princess Yi nodded and added, "I'll discuss it with Ayan later and have him find you a good family in the army, so you can become godparents. After you get married, it's always good to have a maternal family to support you, so you won't be looked down upon by your husband's family. Don't worry, we'll definitely find someone with both parents alive and a wealthy family."

Zhou Qing suddenly raised her head, a look of disbelief and humiliation flashing in her eyes.

Go to the military and become godparents?

She, Zhou Qing, has lived in the Prince Yu's mansion for so many years. Even if she were to acknowledge a godparent, couldn't the Princess Yi herself do so?

Should she be asked to recognize a rough soldier as her godfather? He's probably just a matchmaker for her, and he's unlikely to be from a wealthy or powerful family.

But she knew that nothing she said would make a difference.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her surging emotions, and Princess Yi kowtowed: "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness. Qing'er takes her leave."

Having said that, he got up and fled the main hall as if he were escaping.

Zhou Qing left the main hall, her pace quickening until she almost ran back to her own courtyard.

When Qiu Tang saw her rush in with red eyes, she was startled and quickly went to greet her, asking anxiously, "Miss, what's wrong?"

"Get out!" Zhou Qing pointed at the door and shouted angrily at her.

Qiu Tang didn't dare to refute and hurriedly and carefully retreated.

Zhou Qing sat on the couch, panting heavily, her mind replaying the words of Princess Yi.

After a long silence, she gritted her teeth and said, "No, I absolutely cannot admit defeat!"

She walked to the window, opened it, put her finger to her lips, and whistled.

A moment later, Hei Feng appeared silently outside the window. Seeing her red and swollen eyes, he frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhou Qing said calmly, "Take me to see the master."