Chu Jing hurried forward upon hearing her future mother-in-law's voice: "Old Madam Cao!"
The elderly woman playfully tapped her forehead. "Still calling me Old Madam Cao?"
A faint blush colored Chu Jing's cheeks. "Mother."
"Good, good! After all this waiting, I’ve finally heard it!" Old Madam Cao said with heartfelt satisfaction. "Jing’er, once you’re married into our family, we’ll spend odd days playing mahjong, even days listening to operas, and we must reserve a day for Zhang's Shop’s plum blossom cakes. Oh, and we must also arrange Ruoling’s marriage soon… With you here, I’ll never feel lonely again!"
After Imperial Son-in-law Cao married Princess Ansheng, they moved into the Princess's Mansion. Third Master Cao and Fourth Master Cao had also established their own separate households.
Thus, the vast Cao residence was left with only the two of them, and Old Madam Cao often felt as though she were talking to thin air.
Chu Jing earnestly clasped her hand. "Don’t worry, from now on, it’ll be lively—so much so that you might even complain about the noise!"
After some more conversation, the gatekeeper announced that the second young lady had returned.
Chu Ruoyin had been sent to the palace by Lady Jiang the Younger to learn court etiquette ever since she was selected for the imperial consort selection, and she hadn’t returned home in two months.
Chu Ruolan immediately rushed to the front hall, only to gasp in shock. "Second Sister, what happened to you?"
Chu Ruoyan and the others followed, only to see Chu Ruoyin with sunken eyes, a haggard complexion, and a body so thin it was almost skeletal. They were all stunned.
Her maid, Biluo, said indignantly, "That palace etiquette instructor is downright cruel! She made our young lady stand under the scorching sun without food, and on rainy days, she forced her to swim. Even though our young lady mastered all the etiquette rules perfectly, that woman deliberately targeted her!"
Chu Ruolan was furious and turned to seek their mother’s intervention.
Chu Ruoyan stopped her. "Do you know which palace that etiquette instructor originally served in?"
"Yes, it was Yaoguang—"
"Enough, Biluo, don’t say more." Chu Ruoyin cut her off, but everyone had already understood.
Yaoguang Palace was Consort Xue’s residence.
Chu Jing’s face paled instantly. "Ruoyin, your aunt has wronged you."
Consort Xue must have harbored resentment over Xue Gui’s disgrace and ordered the instructor to torment her.
Chu Ruoyin shook her head gently. "Aunt, you’re too kind. Your happiness is what matters most. As for the palace… the selection is in just a month. That instructor won’t be able to torment me much longer."
Chu Jing remained uneasy, but Chu Ruolan interjected, "Why even go through this selection? It’s not like they’re picking an empress! Second Sister, come with me—I’ll tell Mother to let you withdraw!"
Before she could finish, Lady Jiang the Younger’s voice rang out.
"Such nonsense! Your sister’s entry into the palace is a grand affair. As her younger sister, you should support her, not discourage her!"
The Chu sisters all curtsied in unison.
Lady Jiang the Younger cast a cool glance at Chu Ruoyin. "A little suffering is nothing. Once you enter the palace and win His Majesty’s favor, all the good days will follow."
Chu Ruolan muttered, "What good days? The Emperor is older than Father…"
"Ruolan!" Lady Jiang the Younger raised her voice sharply.
Chu Ruolan pursed her lips and fell silent.
Chu Jing couldn’t hold back. "Sister-in-law, with Ruoyin’s qualities, she doesn’t have to—"
Lady Jiang the Younger cut her off. "Aunt, I know you care for the children, but Ruoyin is my daughter. I would never harm her."
With that, Chu Jing could say no more.
Chu Ruoyan watched with quiet amusement.
Both daughters were born to Lady Jiang the Younger, yet her treatment of them was worlds apart.
For Chu Ruolan, she would move heaven and earth, treating her like a precious jewel. But toward Chu Ruoyin, she was indifferent, as if her existence barely mattered.
If it was lingering resentment over Chu Ruoyin’s earlier closeness to her aunt, now that they had reconciled, there was no reason for such coldness.
Chu Ruoyin bowed slightly, her face expressionless. "As Mother commands."
Her words silenced any further objections.
Time flew, and soon, the wedding day arrived.
The union of the Cao and Chu families was a grand event that shook the capital. Nearly all the noble families attended, except for the Marquis of Chengen's Mansion, Prince Yu's Mansion, and the Yan Family, who were in mourning.
Though the Emperor did not attend in person, he sent Prince Qin as his representative with lavish gifts.
In the rear courtyard, noblewomen gathered and inevitably discussed the marriage.
"Master Cao remained unmarried until forty—my husband thought he’d stay a bachelor forever! Who knew he’d take a liking to the Chu lady?"
"What’s even rarer is that he’s willing to accept her child. Such magnanimity puts certain men who climbed into a Duke's Mansion yet still kept mistresses to shame!"
"Speaking of which, that man must have lost his mind. Turning down noble ladies for a maid! Even if she bore him a son, it’d still be the lowest-born bastard, unfit to inherit anything."
"Exactly! And then he tried to pass the child off as the legal wife’s—such a vile scheme would’ve gotten him beaten to death in our household!"
"No, no, you’ve all got it wrong. I heard his true love was his own student. The maid and mistress were just covers—he only wanted an heir for the Marquis’ line…"
The gossip mercilessly flayed Xue Gui and his family.
Those related to the Xues wished they could vanish into the ground, fearing ridicule.
Then came an announcement at the gate: "Princess Ansheng and Imperial Son-in-law Cao have arrived!"
As the words faded, Princess Ansheng appeared at the courtyard entrance in resplendent court attire, a peony painted between her brows, exuding regal grace. Beside her, Imperial Son-in-law Cao bore some resemblance to his elder brother Cao Yang, but where the latter was stern and imposing, the former carried a more delicate air.
He carefully supported the princess. "Your Highness, mind the high threshold—don’t twist your ankle."
His devotion, as if he’d gladly prostrate himself to be her stepping stone, made many avert their eyes.
Being an imperial son-in-law was no easy task…
Princess Ansheng stepped over effortlessly. "Very well. The rear courtyard is for ladies—you may wait in the front."
Imperial Son-in-law Cao complied, though his gaze lingered on her reluctantly.
Old Madam Cao stepped forward first. "Greetings to Your Highness. May the Princess live a thousand years."
The other women followed suit.
Princess Ansheng quickly helped Old Madam Cao up. "Mother-in-law, please rise."
Then, to the assembly, she said, "Ladies, you may also rise. Today is the Cao family’s joyous occasion, and as their daughter-in-law, I need no such formalities."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
The women rose, showering her with praise.
Of all the imperial family, Princess Ansheng was the most beloved—gracious, kind, and often organizing charity kitchens in the capital. The only regret was her childlessness.
Chu Ruoyan’s pupils constricted at the mention.
Princess Ansheng had lost her child while saving Yan Zheng, leaving her unable to conceive.
Imperial Son-in-law Cao had blamed the Yan Family, even sending debt collectors to harass them.
But seeing him today, it was clear he adored the princess beyond reason—his actions, though extreme, were understandable…
Just as she pondered this, she noticed a maid carrying a tray of fruit nectar, swiftly approaching the princess—
"Watch out!"
