After the moon had set, Yu Qingmei held the medicine bottle and pondered for a long time. After hesitating, she still found a deserted place and applied the medicine to the wound on her palm. It wasn't a serious injury, just a scrape against the ground, slightly red and hot. But after applying the ointment, it felt pleasantly cool and soothing.

A wave of relief washed over her. She had imagined the medicine would make her disfigured or cause sores and swelling, but it turned out she was just being paranoid.

At this moment, she felt as comfortable and peaceful as a hand resting in one's palm. She knew that the way she had acted had saved not only her own life, but also the lives of her father, brothers, and the entire Yu family lineage.

After a woman marries, she inevitably relies on her natal family. Even if her own marriage is not going well, her family will still look after her when there are no major issues at home.

Next, she was going to see what kind of marriage the Empress had arranged for her.

Her gaze secretly glanced at the men present. Each one looked dashing and heroic, but who among them was truly a wolf in sheep's clothing, she couldn't tell.

She was also pondering the question she had just asked Rong Mengyu. Did she like the emperor as a person, or was it because he was the emperor?

Yu Qingmei smiled wryly, at that year's spring banquet, her father was still a newly arrived minor official in the capital. She had already seen Tang Xian, who was still the seventh prince, blatantly protecting the beautiful and delicate Fu Jiujiu.

She was envious because, having just arrived in Beijing, even her speech could be ridiculed. Naturally, she also wanted to become the object of everyone's attention, a beloved young lady, enjoying the adoration of others.

She sighed, perhaps she only liked the emperor's love for the empress. She yearned for such pure affection.

After it all clicked, she felt her steps were much lighter. She carefully put away the ointment sent by Dan Yue. This was truly a holy grail among medicines; at this moment, it still held a faint scent of orchid, refreshing and pleasant.

She gazed into the distance, laughing and chatting merrily. A young man as elegant as a orchid among jade plants, if he spoke, it would actually be quite nice.

Their eyes met, and she lowered her head slightly. Since she had already given it to the Empress Dowager, she wouldn't cause any further complications. It would be best to avoid unnecessary trouble.

After the banquet began, Fu Jiujiu sat beside Tang Xian, lazily looking at...

Tang Xian knew the good show was about to begin.

Because Yu Qingmei's program was canceled, Rong Mengyu's piano performance became the first program.

The sound of the qin is mesmerizing, it takes a lot of hard work. In a rush, it's like thousands of horses galloping, and when slow, it's like a babbling brook. Fu Chi-chi feels she can't learn this, dancing, dancing doesn't work either.

Rong Mengyu listened to the admiring voices, her lips curled slightly, especially when she heard Fu Jiujiu, who was seated at the top, clapping and praising. Disdain filled her heart. A country bumpkin girl wouldn't understand these things.

It's just a bit of luck, I guess.

Fu Jiujiu sincerely praised, "Tang... Your Majesty, Miss Rong's playing is really good. Even I, who doesn't understand music, find it pleasant to hear."

Tang Xian pulled her hand, "It's not bad."

Rong Mengyu was overjoyed and smiled slyly at Tang Xian. Then she quickly lowered her head. After being glanced at by Tang Xian, she felt her heart flutter like a deer in the forest.

At this moment, she knelt there, just waiting for Tang Xian's words, and her wish would be fulfilled. Her parents were also very excited watching her, and she gave them a triumphant look.

Everything is within your grasp.

Just thinking about it, she was about to burst into laughter.

"It is rumored that Miss Rong not only excels in music and poetry, but also possesses a kind heart and beautiful appearance. Such a wonderful woman…"

"Here it comes!"

Rong Mengyu tugged at her skirt, her heart drumming excitedly within her.

Such a beautiful woman, I intend to...

Tang Xian glanced at Rong Mengyu's father, the old fellow was also beaming with delight. He smiled along too.

Rong Kang was even more surprised and delighted.

Tang Xian continued, "I intend to bestow Miss Rong upon Ling'an Wang, my royal uncle."

As soon as these words were uttered, some people laughed until they cried, while others wept uncontrollably.

Rong Mengyu stood there like a wooden chicken.

Mr. and Mrs. Rong were completely dumbfounded.

Ling'an Wang rose and knelt, thanking him. "Your Majesty has shown great compassion to your humble servant for all these years of widowhood. Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years!"

Yu Qingmei's heart instantly turned cold.

Prince Na Ling'an was estranged from the royal family, and at almost fifty years old, he had already lost three wives. People called him a widower, but his concubines were all beautiful young women.

This old Master Wang was just like that, lustful. He wasn't a bad person in other aspects, he didn't bully people with his power, nor did he engage in corruption. He never took part in official duties, and he didn't get involved in bad things either. He was simply a cunning old fox who would feign illness from time to time to avoid going to court.

During the reign of Emperor Chengde, he left Tang Xian alone. Tang Xian was treated like a spare, just someone they didn't need to worry about. It’s the same for every dynasty – as long as they don't cause trouble, no one cares.

Water purity leads to a lack of fish. That's the lesson his father taught him.

Fu Jiujiu also said that both loyalty and treachery are necessary. It's impossible for everyone in the court to be loyal and righteous. That's a dream.

Yu Qingmei lowered her head even further, she resigned herself to fate, giving up her own happiness in exchange for the safety of her family. It was worth it.

The Rong family of three hasn't calmed down yet.

Tang Xian looked at Rong Mengyu, "Miss Rong, are you too happy?"

Rong Kang only then reacted, and with a golden mouth and jade words, he forced himself to remind his daughter, "Hurry up and thank him, Xiaoyu, hurry up and thank him."

"I..." Rong Mengyu looked at Tang Xian with a captivating gaze. How could he bear it, how could he bear to do this?

"My lady… My lady…"

At this moment, she wanted to disobey the imperial decree, but she couldn't bear the consequences that would follow.

But how could she possibly agree to marry an old man?

"Your Majesty, this servant..."

She wanted to say she was still young, but her father had already told her the consequences of speaking out were treasonous. “Your Majesty, my daughter is young, she must have been overjoyed. Your Majesty's bestowment of marriage is my daughter’s honor, I thank you, my Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years!”

Tang Xian's eyes were filled with coldness. This was what Rong Kang deserved. He had stirred up trouble without reason, vying for concubine positions and filling the harem, showing disrespect to the Empress. His daughter was also extremely disrespectful. Not executing them was already a mercy.

Rong Mengyu didn't know how she walked on, her heart ashen. She looked at the old man who kept laughing at her, wishing she could just die.

But she doesn't even have the right to die now.

"Congratulations, Uncle Ling'an."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ling'an Wang was very well-behaved. Although he was someone the emperor looked down upon, he knew how to avoid losses. He didn't need to remain pure for anyone, but this emperor truly didn't know that every woman had her own unique charm.

Fu JiuJiu chuckled softly, "Your Majesty, I'd also like to play matchmaker."

Tang Xian said dotingly, "Then that's naturally good. I wonder who Jiujiu is going to make it for?"

He murmured her name, oblivious to everyone else. She, too, addressed him as "I" in front of him. Their love was so equal and reciprocal.

Yu Qingmei suddenly glared at Fu Jiujiao, then lowered her head, clenching the handkerchief in her hand. She was utterly defeated, looking at those crooked and withered old men present, she had already begun to think about which one she would fall into next.

(Editor in charge:light novels)