After the milk ball arrived, the father who had no heirs had a string of good luck.

Tang Rui said unhurriedly, "So you think your young mistress has a more noble status than me, a princess personally appointed by my imperial grandfather?"

The maidservant retorted angrily, "What princess? She's just a..."

"Shut up!" Situ Wei quickly stopped the maid as she spoke more and more outrageously. "No matter what my cousin's status was before, she is now Princess Zhaohua, personally bestowed by the Emperor. She must not be disrespectful to her."

"..." You can talk, but I can understand you.

Tang Rui turned and left: "I don't think my cousin is here to apologize sincerely. She should go back. This princess will not keep you company any longer."

"Cousin!" Situ Wei exclaimed anxiously, quickly grabbing her sleeve. "I didn't mean any harm. If you think the silver notes are too little and want other compensation, we can discuss it! I also hope you can go back to the Imperial Academy to study as soon as possible. Missing even one more day won't be good for you."

"When you say these things, you should first hide the jealousy in your eyes! You're clearly not here to sincerely apologize, so what are you pretending for?"

Tang Rui, expressionless, withdrew her sleeve: "Someone, show the guest out!"

The two servants guarding the door were still in a daze.

Zhang Ji kicked one of the servants: "Didn't you hear what the princess said?"

"Ah, yes, yes..." The two servants realized what was happening and gestured for Situ Wei to enter.

Situ Wei: "..."

How did it get like this?

If she fails to complete the mission, how will she explain it to her father when she returns?

Her father had just started to treat her differently.

That wretched Tang Rui, she has such a sharp eye.

She was right; Tang Rui was definitely not an ordinary five-year-old child and was not so easily fooled.

"Cousin, since that's the case, I'll come again tomorrow. Whether you believe it or not, I'm here to sincerely apologize; you've really misunderstood me."

Situ Wei sighed and could only retreat tactically with her maid.

As she turned to leave, her fingertips trembled slightly, clearly indicating that she was quite angry.

Tang Rui saw it but pretended not to, and elegantly rolled her eyes.

Consort Zhu gave her a thumbs up: "Well done."

Li Ji nodded silently: "We can't let this go. We must teach the people of the Eastern Palace a lesson."

Zhang Ji suggested, "Rui Rui, how about I teach you a few self-defense moves? Next time someone bullies you, just fight back!"

"No way, Rui Rui is a princess, how can she be like you, wielding swords and spears?" Consort Zhu pushed her away, smiled and squatted down in front of Tang Rui, magically producing a bag of pastries: "Here, osmanthus pastries from East Street, they're especially delicious."

Tang Rui's eyes lit up as she took the package, thanking him profusely, "Mother Zhu, you're so kind to me, I really like you."

"Oh my, baby, I love you so much too!" Consort Zhu couldn't help but hug Tang Rui and cuddle her affectionately.

Li Ji looked on with envy: "Move aside, let me hug you too."

The little dumpling's face is chubby, soft, and bouncy; I absolutely love that soft feeling.

Zhang Ji had nothing, but she quietly moved closer.

Tang Rui was held and cuddled by her three stepmothers for a while before she was finally freed after half an hour.

When Li Ji left, she casually took out a string of pure gold longevity locks and put it on her wrist, adding, "Honey, if you need money, just tell me, okay? Don't be like those short-sighted people."

Tang Rui: "..." She was still subtly implying that Situ Wei had brought a thousand taels of silver!

Li Ji is truly wealthy and powerful; if her father ever wanted to rebel, she wouldn't have to worry about funding.

...

The Eastern Palace!

Situ Wei composed herself before entering the main hall.

Upon seeing that it was her, the prince put down his book and asked, "How is it?"

"Father, I'm sorry..." Situ Wei had just finished speaking when she saw a hint of disappointment flash across the Crown Prince's eyes, so she quickly added, "I guess the money wasn't enough. Mother only gave me a thousand taels of silver."

The crown prince was stunned upon hearing this: "She only gave that little?"

What is Qin Zhirou up to?

You think you can get rid of someone with just a thousand taels of silver?

"Yes, Father, when I went to see Mother this morning, I also said it was too little, but Mother refused to give more and even scolded me..."

So it's not that I'm incompetent, it's that my mother is too stingy and ruins things.

"I'm going to find her!"

The Crown Prince suddenly stood up, flicked his sleeves, and immediately went to find Qin Zhirou, giving her another good scolding.

Qin Zhirou was extremely depressed.

Money, money, money, where did all that money come from?

Despite the Crown Prince's limited monthly income and large expenditures, he always believed that gold and silver would fall from the sky.

Qin Zhirou also had a temper and tried to reason with him: "Your Highness, the Eastern Palace has a lot of expenses every month. The Princess Consort of Xiang's birthday is coming up soon, and we have to spend money on gifts. I really can't..."

"So you mean you can't manage this household well?" The crown prince stared at her coldly, his voice carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Qin Zhirou choked for a moment, then lowered her head in grievance: "No, I understand. I will send some more silver notes to Situ Wei."

The crown prince scoffed, "That's more like it."

Qin Zhirou smiled gently, putting these worries aside: "Your Highness, I've had the kitchen prepare some venison soup. Tonight... may you stay and dine with me?"

Several concubines in the Eastern Palace had children, and she also wanted to have her own child.

However, the Crown Prince only visits her palace to rest on the fifteenth of each month, and eight out of ten times he just sleeps.

She was also very anxious.

The crown prince ignored her expectant gaze and turned to leave, saying, "I'm not in the mood. You can eat by yourself!"

Qin Zhirou's smile froze as she watched his departing figure, her fingertips trembling slightly, and the last trace of warmth in her eyes cooled down.

"Your Highness, the venison soup is ready..."

A maid brought in venison soup, but Qin Zhirou was the only one in the room, so she stopped in her tracks.

Qin Zhirou stared at the bowl of soup, her face turning ashen, and suddenly swung her hand, knocking it over.

The porcelain bowl fell to the ground with a crisp sound, and some of the liquid splashed onto the maid.

The maid shuddered from the burn, but dared not cry out in pain. She quickly knelt down and said, "Please forgive me, Your Highness."

"What kind of Crown Princess am I!" Qin Zhirou cried in anger.

She was married into the palace later than the other concubines, and the Crown Prince was indifferent to her. At this rate, when will she be able to have her own child?

The maid lowered her head even further.

The personal maid rushed over upon hearing the commotion and, seeing the mess, quickly instructed the maid to clean up.

"Your Highness, don't worry, His Highness is just angry with you," the nanny advised.

Qin Zhirou wiped away her tears: "Yes, it's all that brat's fault from the Li Wang family. He's not Qin Zhiyan's child, but he's just as hateful as her."

The old woman chuckled, "They won't be so smug for long, Your Highness. The most important thing right now is to please His Highness the Crown Prince."

"I understand!" The thought of another hemorrhage made her heart ache. "Granny, go to my storeroom and get some more items to sell and exchange for silver notes. Then send them to that little slut Situ Wei."

"Yes!" The personal maid turned and went to the small storeroom.

Situ Wei, on the other hand, was plotting how to make the people she hated pay the price.

She wasn't just referring to Qin Zhiyan and Tang Rui, but also all the women in the mansion and their daughters.

Situ Wei, she really underestimated her before.

This child is usually quiet, but this time she caused her such a big setback.

Just then, the old nanny rushed in, her face ashen: "Master, something terrible has happened! The storeroom... the storeroom..."