He remarried after his mother's death, seized power over the world, and slept on the emperor�

Consort Lin's face had turned from white to red, and then from red to a liver color.

This is no longer just a humiliation.

This is to peel off her face in full view of everyone, throw it on the ground, and then stomp on it a few times!

But she could only grit her teeth and swallow it down.

"...Yes, Your Highness, I will follow your teachings."

The Dowager Empress seemed satisfied. She raised her chin and gestured to Aunt Zhao, who was kneeling on the ground and trembling, and the unconscious servant.

"Now that you are in charge of the household, tell me how to deal with these two lowly servants who have offended me."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao felt as if she had grasped a lifeline. She crawled on her knees to Consort Lin's feet, hugged her skirt, and cried uncontrollably.

"Your Highness! Your Highness, save me! This old servant is your wet nurse!"

Consort Lin was extremely annoyed and wished she could kick this fool away.

A piece of trash who's more likely to cause trouble than to accomplish anything!

But she dared not act arrogantly in front of the Dowager Empress, and could only force a smile.

"Your Highness, this servant is incredibly audacious, offending a noble person. According to the rules, he should be punished with fifty strokes of the cane, expelled from the palace, and sold into slavery by armored men."

"As for this Granny Zhao..."

She paused, her tone pleading.

"She is my daughter-in-law's wet nurse, and has watched her grow up since she was a child. Although she made a big mistake in a moment of confusion, please, Your Highness, forgive her this time for my daughter-in-law's sake."

The Dowager Empress actually nodded.

"Um."

"I have just returned to my residence. Since you have put it that way, I will grant you this favor."

Consort Lin was overjoyed and was about to express her gratitude.

The Dowager Empress's emotionless voice rang out once more.

"Then give him thirty strokes of the cane, demote him to a lowly maid, and transfer him to the kitchen in the backyard to tend the fire."

Consort Lin's smile froze completely on her face, which was even more painful for Zhao Mama than being beaten to death!

Upon hearing this decision, Granny Zhao let out a strange, inhuman sound, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted completely from fright.

The Dowager Consort didn't even bother to look at her again; she turned around and affectionately took Jiang Bingning's hand.

"Good child, let's go inside, don't let these filthy things smudge our eyes."

After saying that, she pulled Jiang Bingning and stepped straight into the high threshold of the Prince Xin's mansion.

Consort Lin, accompanied by a group of maids and servants, was about to follow.

The Dowager Empress suddenly turned around.

She stood inside the threshold, keeping Consort Lin and the others outside.

"This young lady is my friend and also a distinguished guest of the palace."

Her gaze fell on Consort Lin's face, her tone indifferent.

"You, go and arrange a courtyard for her."

Consort Lin was blocked outside the door. Watching the Dowager Consort and Jiang Bingning's intimate behavior, the jealousy in her eyes almost materialized.

A little friend?

What kind of young friend could the Dowager Princess, who has been away from the capital for many years, value so highly?

Her mind raced with thoughts, but she dared not show it on her face, maintaining her submissive demeanor.

"I wonder... if the spring courtyard to the east suits your taste, young lady?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Bingning frowned slightly.

Spring courtyard?

In her previous life, when her younger sister Jiang Yuerong first arrived at the Prince Xin's Mansion, she was also "politely" arranged by Madam Lin to enter this so-called Spring Courtyard.

The results of it?

That courtyard was so remote, it seemed like a forgotten corner of the Prince's mansion, without even a decent brazier.

The room was drafty and as cold as an icebox.

Yue Rong woke up in the middle of the night from the cold, shivering while hugging her thin blanket, unable to even get a sip of hot water.

The maids and servants sent to serve were all outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, always complaining about what was missing or what was lacking.

Jiang Yuerong fell ill a few days later; that was the first time Lin had given her a hard time.

A knife that kills without drawing blood.

Jiang Bingning wanted to speak, but she couldn't find a reason to refuse.

But then he noticed that the old concubine beside him also frowned slightly.

She turned her head to look at Consort Lin.

"Spring courtyard?"

"How come I've never heard of this courtyard before?"

Consort Lin's submissive smile froze, and she quickly bowed and replied in an even more humble tone.

"Your Highness, this is a newly expanded courtyard on the east side of the residence. It has a tranquil setting and is perfect for quiet recuperation."

"Oh? Newly expanded?"

The old concubine's voice revealed neither joy nor anger.

"Since it's a new place, then forget it."

She waved her hand.

"Is Jinse Courtyard still empty?"

Upon hearing this, not only Consort Lin, but also the maids and servants standing behind her with their heads bowed, gasped in shock.

Jinse Courtyard was the former residence of Prince Xin's deceased first wife!

Since the passing of that princess, Prince Xin ordered the Jinse Courtyard to be sealed off, and for more than ten years, no one has dared to set foot there except for the servants who sweep and clean!

Now, the Dowager Princess actually wants to let this girl of unknown origin move in?

How is this possible?!

Consort Lin's heart was in turmoil, and countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

She suddenly understood.

The Dowager Consort was warning her, and also making a declaration to the entire Prince Xin's residence.

This girl is the one she's protecting!

No one can touch him!

Having figured this out, Consort Lin's jealousy almost consumed her, but she managed to force a smile that was more like a grimace.

She took a deep breath, suppressing all her emotions.

"Yes."

Her voice was a little hoarse.

"Jinse Courtyard... has always been empty."

"Um."

The Dowager Empress nodded in satisfaction before turning to Jiang Bingning.

"Good child, go with the people and settle down first."

"Just tell me what you need. Once you've packed it up, come talk to me."

Jiang Bing gazed at the Dowager Empress, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. She respectfully curtsied.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Led by a head maid, Jiang Bingning walked through the covered corridor and arrived at an extremely elegant courtyard.

Above the gate of the courtyard, the plaque bears the three large characters "Jinse Courtyard" written in a vigorous and elegant style.

The moment I pushed open the courtyard gate, a scent of stale wood and dried flowers wafted towards me.

The courtyard was very large, filled with crabapple and banana trees, creating a tranquil atmosphere reminiscent of time's passage.

Jiang Bingning stepped into the main room.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

A seven-stringed zither lay quietly on the zither table.

An open book of poems lay on the chaise longue by the window.

The mother-of-pearl jewelry box on the dressing table was half-open, as if its owner had only left temporarily and would return at any time.

Everything about it seemed to have been carefully protected.

Although the items are all quite old, they are all priceless treasures.

Just as she was lost in thought.

"Bang!"

With a loud bang, the door was pushed open from the outside.

A boy who looked to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, wearing a royal blue brocade robe with cloud patterns, stormed in angrily.

He was extremely handsome, with a resemblance to Ji Yunhan in his features, but at this moment his face was flushed red, and his eyes seemed to be spitting fire.

He pointed at Jiang Bingning and roared angrily.

"Who are you!"

"Who let you in! How dare you linger here!"