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

In the capital, at the Yue Prince's residence.

Ji Ling had just changed out of his armor and hadn't even finished a cup of hot tea when his wolf guards reported everything that had happened in front of the Prince Xin's mansion.

"Did you beat Aunt Zhao?"

A playful smile appeared on Ji Ling's lips.

"My imperial aunt has really been the same temperament as she has been for decades."

He took a sip of tea, the steam blurring his vision.

"They arranged for Jiang Bingning... to be placed in Jinse Courtyard?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Ling finally couldn't help but chuckle.

"interesting."

He placed the teacup on the table, his smile growing even wider.

He could see it clearly, of course.

The Dowager Empress's move, seemingly to elevate Jiang Bingning's status, was actually paving the way for Liu Jingyi, who was still recuperating from illness.

First, let the daughter stay in the deceased wife's courtyard, and then when the mother arrives, it will be natural to move her into the Prince's Mansion.

It's such a pity...

Ji Ling tapped the table with his knuckles, one tap here and there.

"My royal aunt has been away from the manor for a long time, and the Prince Xin's manor is no longer in her hands."

"That Lin family member is no pushover."

"Now, there's going to be a good show at Prince Xin's mansion."

The wolf guards stood to the side with their heads bowed, not daring to say a word.

Ji Ling's thoughts drifted to someone else.

His incredibly stubborn cousin, Ji Chengyun.

His mother's Jinse Courtyard was his Achilles' heel; anyone who touched it would die.

Now, a woman named Jiang Bingning of unknown origin has suddenly moved in...

Ji Ling could almost picture Ji Chengyun's face turning red with anger.

How will they get along?

Did Ji Chengyun knock her out, or... did she have another way to tame that little beast?

Thinking of this, Ji Ling's gaze suddenly turned cold.

"How's the investigation into Jiang Bingning's background going?"

The wolf guard stiffened.

"Your Highness, everything has been investigated."

"Jiang Bingning, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, was raised in seclusion from a young age and has no history of any outrageous behavior."

"Oh?"

Ji Ling's voice rose slightly at the end.

"No record of anything out of line?"

He slowly stood up and walked to the window.

"At Xiufeng Mountain, she remained calm in the face of danger, and there was not a trace of the fear that an ordinary young lady should have when facing assassins."

"Are you going to tell me now that she's just an ordinary noblewoman who reads poetry and does needlework?"

The wolf guards lowered their heads even further.

"Your subordinate is incompetent."

Ji Ling sneered.

"The lack of any unconventional records is itself the biggest flaw!"

His voice wasn't loud.

"Continue the investigation!"

"Investigate whether she secretly received instruction from others during her childhood, and whether Jiang Chengxuan and his wife ever sent her for secret training!"

"I don't believe a pampered young lady could possess such skill and courage!"

"yes!"

-----------------

Jinse Courtyard.

"Cough...cough cough cough!"

Amidst a violent coughing fit, Jiang Bingning rushed out of the main room in a disheveled state.

Her pretty face was covered in soot, and tears welled up in her eyes.

This is her third day living in Jinse Courtyard.

On the first day, she lit the charcoal that was delivered as part of her allowance. She noticed that there was a lot of smoke, but thought that this was just how charcoal fires were in the north, so she didn't pay much attention to it.

The next day, the smoke was even heavier, making her feel dizzy and lightheaded.

Even today, she goes to pay her respects to the Dowager Empress.

In the Dowager Consort's warm chamber, silver charcoal burned, and only a faint, elegant fragrance filled the air.

She then realized that not all charcoal from the North was like this.

However, the charcoal in her Jinse Courtyard was different from that elsewhere.

And then I think about the meals that have been delivered these past two days, which are always lukewarm. I have to ask for a bucket of hot water three or four times before it's even delivered enough.

She got it.

Someone is trying to intimidate her.

Is it the scheming Consort Lin, or the furious Crown Prince?

No matter who it is, she can't tolerate it any longer.

At lunchtime, a stewardess carrying a food box strolled in leisurely.

The food box was placed on the table; it still contained three dishes and a soup, but there wasn't even a trace of heat.

"Mother-in-law."

Jiang Bingning's voice was cold and clear.

The old woman raised her eyelids, and the fake smile on her face gave her a kind and benevolent appearance.

"What are your orders, Miss Jiang?"

Jiang Bingning pointed to the food on the table.

"Why is it cold again?"

The old woman's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of contempt flashed in her eyes.

"Miss, you may not know this, but recently the manor's supplies have been tight, and the rations in the storeroom are fixed, and the kitchen is only open at set times."

"Perhaps the wind picked up on the way here and made it cold."

The old woman's words were perfectly tactful.

Jiang Bingning sneered inwardly.

She stopped arguing with the old woman and simply said one sentence.

"I understand, you may leave."

After the old woman left, Jiang Bingning immediately summoned the maid who was guarding outside the courtyard.

"Please go and invite Granny Zhang. Tell her I have something important to discuss with her."

Before long, Granny Zhang hurried over.

"Miss Jiang, is something the matter?"

Jiang Bingning invited Zhang Mama into a side hall and dismissed everyone else.

She took something out of her sleeve and placed it on the table.

Zhang Mama's expression changed instantly.

"Young lady, what's wrong with you...?"

Jiang Bingning's face showed just the right amount of embarrassment and helplessness.

"Granny, to be honest, I don't carry much silver with me."

"Now that I live in this courtyard, I need to take care of everything and buy some things. I'm really short of money."

She pushed the jade pendant towards Granny Zhang.

"So, I would like to ask you to pawn this jade pendant on my behalf and get some money for emergencies."

"useless!"

Granny Zhang was shocked and quickly pushed the jade pendant back.

"This...this item is valuable, you should keep it."

Jiang Bingning gave a wry smile, put away the jade pendant, and rubbed it in her hand.

"I know this item is valuable, but given the current situation, I have no other choice."

"Don't worry, Granny, this is just a temporary measure. Once my mother arrives and I have more money, I will redeem it as soon as possible."

Granny Zhang looked at her, her brows furrowed.

"If the young lady is short of money, why doesn't she tell the Dowager Princess?"

Jiang Bingning shook her head, her expression sincere.

"Her Majesty the Dowager has already done enough for me. How could I possibly disturb her peace with such mundane matters as worrying about money?"

"Please, Granny, you must do me this favor."

Granny Zhang stared at her for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh.

"Very well, I understand what you're thinking, young lady."

As evening approached, Zhang Mama returned as expected.

She handed an envelope to Jiang Bingning.

"Miss, please make your selection."

One thousand taels.

She felt a slight jolt in her heart.

Her gaze swept over Zhang Mama.

There was no pawn ticket.

The jade pendant was never pawned, and the silver wasn't given by a pawnshop.

She raised her head, gave Zhang Mama a deep look, and curtsied.

"In that case, thank you very much for your trouble, Granny."

-----------------

In the courtyard of the Dowager Empress.

"Your Highness, she has accepted the money."

Granny Zhang said respectfully.

"Oh? Did she suspect anything?"

The Dowager Consort looked at the jade pendant in the brocade box and said, "This jade pendant was the one I gave to Prince Xin back then."

"Miss Jiang is a perceptive person. She didn't ask any more questions, and only thanked this old servant." Granny Zhang said with a look of satisfaction.

"Um."

The Dowager Empress nodded in satisfaction.

"He's a calm and intelligent child. He doesn't bother me with such trivial matters, he doesn't cry or make a fuss, and he finds his own way to solve the problem. That's great."

She paused, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"Keep an eye on Jinse Courtyard."

"Those gossipy old women, those servants who mistreated her by serving her cheap charcoal and cold food..."

"Write them all down in the book!"