Father, who is both a heir and a descendant, is still biased; the bound system has gone berserk.

The atmosphere suddenly became deathly silent.

Hai Mujin's face gradually stiffened, and she said, "Your Highness the Second Prince is considerate of his subjects. I appreciate your kindness."

However, Liao Kong has no shortage of good things; I only wish to offer a token of my affection. I feel that my string of beads is destined to be with my younger brother Liao Kong.

After saying that, she handed the string of beads over directly.

Liao Kong readily accepted it, saying, "Thank you, Miss Hai. I love this bead; it truly feels like fate!"

He held it in his hand, seemingly very fond of it, and kept playing with it.

An awkward atmosphere spread, and the second emperor chuckled sheepishly, "Miss Hai has a heart full of sincerity."

Hai Mujin lowered her head and retreated behind Jiang Shi, no longer speaking to the Second Prince.

A dark glint flashed in Jiang's eyes. She said calmly, "Thank you for your praise, Second Prince. If we're talking about sincerity, Princess Yaoguang and Prince Yuheng are the same. The gifts they gave were all things they cherished."

The Second Prince smiled and said, "Indeed, I only said that because I saw that Miss Hai really liked that bead. I apologize for being so abrupt."

However, my aunt is being too formal with me. Miss Hai is my cousin, so it's only right that I take care of her."

Jiang's expression grew even more indifferent. "Your Highness the Second Prince is too kind. My daughter and I are not worthy of such praise."

Jiang knew perfectly well that the current Empress was not close to the Hai family, but rather to the Duan family.

The Hai family has never wanted to have much contact with the current empress.

Naturally, they also did not want to get close to the Second Prince.

The Crown Prince then stepped forward, standing in front of Jiang Shi and Hai Mujin, and said, "Brother, I am still here. How can it be your place to take care of your cousin? Brother, you have overstepped your bounds."

The Crown Prince glanced at the Second Prince indifferently.

The second prince's face instantly froze.

"Your Highness, there were many people just now, and I didn't notice you were there. I was being impolite. Please forgive me."

The second prince's expression was not good.

The Crown Prince curled his lips and said jokingly, "I am naturally magnanimous, but my brother should be more careful in his actions next time."

Those who know this see it as your care for your subjects; those who don't might think you're frivolous, which would damage the reputation of a prince like yourself.

The second prince's face turned pale instantly. He gritted his teeth and laughed, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is right. I will remember this."

"Just write it down!"

The crown prince nodded in satisfaction.

Beside them, Yao Guang and Feng Yuheng both smiled faintly, and a hint of a smile also flashed in Jiang's eyes.

The Crown Prince is different. He was born to the late Empress and has always been close to the Hai family.

With the Crown Prince around, it won't be so easy for the Second Prince to scheme against the Hai family.

Ying Yufu then said, "I didn't expect that His Highness the Second Prince would be such a generous person. In that case, when will His Highness the Second Prince return what you owe me?"

The treasures and money I gave you—I've calculated it, and it's quite a sum. Why have you been delaying repayment? Do you not want to pay it back?

Ying Yufu hadn't forgotten that the Second Prince had been refusing to pay her debts.

The second prince's already pale face looked even worse now.

He stared stiffly at Ying Yufu, a hint of hurt flashing in his eyes, "Fu'er, you..."

"Your Highness, please be mindful of your form of address."

The second prince forced out four words through gritted teeth: "Miss Ying..."

"Your Highness, I am my mother's eldest daughter, and have no elder sister. How can I possibly be addressed as 'Second Miss'?"

Ying Yufu narrowed her eyes slightly, offering a displeased reminder.

The second prince was taken aback, and only then did he realize that she had severed ties with the Ying family.

Upon hearing this, Ying Hengzhi, who was not far away, clenched her fists tightly. She had to admit a fact: Ying Yufu in this life had severed ties with her.

What Miss Ying, what Second Miss Ying? She is no longer Miss Ying, and Ying Yufu is no longer the 'Second Sister' she can control.

Ying Hengzhi felt extremely unwilling.

[Host, what's the use of being resentful? That's just the impotent rage of the weak. What you need to do now is capture the Second Prince and find a benefactor to help you reach the top with their good fortune.]

Ying Hengzhi took a deep breath. [Ying Yufu is out of control. Xu Ningxiang's plans have been ruined by Ying Yufu. Who else can I turn to?]

System 008 reported: "The Second Prince's younger sister, Princess Mingluan, is returning soon."

Ying Hengzhi's eyes flashed, and her expression gradually relaxed.

Meanwhile, on Ying Yufu's side, the Second Prince's face went from green to red, and then from red to green again, which was quite a spectacle.

Unexpectedly, Fu'er actually urged him to return those things in public; she really didn't care about saving face for herself at all.

She truly has no regard for the friendship they once shared.

The Second Prince forced himself to remain calm and said, "It was I who forgot these past few days. It is my fault for troubling Sister Ying. I will have someone return it to her after I return today."

"That's good. Your Highness, Second Prince, please don't forget again," Ying Yufu said with a smile.

The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Fu'er, don't worry. If your second brother forgets, I will remind him for you."

The Second Prince's expression was beyond just looking ugly.

He stared stiffly at the Crown Prince, gritting his teeth as he said, "Your Majesty, I will not forget. You need not worry."

After saying that, he turned and left.

He wanted to make a good impression on Hai Mujin and win her heart.

Unexpectedly, not only was she disliked by the Jiang family, but she was also ridiculed by the Crown Prince.

Most importantly, Ying Yufu publicly demanded repayment from him, causing him to lose face.

His face was grim, his fists clenched, and he made a silent decision: the Hai family was unwilling to get close to him, but he was determined to pull them onto the same boat as him.

He's determined to have Hai Mujin!

As he was thinking this, he saw Ying Hengzhi standing not far away, looking at him with tearful eyes.

In the past, he would have been heartbroken and offered heartfelt comfort, then turned around and ordered Ying Yufu to give way to her cousin.

But now, he scoffed. He didn't believe any of the talk about the Golden Phoenix's destiny or the golden light descending upon Huangjue Temple, waiting for a destined person.

His empress should not be someone of such lowly birth as Ying Hengzhi.

He glanced at her indifferently and said, "Come back with me, and don't embarrass yourself any further."

Ying Hengzhi: "..."

Ying Hengzhi froze, her face full of pitifulness. She looked at the Second Prince in disbelief, but in the end, she only saw his cold and ruthless back.

Even the guards who were with him were indifferent and did not give her a second glance.

All expression vanished from Ying Hengzhi's face. She asked the system, "Brother Ba, do you think he will still make me Empress?"

System 008 said calmly: "Host, I thought you understood a principle long ago."

Only if you are the empress can he be the emperor.

If he doesn't want you to be empress, then you should find someone else to be emperor.

Ying Hengzhi's expression faltered slightly: "You mean... the Third Prince?"

Ying Hengzhi's eyes flickered slightly. "Eighth Brother, I understand. I was narrow-minded. Once I win over Mingluan and obtain her fortune, I'll have points. At that time, winning over the Third Prince will be a piece of cake."