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

The Second Prince's ardent gaze lingered on Ying Hengzhi and Ying Yufu's faces, and he sincerely praised, "Zhi'er, Fu'er, you both look so beautiful tonight!"

Ying Hengzhi blushed instantly, her face showing a shy expression. She recalled the loving scene between them in the golden osmanthus grove of Huangjue Temple.

The second prince also looked at her with burning eyes, but now, he had to take better care of Fu'er.

He looked at Ying Yufu gently, "Fu'er, tonight I will ask the Emperor to grant a marriage decree for the three of us. You must be good."

I won't hold what you did before against you. I know it's because you care about me too much and don't want to share me with others.

Ying Yufu stared wide-eyed in horror. "Second Prince, what are you talking about? We broke off our engagement a long time ago, have you forgotten?"

"Fu'er!" The Second Prince warned her, "At this point, stop making trouble. Yes, we have already broken off the engagement, so my official wife can only be Zhi'er."

"Then I congratulate you, but please watch your words and don't tarnish my reputation. I'll feel disgusted if I'm associated with you."

The second prince's expression immediately darkened. "Fu'er, why are you so sharp-tongued now? How can I cherish you if you're like this?"

The Second Prince's words were utterly toxic, and Ying Yufu was disgusted to the core.

Her eyes widened, and just then, the Crown Prince walked over.

The officials and their families who arrived quickly bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Gentlemen, you may rise," the Crown Prince called out, then looked solemnly at the Second Prince.

"Second brother, if I remember correctly, Father has already broken off your engagement with Fu'er, and you two have no relationship now."

Are you ignoring Father's words as you continue to spout nonsense?

Or is it that the second prince has become so frivolous as to harass a subject's daughter?

The second prince's face immediately turned ugly.

"Your Highness, you've misunderstood. Fu'er is deeply in love with me and knows she can't be my principal wife, so she's throwing a tantrum. Tonight, I'll ask Father for permission to grant her wish."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ying Yufu covered her face and burst into tears: "Second Prince, how could you tarnish my reputation? We have nothing to do with each other anymore. If there is any connection, it's because you owe me money and haven't paid it back!"

"Second Prince, when are you going to pay me back?"

A burst of laughter and chatter immediately followed.

The second prince's expression changed drastically, turning extremely ugly. "Fu'er, what nonsense are you spouting? How do I owe you money?"

Ying Yufu started counting on her fingers: "When I was seven years old, you took a fancy to my fine Duan inkstone and asked me for it."

Less than two months later, you took a fancy to my Huzhou brush and bought it too.

When I was eight years old, you asked me for the little jade horse that my uncle had given me during the Lunar New Year.

When you were eight years old, on the Lantern Festival, you asked me for the revolving lantern that your grandfather had given me.

When I was nine years old...

With each word she spoke, the Second Prince's face turned a shade paler.

"Six months ago, you borrowed 300,000 taels of silver from me, saying you had an urgent need for it. When I asked you what you needed it for, you didn't say and just asked me for the money."

We were engaged at the time, and I couldn't refuse because of that engagement.

Last month, you also took from me a famous painting from a previous dynasty, "Spring Scenery of Apricot Grove," and the "Millennial Pearl of Dongchen Kingdom."

You said you were taking it for appraisal, but have you finished appraising it yet? When are you going to return it to me?

Officials: "!"

Their expressions varied, but they all lowered their heads, concealing the emotions in their eyes.

"Your Highness, since we've come this far, when are you going to return these things you've taken from me?"

I didn't have time to ask you to repay the money before, but you misunderstood that I was being kind to you. That's absolutely unacceptable.

So today, you must return these things to me, otherwise, it won't be good if people misunderstand."

"Second sister, what are you saying? Those things were all gifts you gave to the Second Prince. How can you ask for them back after giving them away?"

Ying Hengzhi said stiffly.

What exactly happened to Ying Yufu that made such a scene in public? If this gets back to the Empress, won't it implicate her?

"Those things are priceless, and I gave the Second Prince more than 300,000 taels of silver notes. I gave him a lot of money every year."

These things are so expensive, why can't my cousin let me have them? Besides, what if the Second Prince misunderstands and thinks I have feelings for him if I don't take them?

Wouldn't I lose both my reputation and my money?

"Second sister, you truly have deep feelings for His Highness the Second Prince, don't be shy about admitting it!"

"Cousin, if you say that, then I have even more reason to prove to you that I have no feelings for His Highness the Second Prince. So, Your Highness, when are you going to return all those treasures and silver to me?"

She looked at the Second Prince with a sincere expression.

The Second Prince's face was ashen; in front of all the ministers, he was being publicly confronted with a debt, and Ying Yufu was deliberately trying to embarrass him.

So what if they disagree with her becoming the principal wife? She's being so petty and unreasonable.

Such a jealous child needs to be properly disciplined in the future.

If she doesn't listen, he has his own ways of dealing with her.

"Alright, Fu'er, stop fooling around. The palace banquet is about to begin. Come in with me first."

He reached out to pull Ying Yufu.

Ying Yufu quickly hid behind the Crown Prince and said in surprise, "No way, no way, Second Prince, are you going to renege on your debt?"

"If that's the case, then I must ask Your Majesty to do me a favor!"

She actually wanted to take this to her father, the Emperor?

The Crown Prince smiled slightly and said, "Fu'er, don't be afraid. With me here, I will definitely help you get your debt back."

"Your Highness, you are so kind!"

Ying Yufu looked up at him with admiration.

The Second Prince's mind exploded with a "boom".

He suddenly understood—Ying Yufu, she and the Crown Prince…

The Crown Prince also coveted the Mu family's wealth, and he wanted to take Ying Yufu as his concubine.

As for a concubine, the Crown Prince would certainly not want Ying Yufu to be a concubine.

For a moment, the second prince found it hard to accept this speculation.

No, it can't be, it can't be.

He looked at Ying Yufu with heartache and said, "Fu'er, come here, I have something to say to you."

He wanted to remind her that now that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was in trouble, no one would be willing to marry her as his principal wife. The Crown Prince was approaching her only to covet her dowry and the entire Mu family's assets.

He couldn't let her do something foolish.

Ying Yufu naturally wouldn't have it, "I'm not going over there, it wouldn't be good if people misunderstood."

Ying Yufu waved her hands repeatedly to distance herself from the situation.

The second prince stared intently at Ying Yufu, his eyes darkening.

"Second sister, stop making a scene. It won't do you any good if you keep doing this."

Ying Hengzhi was a little anxious.

"Who said that? Would His Highness the Second Prince have paid back the money if I didn't make a scene? I only benefit from making a scene!"

Ying Hengzhi froze, her fists clenched tightly under her sleeves.

If she continues to make a scene like this, she will definitely anger the important person.

She couldn't help but look at her grandmother and father.

But then they saw that their grandmother and father had been pushed to the outermost edge of the crowd and were surrounded by some royal relatives and powerful figures. They couldn't get away and could only look anxiously in their direction.

These people, if any one of them were chosen, would not be people that the Marquis of Weiyuan could easily offend.

"The banquet is about to begin, let's go in," said the Crown Prince.

Ying Yufu nodded and followed beside the Crown Prince. Everyone watched, their eyes filled with deep thought.

"Second brother, I'll have Fu'er make a list and send it to your residence later. You must return the items as they were. You don't want to cause trouble for Father, do you?"

The prince's eyes narrowed.

The second prince stared at the figures of the crown prince and Ying Yufu, his eyes revealing a hint of anxiety.

We cannot let Fu'er become the Crown Prince's concubine; otherwise, she will be completely exploited by him.

The wealth of the Mu family behind her can only be used by him; it must never be taken by the Crown Prince.

The main hall was filled with a lively atmosphere.

The Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and the usually low-key Third Prince and Fourth Prince were all seated at the very top left.

Opposite them were the princes and members of the imperial clan.

Although the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has encountered trouble, it still holds the position at the forefront among all the ministers.

The Chang Le Duke's Mansion is located right next to the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion.

The Marquis of Weiyuan's family was demoted this year, so they can no longer hold the position they held last year and have been relegated to the back of the list.

Old Liu and Ying Nanyao both looked unpleasant.

Ying Yufu glanced around and saw her mother and Tan'er sitting at the table in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. She couldn't help but smile knowingly.

She herself didn't care and just huddled in the most secluded corner of the Marquis of Weiyuan's residence.

The second prince frowned, glancing in Ying Yufu's direction from time to time.

The Crown Prince said, "Second brother, stop looking. You should think about how to pay back the money. If you dare to default, I will have to figure out where all the money you borrowed from Fu'er went."

The second prince's expression immediately changed.

He looked coldly at the Crown Prince: "Crown Prince, you should stop interfering in my and Fu'er's affairs. Although our engagement has been dissolved, we still have feelings for each other."

We're just having a little tiff, so you're an outsider and shouldn't interfere.

The Crown Prince chuckled leisurely: "Second Brother is truly inferior to the two concubines of the Marquis of Weiyuan. At least those two are obedient, but you..."

The second prince didn't immediately realize who the two concubines he was referring to were, but he quickly realized it and his expression changed.

The crown prince actually said he was inferior to two wild boars!

Just then, a eunuch announced loudly, and the emperor and empress arrived together.

The Emperor and Empress sat side by side in the main seat, while Consort Xian and Consort Yu sat on the seats beside them.

His Majesty's harem is small; those who can be counted on one hand are no more than two.

Only Consort Xian and Consort Yu were able to attend such a banquet.

Consort Yu is a newcomer to the palace who has only been in the palace for the past two years. She gave birth to a little prince last year, and the little prince is currently being held in the arms of the nanny who serves Consort Yu.

The officials and their families all rose to their feet and bowed, their voices echoing throughout the hall as they wished His Majesty a long life and the Empress a thousand years.

Emperor Cangxuan smiled broadly. He glanced around at everyone, smiled, and said "Rise" before signaling the palace servants to begin the banquet.

In an instant, music began, dancers gracefully entered the hall, and palace servants filed in to serve delicious food and wine, creating a scene of peace and prosperity.

The second prince seemed somewhat distracted, and he kept glancing at Ying Yufu.

How long is she going to keep arguing with him?

Very well, once the Emperor bestows the marriage and everything is settled, any further fuss she makes won't change the facts.

His only worry now is that the Crown Prince will cause trouble.

The Crown Prince is nearing his end, yet he avoids women. Now that he's getting close to Fu'er, it's clear he's plotting something sinister.

Fu'er can only be his; he must never let the Crown Prince ruin things.

His attention was entirely focused on Ying Yufu, so he didn't notice Duan Linglong.

As the eldest daughter of the Duan family, Duan Linglong was sitting in the Duan family's seat at this moment. However, Duan Linglong, who usually admired the Second Prince, would always secretly look at him.

But today, she kept her head down and didn't look at the Second Prince even once.

Madam Duan squeezed her daughter's hand with concern and whispered, "Linglong, His Majesty will be bestowing a marriage upon you and the Second Prince soon. I know you're upset, but you must cheer up."

Duan Linglong glanced at her mother, forcing back her tears. "Mother, everything was fine when we came here. It's all Ying Yufu's fault. If she hadn't schemed against Cousin Mingze, that day wouldn't have happened..."

Her eyes reddened. "And Shangguan Hong, why didn't he just obediently eat the Chaos God after the engagement was broken off? Why did he turn around and scheme against me? He made me lose so much face. If it weren't for that..."

She is also qualified to be the Second Prince's principal wife.

"Linglong, your mother knows you've been wronged, but don't worry, from now on, you'll stand taller than everyone else."

And you will get your revenge for all the grievances you've suffered!

After several rounds of drinks, the Empress looked gently at the Emperor beside her and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I just looked around the hall and noticed that many of the noble ladies have reached marriageable age, which is a good time for them to be married."

"My son has reached the age where he should be betrothed, Your Majesty. Why not take advantage of this auspicious occasion and arrange a few happy marriages?"

Ying Hengzhi looked up, her heart pounding with excitement. Soon, she would become the Second Prince's principal wife.

Emperor Cangxuan glanced at the Empress with a smile and said, "What the Empress says is true. On this auspicious occasion, we should indeed accomplish a few wonderful things."

Many of the noble ladies blushed with embarrassment.

The Second Prince spoke again, eagerly stepping forward and kneeling, saying, "Father, Mother, I have someone I love. I beg you, Father, to grant my request and that the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Weiyuan's eldest son's request be granted..."

"Hey, my son, don't be in such a hurry," the Cang Emperor interrupted him with a smile.

The second prince was taken aback. What did his father mean by interrupting him?

Then Emperor Cangxuan said, "The Crown Prince has no Crown Princess yet. Today, I will take this opportunity of the festival to bestow marriages upon the Crown Prince and the Second Prince respectively."

To bestow a marriage upon the Crown Prince?

The second prince's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

The assembled officials immediately rose to offer their congratulations.

The Empress looked at the Emperor in surprise. "Your Majesty intends to bestow a marriage upon the Crown Prince? The choice of the Crown Princess concerns the future Empress. Your Majesty, shouldn't you be more cautious?"

She said this, but she was actually very flustered inside.

His Majesty was about to bestow a marriage upon the Crown Prince and a Crown Princess, but she, the Empress, was completely unaware of this.

The second prince, however, secretly felt smug.

The Emperor has bestowed a marriage upon the Crown Prince and a Crown Princess. Shouldn't Fu'er be able to recognize the current situation?

Then, Eunuch He, who was behind Emperor Cangxuan, stepped forward, took out an imperial edict, and read: "I have heard that Ying Yufu, daughter of Marquis Weiyuan Ying Nanyao, is beautiful, virtuous and talented, gentle and wise, and has long been in my heart."

I hereby bestow upon you, my Crown Prince, the title of my principal wife, to unite you in marriage. I hope that you will be loving and harmonious after your marriage, prioritizing the well-being of the nation. Choose an auspicious day to hold your grand wedding ceremony, so that it may be known throughout the land. This is my decree!