You take on two husbands, I'll turn around and marry the tyrant and rule the world.

Jingxi frowned slightly, her face showing surprise: "Is that so? Is this Miss Chu truly the betrothed of Prince Lin?"

"Exactly," Lin Jingrui replied, his voice steady.

"What exactly happened?" Jingxi asked, glancing at everyone for confirmation.

But no one uttered a sound in the wedding hall.

The officials' wives looked down on the Lin family and were unwilling to speak up for them.

The relatives were unwilling to get involved and remained silent.

Servants, servants, and maids have no right to speak.

For a moment, all was silent.

The elderly couple exchanged a glance, their faces showing embarrassment.

The old man quickly kowtowed deeply and said, "Chu Nianci has been preparing for her wedding in the mansion for half a year, and today is the wedding day."

Jingxi frowned, turned her head, and scrutinized Chu Nianci again.

Her features were strikingly beautiful, her figure slender, a red dot between her brows, and her eyes were bright and intelligent. What was even more remarkable was her graceful and elegant demeanor.

If someone with such looks and appearance were to enter the palace, they might truly stand out among the concubines and win the emperor's favor.

What a pity, what a pity.

He felt a pang of regret in his heart, but maintained a smile on his face as he gently asked Chu Nianci, "Miss Chu, are you truly Prince Lin's betrothed?"

This was a clever question, but it actually put the choice in her hands.

Jingxi was incredibly astute; he could tell at a glance that the Lin family would never release him, and if he himself refused, it would only make things more awkward if the matter went to the Emperor.

Chu Nianci bowed respectfully: "It used to be, but it is not now."

"Chu Nianci!" Lin Jingrui shouted coldly, "The marriage certificate is right here, with all the necessary witnesses and intermediaries present. How can you deny it?"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and his fingers gripped the marriage certificate tightly in his sleeve.

If she continues to be disrespectful and dares to deny it, she will be openly deceiving the emperor.

"I'll say it a thousand times, and that's what I'll say: I'm going to the Golden Palace, and I'll accompany you to the very end." Chu Nianci's voice was not loud.

"Don't force me!" Lin Jingrui narrowed his eyes.

The atmosphere between the two became tense.

"Hehe..." Jingxi chuckled a few times as he stood in the center of the hall.

Those few "hehehe" sounds immediately eased the atmosphere.

"What do you mean by that?" Jingxi raised his whisk, stepped to the side, and stood between the two, blocking their confrontation. "Why are you making such a scene? Just talk properly."

His clear, bright eyes swept across the crowd, and he said in a deep voice, "This favor was obtained by Physician Chu from Her Majesty the Empress. Where is Physician Chu?"

Jingxi opened his mouth, drawing out the last note.

Chu Shunqing stepped forward with a pale face, her voice barely audible: "This subject is here."

"I'm asking you," Jingxi said, her gaze sharp as needles, "was this favor of entering the palace truly something you pleaded for for your sister?"

"Yes...it is what I ask for." Chu Shunqing bit her lower lip.

How many older sisters do you have?

"Only one."

"How dare you!" Jingxi's voice suddenly turned cold as she squinted at her. "Knowing that your sister is engaged to Prince Lin, you still dare to ask Her Majesty for such a favor? Are you deliberately trying to make Her Majesty look foolish and His Majesty look unjust?"

Chu Shunqing trembled and knelt down with a thud: "Your Excellency, although the marriage contract is in effect, the formalities have not yet been completed... It was my elder sister who personally said she did not want to marry and begged me desperately. Out of consideration for our sisterly bond, I dared to speak to Her Majesty the Empress..."

Lin Jingrui stared intently at her, his gaze almost piercing her.

He never expected that this woman, who had repeatedly said she was "willing to share a husband with her sister," would stab him in the back like this.

Disappointment and anger surged within him. He clenched his fists, but under the watchful eyes of everyone, he could only forcefully suppress his rage.

"Unwilling to get married?" Jingxi raised an eyebrow, her eyes glancing at Lin Jingrui's handsome yet gloomy profile, and she couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

Lin Jingrui was both handsome and held a noble title.

Why wouldn't Chu Nianci marry him?

He turned to Chu Nianci and asked in a gentler tone, "Miss Chu, Prince Lin is a very handsome man, why are you unwilling to marry him?"

"Isn't it just vanity? He wants to enter the palace as a concubine and pursue wealth and glory," Lin Jingjue interjected sarcastically.

Father-in-law Jingxi glanced at Lin Jingjue indifferently, his eyes carrying a hint of coldness.

He didn't care who the girl was targeting, but bringing up the emperor in her words was a violation of the rules.

"Your father-in-law is here, what are you doing interrupting?" Madam Xie gritted her teeth and slapped her daughter across the face.

Lin Jingjue covered his face in disbelief, but dared not say another word.

Jingxi withdrew her gaze, a half-smile on her face, and turned to look at Chu Nianci, waiting for her answer.

Chu Nianci looked up at him, her eyes clear and bright.

She parted her lips slightly and said, "Your Excellency, if I were greedy for wealth and honor, why would I marry into the Earl's mansion? You can investigate what the situation is like in the Earl's mansion. Back then, I admired Lin Jingrui's character, which is why I traveled thousands of miles north. Who knew that when he returned from his official business, he proposed to 'take over two households'? In name, he was taking my half-sister as his sister-in-law, but in reality, he was divorcing his wife and remarrying."

She paused, a faint bitter smile appearing on her lips: "If this matter were to reach Yangzhou, the Chu and Qiao families would become a laughingstock. After discussing it with my sister, we know that we are in a dilemma. It would be better to enter the palace and repay His Majesty's kindness in bestowing the plaque upon us. Even if we start as the lowest-ranking palace maid, it would be better than suffering humiliation here."

After speaking, she lowered her head and lowered her eyes, her posture respectful yet her back straight.

His words were both reasonable and empathetic, neither humble nor arrogant.

Jingxi listened intently and nodded secretly.

This woman was not only beautiful, but also courageous, and every word she spoke revolved around the noble principles of "preserving the family's reputation" and "serving the country with her life."

It's so good that no one can find fault with it.

"Get up!" Jingxi waved to her.

"Everyone, get up," he said again.

Chu Nianci stood up.

Everyone stood up.

Only Lin Jingrui remained kneeling in the hall, his head bowed.

After a long pause, he suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with shame and anger: "That's not true. The marriage certificate is proof that our two families have long been united in marriage. How can this be considered a laughing stock?"

"Marriage certificate?" Chu Nianci's eyes flashed, and a hint of sarcasm appeared on his lips. "Let's not talk about the marriage certificate. You laid the groundwork for this 'double inheritance' arrangement a year ago when you made the contract. Even the name on the marriage certificate is not my real name. Such a marriage contract is nothing but a piece of waste paper."

Lin Jingrui's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "What nonsense are you spouting..."

"Wait a minute," Jingxi raised her hand, her gaze sweeping back and forth between the two of them, and held out her palm. "Where is the marriage certificate? Let me see it."

Lin Jingrui pursed his lips without moving, but his hands were clenched in his sleeves.

His family had indeed long intended for him to inherit the family line, and they had set a trap for him in terms of marriage. When his parents brought this up, he knew it was inappropriate, but he did not object because Chu's mother was the daughter of a merchant.

Unexpectedly, their cleverness backfired, and they ended up shooting themselves in the foot.

I only hope that Chu Nianci can feel a trace of affection in his heart.

Don't make this public.

Chu Nianci calmly took out a roll of brocade from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "Please take a look, Your Excellency."

Jingxi took it, unfolded it with one hand, and quickly scanned the entire text until she reached the signature.

Upon seeing the words "Nian Jun," his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

The Earl's family tried to play word games and manipulate his daughter-in-law, but their cleverness backfired, and they ended up shooting themselves in the foot.

With this marriage certificate, even if the matter were taken to the Censorate, Lin Jingrui would have nothing to say.

Looking up again, Jingxi smiled and said, "This name doesn't match Miss Chu's real name; it's truly worthless."

“I am delighted to hear from you, Father-in-law,” Xie, who had been silent, quickly interjected, “‘Nianjun’ is a term of endearment used by women in their boudoirs. The two families wrote it this way to show their closeness, and it was agreed upon beforehand.”

"What do you mean by 'agreed upon'? Our Qiao family has never agreed to such a thing," Uncle Qiao sneered. "To even tamper with the names on the marriage certificate, it's utterly shameless."

His heart had just been in his throat.

He was afraid that his niece might accidentally commit the crime of deceiving the emperor.

Only then did he feel a sense of relief.

In this way, the marriage contract becomes invalid, and even if the matter goes to court, they will still be in the right.

"Eunuch Xi, may I speak to you in private?" Lin Jingrui finally stood up, rolled up his trouser legs, took half a step forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and lowered his voice to a whisper.

Jingxi gave him a half-smile.

Having spent so many years in the palace, how could he not know that the other party wanted to make private arrangements and use personal connections to get things done?

But this isn't how you ask for favors.

If I were to be suspected of accepting bribes in public, and this were to reach His Majesty's ears, I would be utterly unable to defend myself... Besides, the word "eunuch" sounds really grating.

However, since the other party is from the Imperial Uncle's family, some face still needs to be given.

He took two steps away from Lin Jingrui and, before the other could speak, said gently, "Young Master Lin, things have come to this point, so why not make the best of a bad situation and let Miss Chu come to the palace with us? She is not yet a proper concubine, as she has not yet served the emperor. You can ask the Empress for a favor later, and there may still be room for maneuver."

"Absolutely not!" Lin Jingrui's face was so dark it could drip water. "Once a person enters the palace, how can she be brought back? She must not be allowed to enter the palace today."

"Must we stay?" Jingxi's face broke into an extremely warm smile, but his voice turned cold. "Young Master Lin, it's rare for me to leave the palace on official business. It's not a big deal if I mess this up, but if I cause the royal family to lose face... then I will be guilty of a thousand deaths."

He leaned slightly forward, his voice soft but firm: "It's not that our family is inflexible, but you are in the wrong in this matter. If you insist on keeping me here, you will be accused of 'disobeying imperial orders,' and you will not be able to bear the consequences. It will be detrimental to you and the entire Earl's Mansion."

A bucket of cold water was poured over his head.

Lin Jingrui's face turned ashen, and he forced out the words through clenched teeth: "Father-in-law... are you truly unwilling to grant me this small favor?"

"Yes!" Jingxi suddenly straightened her face, bowed deeply to him, and said with a half-smile, "Excuse me."

Having said that, he turned to look at Luo Shilong, who had been keeping his eyes down and remaining silent, and his smile deepened slightly: "Lord Luo is also here. What do you think of this matter..."

Luo Shilong quickly cupped his hands in greeting, speaking slickly: "How dare this humble official speak presumptuously? The eunuch is acting on imperial orders, so naturally everything is up to you to decide."

"Old fox..." Jingxi sneered inwardly, thinking that this guy was trying to shift the blame onto him.

Unfortunately, he's someone close to His Majesty, so he's not afraid to take the blame.

He said no more, flicked his whisk, and declared in a loud voice: "Since the names in the marriage contract do not match, and the person is willing to enter the palace, it is reasonable and lawful for Your Majesty to select palace women."

His gaze fell back on Chu Nianci, who stood quietly to the side, her beauty radiant, her expression serene, neither arrogant nor impatient, neither humble nor overbearing.

My feelings for him grew even stronger.

Such a person might not necessarily fail to achieve a good future by entering the palace.

He was happy to do her a favor.

"Consort Chu," he said, his tone softening, carrying the unique authority of the palace, "come with me into the palace."