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

The setting sun blazed like fire, making Lin Jingrui's handsome face appear as if it were on fire as well.

"Eunuch Xi, don't push your luck too far," he said, stepping forward to block his path. At the same time, with a swift movement, he drew a knife from the waist of a nearby guard and shouted, "Where are the guards?"

The guards of the Earl's mansion looked at each other, hesitated for a moment, and finally surrounded them.

The palace guards were not to be outdone and drew their swords to block them.

Tensions were high between the two sides.

Jingxi toyed with the whisk in his hand, his expression calm, but his gaze suddenly became piercing: "Oh, I'm not mistaken, am I? Under the Emperor's nose, someone actually dares to draw their sword and block the path of the imperial messenger?"

He strode forward with a cold smile, his gaze piercing Lin Jingrui, and said, taking one step at a time, "Is this territory still under the jurisdiction of the Great Xia Dynasty?"

Lin Jingrui, being a descendant of military generals, was tall and robust, yet he was intimidated by the imposing presence of the handsome and slender young eunuch and retreated step by step...

The guards were at a loss.

Just as Lin Jingrui was about to speak, a muffled thud came from behind him.

He instinctively turned around and saw his mother, Xie, collapsed on the ground, her face pale, her lips purplish-black, clutching her chest and coughing violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Although there was a hint of resentment in Xie's eyes, there was more fear and apprehension.

"Mother..." Lin Jingxing and Lin Jingjue screamed and rushed over.

Lin Jingrui also rushed over and bent down to help him up.

"Let...let them go..." Xie held his hand and whispered a few words in his ear.

Lin Jingrui's shoulders slumped, and his usually strong head slowly drooped down.

The old man quickly waved his hand, signaling the guards to step back.

Chu Nianci, accompanied by Tuanyuan and Hongying, and followed by Qiao family servants carrying the dowry, calmly descended the stone steps.

The Lin family watched as box after box of dowry was carried away, their eyes seemingly about to bleed.

Uncle Qiao waved his hand, and his servant steadily lifted the imperial plaque and followed closely behind.

As he approached Lin Jingrui's side, he paused slightly and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I thought you still had some backbone, unafraid of the powerful and the emperor, but now it seems you're nothing but a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong, only daring to use women as pawns."

Lin Jingrui's ears burned red and his eyes turned bloodshot, but he ultimately couldn't respond.

He watched as Chu Nianci walked to the front door, and said in a hoarse voice, unwillingly, "Nianci, turn back now... and I promise I will not pursue this matter any further. You will still be my wife."

Chu Nianci seemed not to hear, and without turning her head, she strode straight out the door.

Seeing this, Chu Shunqing immediately stepped forward to support Lin Jingrui's arm and gently advised, "Since she covets the glory and wealth of the palace, her heart is no longer here. Why must you force her to stay, my husband? Why not... let me marry you directly, so as to save face for both families..."

Lin Jingrui stared at her blankly.

Only now did he realize that all her scheming was for the position of the legal wife.

During the fight against the epidemic, she repeatedly expressed her feelings to herself.

The vow of "not seeking any title, but only wishing to stay together for life" was just a self-deception. Step by step, everything she did was for the position of the legal wife.

A feeling of disappointment and disgust welled up inside me.

His eyes turned cold, and he gritted his teeth as he said, word by word, "My position as the principal wife will forever be reserved for Chu Nianci."

Chu Shunqing's face turned pale, and all the color drained from his face.

Why?

Why would Lin Lang say that?

Her older sister had already entered the palace, and even now, her life had been stolen by her sister, yet she still couldn't take it back!

Logically, now that her sister is gone, she should be the legal wife.

Why is he still unwilling to give her the position of his principal wife?

A sense of defeat welled up inside Chu Shunqing, who couldn't accept the psychological gap. He covered his face with his hands and ran away crying.

Lin Jingrui ignored her.

He watched as Chu Nianci's figure receded into the distance under the blood-red setting sun, dazzlingly bright yet chillingly resolute.

A sinister glint flashed in Lin Jingrui's eyes.

Chu Nianci, don't think that you can escape my control just because you've entered the palace.

Don't forget, my sister is the Empress.

An inconspicuous blue cloth carriage with a black awning was parked outside the mansion gate. It was used by the palace to pick up lower-ranking palace servants.

Chu Nianci bent down and entered the carriage, and the journey was uneventful.

As the carriage slowly entered the tall and solemn Lizheng Gate, she couldn't help but lift the corner of the curtain and look outside.

The majestic palace walls stand tall, and the gilded roofs of the halls shimmer and glow in the setting sun, like flowing gold.

This is where she will live for the rest of her long life.

She gazed silently, her heart churning not with fear, but with an almost chilling clarity.

A man's love and promises are the least reliable; only the power and wealth he holds in his hands are real.

Everything most precious in the world is here.

No man could be more dazzling than the emperor.

As long as you work hard, you may still have a bright future.

As she was thinking, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Chu Nianci alighted from the carriage and bowed gracefully to Jingxi, who was waiting nearby: "May I ask your full name, Your Excellency?"

She remembered that in her past life, this eunuch Xi eventually rose to the position of the most powerful person in the imperial court.

Now that we have such a good opportunity, we must find a way to make connections, but we must do it without leaving a trace.

Jingxi, completely oblivious, stood with his hands in his pockets, smiling amiably: "Why does Consort Chu want to know my name?"

According to palace rules, female officials who had not yet received an official rank were all called "selected attendants".

Chu Nianci said earnestly, "If it weren't for you, sir, I would never have been able to enter the palace today. My mother taught me from a young age that one should always be grateful and repay kindness."

"You need not worry about the selection of concubines; it's just a small favor," Jingxi said casually.

"Although you were acting under orders, you saved my life. If it weren't for your help today, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to escape. I will remember this kindness and will repay it if I have the chance in the future."

Jingxi squinted and sized her up.

This woman had a face like a crabapple blossom at dawn and a voice like a swallow or a nightingale singing. Not only was she exceptionally beautiful, but she was also insightful and knew how to remember kindness.

He didn't show it on his face, but just waved his hand: "You're too kind. Sending you safely into the palace is our duty. It's not a favor. Just focus on learning the rules. I'll speak to the instructor and ask her to take care of you a little."

In fact, Chu Nianci already knew his full name.

However, she still showed a slight regret and bowed obediently.

He then gave Tuanyuan a wink.

Upon hearing the sentiment of reunion, a heavy brocade pouch was immediately presented.

"Please do me the favor, sir, and allow my daughter to say goodbye to her family," Chu Nianci said softly and obediently.

Jingxi picked it up and immediately knew there were at least fifty or sixty taels of silver inside.

His monthly salary is now only five taels.

These eunuchs all came from poor families and took the risk to make a living. Getting this knife wound meant nothing; what mattered was getting the silver.

He had long heard of the Qiao family's immense wealth in Jiangnan, and it was indeed true. Building a good relationship with her would bring him real benefits. He was overjoyed, but remained outwardly calm, nodding slightly and taking a few steps to the side to make way for her.

Chu Nianci then quickly walked towards Uncle Qiao and his two maids who had been waiting for a long time.

Although she was of low rank, she was already a "little mistress," and Uncle Qiao hurriedly led Tuanyuan and Hongying to bow and pay their respects.

"Uncle, you mustn't!" Chu Nianci quickly helped him up.

She quickly took out the million-tael silver note from her inner garment and stuffed it into Uncle Qiao's hand: "Bringing this into the palace would be too conspicuous. Please keep it for me, Uncle. Just exchange it for some loose silver notes and silver ingots so I can manage things."

Uncle Qiao accepted the silver note and nodded.

He had just completed a transaction and happened to have the payment on him, consisting of silver notes of varying sizes, totaling several thousand taels, plus a bag of loose silver worth several hundred taels.

He filled the sachet with the contents and stuffed it back into Chu Nianci's hand.

"Nianci..." Uncle Qiao's eyes reddened, his voice choked with emotion, "The palace is like a deep sea, your uncle has no ability, this is all I can do to help you. Our family is of humble origin and has no support in the palace. You must be careful with your words and actions, never argue with anyone, and be patient in everything. Your mother and I... do not ask for you to be rich and powerful, we only ask that you be safe and sound..."

He couldn't continue and turned his face away.

Chu Nianci was also quite saddened, but she knew that this was not the time to be sorrowful.

"Uncle, time is of the essence, and I have a few important words to entrust to you," Chu Nianci said, her eyes reddening as she quickly wiped away her tears. "This time, for my sake, you offended the Earl's family. I heard that you are on good terms with the Duke of Zhenguo. After you return, please don't stay at the inn. Try to find a way to stay at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to avoid trouble for a while. The Duke of Zhenguo comes from a family of military generals, and Lin Jingrui dares not offend him. Also, please send this box of antidote pills to my mother. Tell her to take one pill every day and to pay close attention to her diet."

In her past life, her mother died around this time, under suspicious circumstances. She suspected that someone had poisoned her, and she was determined to avoid repeating the same mistake in this life.

"Do you suspect something?" Uncle Qiao's gaze was deep. He had already guessed the meaning behind the words, but he didn't say anything and silently accepted the antidote pill.

Reunion and Hongying were already in tears.

They had already inquired on the way and found out that, given the young lady's current low rank, she was not allowed to bring a maidservant.

The fact that they're making an exception to bring one person along is thanks to Eunuch Jingxi accepting the fifty taels of silver and secretly making an exception.

The two had already discussed it on the way, and decided that the reunion would begin with the girl entering the palace.

Hongying stayed behind to help Uncle Qiao take care of the dowry and servants.

Chu Nianci's gaze swept over the two girls who had been with her since childhood, and her heart ached, but she knew that this was not the time to hesitate.

She took Tuanyuan's hand and placed the sachet filled with silver coins into her palm.

He then turned to Hongying and said, "Hongying, you are good at martial arts and keep accurate accounts. Help me watch these things. Tuanyuan is steady and reliable. Come in with me first, and I will definitely find a way to bring you in later."

Hongying was already sobbing uncontrollably. He turned to the chubby girl with red eyes and said, "Reunion, take good care of the girl..."

After saying that, I couldn't continue.

Tuanyuan nodded frantically, crying so hard he couldn't speak.

"It's getting late, Consort Chu, it's time to go. The palace gates will be locked soon," Jingxi's voice came from the side.

Chu Nianci gave Uncle Qiao a final, tight hug before resolutely turning and entering the palace, her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenching into fists.

The setting sun cast a long shadow of hers, which was reflected on the deep red palace walls...