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

"This isn't the place to talk. I'll tell my sister later," Chu Nianci said in a low voice after glancing around.

Hearing her say this, Shen Lanbing knew there were many twists and turns in the story, so she didn't ask any further questions.

He simply held her hand and told her how he came to the capital.

Chu Nianci smiled and said, "Sister, you are exceptionally beautiful and will surely catch His Majesty's eye. If you enter the palace, we can be together again."

"Shh..." Shen Lanbing said with a slight embarrassment but a smile, "There are so many beautiful women here today, sister, please don't make fun of us."

Seeing her friend still so cheerful and generous, Chu Nianci felt a slight doubt rising in her heart...

Lan Bing is a proper daughter of an official family, with excellent manners and upbringing. How could such a person have been involved in a poisoning case in her past life?

She truly regretted not understanding the reason in her past life. For now, she could only be extra careful and vigilant in every aspect.

The two were holding hands and talking and laughing in hushed tones.

The young eunuch stepped forward and bowed: "Which one of you is Consort Chu?"

Chu Nianci turned around and saw a young eunuch he didn't recognize. He became wary and asked, "What do you want with me?"

The young eunuch said, "There is an official in the Imperial Hospital who wishes to see you."

As he spoke, he took out a jade pendant from his pocket.

Chu Nianci took a look and realized it was the same piece he had given to Lin Jingrui. His face immediately darkened: "I don't know any sir."

"Your Excellency," the young eunuch lowered his voice, "that lord said that if you don't go, he will come to find you himself."

Chu Nianci's heart skipped a beat... This person is really crazy, daring to come to the palace to cause trouble.

There's no way around it; there are too many people and too many eyes around here. Wouldn't it be even worse if he came over?

She had no choice but to turn to Shen Lanbing and say, "Bing'er, wait for me here. I'll be right back."

Shen Lanbing nodded.

Chu Nianci followed the little eunuch through the garden paths, which became increasingly remote, until they finally stopped at a secluded grove of trees.

The little eunuch vanished behind the tree in a flash.

As Chu Nianci hesitated, a hand suddenly reached out from the bushes and pulled her in abruptly.

As soon as she looked up, she met Lin Jingrui's dark, gloomy eyes.

He wore a rumpled, dark blue official robe with a jade belt around his waist. His face was still handsome, but it contained a hint of weariness. His eyes were fixed on her, filled with resentment and anger.

Chu Nianci's heart sank, and then her heart skipped a few beats.

She had expected Lin Jingrui to not let this go, but she hadn't anticipated that he would arrive so quickly.

And they even tracked them down to the palace.

She forced herself to remain calm, averted her gaze, and showed no emotion on her face.

Seeing her reaction, Lin Jingrui's eyes suddenly turned fervent: "Nianci, I need to talk to you."

Chu Nianci frowned and turned her face away.

As Lin Jingrui stared at her indifferent expression, the resentment and longing in his heart gradually turned into anger.

Ever since the wedding fell apart that day, followed by the chaos that happened at night, the house has been in complete disarray.

Chu Shunqing is completely incompetent; he can't even manage three meals a day properly.

She came back a few days ago with her cheeks swollen and crying as she told him that Chu Nianci was in the palace, instigating her aunt to bully her, and then she went to hide in Weiruixuan, not even caring about family matters. Her mother was sick in bed, and the house was in chaos... All the troubles, in the end, were caused by Chu Nianci.

He originally thought that after returning to Beijing with meritorious service, he would be reunited with his family.

He has a beautiful wife who manages the household, and he can also work with his beloved woman to achieve his lofty future.

I never expected it to turn out like this.

She unexpectedly chose to enter the palace, leaving so suddenly that she caught him off guard and turned his life into a mess.

He had requested to see his elder sister, the Empress, several times in the past few days, but was turned away each time.

But he immediately comforted himself that things would get better soon. He turned his attention to Chu Nianci. He had heard that she was in Xiefang Palace and had been hoping to see her... but after several inquiries, he still couldn't find an opportunity.

It wasn't until this talent show was held in the Xiefang Palace, with the Imperial Hospital responsible for examining the candidates, that he finally got his chance.

At this moment, Chu Nianci was pulled into the bushes by him, and his path was blocked.

Knowing she couldn't escape, she took a deep breath, forcefully shook off his hand, and straightened the rumpled wrinkles of her moon-white dress.

Lin Jingrui forced a gentle smile: "Nianci, let's go to the palace over there to talk, okay? Let's not be seen by others."

He was smiling, and his tone was so gentle, but Chu Nianci could clearly see the deep gloom and suppressed anger in his eyes.

She turned away, her voice cold and distant: "If you have something to say, just say it here. I have to go to work and don't have time to chat with you."

"Alright, to make a long story short, why did you bully Shunqing?" Lin Jingrui asked, suppressing his anger.

"Heh," Chu Nianci said, "I bullied her. I was perfectly fine in Xiefang Palace, and she came to cause trouble herself. Alright, I don't have time to waste with you now. I have other things to do."

Lin Jingrui frowned, his gaze suddenly softening. "You really... have absolutely no feelings left?"

Chu Nianci looked up at him, her gaze filled with nothing but mockery: "Don't you know the answer in your heart?"

She emphasized the word "clear".

Lin Jingrui's face stiffened, and he pursed his lips: "Because of Shunqing? She's just your sister-in-law, she doesn't affect your position..."

He's still harping on this matter.

And what did he think this place was?

This is the palace; it is taboo for me to speak with men outside the palace.

"Just say what you want to say, stop beating around the bush. Besides, none of this matters anymore," Chu Nianci interrupted coldly. "Now I'm a candidate for the imperial concubine selection, and I have nothing to do with you anymore."

"None of my business?" Lin Jingrui took a step closer, his voice low and laced with anger. "Don't forget, we were engaged. You are my wife!"

Chu Nianci laughed: "My name isn't on the marriage certificate."

Lin Jingrui was speechless, his face turning pale.

After a long pause, he reached out and grabbed her wrist, his tone softening slightly, pleading, "Nianci, I didn't mean to hurt you. You're a merchant's daughter, not a proper wife, not even a concubine. Marrying Shunqing is just to make my mother feel better. Can't you compromise?"

He paused, then lowered his voice even further: "I've already planned this out for you. Once you have a child, everything in the Earl's mansion will be yours. I know you went to the palace out of spite, but as long as you're willing to come back, I'll definitely find a way to get you out."

He certainly "paved the way".

A path that left her exhausted and ultimately killed in her past life.

Chu Nianci shook off his hand: "Lin Jingrui, if you still have any guilt or feelings for me, then don't bother me anymore."

She turned to leave, but he caught up with her and stopped her.

Lin Jingrui stared at her menacingly, gritting his teeth, "Do you think His Majesty would take a liking to you? Do you want to spend your life here as a palace maid with white hair? You're jumping into this fiery pit of the palace! Even if you're angry with me, don't gamble with your life!"

The Lin family is the real hellhole.

Chu Nianci will never forget how he climbed up the ladder by stepping on her blood, ultimately causing her family to be destroyed.

She couldn't help but frown.

Seeing her head bowed, her brows furrowed, and her lips slightly pursed like a begonia, Lin Jingrui assumed she was hesitant. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek with his fingers, saying tenderly, "Come home with me, okay?"

"I'd rather be a palace maid with white hair than come back to you," she said, pushing him away with a cold, flat voice.

Lin Jingrui, however, was already aroused and, disregarding everything else, pounced on her.

The moment they touched, the fine needle hidden in the ring on Chu Nianci's fingertip gently pricked her.

Lin Jingrui felt a sharp pain in his fingertip and abruptly withdrew his hand, sneering, "You really think this little thing can scare me?"

"You can try." Chu Nianci stared at him coldly. "There are pressure points on the human body that cause fainting, pain, numbness, and death."

Lin Jingrui froze, but refused to move aside, blocking his path.

Chu Nianci's mind raced; she knew she couldn't afford to get entangled with him any longer.

If it goes on for too long and someone sees it, then you'll be in deep trouble.

How could that be?

If you confront him directly, you might provoke him and suffer even more.

Suddenly, it flashed into his mind: That's right, the Empress was both his support and his weakness.

Chu Nianci coldly said, "Having a secret rendezvous with a concubine and even attempting to harass the Emperor's woman, if we are seen, I will certainly not escape death, and you will not escape punishment either, and it will also implicate your Empress sister."

The word "Empress" struck a nerve with Lin Jingrui.

His face darkened, and anger surged in his eyes like a beast about to unleash its fury... but he clenched his fists and held back.

Sure enough, he slowly took half a step back, his anger dissipating, replaced by a meaningful sneer: "You lured Shunqing into the palace by promising him merits, but didn't I? After the selection of concubines, I will use my merits from Nanzhao to ask His Majesty to let you leave the palace. Tell me, does His Majesty value me, his brother-in-law, or you, a worthless woman?"

Taking advantage of his retreat, Chu Nianci turned and quickly left.

Not far away, I heard his soft chuckle behind me: "We'll meet again soon. You can't escape my grasp."

Chu Nianci bit her lip; she didn't turn around, nor would she.

Looking back now, I realize that this is my only chance in the talent show, and I must make a name for myself before His Majesty.

Try to get his attention, otherwise you'll fall back into Lin Jingrui's palm.

I know I'm a good horse that doesn't turn back to eat the grass it already grazed; I absolutely cannot go back to the Lin family mansion!

She slowly retraced her steps back to Xiefang Palace, where she saw Shen Lanbing still standing beside the plum vase.

Chu Nianci pursed her lips, forced a smile, and walked up. Now it was no longer simply about helping Sister Shen out of danger; this matter was also about helping herself.