The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

After seeing Ning Nishang and Lu Linbai off, Qi Yitang met up with Xie Ling, threw herself into his arms, and bounced around his waist twice.

"Yanzhi, we've struck it rich again!"

Before the one million taels from last time were even spent, another huge sum of money arrived.

Qi Yitang felt that she was simply a walking treasure trove, able to amass mountains of gold and silver with just a few words.

With such a good empress, Xie Ling should be secretly happy.

[The female supporting character has found a good way to make money; she's always taking advantage of the chubby boy.]

Xie Ling's reaction was much calmer; he simply reached out and straightened the crooked hairpin for her, his expression helpless.

"Are you that happy?"

I received so much, but I basically didn't use it for myself.

"Who wouldn't be happy if they had money? Even a fool could have a good time." Halfway through her sentence, Qi Yitang seemed to remember something and suddenly stopped.

She frowned and took three or four steps back. "No, I'm still angry with you. Don't get too close to me. Let's keep a certain distance."

[Are you two being ridiculous? Can't you have a proper argument?]

Xie Ling pinched the bridge of her nose: "...Tangtang."

Qi Yitang immediately covered her ears, "Don't call me either, I'm not listening!"

"You've gone too far! I have the right to remain silent and not speak to you!" With that, she turned and walked out, calling out as she went, "Yunzhu, Chizheng, back to the palace—"

What a joke! We finally escaped that birdcage, now's the time to run away!

Are we just waiting for him to lock her up again?

Qi Yitang practically ran away as fast as she could, lifting her skirt and rushing back to Yaotang Palace in one breath.

Back in familiar territory, seeing that Xie Ling wasn't chasing after her, Qi Yitang clutched her pounding heart, feeling a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.

You really shouldn't mess with psychopaths.

……

Ning Nishang was sent back to the Grand Tutor's residence by Lu Linbai.

Almost as soon as they entered the door, the imperial edict of marriage arrived: "...The late Prefect Ning Yuanzhou's daughter, Ning Nishang, is gentle and virtuous by nature, and prudent in her conduct. By the grace of the Empress Dowager, she is hereby conferred the title of Princess of Anning. The Ministry of Rites shall select an auspicious day for the marriage. This is the imperial decree."

In addition, there was another imperial edict for Qi Wenyuan, restoring him to the position of Grand Tutor and allowing him to continue serving after the New Year.

The Qi family members knelt on the ground, offering congratulations and rewards upon hearing the imperial decree.

Only Ning Nishang looked blank: Didn't Tangtang say that this matter was difficult to handle and that it would take some trouble with the Empress Dowager?

She thought she would have to wait at least ten days to two weeks for news, but...

It's true that money makes things easier.

The entire mansion was filled with joy, and taking advantage of this moment, Qi Jiyun quietly pulled her to a corner under the eaves.

"So, what did Tangtang say?"

Ning Nishang truthfully replied, "Fourth cousin, Tangtang said that she cannot release Chizheng back for the time being. It was His Majesty's order to summon her back, but Tangtang said she would help you find a way."

"Then—"

The word "okay" circled in Qi Jiyun's mouth, then she abruptly turned back, "Actually, I don't miss her that much. LOL, who cares? I was just asking casually."

Ning Nishang pursed her lips and suppressed a smile, then took out a slip of paper from her sleeve and handed it over.

"Fourth cousin, Tangtang asked me to give this to you."

The note unfolded: "Fourth Brother, being stubborn won't get you a wife. If you like someone, just say it!"

Below is a line of smaller print: 【If you keep even me hidden away, I'll summon all eligible men in the capital to the palace and let Chi Zheng choose for herself~ (hehe)】

Qi Jiyun was so angry that his teeth itched. He crumpled the note into a ball. That little rascal!

He thought of her in every way, and what was the result?

Fourth Brother takes her to heart, but she treats him like a fool.

Qi Jiyun swore for the 365th time: I will never be with her again!

……

Ning Nishang went to the palace and arranged the marriage, letting everyone know that Qi Yitang was safe and sound, and even Qi Wenyuan's official position was restored. Everything was a good thing.

The housekeeper instructed the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous dinner.

At the dinner table, everyone was having a lively time.

Qi Jiyun suddenly asked, "Mother, why are you so distracted?"

Everyone turned to look, only to find Ning Wanrong lost in thought, her gaze unfocused on a certain spot, holding the fish in her hand for a long time without putting it in her mouth, seemingly lost in thought.

Previously, Ning Wanrong was worried about Ning Nishang's unsettled marriage. Now that she has been named Princess Anning, she will be getting married soon.

Logically, Ning Wanrong should have been relieved, but instead she seemed distracted.

Given Ning Wanrong's personality, being sentimental was the least likely thing to happen to her.

Seeing everyone at the table staring at her, Ning Wanrong slammed her chopsticks on the table, utterly speechless. "What, is there food on my face? Eat your own food!"

Once the familiar stance was adopted, everyone breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed everything was alright.

Only Qi Jiyun rolled his eyes and knew perfectly well that nothing was wrong.

However, he didn't say anything and just buried his head in his food.

Children should not criticize their parents' mistakes, but they must bear the consequences of their own actions.

That little rascal is the most vengeful.

……

Evening, in the master bedroom of the Qi family.

Ning Wanrong sat in front of the mirror combing her hair when Qi Wenyuan walked up behind her. "Madam, you seem distracted today. Is it... because of Tang'er?"

After decades of marriage, how could he not see through his wife's thoughts?

Ning Wanrong put down the comb, sighed, and said, "Hmm."

Today, Ning Nishang entered the palace and brought back news of Qi Yitang, saying only that he "caught a cold but has recovered."

That's all I have to say.

This might fool Ning Nishang, but Ning Wanrong, having lived more life than her, could easily detect the perfunctory tone in her words.

Although what happened at Xuan Yi Fang was suppressed, as long as there are eyes and mouths, it will not be completely sealed off.

After much searching, Ning Wanrong finally learned what had happened that day.

The missing woman was indeed Tang'er.

That's why His Majesty was furious and ordered the entire capital to be sealed off and people to be searched from house to house.

But that happened a month ago. They were sitting comfortably at home, completely unaware of their daughter's disappearance.

So much time has passed, and Xuan Niang said that he is fine now and there is nothing unusual about him.

They even tried to brush them off by saying it was just a minor cold.

Ning Wanrong felt a pang of sadness. Even with such a significant matter, Tang'er wouldn't tell her anymore…

It's one thing for others to be silent, but reporting only good news and not bad news has never been Qi Yitang's style.

If it were before, she would definitely have tried to run back, or at least written a letter, going on and on about how much she had suffered and how wronged she had been...

Ning Wanrong suddenly remembered many things from her childhood.

As a child, Qi Yitang was soft and cuddly, not very bright, but exceptionally kind-hearted.

When she sees a pitiful beggar on the roadside, she will squat down and give alms regardless of whether the beggar is genuine or not. If someone gives her food, she will give him money directly, without caring whether the person can keep it.

But when did she become so "restless"?

It seems to have happened after... Xuan Niang arrived.

That year, on Ning Nishang's birthday, as her aunt, she bought new clothes and jewelry for Xuan Niang. The little girl then said sarcastically, "Wow, what a thoughtful birthday gift~ If it weren't for the fact that my cousin doesn't look like my parents, I would have thought that my cousin was my mother's biological daughter."

"Should I not be here? You all seem so happy together, it just makes me feel superfluous..."

At the time, Ning Wanrong just found it funny; how could someone so young have such a temper?

It's Xuan Niang's first birthday since she came to their family, they can't just leave her without any celebration, why are they even arguing about this?

Later, Tang'er became even more sharp-tongued.

Whenever Xuan Niang is involved, a huge scene often ensues.

Ning Wanrong had wondered why she treated the sisters equally; whatever Xuan Niang had, Tang Er and the others had too.

Why is she always dissatisfied and always targeting others?

Looking back now, Ning Wanrong suddenly realized and regretted that even the closest sisters would hold a grudge for a long time because of their parents' slight favoritism, let alone cousins.

They didn't balance things well and hurt their daughter's feelings.