Do not let someone else swoop in and steal it.

"Sister!"

As Yuan Rou’s voice rang out, Qiao Qingyun immediately put down her chopsticks and looked up. Zhong Shi followed closely behind, while Yuan Rou rushed forward like an excited child, unabashedly taking a seat right across from her.

"Why are you here? Are you just dropping by for a free meal?"

Qiao Qingyun teased on purpose, but the bandages on her shoulders and hands served as a stark reminder to Yuan Rou of the fierce battle Qiao Qingyun had barely survived just two days ago.

Yuan Rou shook her head worriedly. "It's just that Sister is far too worrying. I heard from the Emperor that you were gravely injured, and I heard it was because of the Crown Prince?"

Qiao Qingyun did not try to hide it, merely nodding. "Yes."

"Oh! Don't tell me you still harbor lingering feelings for him!"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Choking on Yuan Rou's blunt remark, Qiao Qingyun’s face turned scarlet as she broke into a violent fit of coughing. Zhong Shi immediately stepped to her side and gently patted her back. "Are you alright?"

The look of deep concern on his face practically forced Yuan Rou to swallow a mouthful of romantic display. Once Qiao Qingyun finally caught her breath, she shot Yuan Rou a slightly reproachful glance. "Are you trying to scare me to death?"

"Oh, Sister, you already have the young master of the Lu family right by your side, why on earth—"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

This time, coming back-to-back, Qiao Qingyun almost lost her life. She hurriedly beat her chest while Qingluo and Zhong Shi both soothed her back, and it took a while for her to recover.

"Rou'er, if you really want to scare me to death, can't you just do it all at once?"

Yuan Rou blinked her large, innocent eyes. "But everyone outside is saying that you and Young Master Lu spent an entire night alone in the same room. How could nothing have happened?"

Qiao Qingyun was left utterly speechless by Yuan Rou's logic. She cast a helpless glance at Zhong Shi, only to find that he showed not the slightest hint of displeasure; instead, a faint, amused smile curved the corners of his lips.

"What? Am I wrong?"

Yuan Rou darted her gaze back and forth between the two of them, a faint cloud of curiosity shrouding her mind.

"Alright, enough about that. How are things between you and the Prince Consort?"

"The Prince Consort?"

At the mention of Xu Jie, Yuan Rou's voice dropped noticeably, a subtle shift that did not escape Qiao Qingyun's notice.

Hastily putting down the pastry in her hand, Qiao Qingyun asked with a hint of tension, "What's wrong?"

Yuan Rou pinched the bridge of her nose, her expression tinged with fatigue. "It's nothing much, really. It's just... I always feel he falls far short compared to Yunjian."

Qiao Qingyun: "......"

Wonderful. As expected, she still hadn't managed to divert Yuan Rou's attention.

"But you're already married now, aren't you? Besides, I'm sure you'll be expecting a child soon, right?"

Qiao Qingyun asked anxiously, hoping for a definitive answer, but Yuan Rou couldn't even bring herself to meet her eyes. Lowering her head with a guilty expression, she muttered, "This..."

Oh no, something was definitely amiss.

Zhong Shi, naturally, knew full well who this "Yunjian" was.

In the past, Yuan Rou had been a notoriously arrogant and domineering princess—not excessively malicious perhaps, but certainly afflicted with a severe case of royal entitlement.

Who could have imagined that in such a short span of time, the princess would be transformed into such a gentle and amiable woman?

"Actually... I've been taking herbs to prevent pregnancy..."

"What?!"

Qiao Qingyun’s shriek nearly pierced their eardrums, startling Yuan Rou so much that she quickly reached out to pull Qiao Qingyun back down into her seat, frantically gesturing for her to lower her voice.

"Sister, don't blame me for being unfilial. In fact, wouldn't you feel the exact same way if you were in my shoes? Carrying the flesh and blood of someone you don't even love—surely it's better to just prevent it altogether."

Qiao Qingyun: "......" Somehow it felt wrong, yet her reasoning was somehow sound.

With that thought, Qiao Qingyun turned her head to look at Zhong Shi, seeking reinforcement.

To her utter dismay, Zhong Shi broke his usual habit and defied her expectations, turning his head away and refusing to meet her gaze.

Left completely isolated and without backup, Qiao Qingyun could only manage a bitter, resigned smile.

"Also, Sister, I heard that the Crown Prince had everything related to Bu Shenglian thrown away today, and even restored the Listening Bamboo Courtyard to its original state."

As she spoke, Yuan Rou's eyes remained fixed on Qiao Qingyun without a single flicker, making Qiao Qingyun feel somewhat uncomfortable. She shrugged nonchalantly and replied, "So what?"

"Could it be that you promised to go back with him?"

"How is that even possible?"

Qiao Qingyun denied it once more. Yuan Rou, however, shifted her gaze to Zhong Shi with a mischievous grin. "Young Master Lu, you must serve Sister closely every day and seize the moment, lest His Imperial Highness intercepts her."

Zhong Shi nodded solemnly, an earnest expression that nearly drove Qiao Qingyun to desperation. "Go on, both of you! If you have something to investigate, go study it somewhere else!"

"Hehe, don't be mad, Sister. But I heard that nunnery is utterly dilapidated, and the nuns inside didn't enter because their husbands died, but because their husbands abandoned them. Each and every one of them is like a bitter, resentful woman. Bu Shenglian is bound to suffer terribly," Yuan Rou said with a dark, gloating chuckle.

Inside the carriage, Bu Shenglian watched the scenery passing by as she wept bitterly.

It had been so close! Once the Emperor passed away, she could well have been the Mother of the Nation!

Yet now, she had been reduced to such a wretched end.

And it was all because of Qiao Qingyun! If not for that vile creature, she would undoubtedly be the Crown Princess right now!

Outside the carriage, the eunuchs were whispering amongst themselves. "Hey, what do you think would happen if the Crown Prince suddenly ordered us to bring her back?"

"Forget about it. Even the Crown Prince didn't bother to care about her. But come to think of it, how could a woman who has already been married off ever be worthy of His Highness? It's just a pity for Princess Qingyun, being driven out just like that."

"Ah, don't speak too soon! I heard that today His Highness the Crown Prince actually intended to bring Princess Qingyun back."

"What?"

Every single word of the chatter outside drifted clearly into Bu Shenglian's ears.

Her hatred intensified, and her fingernails dug deep into her flesh.

It was all because of Qiao Qingyun! It was all her fault!

Upon arriving before the nunnery gates, the nuns had long been standing outside waiting, having already received the imperial decree. Catching sight of the approaching carriage, they hurried forward to welcome it.

The carriage came to a halt. A eunuch lifted the curtain, still obligated to put up a polite front as he said deferentially, "Miss Bu, please dismount."

Bu Shenglian looked up at the dilapidated nunnery ahead. Its shabby state couldn't even compare to the meanest servants' quarters in the Crown Prince's Mansion!

Who could have imagined she would have to spend the rest of her days in such a place?

"I won't get down."

Bu Shenglian flatly refused, adding with fierce determination, "His Highness the Crown Prince will definitely come to fetch me! When that happens, I will make sure he executes your entire family!"

Uttering such harsh threats, Bu Shenglian remained entirely oblivious to the perilous situation she was in.

Throwing tantrums was one thing, but this was hardly a place where one could afford to act wild.

The eunuch sneered. "Very well, then please wait right here for His Highness to come and fetch you. Miss, if you refuse to get down now, things are going to get very difficult for both you and us."

Bu Shenglian trembled inwardly. Meeting the eunuch's cruel, mocking gaze, she had no choice but to swallow her pride and obey.