Chen Mingyu clutched her handkerchief tightly, her pale, jade-like fingers turning red and purple as the fabric bit into her skin. Her face was livid as she sat before Old Lady Chen, exhaling in frustration before blurting out angrily, “What kind of logic is this?! Master Yuanhui’s words clearly mean that only the most exalted person in the world can suppress Song Chuyi’s fate… Is the Changning Marquis Estate really that arrogant?!”

  After the Ninth Princess’s marriage of alliance, she had been dealt a significant blow. Perhaps she had come to understand that even someone as noble as a princess could find themselves powerless and at the mercy of circumstances. Over the past few days, she had behaved with restraint, her once superficial maturity finally becoming genuine.

  But when it came to matters concerning the Crown Prince's heir, Zhou Weizhao, she couldn’t hold back her agitation. This time, the situation was simply too strange. Out of nowhere, why would Master Yuanhui specifically mention Song Chuyi when discussing the Crown Prince’s marriage?

  Old Lady Chen, who had a bad back, always needed a soft cushion for support when seated. Once her attendant had adjusted the cushion properly, she cast a gnce at Chen Mingyu. Though the gnce carried no words, it conveyed everything it needed to. Chen Mingyu’s face flushed instantly, and she leaned against Old Lady Chen’s shoulder, murmuring, “Grandmother, I spoke out of turn because I was too impatient…”

  “The principle of ‘disaster comes from the mouth’ must never be forgotten,” Old Lady Chen admonished, allowing her attendant to remove her forehead cloth as she sternly warned, “The examples of Miss Han and Miss Shen are right in front of you. The lessons of the past have not yet faded; you must not repeat their mistakes.”

  After delivering this caution, she lightly patted Chen Mingyu’s hand. “As for what Master Yuanhui said today, why do you think it was Changning Marquis Estate behind it?”

  Chen Mingyu’s face turned crimson, almost as if she would bleed. Her grandfather had recently been constantly imparting wisdom to her, even calling her to secretly eavesdrop on discussions in the study so that she could familiarize herself with court affairs. All of this was in preparation for her future role, ensuring she could accompany that most exalted person and secure the Chen family’s sting prosperity.

  Over time, she had begun to understand the Song family’s current strategies. After the debacles involving Prince Duan and the Crown Prince, it was clear that the Changning Marquis Estate had resolved to remain neutral. For instance, Song Chengru’s decision to take on the role of chief examiner in the Yangzhou corruption case had been a deliberate move to signal loyalty to the emperor while avoiding entanglement with any faction.

  An astute and calcuting old fox like Song Chengru would never intentionally create a situation that could backfire so spectacurly, like today’s incident involving Master Yuanhui. These words would only make the world view the Song family as opportunistic and unscrupulous schemers trying to align themselves with the imperial family. This impression, combined with the fact that Consort Song now had a three-year-old son, would hardly be beneficial to their position.

  Whoever orchestrated this matter, it certainly wasn’t the Song family. She had simply let her emotions cloud her judgment.

  “I was too hasty,” Chen Mingyu admitted, lowering her head. “I didn’t think it through before compining…”

  Her reaction, though quick, highlighted her need for guidance. For now, she had her grandmother to advise her, but what about the future? What would she do if she truly ascended to that position someday?

  Old Lady Chen gazed at her granddaughter thoughtfully for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh. Despite all the efforts she and her husband had made to compensate for her sheltered upbringing, Chen Mingyu still cked the wisdom and composure that came with experience.

  By contrast, the young dy from the Song family, Song Chuyi, was remarkably well-educated and poised. Though Old Lady Chen had interacted with her only a few times—once at Duke Ying’s residence and again at a restaurant—Song Chuyi had consistently dispyed decisiveness, restraint, and impeccable conduct. Even when faced with today’s incident involving Master Yuanhui, which had caused even First Lady Cui to show rare anger, Song Chuyi had maintained a serene and confident demeanor.

  Inwardly, Old Lady Chen had to admit that even in her own youth, she hadn’t possessed the same calm composure that Song Chuyi now dispyed.

  She csped Chen Mingyu’s hand tightly and said, “I’ve told you before—if you lose to Song Chuyi, it proves I’m not as capable as Old Lady Song when it comes to raising young women. Look at her. She should be the one flustered today, standing at the center of the storm. But she remains unshaken. Think for yourself—if both of you were to become the Crown Prince’s consorts…”

  Chen Mingyu’s face turned ashen. Her grandparents had previously suggested that if they couldn’t secure Zhou Weizhao, they could consider vying for Prince of Commandery.

  However, with Zhou Weizhao’s standing rising steadily in Emperor Jianzhang’s eyes, and the Prince of Commandery facing a string of scandals—not least the unresolved mess at the Marquis of Jinxiang’s estate—the Chen family had once again shifted their focus back to Zhou Weizhao.

  But the mere thought of becoming Prince’s consort alongside Song Chuyi filled Chen Mingyu with a mix of unease and indignation.

  Unlike others, she could sense the unusual rapport between Zhou Weizhao and Song Chuyi. That tacit understanding didn’t resemble a retionship between two unfamiliar people; it was more like… like the kind of trust her grandparents shared, forged over a lifetime of mutual understanding.

  She let out a heavy sigh, sitting up straight, her face full of mencholy.

  Old Lady Chen grasped her shoulder firmly, giving it a deliberate squeeze. "A few days ago, His Majesty inquired with the Heavenly Master about whether it was time to finalize the Crown Prince's heir's marriage. Today, Yuanhui conveniently brought it up again. You need to be mentally prepared—it's likely to happen soon. In the coming days, I’ll take you to the pace more frequently. You must focus on building rapport with the Empress and the Crown Princess. As for everything else, put it out of your mind for now."

  Chen Mingyu clenched her hands into fists, taking a long moment before slowly nodding. No matter how unwilling she felt inside, she couldn’t let it show at a time like this. Her grandmother was right—haste makes waste. She needed to stay calm and proceed cautiously.

  After all, Song Chuyi still faced a significant hurdle; whether she could overcome it remained uncertain. There was no need for Chen Mingyu to worry prematurely about things that had yet to happen.