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The man gently pressed her fingers back into place and held her hand, smiling as he said, "There won't be a fourth time."

Rong Shu gave him a sidelong glance. Did he dare to have a fourth time?

Today was smooth sailing; before noon, the carriage arrived at Minglu Yard.

Just like the previous two times, Shen Yizhen had been waiting outside half an hour early. Not only Shen Yizhen, but also Rong Ze, who had rushed from Taiyuan Prefecture, and Rong Wu, who had come from the Jiang family, were there.

"Auntie!"

Rong Shu lifted her skirt and hurried over to them. Standing next to Shen Yizhen, she looked at Rong Ze and Rong Wu and said, "Big Brother, Second Sister."

Rong Ze and Rong Wu smiled as they bowed in greeting, calling out, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Princess."

"Let's not stand on ceremony within the family," Shen Yizhen said with a smile, inviting them into the yard.

Then, she carefully scrutinized Rong Shu, immediately noticing the difference in her from before.

Once everyone was inside, she cheerfully led Mama Zhou to select herbs for a nourishing soup.

Gu Changjin and Rong Ze headed to the study, leaving Rong Shu to lead Rong Wei to the West Wing Courtyard.

The sisters had only seen each other on the day of Rong Shu's wedding three days prior. Although Rong Wei's complexion hadn't been great then, it wasn't terrible either. But as Rong Shu observed her sister when she entered just now, Rong Wei looked much worse than she did three days ago.

"What's happened to you? Have the Jiangs mistreated you?"

Rong Shu had intentionally sent an invitation to Rong Wei yesterday, asking her to visit Minglu Yard, in order to inquire about her intentions regarding staying with the Jiang family.

A family like the Jiangs was not a suitable place for her, and Jiang Shenglin was far from an ideal match.

Though she is now the Crown Princess, able to support Rong Wu, the Jiang family is well-known for their adaptability to changing circumstances. Once Rong Wu has her as a pillar of strength, they will likely go to great lengths to cater to her, using her as a bridge between the Jiang family and the Eastern Palace to deceive her into serving their interests.

This matter needs to be left for Rong Yue to comprehend herself, to realize her own desire to leave the Jiang family.

Rong Shu donned a regal, smoke-purple robe today, intricately embroidered with Eight Treasures and Four Seasonal Harmony Phoenix patterns, exuding an air of majestic grace and opulence befitting a Crown Princess.

Looking at her elder sister, Rong Wan could barely recall what she had been like back in the Cheng'an Marquis Estate. She only remembered that Qingheng Courtyard was where she often secluded herself, and during the spring banquets hosted by Duke Ying's residence, she would mostly sit alone on one side.

Back then, she had been favored by the respected Duke of Ying, which facilitated her seamless entry into the elite circle of noble ladies in the capital.

Back then, everyone revolved around Third Miss Song, Song Yingzhen, not only because she was the legitimate eldest daughter of Duke Ying's residence but also due to her betrothal to the Crown Prince, making her the future Princess Consort.

Rong Wu used to deliberately imitate Song Yingzhen's every gesture and sought her friendship, which filled her with pride. She felt that she had gained a prestigious companion, someone whose status lifted her own spirits and protected her mother from others' disdain.

In Rong Wu's eyes, Song Yingzhen was the epitome of noblewomen.

Even after she married into the Jiang family, Rong Wu still felt inferior in Song Yingzhen's presence.

But now, the person she had always deemed unattainable in her eyes bows to Rong Shu. If this were the old Rong Wu, she would likely feel indignant and strive to compete with Rong Shu further.

Yet, after marriage, she was no longer the same person as before.

Especially after the upheaval in the Cheng'an Marquis Estate, where she experienced countless fluctuations of human emotions, she finally understood the meaning behind Rong Shu's words.

When the Cheng'an Marquis title was revoked, she had intended to secretly send some of her dowry to her mother, but was unexpectedly intercepted by Lady Jiang, the head wife of the Jiang family, on the way.

She was confined to her quarters, unable even to visit her father and mother.

Jiang Shenglin openly took up residence with his childhood sweetheart, no longer setting foot in her chambers. Her once-gentle father-in-law suddenly showed a different face, and the sweet-tongued yet bitter-hearted mother-in-law was even more unbearable to mention.

Rong Wò had never held much hope for this family, thanks to Rong Shu's previous advice. Yet reality turned out to be even more ruthless than she had imagined.

Once the Rong family fell, each of them revealed their true colors.

It wasn't until news reached her that the Crown Prince was searching for her sister in Da Tong that she truly regained her freedom.

Upon receiving an invitation, she learned that the Crown Princess was to return to her natal home for the third day after marriage. As a result, someone was sent early in the morning to help her with her makeup and requested that Jiang Shenglin accompany her to Minglu Yard.

How could she agree?

She would rather not come at all than have Jiang Shenglin by her side!

The Jiang family had long desired a closer relationship with the Crown Prince, but his attitude toward them remained lukewarm. With the marriage to Rong Shu finally in place, they intended to seize the opportunity and have Rong Wò bring Jiang Shenglin along.

Little did they expect Rong Wò to be as stubborn as a stone in a toilet, insisting that if Jiang Shenglin accompanied her, she wouldn't attend, causing the Jiang family immense frustration.

But how could they dare ignore the invitation sent by the Crown Princess? They could only suppress their anger, forcing smiles as they delivered Rong Wò to the event.

Observing the Jiang family members, their faces a mix of anger they dared not express, Rong Hua felt an immense satisfaction, a pleasure that ran deep!

"Now that my elder sister has become the Crown Princess, how could they dare not treat me well?" Rong Hua sneered with sarcasm.

Rong Shu lifted the teacup and sipped it slowly, asking, "What are your plans? Do you intend to remain in the Jiang family?"

"Certainly, I shall stay," Rong Wei said, glancing at Rong Shu. "But only for a while. I endured humility and submission in the Jiang family for over a year. It's only fitting that they experience the same before me to soothe my grievances."

Rong Shu set down her teacup and gazed at Rong Wei, asking, "Have you made up your mind?"

Rong Wan nodded, "I'll stay for another half a year, just to let them taste the bitterness of shattered dreams."

This was indeed the temperament her younger sister would possess.

Rong Shu didn't try to dissuade her, but merely cautioned, "Don't go too far."

She was willing to use her status as the Crown Princess to support Rong Wan, but she couldn't let her do whatever she pleased. At the very least, no lives should be lost, especially those of the innocent.

Understanding that Rong Shu was offering her backing, Rong Wan agreed with a smile, "I know my limits."

Pausing for a moment, she continued earnestly, "Sister, I was in the wrong before."

Rong Shu turned to look at her.

To onlookers, Rong Wu might be saying this because Rong Shu's current status was vastly different, and she wished to put their past disputes behind them, thus her apology.