The scumbag was secretly having an affair, while I was openly having an affair with the prince.

Chapter 55 The imperial concubine summons

"I..." Ye Shishu immediately lowered her head. In fact, she knew in her heart that if she hadn't been worried about her second brother, she wouldn't have come to him today.

"Have you had your meal?"

"..." Upon hearing the man's question, Ye Shishu blinked awkwardly. It wasn't even noon yet; was he asking about breakfast or lunch?

"What would you like to eat? I will have it prepared."

Ye Shishu replied, "Your Highness, please do as you please. I am not picky."

Yu Chi Ling's narrow eyes narrowed slightly, and his tone suddenly became colder and harder, "Come here!"

The two were only two steps apart. How could Ye Shishu not understand what would happen if they got any closer?

She bit her lip, then decided to let go of her reserve and went forward to sit on his lap.

Yu Chi Ling's previously cold and hard lips suddenly curled upwards, and his hands naturally encircled her body. However, his words still carried a hint of dissatisfaction, "Are you worried that I'll punish your second brother again?"

Ye Shishu did not try to argue, and said frankly, "Many people think my second brother is unreliable and rude, but he has always been like that since he was a child. If he has offended you in any way, please don't take it to heart."

Yu Chi Ling pinched her soft, slender waist. "Am I such an unreasonable person? Do you think I can't tell whether he's good or bad?"

"It's good that Your Highness isn't angry with him." Ye Shishu finally managed a smile.

"Since you're worried that I'll upset him, why don't you stay here with him?" A sly glint flashed in Yu Chi Ling's eyes. "No need to worry about what's said outside. I can just say I'm unwell and you'll come to the palace to take care of me."

At night, Shu felt her ears burning and tried to push him away in annoyance, "No! There are still thieves living in the family's house. I have to go back and keep an eye on them so they don't try anything with my older brother!"

Undeterred by her refusal, Yu Chi Ling suggested, "Then I'll sneak out to keep you company tonight?"

"I……"

Just as Ye Shishu was feeling embarrassed and trying to find an excuse to refuse him, the gatekeeper arrived again—

"Your Highness... uh..." Seeing the two people sitting on top of each other in the wheelchair, the guard immediately stopped and quickly turned to the side.

Ye Shishu quickly jumped off Yu Chiling's lap.

Yu Chi Ling glared at the guard with a dark expression. "What is it?"

The guard stepped aside and said, "Your Highness, Consort Lan has sent someone to the General's Mansion to invite the Princess to the palace to admire the flowers. Steward Hao of the General's Mansion is outside the gate and requests that the Princess return to the mansion immediately."

Ye Shishu was surprised.

She knew that Consort Lan was the mother of Prince Cheng, and it was perfectly normal for her, as a prospective daughter-in-law, to meet her future mother-in-law.

However, since she had any dealings with Prince Cheng, Consort Lan had never asked her a single question. If she hadn't been summoned today, she would have almost forgotten about her future mother-in-law.

"Your Highness, why did your mother suddenly summon me?" she asked cautiously.

Compared to her surprised expression, Yu Chi Ling's scarred face was cold.

He didn't explain much in response to her question, but said in a low voice, "Just go, I will be there soon."

Ye Shishu noticed that his expression was somewhat abnormal, but she didn't have time to think about it at the moment, and then followed the guard out of the palace.

Hao Fu then quickly returned to the General's Mansion.

The palace maid who had come was clearly getting impatient. Before she could even bow, Ye Shishu apologized, saying, "I had to go out today and didn't expect Her Highness the Consort to invite me to the palace. I apologize for any neglect you may have shown me."

Perhaps seeing her good attitude, the old woman's expression relaxed a bit, and she then raised her hand to lead the way, saying, "Please come with me to the palace quickly, Third Miss, so as not to keep the Imperial Concubine waiting."

"Yes."

This was not Ye Shishu's first time entering the palace, nor was it her first time meeting Consort Lan. As the legitimate daughter of a first-rank general's family, she would represent her father and brothers at any important banquets in the palace.

But today was her first time visiting Lanxia Palace.

Inside the magnificent palace, the dignified and noble Consort Lan sat solemnly, as majestic and awe-inspiring as a deity, making it impossible for anyone to look directly at her.

Led by the nanny, Ye Shishu entered the hall and knelt down with utmost respect to perform the grand salute, "This humble woman, Ye Shishu, greets Your Highness, the Noble Consort!"

Consort Lan raised her hand with a smile in her eyes, "Shu'er is here? Come here quickly, let me have a good look at her!"

Ye Shishu got up and obediently approached her.

Consort Lan held her hand and examined her carefully, her dignified and elegant face full of affection.

"I have liked you for a long time. If it weren't for your engagement to the young master of the Wei family, I would have petitioned the Emperor to grant you the marriage long ago. Now that you have broken off your engagement with the young master of the Wei family and married Ling'er, I feel that Heaven has heard my heart and has specially granted my wish."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty! I am clumsy and I hope Your Majesty will correct me if I have done anything wrong," Ye Shishu said humbly.

"You silly child, I'm praising you!" Consort Lan said with a playful smile, then turned to the maids beside her and said, "Look how lovely the future Princess Consort of Cheng is!"

The old women all smiled in agreement.

Ye Shishu pretended to be shy.

Consort Lan seemed to suddenly remember something and exclaimed in annoyance, "Oh dear, I was so naive. Since I had already summoned you to the palace, how could I have forgotten about Ling'er?"

Shu did not respond at night.

Consort Lan suddenly sighed, "I really don't know what to do with Ling'er. When the news of his relationship with Ni Xiao reached the capital, I was really angry and wrote to him many times, telling him not to associate with women of unknown origin. But he has been stubborn since he was a child and never takes my words to heart."

"I didn't expect I was right. That Ni Xiao is no easy trouble. Not only did she seduce Ling'er in the army, but she also bewitched him to the point of losing his mind. She was captured by the enemy, and Ling'er almost lost his own life while trying to save her, nearly causing the deaths of thousands of soldiers. He barely survived, but his appearance was ruined and his legs were crippled. Yet, he was also depressed because Ni Xiao's fate was unknown..."

Consort Lan wiped her eyes with a silk handkerchief, seemingly realizing she had said something she shouldn't have. She then took Ye Shishu's hand, patted the back of her hand, and comforted her, "Shu'er, that's all Ling'er's past. Don't take it to heart. No matter how good other women are, who can compare to the legitimate daughter of our General's Mansion? Don't you think so?"

Ye Shishu now realizes that the woman in Prince Cheng's heart is named Ni Xiao.

She admitted that listening to Consort Lan's words made her feel choked up, never expecting that Prince Cheng and Ni Xiao's relationship would be so tumultuous and unforgettable.

But what made her even more uncomfortable was that Consort Lan said these things in front of her...

It would be suspicious if I were deliberately trying to upset her!

"Your Majesty, I have heard about the Prince's affairs, but I don't mind. I admire the Prince because he has a loyal and courageous heart to defend the borders. Besides, as you said, that's all in the Prince's past, and since it's in the past, I won't take it to heart," she said gently and understandingly.

"Shu'er, I never expected you to be so tolerant and virtuous!" Consort Lan praised with a smile.

"Your Majesty is too kind. This is my duty."

Just then, a palace maid came to report, "Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince has come to pay his respects."

Consort Lan looked up and said, "Quickly invite the Crown Prince in."

"Yes."

Ye Shishu turned her head slightly, glancing at the departing palace maid out of the corner of her eye, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.