The story of a bullied daughter's rise to power

Chapter 378 The Haggard Madam Situ

The Queen had no children, so she had a genuine love for Xiu'er. Xiu'er was delighted when she heard this.

When Situ Yaorao and Tantai Wuyue returned to the Crown Prince's Mansion, Mu Lingwan and many other women were already kneeling at the door. Seeing the two return, Mu Lingwan's eyes flashed with a hint of viciousness, but her face remained respectful: "Your Highness, I will serve you. Crown Princess, please return home."

Tantai Wuyue was quite satisfied with Mu Lingwan's attitude. Before meeting Situ Yaorao, Mu Lingwan had indeed been a candidate for the Crown Princess. She wasn't overbearing, nor did she annoy him like other women. Even if he didn't love her, at least... he could accept her.

But that was only before he met her. Now that he had someone else in his heart, his feelings for Mu Lingwan had naturally faded. But a woman who didn't cause trouble was always less likely to be disliked.

"Stand up, the Crown Princess and I have just returned, so we don't need these grand gestures."

"Yes, Your Highness." Many women stood up.

"I'm sorry to bother you these days, Wan'er." Tantai Wuyue said to Mu Lingwan. Mu Lingwan's eyes turned red when she heard this and she shook her head: "It's not difficult. As long as it's for His Highness, anything is fine."

"Yao Rao left the Prince's Mansion to you because she wanted to see me. Don't mind it. She has no ill intentions." After saying that, he pulled Situ Yao Rao forward.

Situ Yaorao always hated dealing with these people, but she was truly sorry for what she had done this time. Of course, that was before these women used Han Bing to frame her.

Situ Yaorao didn't tell Tantai Wuyue about Han Bing, simply because she didn't want him to be disappointed by these people. Tantai Wuyue was already very tired, so she didn't want him to be bothered by such trivial matters. But... not telling her didn't mean she would forgive Mu Lingwan.

Looking at Mu Lingwan, Situ Yaorao smiled: "I'm sorry to bother you this time. When I, your elder sister, come back, you won't have to work too hard."

If you want to hurt someone, you have to take away what they care about most. Aside from Tan Tai Wu Yue, the only thing Mu Ling Wan cares about most is the Prince's Mansion. Situ Yaorao's words were like a needle piercing Mu Ling Wan's heart.

Mu Lingwan looked at Situ Yaorao, hating her to death in her heart, but she showed a well-behaved smile on her face: "Sister is right, you should go in and rest first. I think you must be exhausted after the journey." After that, she welcomed the person in.

Situ Yaorao could go back and rest, but Tan Tai Wu Yue couldn't. As soon as the news of Tan Tai Wu Yue's return to the capital spread, his supporters flocked to visit him. First, to make sure he was alright, and second, to express their loyalty. Consequently, the Prince's Mansion was bustling with people.

When Situ Yaorao returned, she saw Lian'er wiping down the furnishings in her room. She asked, "Why are you the only one here?"

When Lian'er heard what Situ Yaorao said, she quickly turned around and saw Situ Yaorao. Her eyes reddened, "They all followed Miss Xiu'er to the palace. I know that my sins are so grave, so I dare not leave."

"You're quite clever." Situ Yaorao looked at her coldly for a long moment before saying, "Get up and serve here well from now on. If one day you can truly dispel my suspicions about you, perhaps we can continue as before." She then took off the jade bracelet on her hand and said, "Consider this as a reward for you. I'm going to rest now, so please leave."

"Yes, Princess."

"Oh, by the way, there will probably be a palace banquet tonight. After the banquet, I will go back to Situ's house to see my mother. You go to Situ's house and tell my mother a message." Situ Yaorao said lazily.

"Yes, I obey your command." Lian'er then slowly withdrew. She had no complaints about Situ Yaorao's attitude towards her, because she had brought all of this upon herself. If she hadn't coveted unreliable wealth, she wouldn't have betrayed her own mistress, and she wouldn't have allowed the mistress who treated her so well to become so indifferent.

It's easy to break someone's trust, but... it's too difficult to make someone trust you again. Lian'er thought to herself and went to do what Situ Yaorao asked her to do.

If there is anyone in the capital who cares about Situ Yaorao, that person is undoubtedly Mrs. Situ.

At the Situ Mansion, Mrs. Situ was dressed in blue, with light makeup on her face. There was a calmness between her eyebrows and eyes, without her usual arrogance. If you looked closely, she seemed a little haggard.

"Madam, Miss Lian'er is here." The maid's voice came from outside. Upon hearing this, Madam Situ put down the rosary in her hand, opened her eyes, and said, "Lian'er is here. Maybe my Yaorao has returned. Please let her in."

As soon as Mrs. Situ finished speaking, Lian'er was brought in.

Lian'er had been ordered not to see Madam Situ unless it was necessary, so she hadn't seen her for a long time. Now, upon seeing her, she was horrified: "Madam? You...how did you become like this?"

At this time, Mrs. Situ had long lost her usual arrogance and pride. All she had was indifference, as if she saw through everything.

The indelible trace of age in her eyes constantly told her that the Madam had endured a great deal of hardship during this period. In Lian'er's mind, Madam Situ had always been aloof and superior. Even if no one in the mansion liked her, even if even the general loathed her, she could still live a good life, still commanding the respect of everyone in the mansion. She could still make the young lady live better than anyone else.

But the current wife?

"Is my Yaorao back?" Mrs. Situ raised her eyes, looked at Lian'er and asked.

"Yes, the young lady is back. She also said that she would come to see you after tonight's palace banquet." Lian'er spoke of this matter with great lightness, and Madam Situ couldn't help but smile upon hearing it. Her smile was very kind, and more than that, it was a relief: "That's good, my Yaorao, after all, is fine."

"The young lady went to Luo City and returned with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince even took the young lady with him all the way back to the palace to dispel the rumors. In just a moment, the imperial wanted notice for the young lady was withdrawn."

As Lian'er reported on Situ Yaorao's situation, Madam Situ's expression softened. She looked at Lian'er and said, "You've done very well. You still have to take good care of Yaorao in the future. You can't neglect her. Do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am." Lian'er said respectfully.

Then, Madam Situ took out the antidote: "This is the antidote to the poison I gave you before. I did that back then because I was worried that you wouldn't be able to look after Yaorao. Now that she's grown up, she naturally doesn't need your care anymore. You were originally my personal maid for her. From now on, just listen to her."

"Madam, what are you doing?" Lian'er was puzzled.

"My Yaorao has grown up, and you are the gift I gave her." Mrs. Situ said.

Upon hearing this, Lian'er said, "Yes, Madam, I will definitely not let you down." After saying this, she swallowed the medicine. Her guilt towards Situ Yaorao deepened.

If she had known this would happen, she would never have betrayed him.

"Okay, you can go back." Mrs. Situ waved her hand.

"Yes." After saying that, Lian'er retreated.

After Lian'er left, the smile on Mrs. Situ's face faded. A complicated expression replaced it. She walked to the desk, picked up her pen, and began to write.

But his brows were still furrowed.

After finishing writing, Madam Situ personally placed the letter on Situ Yaorao's bed...