After being reborn, I stole the female lead's cheat ability and raised the empress.

Chapter 61 Zhang Junting

Just then, Ali appeared at the door: "Second brother, what's wrong?"

Xia Jingwen, who had been dodging, stopped when he saw his sister coming over. He scratched his head with an innocent look on his face and said, "Second brother is fine. I just taught a few foul-mouthed people a lesson."

As soon as he stopped, his father caught up and slapped him hard: "You brat, don't laugh so loudly, you might scare your sister."

When Ali saw this scene, she felt a warmth in her heart, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Xia Jingwen quickly patted her shoulder to comfort her, "Don't be afraid, little sister, your brother has already beaten them up. It's alright now."

Xia Jingwen asked again, "Little sister, you won't regret it, will you?"

"What's there to regret? I want to stay as far away from that scum as possible."

"But this will probably make it difficult for me to find a spouse. I just hope that my father and brother won't mind. I'll just stay at home and eat for free."

The two quickly waved their hands, saying, "No problem, no problem."

How could that be?

Xia Jingwen looked sad: "I really don't know why the victims are bullied so much, while the ones who are at fault can get away with it."

Ali chuckled self-deprecatingly. It was because the high and mighty Third Prince was not someone they could make fun of at will, so naturally they could only make fun of a nobody like herself.

"It's alright, let them say what they want. It's not like I'll lose a piece of my flesh. Second brother, father, don't be sad about this."

The family was enjoying a happy time when they suddenly heard the gatekeeper announce that the Third Prince had arrived.

Everyone's faces froze. Just as they were thinking about how to get Ali to hide, the Third Prince led his men in.

Ali's expression changed drastically, and she turned to run away.

"Trying to run? Where do you think you're going?"

He lunged at Ali's neck, his eyes practically bulging out of their sockets:

"You little bitch, how dare you incite the masses and cause me to be disliked by my father! You're doomed today! I'll make you experience the despair of a life worse than death! Guards, take her away!"

He showed no respect whatsoever to the Marquis of Beiliang's household, attempting to forcibly abduct them.

As luck would have it, another announcement came: "The Virtuous Consort has arrived—"

Consort Xian arrived with her entourage, like a savior.

She raised her hand to stop the Third Prince:

"Third Prince, His Majesty has instructed me to convey that you are not permitted to leave the house before your wedding. Please, Third Prince." The Consort Xian gestured towards the door, and seeing that he still refused to let go, she gently persuaded him:

"Third Prince, heed my advice: do not repeat the same mistake. This is no ordinary time; the First Prince has returned."

He wasn't afraid of anyone else, but his boss was a strong competitor for the throne.

Consort Xian meant that now that they were all adults, their father might be choosing an heir this year, and he didn't want to be disliked by his father at such a crucial time. Moreover, there was the eldest prince as a strong competitor.

The Third Prince instantly came to his senses, glanced gratefully at Consort Xian, then glared at Ali with displeasure, but ultimately made no further move, simply leaving in a huff.

After everyone left, Consort Xian affectionately took Ali's hand and said, "Good child, you've suffered."

Ali quickly pulled it out, bowed and knelt down: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my life."

She didn't want to be like those transmigrated women who refused to kneel; she was afraid of dying!

"Why should I thank you? I should be thanking you."

This virtuous concubine has no airs at all; she even refers to herself as "I" instead of "this palace".

Ali chuckled awkwardly and tried to brush it off: "Your Majesty is joking."

"I'm telling the truth. People in the palace aren't allowed to leave without a valid reason. I was only able to leave the palace because of you. After delivering the gifts to you, I need to hurry back to my parents' home to visit them."

The virtuous concubine's frankness left Ali speechless, and he stood there awkwardly.

Consort Xian continued, "I am here on behalf of the Emperor to express my condolences to you. These gifts are all for you. And this token represents me. If you need anything, you can come to the palace to find me. Alright, I won't say any more pleasantries. I'm in a hurry to go home."

After saying that, she took her leave.

It's clear she's really anxious.

The Marquis couldn't help but exclaim, "This virtuous consort is truly genuine!"

Ali smiled but didn't say anything. How many people in the palace have "true feelings"?

Xia Jingwen tentatively asked, "Sister, you should have survived this ordeal, right?"

Ali wasn't sure either: "I guess so."

Just then, a strong and resonant voice rang out:

Where did you guys go?

Ali picked at her ear; her mother was about to start bullying her again.

Cui Fangshu's stern voice continued: "Why aren't you coming in and kneeling down? You have no manners at all."

Ali muttered to herself, "Rules, rules, there really should be an old lady to set some rules for you."

After saying that, he ignored her and ran out.

"Oh, you child..." Cui Fangshu came out and saw that Ali had already run out, and she felt very bad.

This discomfort was even more pronounced when Wen Wan gently supported her and comforted her.

She was clearly her own daughter, yet she didn't care about her as much as her adopted daughter, Wanwan.

Meanwhile, Ali, who was out and about, accidentally bumped into someone else.

She was a middle-aged woman wearing a veil and dressed modestly, yet her noble air was undeniable.

"I'm sorry, I was in a hurry and didn't notice. Are you alright?" The woman apologized, holding Ali's arm, and then looked her up and down.

What a striking person.

Feeling increasingly satisfied, the woman continued, "It is fate that we met. How about I invite you to have a cup of tea at the teahouse next door?"

Ah Li, being perceptive, immediately sensed something was amiss and subtly withdrew her hand, saying, "No, I have something to do." This woman's behavior was too strange.

He kept saying he was in a hurry, but he still had the leisure to invite her for tea.

Furthermore, most people would either ignore it or get very angry. But this woman seemed to be approaching him intentionally.

What is she going to do?

"In that case, please come to my residence as a guest another day, so I can apologize to you. I am Zhang Junting, from the Zhang family of the Inspector General." The woman said, handing her an invitation.

Zhang Junting? The Zhang family?

She was truly pitiful, Ah Li thought, recalling Zhang Junting's past.

In the remote, uninhabited mountains, two elderly people lived side by side. The old man surnamed Yu had his grandson, Yu Qinghe, and the other old man surnamed Zhang had his granddaughter, Zhang Junting.

She was originally a village beauty, and married her childhood sweetheart. Their families lived next door to each other, and they had been as close as family since childhood. They spent a sweet and happy life together.

One was a royal illegitimate daughter who had been separated from her family and was living abroad, while the other was a descendant of a former dynasty whose entire family had been slaughtered. Their identities destined them to not be able to spend the rest of their lives in peace.

Misfortune struck five years into their marriage. By then, their child was already four years old.

It was a beautiful, sunny day, the sunlight bathing the earth as if draping everything in a golden veil. However, in this lovely moment, a sudden disaster quietly descended upon this peaceful family.