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

Chapter 161 Reconciliation

A cold glint flashed in Zhao Jihua's eyes, but he still maintained a smile:

“Sister Yuling is indeed concerned about my marriage, but marriage is a matter of fate. I believe that my destined one will come naturally, which is better than those who only know how to judge people by their appearance and use their power to oppress others. They have a good appearance but no kind heart.”

Her words, though seemingly casual, cleverly countered Sun Yuling's sarcasm, making Sun Yuling's face instantly turn very ugly.

Seeing her daughter speechless with anger, Mrs. Sun felt a surge of rage.

He immediately put on a stern face and said, "Jihua, your status and position are different now than before. You should watch your words. Don't think that just because you're a princess, you can be disrespectful to your elders."

Zhao Jihua frowned slightly, but her tone remained calm: "Aunt, I have always respected my elders. However, I have just arrived at the Sun residence today and have already been treated with such coldness and verbal humiliation. If I do not respond, wouldn't people think I am easy to bully? My sister and I came here because of family ties and hope to reunite with our family. We have no intention of offending anyone."

Her voice was neither humble nor arrogant, and every word she spoke was reasonable, leaving Mrs. Sun speechless for a moment.

The two sides were at loggerheads, and the atmosphere was so tense it seemed like the air itself could ignite.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came, and a figure rushed into the side hall.

Upon closer inspection, everyone realized it was Sun Dingguo, the second young master of the Sun family.

Sun Dingguo looked anxious, but when he saw Zhao Jihua and Xia Li, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes:

"What are you doing here? Great, I've finally found you!"

Zhao Jihua and Xia Li exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with shock: Isn't this the brave man who cried for his daughter by the roadside?

Sun Dingguo took a breath, looked at everyone, and said, "Today, while traveling in the city, I accidentally fell from my horse and was injured. Fortunately, these two young ladies saved me. If it weren't for them, I would be dead. They are great benefactors to our Sun family. How can you treat them like this?"

Upon hearing these words, the Sun family members all looked surprised, exchanging bewildered glances, unsure of what to say.

Sun Dingguo then looked at Zhao Jihua and said gratefully, "Miss, I never expected that you were my Sun family's nieces. What happened before was our fault, and we hope you will forgive us."

Zhao Jihua smiled and said, "Uncle, you flatter me. It is only natural to help those in need."

Sun Dingguo nodded and continued, "There's something else. Today I heard some rumors in the city about Jihua, saying that she still has an affair with the Third Prince. This is pure nonsense. I've looked into it carefully, and Jihua and the Third Prince have long since severed ties. She's an innocent, intelligent, and kind girl. Our Sun family can't let these unfounded rumors cause us to neglect our own family."

Upon hearing Sun Dingguo's words, the Sun family members all looked extremely embarrassed.

Madam Sun coughed lightly and quickly said, "So that's how it is. We misunderstood. Ji Hua, Xia Li, your aunt was wrong before, please don't take it to heart."

Sun Yuling blushed and whispered, "Sister, it's my fault. I shouldn't have said those things."

Seeing this, Zhao Jihua's anger gradually subsided.

After all, we're family.

She smiled and said, "Auntie, Sister Yuling, we're all family. How can we hold grudges overnight? Let's not talk about the past."

The atmosphere finally eased, and the Sun family members gathered around, showing concern and warmth, their attitude completely different from before.

Sun warmly took Zhao Jihua and Xia Li's hands and said, "Come on, let's go to the main hall. We must have a good get-together today to welcome you back and wash away the dust of your journey."

The group arrived at the main hall, where a sumptuous feast was laid out on the table.

The Sun family members toasted Zhao Jihua and Xia Li, apologizing profusely, and laughter echoed throughout the hall.

Grandfather was still a little angry: "Hmph! Your mother dared to defy my wishes and secretly pledge her life to that Prince Jin. I'll remember her for the rest of my life! Don't expect me to give you any peace of mind!"

As he spoke, he shoveled a large mouthful of meat into his own bowl: "Today I won't even give you any meat; you can only eat what I don't want!"

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter: "Hahahahahaha..."

Zhao Jihua watched all this with a mix of emotions.

But at least she reconciled with her maternal grandparents' family, and now she has another source of support.

……

After the meal, Sun Dingguo approached Zhao Jihua and asked, "Are you planning to take sides?"

"uncle……"

"I suspect that what you said today was premeditated, isn't it?"

"Yes." Zhao Jihua did not hide anything.

"That's great! Don't worry, as long as it's not with the Third Prince, we'll support you!"

Just as the two were chatting enthusiastically, a series of hurried and crisp footsteps suddenly came from afar.

A eunuch dressed in palace attire, holding a whisk, hurried over with small, quick steps.

"Imperial edict arrives—"

The entire Sun family knelt in the courtyard.

The eunuch read aloud the imperial edict: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

Zhao Jihua, the legitimate daughter of Prince Jin, is respectful, virtuous, and prudent in her conduct, adept at etiquette, and reverent in her daily life. She is hereby betrothed to the Crown Prince as his principal wife, and the relevant officials are hereby instructed to select an auspicious day for the wedding.

Zhao Jihua felt her head buzzing and her mind go completely blank.

How did she suddenly become the Crown Prince's consort?

No no no!

After regaining her senses, her first reaction was to wave her hands and shake her head repeatedly, eager to refuse the marriage proposal.

However, before Zhao Jihua could even speak, Sun Dingguo took the initiative and acted first.

He quickly stepped forward, bowed to the eunuch with a beaming smile, and took the imperial edict from the eunuch's hands.

Afterwards, he carefully saw his father-in-law off with a smile, appearing extremely attentive and respectful throughout the process.

After her father-in-law had walked away, Sun Dingguo turned around, looked at Zhao Jihua with a smile, and a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

He exclaimed loudly, "Oh my, I never expected you to have such excellent taste! Being chosen as the Crown Prince's consort is something countless women dream of!"

The Sun family members nearby chimed in, "Yes, yes! Moreover, the First Prince is an upright, approachable, and benevolent ruler. If you marry into the First Prince's household, our Sun family will stand behind you and help you."

"..."

The crowd was chattering amongst themselves, leaving Zhao Jihua feeling utterly overwhelmed.

Xia Li: I finally know who that great traitor in the original book is.

Xia Li frowned unhappily from the side: "You all have a point. He is an upright and kind person."

"He viewed women as poison and killed without hesitation, why don't you mention that?"

She whispered to Zhao Jihua, "This eldest prince is no good; the engagement must be called off!"

What a joke! The male lead belongs to the female lead; how could they, these little minions, possibly have a chance to lay a finger on him?

Moreover, what Zhao Jihua wanted was to hold real power; otherwise, why would he risk his life to participate in the struggle for the throne?

"The eldest prince is difficult to control; we might lose our lives any minute now."

Zhao Jihua could already feel a cool sensation on the back of her neck.

As she expected, the eldest prince was furious upon hearing the news and immediately drew his sword, ready to rush out the door.