Chapter 64: Disaster Relief

  Yellow is the identifying color of the imperial family.

  Chu Youyang raised an eyebrow: "Sent from the palace?"

  "Yes!" Qingteng said, stepping forward and presenting the invitation, "The Empress has announced that the Four Delights Troupe will perform at the palace tomorrow, and invitations have been sent to all the royal manors, requesting the presence of the various young ladies as companions."

  "Is it?" Chu Youyang took the letter and flipped it open, looking at it with interest. "The song is 'Yutai Chun', isn't it? The one that's been popular recently?"

  "It seems so." Qingteng said, thinking for a moment and then confirming again, "Is the young lady leaving?"

  "The queen's summons, is there any reason for me to refuse unilaterally?" Chu Jiu Yang smiled and threw the note aside, "Go prepare!"

  "Good!" Qingteng nodded in agreement, smiling as she turned and walked out.

  Even after she left for a long time, Qing Luan still stared at the notice on the table, her face solemn.

  Chu Youyang glanced at her sideways: "Do you have something to say?"

  "The slave just finds it strange." Qing Luan immediately collected her thoughts and asked in confusion, "The empress loves to listen to plays, but she also has her own troupe of actors in the palace. Even if the Si Xi Troupe comes up with a new play, she can just have those few actors learn it, why would she need to specially invite the Si Xi Troupe into the palace?"

  The imperial palace is no exception, and the troupe of actors is always a mixed bag, taking in people with unclear backgrounds, and it's said that once they enter the palace, there will inevitably be many troubles.

  The Empress Luo had always been cautious, but this matter was indeed somewhat lacking in consideration.

  Chu Youyang just smiled and didn't speak, but his expression had a few hints of deep meaning that couldn't be put into words.

  Qingteng didn't understand: "County Master, do you know something?"

  "Let's talk about it after we enter the palace tomorrow." Chu Jiu Yang said, but he was just putting it off.

  Qing Luan saw that she didn't want to say much, so he also didn't say anything more.

  The next day, the four sisters entered the palace together. Chu Yuexian and Chu Xiangyang had completely settled their feud, and when they met at the gate, they just hummed coldly and turned to get into the carriage.

  Chu Youyang didn't care about this and still got on the horse carriage behind with Chu Yuening.

  The opera stage was set up in the imperial garden, and those invited were either from the harem or the ladies of various royal mansions. The only ones who could be called outsiders were Su Wu and Tuoba Yunji, the two sisters.

  Su Wu had been nursing his injuries for half a month, and although he was now able to move about freely, the wounds on his body still hadn't fully healed. His entire person looked unlike its former radiant self, appearing weak and pale instead.

  Chu Youyang had just passed by when Empress Luo grasped her hand and sighed, "I've heard from Yun'er about what happened at the temporary palace. You've suffered, girl."

  Su Yu was really wronged, and upon hearing this, her eyes reddened without realizing it. She put on a gentle and obedient expression, slightly lowering her head and saying: "Your servant is terrified, I'm almost better now, I don't dare to trouble Your Majesty the Empress Dowager with personal inquiries."

  Empress Luo smiled and didn't dwell on the topic, instead instructing Old Lady Liang, "This Su family maid's body is not good, go to my private storage room later and look for some good medicinal materials to supplement her health and send them over."

  Su Yu hastily retreated two steps and knelt down, thanking her: "Your subject's daughter thanks Your Majesty the Empress Dowager for your concern."

  "Get up!" The Empress Luo weakly supported herself with one hand, then turned her gaze away indifferently.

  She would come forward to comfort Su and Wen, but it was just a superficial move to save face for the Su family, not worth taking too seriously.

  Ya Tou helped Su Wei up and sat back down in her own seat behind them.

  Chu Youyang and his entourage went ahead to pay their respects to Empress Luo.

  The Empress Luo's face maintained a calm and peaceful smile, slightly nodding: "Today, there is no need to be formal, the palace has called you over just for some excitement, go ahead and have fun."

  "Yes, Imperial Grandmother!" Several people paid their respects and then retreated first.

  The palace maid led a few people to the reserved seats next to them and sat down, a round table that could accommodate the four sisters with ease.

  Chu Yu Yan took a glance and then curled her lip in distaste, saying, "It's too crowded here, get me another table!"

  At the Empress Dowager's place, each family has a clearly defined position and ranking, all of which were arranged in advance. Chu Yuexian's request was indeed impolite.

  The palace maid's face stiffened, and she said awkwardly: "Princess, there are no extra tables here."

  There are actually two more tables next to it that no one is sitting at for the time being, but they were also reserved in advance, and the guests just haven't arrived yet.

  Chu Yu Yan just wanted to get back at Chu Mian Yang, and wouldn't feel awkward in front of Luo Huang Hou, so she coldly snorted and said: "Then I'll go sit over there!"

  As she spoke, she raised her chin proudly and turned around to sit down at Su Wei's table.

  The palace maid stood there in shock, with a look of utter bewilderment on her face.

  Chu Yuexin's face looked a bit unsightly, and she frowned at Chu Youyang, hoping that he could step forward to explain things.

  After Chu Yu Yao got married, although she was obviously older, she always waited for others to take the lead whenever something happened!

  Chu Nanyang pretended not to see her eager gaze and instead focused on holding his tea bowl and drinking tea.

  Chu Yu Yan is not in front of her, she is also happy and carefree.

  The actors on the stage have already started singing in a sorrowful tone, singing the latest popular play "Yutang Spring". To put it bluntly, it's just another story about a talented man and a beautiful woman, with twists and turns, but ultimately ending in happiness for all.

  Chu Youyang was uninterested in this play, but Chu Yuening on the side was getting excited, and whenever she saw a touching scene, tears would fall from her eyes.

  The music ended, and everyone in the audience, including Empress Luo's eyes, were slightly red-rimmed.

  "What a wonderful story, what a wonderful singing voice, it's been many years since I've seen such a thing." The Princess of Nanhe, Zheng Shi, gently pressed the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.

  "Indeed!" Empress Luo also let out a sigh of emotion, and then her interest was piqued, she said with relish, "Reward him!"

  "The Queen has a reward!" The eunuch standing beside her shouted loudly.

  Immediately, palace maids brought out previously prepared gold melon seeds and threw handful after handful onto the stage. The reflection of the shattered gold in the sunlight was dazzling, it could be said that a shower of gold had fallen.

  "Thanks to Her Majesty's kindness!" The actors on stage all knelt down and kowtowed.

  The Queen Luo smiled and waved her hand.

  The host carefully led the people up to collect the gourds quickly, and swiftly changed the decorations on the table. The movements were very neat, but after a short while, a new play had already started on stage.

  The Empress's interest was no longer on the stage, her eyes seemed to be unintentionally scanning around, then she raised her hand and beckoned Liang to come over and instructed her with a few words.

  Madam Liang smiled and replied, then walked over to the next table, where she bowed to Princesses Tuoba Yunji and Tuoba Rongyao, saying: "Your Highnesses, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence for a conversation."

  This sister had already secretly made a move before, and naturally also had a mismatch between appearance and spirit.

  The two of them didn't even exchange a glance with each other, and they both got up to pay their respects to Empress Luo.

  "I've seen Her Majesty the Empress!"

  "No need for formalities, come and sit down, let's have a chat!" Empress Luo said with a smile, pulling Taobao Yunji's hand to sit down.

  That attitude——

  Deserves to be called enthusiasm.

  Tuoba Rongyao's complexion changed slightly, and she hastily lowered her eyes to cover it up, also sitting down.

  The two thanked her and Empress Luo was very gentle that day, asking about the details of their diet and daily life in a friendly manner, fearing they were not adapting well.

  Both of them followed the rules and replied in detail.

  Most of the time, Queen Luo was holding Taobao Yunji's hand while talking, although it seemed like an unintentional move, but to others, this difference was quite obvious.

  Tuoba Rongyao felt unhappy in her heart and couldn't vent, the hand on her knee clenched tightly, her fingernails almost pinching out blood marks on her palm, a forced smile also appeared on her face.

  At the same time, Tuoba Yunji was also not easy-going——

  The empress's sudden move was definitely not a good thing, and she was almost subconsciously on high alert, tightening every nerve.

  Zheng's eyes sparkled and she smiled warmly, "I think the Empress Dowager and Sixth Princess are quite compatible!"

  "This girl looks pleasant and suits our family's intention." Empress Luo said with a smile.

  Tuoba Yunji's heart tightened, but she lowered her eyes and didn't let her emotions show, putting on a shy appearance.

  Zheng watched, and only thought she was favored, covering her mouth with a handkerchief: "Sixth Princess doesn't have to be so polite. The Empress Dowager's usual demeanor is dignified, but towards younger generations, she is actually the most amiable. In the future, if you have time, feel free to visit the palace more often, it will also help the Empress Dowager alleviate her boredom."

  "Yunji grew up on the grasslands and doesn't understand the rules here, she didn't dare disturb the empress." Tuo Yan Yunji smiled slightly, but her smile was tinged with a hint of shyness.

  Tuoba Rongyao smiled and said, "Since it's the Empress Dowager's kindness, then it's a rare good fortune. How can Sixth Sister not recognize the favor? Before returning to the grasslands, you should take the opportunity to come often and serve the Empress Dowager with all your heart. It won't be in vain that you came to the capital this time."

  As soon as these words came out, everyone including Empress Luo was stunned.

  After a moment, Zheng Shi calmed down and said: "Why are you still going back to the grasslands with the Fifth Prince, Sixth Princess?"

  The news she got was that both princesses would stay behind.

  The Empress Luo was also very surprised at this, but she didn't dare to speak out because of her dignity, so she just picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea to cover it up.

  "Yes!" Taobao Yunji said, "Actually, this time I was originally just following my brother out to broaden my horizons, and after a few days, when my brother's official business is over here, I will follow him back."

  It turns out it was all for nothing?

  Zheng's eyes instantly lost their fervor and he picked up his tea cup to take a sip.

  The atmosphere on the table suddenly became a bit strange, Chu Lingyun's lips curled up and she picked up a small piece of fragrant melon with a bamboo skewer to feed to Luo Huanghou's mouth, half-jokingly saying: "It's rare for the Empress Dowager to value Yunji Gongzhu so much, if you really can't bear to part with her, our court is not lacking in talented and handsome men, take a look at which one you like, point him out to her and keep her here."

  She herself is just a junior, but she took someone else's marriage as a joke, which is really excessive.

  Tuoba Yunji's eyes flashed with anger, but she didn't dare to lose her temper, so she spoke in a calm and gentle tone: "Princess Anle, you're joking."

  The tone is light, but it has a few profound implications.

  "I'm serious!" Chu Ling's tone was clear and natural, with a hint of a smile. She turned her head to call out to Cai Yue beside her, "Go invite the few from Xunyang over."

  The Empress Luo indulged in Chu Lingyun's behavior, and Cai Yue saw that the empress did not seem to object, so she quickly went to spread the word.

  Chu Yuening, who was originally excited to watch the play, suddenly became quiet and nervously grabbed Chu Yunyang's sleeve, "Third sister!"

  Chu Youyang pinched her little finger with his backhand, comforting her, then stood up first and smiled at Caiyue: "Lead the way!"

  "Yes!" Caiyue nodded and turned around to lead the way.

  But it was just a few tables away, and it wasn't really necessary for her to lead the way. The three sisters walked over, still paying their respects to Empress Luo first.

  The empress Luo was summoned.

  Chu Nanyang spoke up, "From far away, I heard that the laughter here is the most joyful. I don't know what good news it is. Tell us, so we granddaughters can share in the joy."

  The Empress Dowager was always lukewarm towards her, merely smiling graciously.

  "It's good news." Chu Lingyun continued, "Just now the Empress Dowager was saying that she couldn't bear to let the Sixth Princess return to the grasslands and wanted to arrange a marriage for her in the capital. The Sixth Princess's status is noble, how could she be humbled? I've thought it over and feel that only your Eastern Palace's family background is worthy of matching hers, what do you think?"

  If what was just proposed about arranging a marriage for Tuoba Yunji was just a joke, then it is clear that the nature of this entire event has changed.

  Tuoba Yunji's face suddenly changed, just as she was about to speak, Chu Muyang had already taken a step forward, smiling and teasing: "Our East Palace's status is high, but are you getting anxious, Princess Anle? My second brother is only fourteen now, and you're already worrying about his marriage?"

  Chu Qifeng and Tuoba Yunji are not a match, firstly because Chu Qifeng is still young and will not be in a hurry to discuss marriage, secondly because Tuoba Yunji is two years older than Chu Qifeng, and in the noble class of Xiyue, it is not customary to marry an older wife.

  Chu Lingyun knew she was intentionally misinterpreting her words, and upon hearing them, didn't seem annoyed at all. Instead, she savored the words, saying, "The age of the Duke of Kang is indeed not suitable, but hasn't the side consort of the eldest grandson still not been chosen yet?"

  "Speaking of which, without waiting for the consent of Zhuo Rouyang, he turned to Empress Luo and said, "Empress Dowager, although it is a side concubine, Qi Hui's brother's identity is special. I think that if this marriage were to be facilitated, it would not humiliate the Sixth Princess either?"

  Concubine! No matter how beautifully you put it, in the end, she is just a concubine.

  Tuoba Rongyao had been suppressing her anger for a long time, and now she finally felt a sense of great revenge, with an unbridled feeling, she couldn't help but laugh and say, "It's hard for the Princess of Anle to have made such arrangements for me and my sixth sister."

  "This palace and the Sixth Princess are also old friends, aren't they?" Chu Lingyun said, her gaze never leaving Chu Han for a moment, her smile full of provocative meaning.

  "Since we're old friends, I have a perfect solution here——” Chu Jiu Yang said with a smile deeper than hers, meeting her gaze, “Didn't the Prince of Nan He also discuss marriage? Today, it just so happens that the Princess is also here. Why not leave a token and invite the Sixth Princess to our manor to become a sister-in-law for An Le's elder sister? This way, the sisters will get along harmoniously, and in the future, the family can live in peace!"

  Zheng's family heard this and in a flurry of panic, suddenly knocked over the tea bowl.

  Tea splashed all over her body, she stood up abruptly in a panic, staring fiercely at Zhuo Jinyang.

  She wanted to make a scene, but this topic was brought up by Chu Lingyun first, leaving her with no way to pursue it.

  Baiyun Ji's face turned pale with anger, although she was not one to stand on ceremony, but after all, she was a young lady, and being teased like this would make anyone feel embarrassed.

  Zheng held the handkerchief tightly in her hand, staring at Chu Mo Yang for a long time, only to see his lips trembling without making a sound.

  Chu Sunyang smiled and shifted his gaze, looking at Chu Lingyun again. "As the saying goes, 'good things come in pairs', and it's only polite to return a favor. Isn't the selection of the princess for the Fifth Prince of Mobei still undecided? The Fifth Prince is a dragon among men, with exceptional literary and military talents. And you, An Le Sister, are a renowned beauty and talented woman. You two would make an ideal match. If the South River King's household really wants to discuss marriage, why not just arrange both marriages at once and save some trouble?"

  Since Luo Huang's sister came over, this table has become the focus of everyone's attention. Although no one dares to make a move in front of Luo Huang, everyone is secretly listening to the movements on this side.

  When they were discussing Tuoba Yunji before, everyone just listened to it as a casual conversation. Now, Chu Jiongyang openly threw out Chu Lingyun, and suddenly there was silence all around, with countless gazes focusing on Chu Lingyun.

  Chu Lingyun's face turned red, and she suddenly slammed her hand on the table, glaring at Chu Xiangyang: "How dare you! In front of the Empress Dowager, how can you be so arrogant and speak such nonsense?"

  Empress Luo indulged her, and over the years even the imperial consorts in the harem had to give her some face. This Chu Jiu Yang actually dared to openly make a joke about her reputation?

  Chu Lingyun had never suffered such humiliation before. If it weren't for the occasion not allowing it, she almost raised her hand to slap him in the face.

  Chu Nanyang faced her raging anger, but was smiling leisurely and at ease. She lifted her skirt and took two steps to the side, saying, "Where did I speak nonsense? I'm being serious. It wouldn't hurt for Anle Sister to consider my suggestion. Later on, your South River Royal Residence and the Beibei Imperial Family can form a lasting alliance like Qin and Jin, and our imperial grandfather will also be comforted."

  "Chu Nanyang!" Chu Lingyun couldn't bear it anymore and let out a loud roar, her tone almost piercing.

  She couldn't bear to lay hands on Chu Nanyang in public, and in the heat of anger she finally grabbed a nearby teacup and smashed it to the ground.

  A loud crash, and the whole field fell silent.

  Even the delicate singing of the flower dan on stage came to an abrupt halt, but those who traveled the world selling their art knew the rules of the noble and royal families, so they just pretended they had no eyes or ears, but with a flicker of their eyelids, they continued to sing in a lingering and melancholic tone.

  Zheng's eyes reddened as she knelt on the ground, wiping away tears to say to Empress Luo: "Your Majesty, this Zhen girl from Jiangdu is really too much. She's Yun'er's cousin and yet she dares to mock Yun'er's marriage in front of you like this——this——"

  She said with some excitement and difficulty in self-control, her chest heaving: "It's simply outrageous!"

  Chu Yuexin's face turned pale, and she hastily knelt down to apologize: "Imperial Grandmother, my third sister is just young and doesn't understand things, please forgive her!"

  She quietly went to pull Chu Mo Yang's sleeve, wanting to pull him down to kneel together.

  The empress's expression had turned cold and stern at some point, she had been calmly lowering her eyes to drink tea all along, until now she slowly raised her head to look at Chu Xiu Yang and coldly shouted: "You still don't kneel down for me!"

  Chu Yuening was also frightened, her injured leg went soft and she fell to the ground.

  Chu Youyang had always been able to adapt, and she didn't hesitate this time either. Compared to the disheveled state of Chu Yuexin and Chu Yuening, she was very composed, her skirt held up with a straight waist as she knelt down. Even facing Empress Luo's icy expression that could freeze a thousand miles, her face still maintained a warm smile like a spring breeze.

  "It was just a joke between my daughter and An Le Tang, don't get angry, Your Majesty. If you get angry, it will harm your body, how can my daughter bear that?" said Chu Jiu Yang, his voice clear and crisp, without any hint of fear.

  The Empress Dowager had been in charge of the harem for many years, with a temperament that was both arrogant and overbearing. Yet, this was the first time she had encountered someone who was not afraid to die, and amidst her confusion, her expression changed several times.

  Zheng retorted angrily, "Are you kidding? The reputation of Rong'er, a princess of the imperial family, is something for you to play with and make fun of?"

  She spoke with grief and indignation, her tone and expression both severe.

  Chu Youyang narrowed his eyes, slowly turned his head to look at her and said word by word, "Princess Wang, what you don't want for yourself, don't impose on others!"

  Zheng's heart skipped a beat, and while she was still in a daze, Chu Nanyang had already shifted his gaze again, looking at the pale-faced Chu Lingyun and saying, "Anle Tangjie, you are a princess of the Western Yue imperial family, and it is not permissible to be disrespectful. The Sixth Princess is an honored guest of the imperial family, and today's banquet in the palace was intended as a kind gesture by the Empress Dowager. Your jokes, Anle Tangjie, were harmless to us, and the Sixth Princess is also broad-minded and may not take offense at your words. However, if these words were to reach the ears of the Emperor... I fear it would be unwise."

  Chu Lingyun's body shook, and just as she was about to retort, Chu Muyang took a step ahead and spoke again, "The King of Mo Bei sent the Fifth Prince and the Sixth and Eighth Princesses to our court to celebrate the empress dowager's birthday with twelve percent sincerity. If today's events were misinterpreted and reached his ears, how would he think?"

  Although the Northern Desert was only a small border country attached to the western frontier of Yue, the nomadic people had always been fierce and brave in battle. Even during the previous dynasty, the imperial court would not easily provoke them. Although the King of the Northern Desert might not have placed much importance on his daughter Tuoba Yunji, he must have valued the dignity of the entire Northern Desert royal family.

  This matter was better left unspoken by Zhuo Nanyang, but once it was brought to the level of rectification, even Empress Luo did not dare to touch it lightly.

  The Empress Luo suddenly took a deep breath.

  Chu Lingyun's face was red with suppressed anger, biting her lower lip as she refused to back down. She looked up at Empress Luo with pleading eyes and said, "Imperial Grandmother..."

  Her intention was for Empress Luo to smooth things over with a couple of words as she usually did.

  Then, involving the imperial court, Empress Luo couldn't help but handle it cautiously. She suppressed her anger and coldly said: "You're all grown-ups, how can you still be so reckless with your words? Don't you apologize to Sixth Princess?"

  Chu Lingyun was caught off guard and suddenly lifted her head, causing her hair to shake violently.

  Her eyes were filled with tears, looking at Luo Huanghou in an unbelievable manner, yet she didn't make a move.

  It wasn't that she wanted to defy Empress Luo, but rather ——

  She didn't want to lose in front of Chu Nanyang.

  Tuoba Rongyao's eyes turned, thinking that this was an opportunity to do a favor, and smiled as she spoke, "My sixth sister is not such a petty person, and Princess Anle is not intentional——"

  Tuoba Yunji is likely to follow Tuoba Huai'an back to the grasslands, but she must stay behind. Since Empress Luo favors Chu Lingyuan, she should also take the opportunity to build a good relationship with her, so that in the future, she can gain another powerful ally.

  Tuoba Yunji didn't want to make a scene, but it's now clear that Chu Jiong is intentionally or unintentionally saving her face. Otherwise, she would have directly refused Chu Qihui's request and wouldn't need to confront Zhengshi mother and daughter again.

  At this time, she certainly cannot drag her feet.

  As soon as she finished speaking, she calmly interrupted and looked at Chu Lingyun, "Is the young lady joking with me?"

  Chu Lingyun still gritted her teeth, she didn't want to admit it, admitting it would be equivalent to being manipulated by Chu Jiu Yang.

  Chu Nanyang saw the situation and smiled again: "Oh? Did I misinterpret sister's meaning, did you mean what you said before wasn't a joke? But rather..."

  She spoke extremely slowly, so that Chu Lingyun, who was in a rage and whose brain might be muddled, could consider all the pros and cons.

  If she doesn't admit her mistake, then continue with the previous topic and discuss the marriage between Nanhe Wangfu and Mobei!

  Chu Lingyun's subconscious mind was in a flurry, and she hastily knelt down at the feet of Empress Luo, biting her lip as she said with difficulty, "It was I who misspoke!"

  Saying that, she closed her eyes and swallowed hard, then barely lifted her head to meet Tuoba Yunji's gaze, "Sixth Princess, don't be alarmed, let's just pretend... it never happened!"

  Tuoba Yunji also had concerns and couldn't bear to be too harsh on her. She said in a soft voice, "The young lady is seriously injured!"

  After finishing speaking, he gently shifted his gaze to the side.

  She didn't ask for leniency, nor did she take the initiative to plead on behalf of Chu Lingyun.

  Empress Luo, however, was prepared to let Chu Lingyun off the hook and simply waved her hand, saying: "Alright, you children don't know how to speak properly, just be more careful in the future, all of you get up!"

  "Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

  Several people bowed their heads to Empress Luo and were helped up by their own maidservants, returning to their seats.

  From a distance, Chu Yu Yan looked on with great regret, staring at the back of Chu Xiao Yang and almost wanting to poke a hole in her back, saying with hatred, "A silver tongue, yet she's been deceived by her again!"

  This dead girl actually dares to offend the face of Empress Luo? And even more absurdly, after offending Empress Luo, she can still be safe and sound!

  Su Yu's temper seemed to have calmed down a lot since he was injured last time, and he had been observing coldly all along. There was no special expression on his face, and when he heard the words, he just sneered, "Anyway, she has offended the Empress today."

  The queen is the mother of a country, even if she can't face someone today, there will always be opportunities in the future.

  Chu Yu Yan's eyes lit up when she heard this, and then she said viciously: "I'm just waiting to see how long she can be so smug."

  Chu Nanyang, this dead girl, is simply her nemesis. Not only did she monopolize their father's favor, but also caused her mother to be confined at home. Now even her eldest brother, who has always been the most affectionate towards her, comes to scold her for the sake of this dead girl!

  Chu Yu Yan thought that as long as Chu Nian Yang was around, there would never be a good day for her, and she had already regarded him as a thorn in her eye.

  Su Youwei smiled faintly, but didn't continue the conversation as she usually did. Instead, she seemed lost in thought, staring at a table in the distance where Chu Mo Yang was sitting.

  There, Chu Yuening was holding onto Chu Youyang's hand, softly muttering something in a spoiled tone, and patting her chest as if she still had lingering fears.

  Chu Yu Yan had been talking to herself for half a day, but didn't hear her response. She suspiciously turned her head and followed her line of sight, saying: "What are you looking at?"

  Su Yu did not respond and after a while, he suddenly said thoughtfully: "Your third sister and fourth sister have a good relationship?"

  In fact, Chu Yu Yan looked down on all her sisters, and upon hearing this, she coldly sneered: "Putting on airs!"

  Su Yu suddenly laughed, and that laugh had a profound meaning, murmuring: "This is good news!"

  A faint sigh, with an inexplicable eerie feeling.

  Chu Yu Yan felt a sense of strangeness in her heart, but before she could take a closer look, she had already lowered her eyes to conceal the expression at the bottom of her eyes, quietly sipping tea.

  For the rest of the scenes that day, everyone's heart was not in it, just to show outsiders that Chu Lingyun's previous teasing was just a harmless joke, and they all had to pretend as if nothing had happened.

  At noon, Empress Luo hosted a banquet in Shoukang Palace. At the table, they couldn't avoid another round of insincere small talk, so by the time they left the palace in the afternoon, everyone's mouth corners were stretched to stiffness.

  Others returned to their respective homes, but Zheng Shi and her daughter stayed behind, invited to the bedroom of Empress Luo.

  At that time, Empress Luo had already changed into a set of casual clothes and was leaning on the warm kang in the boudoir, attended by two palace maids. Her eyebrows were still serene, but her eyes were cold and clearly showed that she was angry.

  Zheng and Chu Lingyun knelt on the ground, exerting force to lower their heads, not daring to move for a long time.

  The queen dowager had not called out, and was propping up her forehead by herself, seemingly having fallen asleep silently.

  Cai Yue gently patted her legs with a beauty mallet, kneeling on the footstool, the only sound in the entire hall was the soft thudding, so quiet that even one's own breathing could be heard.

  Zheng was still okay, but Chu Lingyun had never been treated so coldly since she was born. She knelt for a short while and her legs were numb and sore.

  She also knew that this time she had really provoked Luo Huang Hou, and she herself was in the wrong and didn't dare to make a sound. She could only pinch her palm and hold on tightly, not realizing that it was her own sinister intentions that had brought trouble upon herself. Instead, she thought that Chu Sunyang was deliberately targeting her, which was why she was suffering, and in her heart, she cursed Chu Sunyang.

  Two people knelt silently for nearly half a quarter of an hour, just when Chu Lingyun was about to collapse, Empress Luo on the kang finally slowly opened her eyes.

  "Hmm..." She softly let out a breath.

  Although her voice was not loud, Zheng and Chu Lingyun immediately straightened their bodies, hastily correcting their postures to kneel properly.

  Caiyun brought over two soft pillows and helped Empress Luo sit up, then handed her a mouth rinse to attend to.

  The empress finished her words and then raised an eyebrow to look at the mother-daughter pair kneeling in front of her, asking in a light tone, "Do you know where you went wrong?"

  Chu Lingyun was taken aback and was about to raise her head when she was secretly pulled by Zheng.

  Zheng bowed his head to the ground, anxiously saying, "It's my daughter-in-law's fault for being reckless and not teaching Rong'er well, letting her almost get into big trouble. My daughter-in-law's crime, please punish her, Your Majesty!"

  Luohuang Hou glanced at her lightly and didn't respond, then turned her eyes to Chulinyun: "Anle, what about you?"

  Chu Lingyun bit her lip, although she had received Zheng's hint, but still couldn't accept it.

  Taking a deep breath, she looked up at Empress Luo and said: "Grandmother, I admit that what happened today was indeed reckless and inconsiderate. But as for Chu Jiu Yang, she's too presumptuous! She even dared to defy you to your face, Grandmother! I just couldn't bear it for you!"

  The face of Luo Huang Hou stiffened——

  She didn't like Zhenzhu from the start, and that little girl openly defied her today, so she naturally remembered it.

  Chu Lingyun's words hit the nail on the head, but at this moment she didn't want to pursue the matter further. Instead, she said: "Her affairs can be discussed later, the palace is currently asking you, do you know where your mistakes lie?"

  Chu Lingyun's trick of diverting the disaster to the east failed, and she didn't dare challenge her patience again. She could only grit her teeth, knock her head on the ground and say, "The granddaughter shouldn't have been greedy for merit, went to probe into Tuoba Yunji's details, almost caused a great disaster, please Empress Dowager punish me!"

  The two women sent by the King of Mobei were under the banner of alliance, so from the beginning, Empress Luo had a few more concerns and even resentment. It's not easy to maintain balance within the imperial family, and if these two women ruin the situation again, it would be really not worth it. However, the matter of alliance was an agreement reached between the Emperor and the King of Mobei, and she had no room for objection, so at this time she was forced to accept passively, with a few regrets in her heart.

  But intuitively, Tuoba Rongyao's appearance was too dazzling and enchanting, she didn't like her at first sight, so at this moment, she unconsciously paid more attention to Tuoba Yunji.

  If this marriage really doesn't work out, in her heart, she would rather see Tuoba Yunji happy.

  But no matter how long she waited, the emperor's choice for a marriage alliance had yet to be decided, and she was getting impatient. So today, she made an excuse to set up this scene, wanting to test the tone of Tuoba Yunji and Tuoba Rongyao, but unexpectedly got disrupted by Chu Lingyun, and in the end, it ended with a farce.

  Thinking of this matter still hasn't come to a conclusion, Luo Huang's heart has already produced several points of annoyance.

  Zheng's anxiety grew, and she carefully raised her head, trying to speak, "Mother, actually today wasn't a complete loss. At the very least, we can be certain that the person who will stay is definitely Tuoba Rongyao."

  "What's the point of knowing?" Empress Luo said coldly, her eyes glacial as she stared at her. "What are you doing? Are you also going to come before me and play this game of probing?"

  "I dare not!" Zheng Shi hastily lowered her eyes, but it was only for an instant before she couldn't help but raise them again to look at her. "Your Majesty, I'm just worried. You know the king's temperament, he can't stand being seduced by those flirtatious people. It's not that I'm jealous, but rather for his own good. That eighth princess from Mobei doesn't seem like a reliable person either."

  Chu Yimin is the biological son of Empress Luo, and when Empress Luo scolds him for his wrongdoings, Zheng Shi doesn't have the guts to intervene directly, so she can only approach the issue indirectly. After all, Empress Luo also knows about Chu Yimin's lecherous nature.

  She hadn't planned to get involved in this matter before, but because the person chosen for the alliance had not been decided for a long time, she had an in-depth conversation with Chu Qiyan and learned that Tuoba Rongyao's whereabouts were likely to be either in the South River Wangfu or the East Palace.

  The Empress Dowager's expression was not good.

  Zheng knew that she should know when to stop, but recently, a certain Cui Xing had been making waves at home and had already exhausted her. Now, no matter what, she couldn't let another Tuoba Rongyao enter the house and share her husband's affections.

  Having made up her mind, Zheng Shi simply lowered her eyes and said in a worried tone: "The king is good at everything, but he has no self-control in this matter. If he could be like the crown prince, even if the eighth princess was more charming, I wouldn't have to worry."

  Chu Lingyun's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously glanced at her mother with a sideways glance.

  Is this going to bring disaster? The Empress Dowager is indeed a good strategist!

  This matter was originally none of her business, but at this moment, in order to suppress the East Palace with all her might, she couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

  She casually said, "Isn't Chu Yuanyang saying that our Nanhe Wangfu's door is not as good as her Donggong? She wants to promote Mobei, and the Empress Dowager will fulfill her wish. What about being the side consort of the Crown Prince would bury Tuoba Yunji? If she becomes the Crown Prince's consort, wouldn't it be in line with her wishes?"

  Fang Shi was the thorn in Empress Luo's eye, and Chu Yi'an would rather die than establish a crown princess for Fang Shi. If there was anything that could trigger Empress Luo's wrath, this matter would be it.

  Lu Empress did not know that Zheng mother and daughter were going to take her own hand to eliminate the disaster, but as long as it was related to Fang's family, she would subconsciously ignore all principles and bottom lines.

  Knock down that woman and take back her own son had become an obsession in her heart.

  Before, every time she mentioned letting Chu Yi'an take in a concubine, he always had all sorts of excuses, but now——

  The identity of Princess Pingbei is special, if tied up with political factors as a burden...

  "Empress Luo slowly thought for a moment, then suddenly looked up at Liang and said, 'Go to the imperial study and take a look. If the Emperor has finished his work, please invite him over to have dinner together!'"

  Digression

  Typos haven't been corrected, you guys just make do with it, I'm too ashamed to see anyone now, getting later and later...