Marquis Shen pulled Madam Fu's clothes and said in a coquettish tone, "Changchang, your husband has been laughed at for so many years. You have to make it up to me. When you come back this time, you must remarry me.
Otherwise, you will not be allowed to return to the Southern Territory."
Madam Fu looked at Ye Wanqing and Fu Yi, a little embarrassed, and whispered, "Aliang, the child is still here. I'll talk to you about this later."
"Mother, please promise father that if anything happens, we will face it together as a family." Fu Yi quickly spoke for Shen Hou.
Ye Wanqing also pleaded for him, "Yes, since mother feels guilty, then stay with father and treat him well."
Madam Fu pursed her lips and thought for a moment before changing the subject. "As for Xu'er's matter, I'll leave it to you. But... never mind. This was my fault in the first place, and you all don't know about it. I'll explain it to His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine myself."
Lord Shen said with a hint of worry, "I'll go with you."
At this time, Liu Zhang came from a distance with A Rao. When they saw Mrs. Fu, they hurriedly strode over.
"President Fu, I am Liu Zhang, the Minister of Justice of the Supreme Court." Liu Zhang bowed to Madam Fu and said, "I wrote to you a few days ago."
Madam Fu looked Liu Zhang up and down and said, "Oh, it's you. Lord Zhengqing, is he... interested in our A Rao?"
Liu Zhang replied respectfully, "That's right. Please grant me your blessing, President Fu."
Lord Shen echoed, "Yes, Madam, Liu Zhengqing wants to marry A Rao as the principal wife of the Prime Minister's Mansion. This is a good thing."
Ye Wanqing wanted to speak up for Liu Zhang, but she was worried that he really had other intentions. If he harmed A Rao, she would never be able to live with it.
Madam Fu said with a serious face, "Liu Zhengqing, I want to talk to you alone for a few minutes."
…
In the pavilion.
Madam Fu frowned and said coldly, "Liu Zhengqing, do you really want to marry A Rao?"
Seeing her serious attitude, Liu Zhang felt something was wrong. He replied respectfully, "Yes."
Madam Fu raised her eyebrows and asked directly, "How did you know my Xu'er's secret? Did A Rao tell you?"
"No." Liu Zhang quickly denied it, then remained silent for a moment before answering, "What kind of drug did you use to make the prince's voice mute? But that day, I heard the prince speak, and it was a woman's voice."
"So, what do you mean in the letter?" Madam Fu's tone was very unfriendly. She felt that this person was very scheming. In addition, Liu's former disciples often impeached Lord Shen, so she was full of vigilance and hostility towards Liu Zhang.
Liu Zhang quickly explained sincerely, "President Fu, I'm not telling you this to use it as a handle to threaten you.
I just want you to return to Beijing as soon as possible to deal with this matter, and I also want to discuss my marriage with Miss Jiang Rao with you in person."
"Oh?" Madam Fu said coldly, "Your Liu family would actually agree to marry a merchant's daughter?"
I still remember that more than 20 years ago, when Marquis Shen insisted on marrying her against all odds, the nobles in the capital started to talk about it, saying that the legitimate son of the marquisate didn't want princesses or noble ladies, so how could he be so foolish as to marry the daughter of a merchant.
At that time, everyone laughed at Lord Shen for being obsessed with sex, and everyone cursed her behind her back as a vixen who had seduced Lord Shen's soul.
The Liu Xiangguo Mansion placed great emphasis on family background, and the court had often mocked the Marquisate. But now, their eldest son and grandson, Lord Liu, the Chief Justice of the Dali Temple, actually wanted to marry a merchant maid of even lower status?
She would never believe that there was no conspiracy even if you beat her to death.
Liu Zhang replied, "Yes, I have already convinced my father. A few days ago, I also discussed this matter with Miss Jiang Rao's mother, but she said that you need to make the decision.
President Fu is far away in the Southern Territory, and he's so busy with his affairs. I was originally going to come to the Southern Territory in person to talk to you, but I've been busy with a lot of cases at the Dali Temple lately, so I can't leave for now. I'm truly sorry to have you make this trip in person."
Seeing his sincerity, Mrs. Fu's suspicion grew stronger. She asked, "Then why did you marry our A Rao?"
"Of course, because I like it."
"I remember Liu Zhengqing... was promised to someone, right?" Mrs. Fu rubbed her forehead and thought for a moment. Since she seldom returned to Beijing, she was not very familiar with the people there.
"At this year's spring banquet, I seem to have seen you chatting and laughing with a young lady.
That young lady looks elegant and dignified, and she is obviously a noble, so why would she want to marry a maid from our mansion?"
"Yes, that girl is the daughter of Censor Xu's family, and my childhood sweetheart. But..."
Liu Zhang hesitated for a moment, then said firmly, "Although Miss Xu is my childhood sweetheart, we have never promised to be together forever, and her heart has never lingered on me.
Since Miss Jiang Rao and I have had physical contact, as a man, I should be responsible for her to the end."
"Skin-to-skin?" Madam Fu frowned, surprised, "How could she have skin-to-skin contact with you? When did you..."
Liu Zhang coughed lightly, his face flushed slightly, and he spoke a little uncomfortably, "Well... Miss Jiang was drugged in the brothel that day, and she happened to meet me, so I helped her out."
"You visited a brothel and took advantage of others?"
"No!" Liu Zhang denied hastily, "I was just passing by... not just passing by. Anyway, I didn't visit the brothel, nor did I take advantage of anyone's misfortune."
Madam Fu looked at Liu Zhang suspiciously, her face flushed red, and she explained anxiously and hurriedly, "Liu Zhengqing, A Rao's status in your family is completely different from yours.
Even if you have physical contact with her, you don't have to marry her.
In the eyes of outsiders, she is just a maid in our Marquis' Mansion. You, the Liu Mansion, are already marrying above your station by making her a concubine.
Lord Liu is determined to marry her, isn't he afraid of being laughed at by the powerful people in the capital?"
Liu Zhang frowned slightly and replied, "But you live your own life, so why bother about what others say? If you can't live with the one you love, no matter how high your status and reputation are, it means nothing."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Fu stood there in a daze, and it took her a long time to come back to her senses.
She sighed softly and said, "Liu Zhengqing, I still need to think about this matter, and I also need to ask A Rao's wishes.
If you two are truly in love with each other and nothing else is involved, A Rao's parents and I will not interfere."
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhang only said respectfully, "I understand. Thank you, President Fu. I hope you will grant me your blessing."
"Besides the Crown Prince, who else knows about Xu'er's affairs?"
"I'm not too sure about this matter, but I will keep it a secret."
Liu Zhang told her some things about the capital, most of which were questions asked by Mrs. Fu. He answered them very respectfully and politely, as if he was being interviewed by his mother-in-law.
Finally, it was Mrs. Fu who said that she had other things to deal with, which made him feel relieved and he said goodbye and left the Marquis' Mansion.
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