Could it be that someone maliciously wanted to use her own hand to teach Queen Duan a lesson, or was it related to the Lu family?
Speaking of which, Empress Dowager Xiao and the old lady of the Lu family were close friends, so it was inevitable that she favored the Lu family over the years, but she didn't know it.
Because of her favoritism, the Lu family became increasingly powerful, and finally reached a point where it could no longer be suppressed.
Empress Dowager Xiao had mixed emotions. She returned the little princess to Empress Duan and watched her feel relieved as she held the little princess in her arms.
The corners of her mouth twitched. Was she a scary person? Why was the queen so wary of herself?
However, Empress Dowager Xiao would not let go of such a good opportunity today.
She left Fengyi Palace directly and ordered people to pass the message to Yangxin Palace, saying that this little granddaughter must not be kept.
That was a game between her and the Queen.
Half an hour later, Empress Dowager Xiao went straight to Emperor Shangwen's palace, giving Emperor Shangwen a headache.
"Mother, the matter of the evil star is just a rumor. If Yu'er is the evil star, how can I be safe and sound?"
Empress Dowager Xiao said in a gloomy tone, "I know you are good to Queen Duan, but there are some things you must not be soft-hearted about!"
Emperor Shangwen pursed his lips and spoke in a serious tone.
"No matter what your mother thinks, I will not believe such unfounded words. The little princess is so well-behaved and cute. I cannot send her away just because of such rumors. She is my own child."
Empress Dowager Xiao's eyes were burning, but she didn't hear any sign of concession from the emperor. It seemed that she could only resort to her own methods.
During these years away from the palace, she would not let Queen Duan have an easy time.
"I will let you know that you are extremely wrong, Emperor. One day, you will come to me for help."
Empress Dowager Xiao was frustrated at being blocked from both sides. She turned around and left the Palace of Tranquil Longevity in a rage. But it didn't matter, she would always find a way to make Empress Duan willingly give up the little princess.
There is never a shortage of tricks in the harem.
*
Prime Minister's Mansion
Prime Minister Lu learned the news from the palace. He knew that the monk beside the Empress Dowager was arranged by him. When he learned that Empress Dowager Xiao wanted to prove Xiao Ruyu's guilt, he secretly came up with a plan.
Lu Chengyan was stung by a wasp yesterday, and the swelling hasn't gone down yet. His breasts were originally round, but now they look more plump and tight.
"Dad, you can't let the Duan family have an easy time. My child's injuries haven't healed yet. You have to make the Duan family pay a terrible price!"
In the past, the Lu family had no problem walking around the capital, but in the past two months, the emperor's fear caused Lu Zongyuan to be demoted, and Concubine Li was even kept in the cold palace. The entire Lu family was walking on thin ice.
Fortunately, everything is over now. The Duan family has fallen this time, and Prime Minister Lu will not give them the choice to get up.
"Okay, Daddy will naturally not let them go, Cheng'er, I'm sorry to make you suffer!"
There was coldness in Lu Chengyan's eyes. He was the young master of the Prime Minister's Mansion. Duan Yiling dared to use a hornet's nest to harm him, so he must be punished.
On that day, Prime Minister Lu invited advisers and even secretly invited officials on good terms to come, and told them that there was a disaster star in the palace. In short, the arrow pointed directly at the vital point.
In order to please Prime Minister Lu, the ministers tried their best and finally decided to submit a memorial at the same time, just to ask Emperor Shangwen to send the little princess away.
For the sake of the court's national destiny, there will surely be no trouble.
When attending court the next day, Emperor Shangwen noticed the differences among his ministers. Half of the people in the court pointed out the matter of Xuan Kingdom's national destiny, saying that the celestial phenomena had changed, and asked the emperor to deal with the disaster star in the harem.
Eunuch Yin listened to the ministers' proposal and couldn't help but wipe his cheeks secretly. Don't these adults know that the emperor dotes on the little princess? Wouldn't it be a slap in the face of the emperor to let him send the little princess away?
It seems that someone doesn't want to live anymore, so he came up with such a bad idea. Judging from the rumors in the capital during this period, someone must have fanned the flames.
However, no matter how others explain this matter, I am afraid that they will not be able to persuade Emperor Shangwen.
"Your Majesty, the fate of the country is the foundation of our court. I know that you love Princess Fu'an, but you must put state affairs first."
"I think everyone knows that the little princess is a disaster. Your Majesty, everything has happened since the little princess was born. Do you still want to keep the princess?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, you have three thousand beauties in your harem. There are plenty of princesses you can have in the future. Why do you have to lose the support of the people just to protect the little princess?"
Emperor Shangwen's eyes instantly became filled with anger. The little princess was a lucky star sent to him by God. These idiots not only let such a precious pearl be tarnished, but they even dared to ask him like this. They really didn't know how to live or die!
Moreover, such a man actually speaks of the destiny of a country in such a miraculous way. If the country could be defended, why did he work so hard to build it? They are really a bunch of old stubborn people.
Lord Duan was unhappy when he heard the discussions coming from all around him, but no matter how much he said, he could not stop the misunderstanding of the crowd.
"In that case, why not invite the national master here? His divination is always accurate. Since you all say that the princess is a disaster star, why not ask the national master to tell the princess' fortune? In this way, I believe the doubts in your hearts can be resolved."
What Lord Duan said made sense. He didn't want the little princess to bear the reputation of being a disaster, and sending her out of the palace was out of the question. But if someone wanted to take advantage of the situation, that was impossible.
Prime Minister Lu was a little surprised, as if he didn't expect that Lord Duan, who was so hot-tempered, could find a solution calmly. However, Lord Duan probably didn't know that he had some friendship with the Imperial Master.
When Emperor Shangwen saw that Marquis Duan had stepped forward to calm the matter, he finally agreed to the matter in order to prevent the rumors from causing unspeakable impact on the little princess.
"In that case, Eunuch Yin will go to Zhaixing Pavilion and ask Master Murong to come to Yaochi at night. Tell him to observe the celestial phenomena and predict the fortune of our Celestial Empire."
Eunuch Yin did not dare to neglect and said respectfully, "Yes, I will obey your order."
The morning court dispersed amid everyone's doubts, but Emperor Shangwen agreed to make some concessions, and no one held on to the matter anymore.
Five hours later, Yaochi Terrace was already filled with civil and military officials of the court. Sitting at the top were Lord Duan and Prime Minister Lu, with the other officials sitting on either side.
Master Murong appeared with a tortoise shell in his hand. He was dressed in white and looked a bit like an immortal.
Emperor Shangwen also treated Master Murong favorably, and gave him great honors when he was in the palace. Because of this, the court officials also respected Master Murong very much, precisely because of his excellent fortune-telling skills.
"Your Majesty."
Master Murong bowed, the whisk in his hand fluttering in the wind.
Emperor Shangwen nodded slightly. "I asked you to come here today to tell me the fortune of my dynasty and whether there is a bad luck star in the harem. Master Murong, I have always trusted your fortune-telling ability. I believe you will not let me down, right?"
Imperial Master Murong nodded and said respectfully, "I will certainly not let Your Majesty down, please rest assured."
Just at this moment, Xiao Ruyu was brought in by Queen Duan. She was very quiet and did not struggle. She looked around with her round eyes and was very well-behaved.