Chapter 71 A Bunch of Fools!
Cui Shiliang and the Imperial Concubine looked up at the same time and saw Li Yuanshu, dressed in a bright orange riding outfit with a riding whip tied at his waist, walking out from behind the screen.
There was a bit of dust in her hair, indicating that she had just returned from outside and had been listening behind the screen for who knows how long.
The two of them had been focused on Qi Sheng and hadn't noticed when she entered the hall.
The Imperial Concubine frowned. "Shu'er, what are you doing here?"
She didn't want her daughter to know about such a secret affair involving lives and the throne.
Moreover, how can a young lady eavesdrop on elders' discussions?
This is definitely not the behavior of a lady.
Li Yuanshu raised his hand to tidy his slightly disheveled hair, his tone casual, "I just came back from the horse farm. I wanted to have a chat with my mother, but I didn't expect... to hear such a commotion."
There was absolutely no sign of worry for her brother in her words.
But the Imperial Concubine didn't think much of it. Instead, when she heard that she had gone riding again, she immediately became furious. "This is utter nonsense! How many times have I told you that those places for riding horses and shooting arrows are not for you? Why are you becoming more and more disobedient?"
She paused, then lowered her voice, "Besides, is this something a young unmarried woman like you should be listening to? What would it look like if word got out!"
Li Yuanshu casually fiddled with the tassel of his riding whip at his waist. "What's there to be unable to hear? Li Yuanzhao is also a woman. She can even hear about matters of the court. Why can't I hear about family matters?"
"Why do you always have to compare yourself to her?" The Imperial Concubine was so angry that her face turned pale.
What she disliked most about Li Yuanzhao was his showy manner, always hanging around men.
Now that her daughter is copying everything she does, how can she not be angry?
“We are both Father’s daughters, why can’t we compare?” Li Yuanshu’s tone was filled with a stubborn refusal to admit defeat. “If she can do it, why can’t I?”
The imperial concubine was speechless, choked by her words, "You!"
Seeing this, Cui Shiliang quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Alright, since that's how it is, we've already heard it, so it's no big deal."
When the Imperial Concubine heard her brother say this, she had no choice but to suppress her anger, even though she was still angry.
Cui Shiliang turned to Li Yuanshu, his expression softening, and asked, "Just now, Shu'er said, 'Who would benefit most if my brother were to be convicted?' Who was he referring to?"
Li Yuanshu sat down, casually picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and then slowly said, "Besides my sister who is obsessed with climbing to the position of crown prince, who else could it be?"
The Imperial Concubine refused to believe it. "No way? No matter how much she wants to vie for the throne, she wouldn't go so far as to harm her own mentor..."
Li Yuanshu put down his teacup. "My mother is just too soft-hearted. Do you think that in the face of power, the bond between teacher and student, or the affection between siblings, is worth much?"
Cui Shiliang shook his head as well, "I also think that this is not like her at all. Li Yuanzhao always plans carefully before acting, seeking stability and profit in every step, and never does anything without certainty. Besides, killing Liu Jinzhang would really not benefit her."
“How could there be no benefits?” Li Yuanshu retorted. “My second brother is Father’s only son, and he happens to be naive. If we use Liu Jinzhang’s death to bring him down, wouldn’t that remove the biggest obstacle in the struggle for the throne?”
Cui Shiliang disagreed, saying, "But His Majesty is as clear-headed as a mirror. He would never truly believe that Yuan You was responsible. At most, he would only give her a minor punishment and confine her to her quarters for a while. Liu Jinzhang is a minister of great importance to His Majesty. Killing him would be tantamount to cutting off her own arm. She would not do something that would cause her to suffer heavy losses."
“Yes!” the Imperial Concubine quickly echoed. “Your brother is, after all, His Majesty’s only son, the sole heir of the royal bloodline. Even if… he really did kill Liu Jinzhang, His Majesty would never depose him. Li Yuanzhao is so intelligent, it’s impossible that he couldn’t even see this.”
Seeing that the two of them were arguing back and forth and refused to believe her judgment, Li Yuanshu suddenly got angry and stood up.
"I've said my piece; believe it or not is up to you!"
After saying that, she turned and walked out.
She slammed the palace door shut with a loud bang, startling the two of them.
The imperial concubine stared at the tightly closed palace doors, her anger rising: "This child is becoming more and more unruly!"
As Li Yuanshu stepped out of the Jinxiu Palace, a surge of frustration rushed to his head. He abruptly drew his riding whip from his waist and lashed it against a pillar in the corridor.
A bunch of idiots!
Her brother was a clueless, good-for-nothing fool who was sold out and still helped count the money!
His own mother was a fool whose eyes were only on the throne and her son!
Even my uncle is a fool who is blinded by appearances and can't judge people!
Li Yuanshu kicked the pillar hard.
Why did they have to give birth to her as a girl?
I've suffered so much anger for nothing.
If she were a man, she would have personally taken charge and planned things long ago. With the power of the Cui family and her own intelligence, why would she be in such a frustrating situation now?
What's wrong with competing with Li Yuanzhao and Li Yuanyou for the throne?
wrong……
Li Yuanzhao was also a woman.
If she can fight for it, why can't I?
Li Yuanshu gripped the riding whip tightly, his eyes darkening.
Her brother's naiveté, her mother's shortsightedness, and her uncle's stubbornness were like an invisible net, trapping her in this small space, unable to move.
Looking at the somber sky beyond the palace walls, she suddenly realized that instead of relying on these "fools," she should take matters into her own hands and break the deadlock.
One day, she'll show these "idiots" whether what she says is true or not.
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