Chapter 220 The Illegitimate Son is Rided Between His Legs Like a Dog
Three days later.
During these three days, Lu Zhaoruo was busy tidying up the new house and taking inventory of the storerooms, while secretly sending people to the capital to inquire about the whereabouts of Lü'er's younger brother.
She did not forget Greenie's lifelong wish.
Every time she saw Qiu Lü, she would think of Lü'er.
Qiu Lu and Lü'er have very similar personalities, and Qiu Lu gets along very well with Dong Rou.
At that moment, she was looking through the account books by the window.
Outside the window, the summer trees were lush and green, and cicadas chirped incessantly, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere, as if the dramatic palace intrigue of a few days ago had never happened.
Dongrou, who was standing to the side, was somewhat uneasy. She kept looking out the window at the quiet courtyard. Finally, she couldn't help but ask softly, "My lady... it's been three days, why is there still no movement from the palace?"
She paused, then said with confusion and unease, "Although you were the victim that day, it still involved the Imperial Uncle and Princess Yongfu. Why didn't the Empress and the Empress Dowager summon you to the palace for questioning? I'm always feeling uneasy."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo did not look away from the ledger, but merely raised the corners of her lips, revealing a knowing and calm smile.
She put down the ledger, picked up the tea beside her, gently blew away the foam, and said in a calm and even tone: "It is precisely because there is no movement that there is the best movement."
She looked up at Dongrou, her eyes clear and bright: "Think about it, who else was outside Zhuqing Pavilion that day besides us?"
After a moment's thought, Dong Rou replied, "There is Her Majesty the Empress, His Highness Yongfu, and... Consort Qi, Lady Jiang."
"good."
Lu Zhaoruo nodded. "What kind of person is the Empress? She holds the Phoenix Seal and is the mother of the nation. She was there in person and witnessed such a disgraceful scene. Do you think she needs to call me, the 'witness,' to repeat it again, which would only add to the embarrassment and cause trouble?"
She put down her teacup and continued her analysis in a calm voice: "As for the Empress Dowager... how could the affairs of the inner palace be kept from her? I'm afraid the Empress reported the truth on the night it happened. The Empress Dowager has seen it all, what kind of situation hasn't she seen? Li Nian'er's little tricks are probably just child's play in her eyes. They already know the truth."
"Then...then why not punish Li Nian'er, or...reward you, my lady?"
Dongrou was still puzzled.
Lu Zhaoruo smiled slightly: "Deal with it? How should we deal with it? Publicize the scandal, damage the reputation of the Imperial Uncle, and harm the dignity of the royal family? As for praising me... should we announce to the world that I, Lu Zhaoruo, am quick-witted and have turned the tables on those who tried to harm me? Wouldn't that just bring the internal discord of the royal family into the open?"
She stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the vibrant scenery in the courtyard. She slowly said, "For those in power, sometimes 'nothing happening' is the best way to handle things. By not announcing my presence, they are telling everyone that this matter is over and done with. Li Nian'er is reaping what she sowed, while I am merely an innocent bystander. This is the 'smartest' way to maintain the royal family's dignity."
She turned around and looked at Dongrou with a firm gaze: "Therefore, we also need to be 'smart'. Since the Empress and the Empress Dowager wish this had never happened, then we should act as if it never happened. No taking credit, no complaining, no leaving a trace. This is the true way to protect ourselves, and it is the attitude we should have right now."
After listening to this meticulous analysis, Dongrou suddenly understood, all her doubts vanished, and she sincerely admired her, saying, "This servant understands! Your Majesty is indeed very thoughtful!"
Lu Zhaoruo picked up the account book again, her expression returning to normal.
Actually, it was already last night.
Li Nian'er was carried into the Imperial Uncle's mansion in a small sedan chair and became the Imperial Uncle's concubine.
The residence of the Marquis of Anguo.
At noon, in a secluded corner of the garden, five-year-old Zhanfeng, the eldest son, rode on the back of his eight-year-old half-brother Zhanzhang, clutching a willow twig in his hand, and shouted triumphantly, "Giddy up! Climb faster! Bark like a dog! Louder!"
After searching for her younger brother for a long time, Zhanfujun spotted this scene at a glance.
Seeing her younger brother being bullied like an animal, her eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and a sour feeling shot through her nose.
She suppressed the grief and indignation surging in her heart, quickly stepped forward, and coaxed in a very gentle voice, "Feng-ge'er! Come down quickly, the stone path is uneven, be careful not to fall!"
Zhanfeng was having a great time when he was disturbed, and he immediately pouted, looking displeased.
He raised the willow branch in his hand and lashed it across Zhan Zhang's thin back with a "smack," yelling at Zhan Fujun in a shrill voice, "No! I don't want to! You're annoying! Go away! I want to play more!"
Zhanfu felt as if her heart was being torn apart, but she dared not show it in the slightest. She could only find an excuse to try to scare him away: "Good Feng-ge'er, you don't know, Zhang-ge'er is still sick and hasn't fully recovered yet. If you get too close, you'll be in trouble..."
Before she could finish speaking, Zhanfeng suddenly turned his head and glared at her fiercely, his childish voice filled with spoiled arrogance: "If you say another word! I'll go tell Mother right now and have her beat you severely!"
At this moment, almost completely exhausted, Zhan Zhang mustered his strength and interrupted her in a trembling voice: "Sister... I... I'm alright..."
He was terrified of his stepmother's authority and feared that his sister would be punished again because of him.
After saying that, he continued to crawl forward with all his might, using both his hands and feet, each step incredibly difficult.
Zhanfu dared not say anything more and could only follow closely beside her, watching her younger brother's humble figure crawling in the dust. Tears finally welled up in her eyes.
She hurriedly raised her sleeve to wipe away her tears.
At this moment, Zhan Zhang was exhausted and collapsed to the ground. Zhan Feng, who was on his back, rolled off the ground. Although he was not seriously injured when he landed on the soft grass, he was so frightened that he burst into tears.
The on-duty nanny Cao and her maid rushed over upon hearing the noise, and their expressions changed drastically upon seeing the scene.
Without saying a word, Granny Cao stepped forward and slapped Zhan Fujun hard across the face, scolding her sharply, "You little slut who's asking for death! How dare you disturb Feng Ge'er!"
He then instructed the maid, "Quickly go and inform the mistress!"
Not long after, in the courtyard.
Lady Zhan held her son Zhanfeng, who had stopped crying and was enjoying candied fruit, while coldly watching Zhanzhang kneeling on the bluestone slab and Zhanfujun with her swollen cheeks.
Terrified, Zhan Zhang trembled all over and stammered as he rushed to confess, "Mother...it was...it was your son who accidentally dropped your brother, it had nothing to do with your sister..."
Zhanfu kowtowed heavily, her forehead touching the ground: "My lady, please understand! It was my fault for disturbing my brother. All the blame lies with me. I beg you, my lady, please do not punish my brother Zhang!"
Both siblings were deathly pale, filled with a deep-seated fear of their stepmother sitting in the room.
Zhanfeng, meanwhile, swung his legs, ate candy, and watched the commotion with a grin.
Lady Delirium took a leisurely sip of tea, without even raising her eyelids: "The eldest son has been disturbed, and the elder brothers and sisters have all failed in their duty of discipline. Each of them shall receive ten strokes of the cane as a warning to others."
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