[By Imperial Decree: Lady Yu has offended Your Majesty and acted impolitely. To set an example for future generations, Lady Yu is hereby summoned to the palace as punishment, to kneel for four hours before being allowed to leave.]
------
The next day.
The officials, who were waiting outside the main hall for the morning court session, were greatly surprised to see Chen Yu kneeling at the hall's entrance.
【Isn't that Mrs. Fish?】
The guards at the palace gate said she was forced to kneel as punishment last night.
Why?
[After all, the King is her father-in-law and her elder; it's truly inappropriate for her to obstruct his selection of a consort!]
[Alas... Every family has its own troubles! His Majesty is already over sixty years old. It would be best if he could have an heir, but if not, with only Prince Ping'er as a grandson, the Liu family's lineage is too thin...]
Upon hearing this, Mu Nanfeng turned to look and saw that it was Prime Minister Qiu.
Since the Qiu family was promoted by Liu Deng, Prime Minister Qiu and the Third Young Master Qiu have been loyal to Liu Deng and no longer protect Chen Yu and her son.
Mu Nanfeng was furious but dared not speak out, after all, he was just a minor official of the third rank and could not contend with the Qiu family!
Looking over, Shen Yu was supporting herself on the ground with both hands, her body swaying, and then, thud! She fell headfirst to the ground.
Fish! Fish...
When Chen Yu awoke, it was already late afternoon.
Hongyu carried a small bowl to the bedside. "Madam, are you hungry? Sit up and have a bowl of red date and white fungus soup to replenish your strength."
Chen Yu shook her head, looked outside, and seeing that it was already dark, quickly asked, "Are An'er and Ping'er in their rooms?"
[He's writing in the study. Jiu'er, Cuiwei, and Feicui are all watching over him.]
Shen Yu nodded. Ever since Liu Deng established his harem, she had been unable to feel at ease every day, fearing that someone would see Ping'er as a thorn in their side. This was also the reason why she did not allow Liu Deng to have any more children.
At this moment, Rong Momo rushed in to report, "[Madam, someone from the palace has arrived. They say the newly arrived Imperial Concubine has come to visit you.]"
Shen Yu asked in surprise, "Today, His Majesty ordered the selection of palace maids, and someone has already been named a Noble Consort?"
[I wasn't just a palace maid before.]
Shen Yu turned her head and saw a woman in a dark green dress trying to come in, but Bai Lu and Hei Ya blocked her from entering.
Smack! Smack!
Before the two crisp slaps had even landed, a reprimand followed: "You lowly servant! I am the Consort Mei, personally appointed by the King! How dare you stop me? Get out of here at once!"
Hearing this sharp voice, Chen Yu wondered who it was that dared to show off in her room.
She propped herself up on her arms and said, "Please come in, Your Highness."
A woman in a dark green dress slowly walked in, stood beside the round table, glanced at Chen Yu, then sat down on a round stool and spoke softly:
【I am Ouyang Meiniang, the Consort Mei, personally bestowed upon me by the King. I heard that Lady Yu fainted early this morning, and I was very worried. Therefore, I thought I would come to visit her and also to exchange greetings with her, so that we may have more contact in the future.】
Chen Yu scrutinized the woman in the dark green dress:
Her eyes were round and lively, yet shifty, like those of a wary fox; her fiery red lips held a faint, innocent yet alluring smile…
Her eyes were alluring and captivating, making it impossible to look away; especially her tall, curvaceous figure, which stirred the heart and made it difficult to calm down.
If Hongyu was born with a seductive charm, then Ouyang Meiniang was a bewitching enchantress.
Shen Yu was filled with unease again. She looked away and thought about finding out about Ouyang Meiniang's background:
[Consort Mei is truly blessed; she was bestowed the title of Consort by the King as soon as she entered the palace. May I ask where Consort Mei is from?]
Ouyang Meiniang looked at Chen Yu, pursed her lips, and chuckled softly, "I have always been honest and never lie. That's why the King took a liking to me in the first place. The King and I have known each other for three years. Our sons are already running around playing..."
It turns out that after Liu Deng was persuaded by General Qiu to return to secular life, he couldn't resist worldly temptations after half a year and followed General Qiu to brothels for pleasure.
Ouyang Meiniang was the top courtesan at Huamanlou. Her straightforward personality caught the eye of Liu Deng, and they had a one-night stand.
Little did anyone know that it was on this very night that Liu Deng left behind a legacy.
Although Ouyang Meiniang was straightforward, she was also a shrewd woman. She learned that Liu Deng was a direct descendant of the Liu family, so she redeemed herself and secretly gave birth to a son, Liu Chong. Later, she heard that Liu Deng had gone to Xiliang to claim territory and become king, so she went to find him.
Liu Chong is now two years old, a time when he is learning to speak and is both well-behaved and playful. At this moment, Liu Deng held Liu Chong in his arms, doting on him, and even summoned important officials from the court to meet the little prince.
[Congratulations, King Liu has an heir!]
[What a joyous occasion! But who is the young prince's mother?]
Liu Deng looked at Eunuch Wei and asked, "Where did Meiniang go?"
After recounting her past with Liu Deng, Ouyang Meiniang raised an eyebrow and asked Chen Yu, "Where's Ping'er? I was thinking of taking him to pay his respects to his little imperial uncle. Although my Chong'er is young, he shoulders heavy responsibilities. In the future, when the King grows old, everything will depend on Chong'er, don't you think? Madam Yu."
Shen Yu was furious, but her face remained calm as still water. She said coldly, "I slept all day and suddenly felt hungry. I called An'er and Ping'er to have dinner with me. By the way, Hongyu is escorting Consort Mei back to the palace. Recently, there have been flower thieves appearing in the city. Consort Mei, you must be careful."
Ouyang Meiniang was displeased, but still smiled and slowly left.
"ah!"
Snap!
[Where did this vile woman come from? Not only did she offend me, but she also dared to hit me? Do you know? I was personally appointed by the King...]
Snap!
[I'm hitting you! You're the real slut! You actually seduced my father and had your name added to the Liu family genealogy! What kind of second wife is that? A woman from a brothel, she'd be lucky to be a concubine, yet she dares to compare herself to my mother...]
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