Just as Miss Liu was about to speak and wanted to accompany him, the King of Chu had already left in a hurry with his men.

She stared at the back of King Chu, with a hint of annoyance in her eyes.

Zhaoyang Zhaoyang Zhaoyang!

It's all Zhaoyang! A child who is making trouble for no reason!

Relying on her status as the daughter of the late queen and the apprentice of the imperial teacher, she acted recklessly again and again, provoking everyone!

Why did these princes and nobles indulge Princess Zhaoyang even though she made a mistake? His Majesty had already banned her from traveling, so why didn't anyone distance themselves from her? Miss Liu almost couldn't hold back her jealousy. She stood there in a daze, filled with resentment.

The Imperial Concubine was lazily admiring the flowers in the pavilion. She noticed the conversation between the King of Chu and Miss Liu just now, and she focused more of her attention on Miss Liu.

Seeing the King of Chu leaving, the Imperial Concubine raised her eyes and asked Dai Yan: "Whose daughter is that?"

Dai Yan is the most capable maidservant beside the Imperial Noble Concubine. She is also a family-born servant who entered the palace. She has a tacit understanding with the Imperial Noble Concubine and can tell what she means just by looking at her.

Dai Yan said, "My queen, she is the legitimate daughter of Jingzhao Yin, Lord Liu. She is sixteen years old and has not yet been engaged. At the beginning of the year, when the election was held, Miss Liu was in Youzhou. She happened to be seriously ill at the time, which delayed the election. Later, Lord Liu was transferred to Jingzhao Yin, and Miss Liu came to Beijing with her father."

Imperial Noble Consort Yuanshan frowned slightly: "Speaking of which, Lord Liu's Jingzhao Yin is related to Zhaoyang. If Zhaoyang and Prince Jin had not dealt with the previous Jingzhao Yin, Lord Liu would not have taken over."

"Your Majesty is right." Dai Yan said what the Imperial Concubine liked to hear. Of course, he was telling the truth. "Princess Zhaoyang is a lucky star. Lord Liu is also indebted to Princess Zhaoyang."

The Imperial Concubine hesitated: "Jingzhao Yin is a third-rank official position. Madam Liu is from the direct line of the Xie family in the Central Plains, so it makes sense. Could it be that Sheng'er likes it? Dai Yan, bring her here for me to take a look."

Dai Yan: "Yes, Madam."

In the small pavilion by the pond, Prince Jin and Miss Lu had a harmonious atmosphere and had many topics to talk about, including poetry, songs, customs and human nature.

Putting aside the complicated backgrounds of the two, it was a joy to drink tea and discuss the Dao at this moment! "Fourth brother!"

The King of Chu strode forward and shouted loudly outside the pavilion.

Helian Chi and Lu Yanran looked over—the King of Chu stood there, grinning and waving.

A little bit...silly.

Lu Yanran raised a smile at the corner of her lips, then realized that she had lost her composure, so she quickly covered her lips and pretended to look at the scenery, looking away.

Helian Chi felt embarrassed, so he stood up and walked towards him quickly: "What's the matter?"

"The sweet osmanthus flowers in the south are blooming. I want to pick some and send them to Xiao Yu'er."

"Go ahead. You don't need to report to the king."

"...Who told you? Aren't you going?"

The King of Chu had a sad face, as if he was looking at a heartless man.

Helian Chi glanced back at Lu Yanran, then turned back to look at King Chu: "The king and Miss Lu still need to taste tea, it's not convenient."

"Then bring Miss Lu along. You two can recite poems after picking the osmanthus flowers."

“…”

Helian Chi stared at him and suddenly asked, "No one likes you?"

"……Um."

The King of Chu smiled apologetically and wanted to pull Helian Chi to the Osmanthus Corner, but before he could do anything, the eunuch beside the Royal Concubine asked him to go back to the pavilion and sit for a while, so he had to return in vain.

After walking a few steps, he turned back and reminded loudly: "Don't forget to pick osmanthus flowers for Xiao Yuer!"

The noble ladies: “???”

Who? Who are you picking osmanthus flowers for? Helian Chi: "..."

He waved his hand as a sign of agreement, and when he returned to Lu Yanran, he met her smiling eyes.

"The Prince and the King of Chu have a deep brotherly love, which makes Yanran envious."

The emperor is young and strong, so they don't need to stir up much trouble. The current fight is more like a small fight.

Only when there is a commotion will everyone feel at ease.

If they become like stagnant water, there will probably be a big mess.

Elsewhere, the King of Chu walked back to the pavilion and saw Miss Liu. He paused slightly, turned around, and sat next to the Imperial Concubine.

The smile on Miss Liu's face almost broke, but with the Imperial Concubine beside her, she could only try her best to maintain her dignity.

"Your Highness has seen this."

The King of Chu glanced at Miss Liu and said, "Get up. No need to be polite."

He turned to look at the Imperial Concubine, and his smiling tone was somewhat complaining, showing the pride of being favored by his mother: "Mother, why did you call your son over at this time? I was just about to pick some osmanthus flowers to send to Zhaoyang."

The Imperial Concubine had complicated feelings towards Helian Yu. On the one hand, she was grateful that Helian Yu had kept the secret, but she was also horrified that Helian Yu knew the secret.

She didn't even know how many people knew the secret.

The Imperial Concubine didn't dare to think too much and tried to hide the fear in her heart.

"You kid!" The Imperial Concubine said lightly, then smiled with her eyebrows relaxed. "You are still thinking about Zhaoyang. Dai Yan, pick a few skillful maids to pick a few baskets of osmanthus flowers and bring them back to Yikun Palace to dry in the sun."

"yes."

After Dai Yan left, the Imperial Concubine looked at the King of Chu, feeling relieved.

"The ban on Zhaoyang will be lifted in two days, which will be a good time for the osmanthus flowers to dry. I will then send someone to deliver them to the Imperial Master's Mansion and say that they were sent by your second brother. How do you think?"

The King of Chu smiled brightly: "Thank you, mother!"

Miss Liu sat there sweating, realizing that something was not right. Her belief that Princess Zhaoyang was unwelcome... did not seem to be true.

If there is someone who can suppress Princess Zhaoyang and has a high status, I am afraid it is only...

Miss Liu frowned and remained calm.

"Sheng'er, mother and Miss Liu were just chatting—"

"Mother, I like taller ones. Thank you for your concern. By the way, today's cakes are good. I will take two pieces back." The King of Chu grabbed two pieces of rose cakes and stood up. "My son and my fourth brother have something to discuss. I will take my leave now."

The Imperial Concubine understood what Helian Sheng meant, but he left so easily that she wanted to grit her teeth and hold him down.

However, she had to maintain some dignity in front of the noble ladies, so she could only watch the King of Chu leave.

As for Miss Liu...

The Imperial Concubine smiled generously and looked at Miss Liu: "Miss Liu, I am very happy to chat with you today."

Miss Liu stood up and saluted, smiling faintly: "It is an honor for your humble servant to make the Imperial Concubine happy."

She knew that there was no hope of marrying the King of Chu as his principal wife.

We can only hope... - On the day Helian Yu was released from confinement, he happily ate breakfast. He planned to walk around the street after breakfast to see the orphanage that had been built and look for new business opportunities.

"Eat slowly." Xie Rangchen poured her a bowl of soup and gently reminded her, "Yingyue will accompany you to the street today, so bring more silver."

"Don't worry, Master." Helian Yu took the soup bowl with both hands, his eyebrows dancing with joy, his expression was particularly lively, "By the way, I asked Chang An to send the small wine glass I drew to the glass kiln factory. It should be made in the next two days."

"Master, you can use your beautiful new wine glass to drink secretly at midnight tonight."

"Yes, thank you."

"Master, is that all you can say thank you?" Helian Yu held the jade chopsticks in one hand and held his little heart in the other, looking pitiful, "Master, don't you have any~~substantial~ thanks~?"

"Straighten your tongue."