Shu Zhan started to have some existential doubts. Meanwhile, Lu Huai was laughing happily, completely oblivious to his good intentions.
Fortunately, Consort Qin was not one to hold grudges against younger generations, so she didn't bring up that matter again and instead asked about other things.
"You look somewhat familiar to me." She frowned as she thought for a moment. "Are you Shu Gu's child?"
Shu Zhan was surprised that her good-for-nothing father could be remembered by such an important person, and quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, Your Highness has a good memory."
In response to his words, Consort Qin chuckled and casually adjusted her hair.
"It's not that I have a good memory. It's just that I was too beautiful when I was young. Most of the young men in the capital came to the Prime Minister's residence to propose marriage, but only a few didn't."
Shu Zhan didn't quite understand. "And then?"
Consort Qin fiddled with her nail guards, glancing at him casually. "And then, your father was among them."
Shu Zhan: "..." So this person remembers everyone who doesn't like her.
Let's go back to a moment before an incense stick burned.
Lu Huai was astonished when he saw Consort Qin.
"Long time no see, Second Young Master Lu." Consort Qin stared at him with interest, lazily waving her hand as a greeting and stopping him from bowing.
"Young Master Lu has become quite polite now. When he came to see me with Xiao Yizhi, he wouldn't say a word."
"..."
Lu Huai couldn't help but recall that he had just said he wouldn't like Qin Xi, but soon became irritable and jealous because of Qin Xi's relationship with Emperor Yuxian.
That was a good slap in the face.
Consort Qin raised an eyebrow. "What? After all this time, has Yizhi still not taught Second Young Master Lu how to call her 'Auntie'?"
“…Aunt, you can just call me Changjue.” He held his breath and awkwardly touched the tip of his nose. “Just now, Qin Huaiyan told me that he had someone to recommend to me. I didn’t expect it to be you.”
"Yes, I had Huaiyan bring you here." Consort Qin sat up straight. "I know what's troubling you. I can help you."
"Oh?" Lu Huai looked up in surprise. "Aunt, do you have any good ideas? Could you please tell Changjue?"
Consort Qin smiled and said, "They're so close yet so far. Don't tell me that they're sitting right in front of me and I still haven't come up with a solution."
Lu Huai remained silent.
He understood what Consort Qin meant; she simply wanted him to place her under house arrest and use that as a pretext to break into the capital and enter the palace.
Regardless of how well the late emperor ruled, he brought decades of peace and stability to the people of Yu. As the late emperor's most favored concubine, Consort Qin held an extremely high status throughout the entire Great Yu Kingdom.
Even before his death, the late emperor still cared about her and specially left her an imperial edict. This alone is something that no one else can do.
Once Consort Qin is placed under house arrest, they can use this opportunity to interrogate Emperor Yuxian about her whereabouts. If Emperor Yuxian fails to hand her over, they can use this as a pretext to launch a successful rebellion, arguing that he "disrespects the late emperor and is unfit to be emperor."
However, Lu Huai remained silent.
The person before her was not only a noble consort of exceptional status, but also Qin Xi's aunt. Qin Xi lost her mother at a young age, and the lack of maternal love made her yearn for it.
When Shu Zhan and Shu Hua were enjoying the company of their parents, he had seen her envious yet forlorn gaze. Perhaps it was the Dowager Consort Qin who accompanied her in the palace while Prime Minister Qin was at court, giving her the love she lacked.
He couldn't do that. Even if Qin Xi wouldn't blame him, he couldn't do it. Even if she wasn't Qin Xi's aunt, he still wouldn't do it.
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