"That won't work either, it won't be of much use."
The Empress Dowager was clearly displeased with her behavior. You see, the reason she gave Zaochun to Zhong Muyu was precisely this: to let Zhong Muyu and her people firmly control Lu Ziyuan.
After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager sighed, "It's all over now. Xunfang, summon Lianhua and Lianqin."
Zhong Muyu knew those two names.
Back in the palace, they were her two maids, but they didn't marry into the Lingqing family with her.
Soon after, Lianhua and Lianqin arrived.
Zhong Muyu asked, "Grandmother, why did you summon them here?"
"Initially, I wanted all three of them to marry with you and become your concubines, but I was worried that too many people would be inappropriate, so I kept the other two. Now that Zaochun has already married, let the other two go with you."
Why are you still trying to squeeze in more people?
Not content with just the Empress's side, they're now stuffing their way into the Empress Dowager's as well. They're really turning the backyard of this small prince's residence into a harem.
“Grandmother, my daughter-in-law has quite a few maids. She can choose two good ones when the time comes, and there’s no need to ask you for any more.”
“Apart from Zaochun, those are all rough maids who can’t handle anything. Lianhua and Lianqin, you know them, are good-looking and have good personalities. With them around, I feel at ease.”
Afterwards, the Empress Dowager gave the two a few pointers, then excused herself to rest and had Zhong Muyu take them away.
Noticing the two extra people and Zhong Muyu's suppressed expression, Qiao'er cautiously approached: "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
"It's okay, just keep quiet, let's go back."
Zhong Muyu seemed to be suppressing his anger, and Qiao'er, seeing this, stopped saying anything and was unusually well-behaved throughout the journey.
After returning, Zhong Muyu called Lianhua and Lianqin to his side.
Like early spring, they had learned strict court etiquette, and were also beautiful and literate.
However, Zhong Muyu wasn't as familiar with them as she was with Zaochun.
So she deliberately put on a stern face, making herself look serious and unapproachable.
"From now on, you will no longer be palace maids, but my personal maids. The rules in this palace are different from those in the palace, so you must always pay attention. When we get back, I will have someone teach you the rules again."
"yes."
The two lowered their heads and obediently agreed.
"As long as you follow me obediently, you will be rewarded in the future. Everyone in the manor knows this. If you dare to have any disloyal thoughts, then Su Zhirou's fate will be your fate as well."
The news of Su Zhirou being abducted by Wu Zhao did not reach the capital, so the people here thought she was practicing witchcraft. In the end, Lu Ziyuan sent her to prison to be tortured and then ordered her to commit suicide.
The two answered respectfully. Just then, Qiao'er came to report, "Your Highness, the Prince has returned!"
"Yes, let her in."
Zhong Muyu took a small sip of tea, showing no sign of rising to greet him, as if Lu Ziyuan were coming to pay his respects to her.
Lu Ziyuan didn't mind: "Yu'er, how was your trip to the palace?"
"It's wonderful, absolutely wonderful!"
Lu Ziyuan was completely bewildered; he hadn't seen Zhong Muyu act so strangely in a long time.
Before long, he noticed two more people standing next to him.
Who are they?
"Let me introduce you. Lianhua and Lianqin were my maids when I was in the palace. Then the Empress Dowager asked me to bring them back."
"You have no shortage of maids in the Prince's mansion, what is the meaning of this, Grandmother?"
“I don’t lack maids, but Grandmother thinks you do, and you really do.”
Having said that, Lu Ziyuan understood after a moment's thought, and was instantly at a loss for words.
No wonder the atmosphere was unusual this time; it turns out his wife was jealous.
So he immediately dismissed everyone else and sat down next to Zhong Muyu: "So that's why you're angry? Hmm?"
"You think there are only these two?"
Zhong Muyu then told him about what happened on the Empress's side, and Lu Ziyuan's expression grew increasingly serious: "This is not a good thing."
"Yes, my grandmother thinks so too. To prevent the woman sent by the Empress from taking you for herself, she gave Lianhua and Lianqin to me. Look how considerate she is of me. I'm almost moved to tears."
Lu Ziyuan gently embraced her: "I understand what Grandmother means, but I promised you that I would be with one person for life and would never covet other women. Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I believe you, after all, the choice is mine. I just feel that the Prince's mansion, which has finally become peaceful, might soon be filled with chaos again."
"No, if anyone dares to cause trouble or displease you, I'll send them to jail."
"But the concubine sent by the Empress is indeed troublesome. You must keep a close eye on her, lest she embellish the information and send it to the Empress, which could lead to your death if you are not careful."
"This is indeed troublesome..."
Lu Ziyuan thought about it carefully and realized that he should talk to the Emperor to prevent the Empress from sending him a concubine.
So the next day, Lu Ziyuan went to the palace.
Zhong Muyu was also busy. She successfully declined the Crown Princess's invitation by visiting several noble ladies. Unexpectedly, Lu Ziyuan returned dejectedly that evening.
"What happened? Did the deal fall through?"
“I have tried my best to talk to the Emperor, but in the end they still designated a concubine, the daughter of Lord Yin, Yin Ruixin.”
Zhong Muyu said, "I don't know her. What are her special features?"
“Her father is the Crown Prince’s man, and her mother is from the Empress’s family, so she’s definitely here to spy on us. Actually, the Empress initially designated Qiao Yanru, but because of her arrogant personality, after I designated her, only Yin Ruixin was left.”
Mentioning Qiao Yanru, Zhong Muyu immediately thought of her arrogant demeanor and quickly said, "It's a good thing that Qiao Yanru isn't here. She's just like Su Zhirou; if she entered the Prince's mansion, there would definitely be chaos."
"But Yin Ruixin doesn't dare to say it's a good thing either. We'll be leaving tomorrow, and she'll be coming with us."
Zhong Muyu looked dejected: "That's it then, there's no point in saying anything more."
She tidied her hair and was about to go to bed when Lu Ziyuan suddenly put his arm around her waist and picked her up.
What are you doing?
“You also said that all this trouble is because we don’t have children. We must have a child as soon as possible so that they will have no excuse to send all sorts of shady people here.”
That seems to make some sense...
“But you can’t just have a child whenever you want. Besides, if they want one, they can have another one if they don’t have this excuse.”
Subconsciously, Zhong Muyu didn't want to have a child so soon.
"But I really want a child, just our child, and it has nothing to do with anyone else."
Lu Ziyuan looked sincere, and the anxious expression in his eyes was very touching.
This reminded Zhong Muyu of Lu Ziyuan's barely suppressed excitement and disappointment upon learning the truth during the previous misunderstanding.
I really don't want to see him disappointed.
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