I can't let Lord Liu feel at ease, so I have to make such a fuss.
If Miss Zhang really moves into the Liu family first, what difference will it make from getting married?
But what she was more curious about was why Aunt Liu said this to her?
"Madam Liu, you are telling me this, aren't you afraid that I will tell Master Zhang about this?"
Aunt Liu's smile was more relaxed. "Shouldn't I have thought about Concubine Yun's words, so that Master Zhang would know my father's intentions earlier?"
"After all, Aunt Liu didn't disappoint me."
Seeing her frankness, Zhao Yunzhu actually admired her a little more. "Madam Liu, I'm so sorry. I don't have the habit of meddling in other people's affairs."
Aunt Liu didn't make a fuss and stood up to say goodbye.
Zhao Yunzhu glanced around the table and did not see any of the Zhang family members.
She tapped her fingers lightly on the table.
"Concubine Yun, long time no see."
A light blue skirt embroidered with butterfly patterns caught Zhao Yunzhu's slightly lowered eyes.
Following the sound, he raised his eyes and looked at the old acquaintance in front of him.
Zhao Yunzhu stood up and returned the greeting, "Princess Xian, it's been a long time since we last met. I hope you are well."
She no longer called her Princess Song Shumin, but changed her name to Princess Xian.
"Yeah, it feels like we haven't seen each other for a long time."
Even though she was dressed up carefully today, there was still a hint of fatigue and vicissitudes in Song Shumin's eyes.
"Concubine Yun, let's go outside and talk."
Zhao Yunzhu nodded and followed Song Shumin out to the west.
Today, the Liu family's house is full of people, except for the octagonal pavilion on the pond.
Song Shumin walked over with Zhao Yunzhu.
The maids and old women were guarding outside.
"The virtuous king asked me to pass on a message to Concubine Yun. Thank you very much."
Zhao Yunzhu understood that it was because of the manager in Tianhou Palace.
"Is there any news about the prince?" The guards guarding Prince Xian's mansion have now withdrawn.
Thinking of Qin Yihuai, Zhao Yunzhu still felt a little worried.
"The prince said that as long as the prince is safe for now, that's all that matters."
Zhao Yunzhu was still somewhat surprised at the wise king's attitude towards the young prince.
Before he could finish his words, a maid came to announce that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had arrived.
Everyone went forward to welcome him.
Surrounded by a crowd of people, the Queen Mother took her seat with the help of palace maids.
The emperor naturally sat in the main seat.
"Everyone, please stand up and take your seats."
Following the emperor's order.
Everyone just stood up and sat in their seats.
The sounds of silk, pipes and bamboo followed.
Prime Minister Liu did not see anyone from the Zhang family coming to the banquet today, so he secretly ordered someone to investigate.
"Brother, why is it so lively today?"
A group of maids came to the table carrying food.
Master Liu Er, dressed in simple clothes, burst into the banquet with a big laugh.
In order to successfully sneak into the Liu family today, Master Liu Er dressed up as a servant.
Today is the best time for him to return to the Liu family.
If you miss today, you may never have such an opportunity again.
When Empress Dowager Liu saw the person coming, her face darkened.
Prime Minister Liu recognized him at a glance; this was his illegitimate brother.
But the fact that he came here like this today probably means he has other intentions.
"Someone, drag this troublemaker away!"
Prime Minister Liu spoke in a bad tone and raised his hand to call the servants over, which made it clear that he was unwilling to recognize him.
"My elder brother and elder sister, one is now the Empress Dowager and the other is the Prime Minister, so it's normal for them to look down on me, a useless younger brother born out of wedlock."
Second Master Liu was still smiling, but his eyes were filled with contempt. "But I am, after all, a master recorded in the Liu family tree. Could it be that my elder sister and elder brother want to expel me from the Liu family on behalf of our deceased father?"
There was a hint of contempt in his tone, and then he put away his smile. His eyes suddenly turned cold, and with a scrutinizing and questioning tone, he said, "May I ask my elder sister and elder brother what I have done wrong? So that I can go to my father's grave and tell him about this matter."
Everyone at the table lowered their heads or looked away.
Everyone knew a little about Master Liu Er's affairs.
Who has the courage to interfere in the Liu family's affairs?
"What nonsense are you talking about? My second brother is not in Chang'an. You thief, you are stirring up trouble today. Don't blame me for being cruel!"
Prime Minister Liu pointed at Second Master Liu and gritted his teeth, "Come here, drag this troublemaker away to me!"
Immediately, several servants rushed in from outside the door, stepped forward and grabbed Master Liu Er.
Zhao Yunzhu looked at the emperor and the empress dowager sitting on the high seats.
No one spoke.
"Wait a minute."
Zhao Yunzhu stood up and bowed to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and Prime Minister Liu. "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, and Prime Minister Liu, the Liu family is so strict today, yet this person claiming to be the Second Master of the Liu family still managed to sneak into the banquet. This shows that he must have spies in the Liu family."
"Prime Minister Liu is so anxious to drag him away, isn't he afraid of retaliation from his accomplices? Besides, everyone attending the banquet today is from the imperial court. If we don't investigate thoroughly and just let it go, it will be inappropriate."
Zhao Yunzhu spoke with deep sincerity.
Every word she said seemed to be for the Liu family, but who at the table couldn't see what she was thinking?
Everyone guessed that this man must be the second master of the Liu family.
But the Queen Mother and Prime Minister Liu refused to acknowledge each other, so who would dare to raise any doubts?
"Concubine Yun, why do you want to be the center of attention at the Liu family's banquet?"
Empress Dowager Liu narrowed her eyes slightly, with a hint of displeasure in her voice.
It was naturally not easy for Prime Minister Liu to argue with Concubine Yun.
Zhao Yunzhu stood up and walked to the hall, slowly kneeling down. "Your Majesty, I was so worried about your comfort that I was not thoughtful enough to anger you. I am willing to take the blame, as long as I can protect you and the Emperor."
She raised her eyes with great determination and continued, "I am willing to accept all punishments."
Empress Dowager Liu sneered.
Just as he was about to scold him, he was interrupted by the emperor.
"Empress Dowager, the Emperor's sister-in-law is devoted to you. If you punish her, how will people talk about her if the news gets out? My brother works hard for the country, and the Emperor's sister-in-law works for you, Empress Dowager."
The emperor frowned, "Queen Dowager, forget it."
"You say you are the second master of the Liu family, but do you have any evidence to prove your identity? Although I have never seen my second uncle since I was born, I have heard that there is another second uncle in my maternal grandfather's family!"
The emperor turned to look at the man who was held down by the Liu family and asked loudly.
"Your Majesty, I have evidence."
Although Master Liu Er was forced to kneel in the hall by his servants, he looked neither humble nor arrogant and did not show a trace of fear.
The emperor waved his hand and told the servant holding Master Liu Er to push him away. "Then bring out your evidence and let me take a good look."
The emperor then turned to Zhao Yunzhu and said, "Sister-in-law, please stand up and take a seat. The empress dowager was just angry for a moment."
Empress Dowager Liu suddenly turned her head and looked at the emperor beside her, feeling a little uneasy.
This was the first time that the emperor had saved her face in public.
The words have been spoken, and there is no room for taking them back.
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