Back then, the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince were neglected by the late Emperor for many years. She had to go through countless undercurrents and conspiracies in the palace to survive.
He believed that with the Empress Dowager and the Duke of Anguo as his support, he could control the overall situation in this desolate place.
But now... if everyone speaks frankly, the play can't be performed.
What does Zhao Tingduo mean?
Xu Mama subconsciously looked at Zhao Tingduo. Sending several palace maids from so far away clearly meant that they were sent to be wives or concubines.
As long as the young master says a word, Lady Uya, as his mother, will surely obey.
Zhao Tingduo, who was struggling with Xiao An to prepare a pot of rabbit meat, seemed to have eyes in the back of her head. Without looking up, she simply said, "I don't need servants to wait on me!"
Xiao An looked up in surprise and said, "Granny Xu, when people grow up, they should be able to eat and dress themselves without needing help from others."
Not getting an answer, Granny Xu was a little disappointed, but she didn't take Zhao Tingduo's words to heart: Men are all the same. They say they don't need servants to wait on them, but in the end they still enjoy it.
So she sighed and said to Lady Uya, "Madam, may I speak with you in private?"
She felt it was best to state the Empress Dowager's intentions directly, since the Lady was a straightforward person and there was no need to beat around the bush.
Given the relationship between the Uda tribe and the Zhenbei Army, Lady Uya will carefully consider this for the sake of future peace and security.
However, Granny Xu was disappointed once again.
Lady Uya did not get up, but said to Granny Qi beside her, "Granny, have someone keep an eye on those maids who ran away, and don't let them cause trouble in the tribe!"
She doesn't have the habit of talking behind closed doors, and since this kind of thing is related to her son and daughter-in-law, it's even more inappropriate to discuss it privately.
Granny Qi nodded. She was in charge of the women's affairs in the tribe. In the past, the maids were guests and it was not appropriate for them to interfere, but with the lady's words, she took over the responsibility.
Granny Qi stood up and smiled at Xiao An, saying, "Young master, come with me! Old Salt is waiting for you to feed him in the stable!"
Xiao An left with Granny Qi, and the maids also quietly withdrew, leaving only Granny Xu, Madam Wuya, Song Liyun, and Zhao Tingduo in the tent.
Xu Mama sat up straight, her expression solemn, instantly exuding the authority of a head maid in the palace.
"Please forgive me, Madam, but I will be frank. These four girls are concubines given to the young master by the Empress Dowager and the Duke of Anguo."
Originally, Duke Anguo intended to select a noblewoman from the royal family to serve his wife.
However, the Di royal court also intended to negotiate peace with the Wu dynasty, and the court officials all shared this view. So, what about the royal noblewoman...?
"As you know, war and plunder cause suffering to the people. It is a blessing for the border people that the Di royal court has ceased its raids on Yunzhou."
"So, the imperial court and the Di royal court have reached an agreement!" Lady Wuya's voice turned cold.
"Send a noblewoman from the royal family to the royal court for a marriage alliance. All I have here are the wives of traitors and rebels?"
Xu Mama was a little embarrassed, but she didn't back down: "Madam doesn't know, these four people were also carefully selected by the Empress Dowager and the Duke of Anguo."
Aside from their families being guilty, these four women were no less talented or beautiful than the princess, and perhaps even better.
Seeing Madam Wuya's gloomy face, Granny Xu decided to finish her sentence and continued, "Madam, Duke Anguo has also had a hard time. You and the Duke are one family. If there is anything amiss, family members should naturally understand and tolerate it."
It would have been better if they hadn't mentioned Duke Anguo, but as soon as they started talking about how difficult things had been for him, Lady Wuya's eyes immediately reddened.
He slammed his hand heavily on the table: "What a fine understanding! What a fine tolerance! In all these years, where have I not been understanding and tolerant enough that you still use some criminal women to humiliate me!"
Don't think I don't know what he's up to. He's got his eye on my son again, trying to bolster his own son's future."
Seeing Lady Uya's fury, everyone immediately stood up in fright.
Zhao Tingduo's expression changed slightly, while Song Liyun was completely bewildered, not knowing why the lady was so angry.
However, it was clear from the implication that the matter was not about the palace maids, but rather about the affair between the lady and the Duke of Anguo.
Granny Xu was also frightened and stood up: "Madam, please calm down. Duke Anguo certainly didn't mean that. He just wants the tribe to prosper!"
Lady Uya was not going to listen to her explanation. She waved her hand and said, "Granny, don't say anymore. Don't worry, since these maids have been sent here, they are the property of the tribe. I will not torture them."
It's impossible for her to become my daughter-in-law and even have a son or daughter.
As long as they follow the rules and do their jobs properly, they can live better than the families of those disgraced officials. But if they act recklessly, they'll be sent to the grasslands as a sacrifice to the heavens!
Having said all that, Granny Xu turned pale, knowing that if she continued, she would only anger Madam Wuya further, and she might even be the first to be sacrificed to Heaven.
No one here can save their own life.
She could only bow and say, "This servant will remember what you said, Madam, and will certainly keep those maids in check!"
"It would be best if you could remember this. If Duke Anguo wants to get involved in these matters, let him stand in front of me and say it."
Once only three people remained in the tent, Song Liyun comforted Madam Wuya, saying, "Mother, don't be angry. They're just a few unarmed women. The tribe can keep them!"
Zhao Tingduo sat down beside her: "Mother, don't worry. These maids are Father's gift, and it's not appropriate to return them, but I will not associate with them!"
Madam Wuya shook her head: "Now that things have come to this, I'll tell you the truth. This isn't just about your father."
Although I've never been to Kyoto, I know that your Empress Dowager aunt isn't as weak and easily bullied as she seems.
"Think about it, if you were really weak, how could you have survived until now despite the late emperor's dislike?"
"Your father is her brother, so naturally the whole family's wealth and fortune are all for the sake of the Empress Dowager."
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