Xu Yuehuai originally wanted to step down immediately, but seeing the Empress's appearance, she couldn't bear to do so.
After thinking for a long time, she still spoke up to comfort him: "Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince is blessed by Heaven and will surely be safe and sound."
Upon hearing this, the Empress seemed to grasp a glimmer of light and immediately took her hand.
"Ah Yue, you also think Ah Qi isn't my son, right?" Her voice trembled slightly.
Xu Yuehuai knew the matter was of great importance, so she did not speak up easily.
Seeing this, the Empress released her hand, her voice tinged with disappointment: "Indeed, you are well-mannered and respectful, how could you utter such disrespectful words about the royal family? But Ah Yue, if my son were still alive, what would it matter if I gave the throne to Ah Qi?"
"I only want him to live."
Xu Yuehuai didn't continue speaking, but wisely withdrew.
She knew perfectly well that Ah Qi was not the Empress's son, but she could only hide the truth. For a moment, she also hated her own cowardice.
...
Meanwhile, after the birthday banquet ended, Zhao Min slunk back to the Prime Minister's residence.
Because her scheme was exposed and she lost face in front of everyone, Zhao Min locked herself in her room as soon as she got home and smashed the tea set in the room.
"Xu Yuehuai, you bitch!"
"It's all because of you! You bitch!"
Curses rang out from Zhao Min's room, accompanied by the sound of porcelain shattering.
The Prime Minister's wife, fearing that her daughter would get hurt, leaned over the door and comforted Zhao Min: "Min'er, what are you doing? Tell your mother what's wrong with you, or if all else fails, you can go to your father."
"Your father is the Prime Minister. What grievance can't he stand up for you?"
She had only this one daughter in her life, and she cherished her dearly. Now that she saw her daughter suffering such a great injustice, she was naturally heartbroken and could only comfort her from outside the door.
Unexpectedly, these words did not calm Zhao Min down; instead, she smashed things in the room even more.
"Can my father possibly compete with Xu Yuehuai's father? His birthday banquet was personally ordered by the Emperor to be held in the palace. What about my father? He has nothing. What Prime Minister? It's just an empty title!" Zhao Min cursed angrily.
She naturally knew the high rank of the Prime Minister, but today she was being scolded by the Emperor in front of everyone. Who would remember that she was a member of the Prime Minister's household?
"You're all useless. I'm now the laughingstock of the capital. Forget about marriage proposals, even the lowliest servants are waiting to see me make a fool of myself!"
After smashing everything in the room, Zhao Min, seeing nothing left to smash, started punching herself.
The Prime Minister's wife was heartbroken and sobbed softly, covering her face with her handkerchief: "Daughter, wait for me. I'll go ask your father and ask him to think of a way. Even if that doesn't work, there's still your aunt. She will help you. She loves you the most."
As she spoke, she instructed her servants to quickly find Prime Minister Zhao and bring him back.
...
When Prime Minister Zhao saw his servants in such a hurry, he thought something terrible had happened at home. But he never expected that when he returned, he would be met with a wailing Zhao Min and a wife who only knew how to cry.
He naturally already knew about the big incident that had happened in the palace, but since it was the Emperor himself who had reprimanded him, he couldn't say much.
Moreover, if he angers the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, his future official career will also be affected.
“This…” He flicked his sleeve and sighed heavily.
The prime minister was also helpless against his lawless daughter.
He didn't know what to say for a moment.
"My lord, you can't give up! Min'er is your only daughter. If anything happens to her, I don't know how you'll live!" the Prime Minister's wife cried.
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Zhao felt a headache coming on: "She's scheming against the Empress and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. How much face do you have? How much face do I have? If we offend them, do you think we'll get away with it?"
He was completely at a loss.
"Go find the Imperial Concubine Min; she'll definitely have a solution." The Prime Minister's wife punched the Prime Minister a few times, offering him advice.
Unexpectedly, the Prime Minister Zhao frowned even more when he thought of his sister.
He sent Consort Min into the palace for the position of prime minister. Over the years, even when Consort Min's life in the palace was difficult, she would help them openly and secretly. But he couldn't rely on the women in the harem for everything.
Prime Minister Zhao was truly unwilling to lower himself to the palace to beg for help again.
Seeing his state, the Prime Minister's wife became even more anxious and urged him hurriedly, "Go quickly! Can you bear the responsibility if something happens to our daughter?"
Prime Minister Zhao had no choice but to remain silent.
But can the two women in his home give him peace of mind?
He couldn't do anything about the women in his family, so he had no choice but to leave that noisy home in a hurry.
He lingered at the gate of the mansion for a long time, not knowing what to do. He could only wander around to clear his mind.
At worst, I can go back after dark; that way, I can still explain myself.
...
As the sun grew later, Prime Minister Zhao felt utterly disheveled.
He was filled with sorrow as he walked along when he encountered Marquis Ningyuan.
When Marquis Ningyuan saw the man, his eyes darted around twice. He immediately dismounted and went up to him, saying, "Prime Minister Zhao, what a coincidence! I never expected to run into you here."
"Marquis Ningyuan." The Prime Minister bowed respectfully.
Seeing that he was not in high spirits, Marquis Ningyuan knew without asking that it was because of the Duke of Zhenguo's birthday banquet and the Emperor's reprimand of Zhao Min.
Having lost so much face, Zhao Min felt it would cause a huge uproar in the Zhao family.
“Prime Minister Zhao, it’s fate that we’ve met. Why don’t we go for a few drinks?” he quickly suggested.
In the past, Prime Minister Zhao would have refused the request to drink, but now...
He immediately cupped his hands in agreement and said, "Please."
As they talked, the two headed towards Zuifeng Tower.
Although this restaurant cannot compare to Tianxiang Restaurant, it still has everything you need.
Their conversation was naturally not to be overheard by the people of Tianxiang Tower.
After several rounds of drinks...
"Brother Zhao, why do you look so unhappy? Can't such fine wine make you happy?" Marquis Ningyuan asked knowingly.
Prime Minister Zhao was already feeling troubled, and after a few drinks, he completely let his guard down.
He sighed and slowly said, "It's nothing but family matters. I've raised an unfilial daughter who's always causing trouble, and I have to clean up her messes. She's a real tyrant."
Prime Minister Zhao spoke without any guard up, completely unaware that Marquis Ningyuan had poured himself a full glass of wine.
"A cup of wine can wash away a thousand sorrows, Brother Zhao, drink up." Marquis Ningyuan's wine cup was quickly emptied. "I'll drink it first."
"Very well." Prime Minister Zhao followed suit and drank his cup of wine in one gulp.
He was already dizzy, but Marquis Ningyuan continued to pour him wine.
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