As soon as Leng Zian said this, Luo Lan's face changed instantly. He not only blamed Liu Mei, but also Prince Yu's Mansion.
Although Leng Yuer's face was also cold, she didn't say much because of his identity.
Luo Lan took two steps forward, suppressed his anger, frowned and said loudly:
"Uncle, what you said is unpleasant to hear. Why did Liu Mei leave you pregnant back then? I'm sure you know the reason better than anyone else. A penniless woman, how could she be willing to leave her hometown unless she was forced to do so? How could she be willing to be homeless?"
Having said this, she let out a long sigh. Seeing Leng Zian trying to interrupt her, she took the lead and continued:
"They came to my Prince Yu's mansion because Liu Mei'er was seriously ill and nearly lost her life. Even a stranger like me wouldn't stand by and watch her die. As her man, when you met her, did you ever ask her how she'd been doing these past few years? Do you know what she'd endured? Do you know how much hardship she'd gone through? You came right up and wanted to snatch away the son she'd worked so hard to raise. Don't you think that's too cruel?"
"you……"
Listening to her fierce words, Leng Zian pointed at her, glared at her and roared,
"You country girl, no wonder she became so bold, it seems like it was all your instigation."
Hearing his irritating words, Luo Lan glared at him without hesitation and said angrily:
"So what if I instigated it? She never told me about her before, but I know now. I think Liu Mei is great as a woman. She raised Xiaozhi all by herself, without relying on anyone, and she never remarried. On the contrary, you spend all day enjoying yourself in your palace, surrounded by women. Have you ever thought about whether they are living a good life? When they were living in the open air, what did you, as a father, do for them? Now you come in and expect to pick up such a grown son for free. You really think too simply."
"you……"
Her words once again irritated Leng Zian's nerves. He pointed at her with a red face and said angrily again:
"You are so disrespectful! I am Yu'er's uncle after all. How dare you speak to me like this?"
"Since the emperor knows that he is the elder, he should act like an elder. The way you act is shameful to us younger generations."
Luo Lan's words made Leng Zian, who was always arrogant and domineering, look as cold as ice in an instant.
Ever since he'd declared himself king, no one had dared to speak to him like this. Now, this country woman actually dared to criticize him? This was simply... simply infuriating.
Seeing the two sides deadlocked, Leng Yu hurriedly stepped forward and clasped his fists towards Leng Zian, saying:
"Uncle, Lan'er's words were a bit abrupt, but they also make sense. Yu'er believes that although Xiaozhi is your son, he has been living away from home since birth and probably hasn't yet recognized his ancestral home. Therefore, it's not appropriate for him to attend today's annual banquet. He is, after all, a child, and you are a stranger to him. It will take time to coax him into calling you dad. Let's take it slow. It's getting late now, so let's prepare to enter the palace."
Leng Yu's words calmed down Leng Zian, who was about to lose his temper.
There was some truth in what he said. He was just too reckless. He only wanted Xiao Zhi to enter the palace to save face for him, but he forgot that he didn't even recognize him as his father.
So, he glanced at Xiao Zhi, then fiercely looked at Luo Lan, then swung his sleeves and shouted:
"Come, help me change my clothes and prepare to enter the palace."
After he finished speaking, he strode away towards the west wing where he was.
Leng Yu said hello to Luo Lan and went to change into clothes for entering the palace.
Seeing them leave, Liu Mei hurriedly got up from the ground. She came to Luo Lan, wiped the tears from her face, and said softly:
"Thank you, Princess, for speaking up for me just now. It's just...it's just that he's a petty person. Your words offended him, and he won't let it go."
Luo Lan touched Xiao Zhi's head, pursed his lips and chuckled:
"It's okay. He has disliked me since he entered the mansion. It doesn't make any difference whether I say it or not. Besides, everything I say is the truth. Whether he listens or not, he must understand this."
Liu Mei had tears in her eyes. She wiped her tears with her handkerchief and whispered:
"I thought we could live peacefully like this for the rest of our lives. I thought he would never come to the capital, but who would have thought he would come and live in the palace? It seems all this is fate, it's destined to happen, and there's no way to avoid it."
Hearing her say this, Luo Lan raised his hand and patted her on the shoulder, and said softly:
"Since you can't escape, then don't run away. After all, he is Xiaozhi's biological father. If he meets you, he will risk his life to bring you back. Instead of desperately opposing you, why not give him a chance? Maybe after you go back, he will be much worse than before."
Her words silenced Liu Mei. She nodded slightly and replied softly:
"I will consider what you say. It's getting late, Princess. Please go change your clothes."
Luo Lan looked at her with a smile on her face, touched Xiao Zhi's head, and said playfully:
"Actually, if that's the case, I should call you Aunt Huang and Xiaozhi my younger brother."
Liu Mei lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, while Xiao Zhi pouted, looking unhappy.
Seeing that it was getting late, Luo Lan didn't say any more to them. A Cai and A Hong had already prepared the clothes for her to wear when entering the palace, and also put on beautiful makeup for her.
Looking at himself in the bronze mirror, Luo Lan raised his hand and gently stroked his delicate face, with a gentle smile on his lips.
Ah Cai couldn't help but mutter while clicking her tongue:
"The princess is truly beautiful, a beauty unprecedented and unparalleled."
Luo Lan shook his head and smiled bitterly, "How can it be beautiful? It's just that you are used to it."
"That's not true. The princess is beautiful, and the prince is handsome. You two are a match made in heaven."
Ah Cai's words made Ah Hong dissatisfied. She curled her lips, glared at her, and said disdainfully:
"What a sycophant."
Ah Cai glared back at her unconcernedly, "You're the flatterer. I'm telling the truth. So, you say the princess isn't beautiful? Isn't the prince handsome?"
Ah Cai's words really left Ah Hong speechless.
Luo Lan couldn't help but narrow her eyes and interrupt them. She raised her hand to tidy up the scattered hair on her chest and said softly:
"Okay, you guys hurry up and get ready, we're about to leave."
Seeing this, Acai and Ahong smiled at each other and ran back to their room to change clothes.
After a while, several carriages stopped at the gate of Prince Yu's Mansion. Leng Zian insisted on riding a horse. Before leaving, he instructed the guards he brought with him to surround Prince Yu's Mansion, and sent two people to follow Xiao Zhi at all times to prevent Liu Mei from escaping with him.
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