Chapter 176 A great deed with boundless merit
Lu Yingxi's face was filled with anxiety. "We have a common enemy and are in the same boat. I can't reach into the palace, so I have no choice but to ask for your help. If you can think of a good solution and need me to help, I will definitely not refuse."
Zhao Shuning lowered his eyes slightly, as if thinking.
After a moment, she slowly said, "I do have an idea."
Lu Yingxi asked hurriedly, "What method?"
Zhao Shuning told Lu Yingxi his plan, and her eyes sparkled.
“Good idea!”
Zhao Shuning said quietly, "No matter how good the method is, it's useless without people to carry it out."
"Don't you often walk around the harem? You can bribe one or two palace maids to do things for you."
Zhao Shuning sneered, "You bribed the palace maid so casually. If anything goes wrong, I will be implicated. But you are innocent and have completely stayed out of it. Do you think I am a fool?"
Lu Yingxi choked and then became a little annoyed.
"If that's the case, why did you propose this?"
She was so happy for nothing!
Zhao Shuning looked at her calmly, "I have a more reliable candidate."
Lu Yingxi looked suspicious, "Who?"
Zhao Shuning whispered a name, and Lu Yingxi's eyes flickered slightly.
This is indeed a suitable candidate, but...
"She may not agree to do this."
Zhao Shuning glared at her. "I've already given you the idea. If you can't even convince her, then you can only blame yourself for being incompetent."
After saying that, she stood up and left.
Lu Yingxi frowned and pondered in the room for a long time. Finally, she made up her mind, asked the maid to help her change clothes, and then went out.
After returning to the Marquis' Mansion, Zhao Shuning was waiting for Lu Yingxi's reply.
Based on her understanding of Lu Yingxi, she will definitely be able to accomplish this.
Sure enough, the next day, Lu Yingxi sent someone to tell her that the matter had been settled.
This is just the first step. The real key depends on Concubine Li's attitude.
If Concubine Li wanted to protect Lu Zhiran, no matter how many small actions they took in private, it would be of no avail and might even anger Concubine Li.
Zhao Shuning was secretly thinking about how to please Lu Zhiran and make Concubine Li give up the idea of letting Lu Zhiran enter the Sixth Prince's Mansion.
Before she could figure out what to do, she learned from Concubine Li that she had changed her mind long ago.
"That bitch and Yan Qing are not on the same page. If she really enters Yan Qing's backyard, she might cause a lot of trouble. Rather than marrying a troublemaker, it is better to give her up."
Zhao Shuning was overjoyed.
This is perfect, and it saves her from wasting time.
"Your Majesty, are we just going to let her go like that? If she were to enter the Seventh Prince's residence, it would be a huge hidden danger."
Concubine Li narrowed her eyes and sneered.
"Of course we can't let her go for nothing."
It was not easy to arrange a marriage, but it was easy to ruin her candidacy.
If you trip her up easily, she will have to accept the blame and be punished.
Zhao Shuning's eyes flickered slightly, and she took the initiative to ask, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion. I wonder if it is appropriate?"
Concubine Li raised her eyelids and looked at her, "Speak."
Zhao Shuning then told Concubine Li about his previous plan. Concubine Li thought for a moment and smiled.
"Your idea is good. I was originally wondering who should take action, but you have solved the selection problem for me."
Zhao Shuning breathed a sigh of relief. "It is my honor to be able to share your worries, Your Majesty."
Concubine Li smiled and praised, "You are very good. When this matter is accomplished, I will definitely reward you handsomely."
Zhao Shuning quickly expressed his gratitude.
Originally, this plan was just a small private quarrel between them, but now with the approval of Concubine Li, everything will go much more smoothly.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day for selecting the prince's wife. In the spring, the flowers in the imperial palace and the imperial garden were in full bloom, colorful and beautiful.
Today, the atmosphere in the palace was exceptionally solemn and lively. Beneath the eaves of the Imperial Garden, rows of palace lanterns hung high, red silks fluttering, reflecting the vibrant spring scenery that filled the garden.
The ladies from various families had already gathered in front of the Qionghua Palace in the Imperial Garden under the guidance of palace maids.
They are dressed in colorful clothes, some are dignified and elegant, some are charming and beautiful, and some are pure and refined, just like a painting with a hundred flowers in full bloom.
Each woman was dressed up carefully, with a hint of shyness and expectation between her eyebrows, and her every gesture showed the demeanor of a lady from a noble family.
The palace maids shuttled around, holding tea and snacks in their hands, serving these future nobles in soft voices.
The noble ladies gathered in groups of three or five, talking in low voices.
Lu Zhiran wore a lavender dress today, the hem of which was delicately embroidered with crabapple blossoms. Her jet-black hair was adorned with a jade hairpin, making her appear dignified yet graceful. Most people would instantly pale in comparison to her, so no one approached her.
There was only one exception.
Xing Chuxue looked around and then came towards her happily.
"Pingle County Princess, you are so beautiful today."
Xing Chuxue was wearing a light pink silk dress today. The hem of the skirt was embroidered with fine silver patterns. A light green ribbon was tied around her waist, fluttering in the wind, making her figure look slim and graceful, like a new willow in spring.
She had a bright smile on her face, and she looked lively and energetic.
Lu Zhiran couldn't help but smile, "You look very good today too."
Xing Chuxue said bluntly, "I'm just here to go through the motions. I definitely won't be selected."
My elder sister is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and she is calm, reserved and knows when to advance and retreat. She is straightforward and reckless, and has no intention of entering the prince's palace. She just came here to join the crowd.
However, it is also good to be able to enter the palace and see the world.
Xing Chuxue whispered, "County Lady, my cousin has divorced and entered Jinxiufang. I went to see her a few days ago. She's doing very well there and has a new lease on life. She asked me to express her gratitude to you."
She looked at Lu Zhiran with eyes full of sincere gratitude.
Lu Zhiran couldn't help but feel a little better after hearing this.
"No need to thank her, she is my greatest salvation."
Xing Chuxue shook her head. "No, if you hadn't set an example for her, she wouldn't have dared to actually make the decision to divorce. If Jinxiufang hadn't existed, she wouldn't have had the confidence to leave her husband's family."
"Everyone was against her divorce, including my uncle and aunt. They threatened to sever ties with her. If Jinxiufang hadn't provided her with a place to stay and allowed her to support herself, she certainly wouldn't have dared to divorce."
She couldn't help but hold Lu Zhiran's hand, her eyes sparkling, "County Lady, you have done a great and meritorious deed!"
It is a pleasant thing to receive sincere praise from others.
The smile on Lu Zhiran's lips grew wider.
Her rebirth was not in vain.
At least, she did her best to help those she wanted to help.
At this moment, an inappropriate voice came, interrupting the harmonious atmosphere between the two.
"Hey, who is this? How dare a divorced woman come here and embarrass herself?"
Lu Zhiran turned around and saw an old acquaintance, Jiang Jinnian, looking at her with disdain.
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