Chapter 269 Shenanigans

Jian Lan chuckled softly as she spoke, picked up an orange from the fruit plate, and handed one to Consort Li after peeling it.

"I heard that Duchess Rong has been helping Lord Xie look for a consort lately. She's had painters deliver portraits of all the unmarried, reputable young ladies in the capital, and has gone through them one by one—even including daughters of fifth- and sixth-rank officials!"

"She doesn't pick a consort by family background or appearance, but mainly on character. But the problem is, the ones Duchess Rong fancies, Lord Xie doesn't like at all. He won't even glance at them, and shoots them all down with one excuse or another."

"Our Tenth Princess is a royal jewel—a perfect match for Lord Xie. Since Duchess Rong is willing to consider women from humble families for Lord Xie, I think there's a good chance she'll take a liking to our Tenth Princess. Why not let the princess give it a try? If Duchess Rong really fancies her, not only will the princess be happy, but Consort Li can also put that worry to rest, isn't that right?"

Jian Lan's analysis was well-reasoned, and it exactly hit a nerve with Consort Li.

She felt that what the maid said made sense.

Previously, she'd kept to herself in the palace and wasn't close to Duchess Rong at all, yet she had always supported Luo Qianxue chasing after Xie Liuzheng.

On one hand, it was because of his powerful status; on the other hand, Consort Li was drawn to the incredible wealth and connections of the Duke of Rong's mansion.

Every bit of those resources would boost Luo Jingshen's odds in the fight for the throne.

What she needed was Xie Jinrong's support and assistance, hoping he would work for Luo Jingshen and help the Crown Prince ascend the throne.

Consort Li plucked a slice of orange and put it in her mouth. A thought suddenly hit her, and she asked curiously:

"By the way, how did you find out Duchess Rong is picking a consort for Lord Xie?"

After all, Luo Qianxue was obsessed with Xie Liuzheng. Even though she lived in the palace, she kept tabs on his every move.

If Lord Xie was indeed being introduced to many noble daughters by Duchess Rong, as Jian Lan had said, why wouldn't Luo Qianxue have flipped out?

That didn't fit her usual behavior.

Jian Lan went pale for a split second, but she quickly pulled herself together and said softly:

"To answer Consort Li, I heard it from the eunuchs handling palace supplies. As for who started the rumor, nobody can trace it back."

"What is certain, however, is that this information is most likely true. Lately, there have been painters claiming that a certain lady had commissioned them to paint portraits of the daughters of various families. Most of the young ladies were quite cooperative."

Consort Li was a bit dazed and said, "I see."

She turned to look at Jian Lan. "So, what do you think I should do?"

This matter would require Ji Yuntang's involvement, which meant summoning her to the palace—something Consort Li absolutely didn't want to do.

She hated Ji Yuntang to the bone and had developed a deep fear of her. She was afraid that if she saw Ji Yuntang, she'd lose control and want to kill her.

Jian Lan thought for a moment and then suggested, "Consort Li, I think you should approach Duchess Rong directly. Summon her to the palace under the pretext of being Princess Ye's mother. Just say you want to have tea and chat. I doubt Duchess Rong would turn you down."

Consort Li nodded. "Good point. Do it your way."

Jian Lan acknowledged the order and withdrew to summon Duchess Rong to the palace.

Meanwhile, Consort Li also sent for Luo Qianxue.

Ever since Consort Li slapped her last time, Luo Qianxue had been holding a grudge against her mother. During this period, she hadn't even set foot in Weiyang Palace.

When she heard that Consort Li had sent a palace maid to summon her, anger flared up inside her, and she refused flat-out without even thinking.

"I'm not going, not going! Who wants to see her? What does she take me for—her personal punching bag?"

"Doesn't she just love smacking her own daughter around to suck up to outsiders? Let her go hang out with those outsiders."

"You go back and tell her that I can live just fine on my own. I don't want to see her, and I don't want to set foot in her Weiyang Palace."

The messenger palace maid was shaking like a leaf but managed to keep her voice steady and whispered, "Consort Li said it's about Lord Xie. Please, you have to come..."

Before the maid could finish, Luo Qianxue jumped to her feet, all excited.

"What did you say? It's about Lord Xie?"

"Why didn't you say so sooner? Hurry, help me change! I'm going to Weiyang Palace to see Mother."

The palace maid: "..."

Luo Qianxue's flip-flop was pretty sudden, but it proved Consort Li right.

If Luo Qianxue refused, the maid was supposed to say it was about Xie Liuzheng.

The name "Xie Liuzheng" was like a trigger for Luo Qianxue. Since she liked him but couldn't have him, she put him on a pedestal.

For her, Xie Liuzheng worked better than anything else.

Luo Qianxue slipped into a pale blue cloud-patterned butterfly-feather dress, did a full face of makeup, and showed up at Weiyang Palace looking gorgeous.

The moment she walked in, she flung herself into Consort Li's arms, her voice all whiny and aggrieved.

"Mother, Xue'er missed you so much! I thought since you hadn't called me in forever, you must have the Crown Prince brother on your mind and forgot all about me!"

Consort Li: "..."

Consort Li: "!!!"

If it weren't for the fact that the palace maid sent to deliver the message had told her that Luo Qianxue had flatly refused when asked to come to Weiyang Palace, Consort Li might have actually believed she missed her!

Hearing Luo Qianxue mention Luo Jingshen's name again, Consort Li felt all the emotions she'd barely stomped down come flooding back. She was mentally drained.

She rubbed her temples and patted Luo Qianxue's shoulder lightly.

"Such rebellious words, you can only say them in front of me. Once you leave Weiyang Palace, don't ever mention them to anyone—especially in front of your father and the Empress. Do you understand?"

Luo Qianxue lifted her head from Consort Li's arms and met her mother's captivating, shimmering eyes, but they now lacked their usual tender light and instead held a cold edge.

Luo Qianxue's body trembled—she was frightened by the coldness in Consort Li's eyes.

She didn't understand why Consort Li reacted so strongly to the matter of the Crown Prince.

But now was clearly not the time to care about that outsider. She had more important things to ask her mother.

So, Luo Qianxue pretended to be obedient and nodded.

"Mother, Xue'er understands. Xue'er won't mention it in front of Father and the Empress."

In her heart, however, she was contemptuous. It seemed Consort Li really did have a thing for the Crown Prince and had a guilty conscience, which was why she feared such dirty secrets being exposed.

Consort Li was very satisfied with Luo Qianxue's attitude. She gently stroked her hair.

"Xue'er, you are my only daughter. You must understand that everything I do is for your own good. Don't be like some people and break my heart."

Luo Qianxue gave a perfunctory smile. "Yes, Xue'er understands. Mother is the best person in the world to me."

She didn't understand jack! Consort Li herself had the hots for Luo Jingshen. If she's bold enough to do it, why can't she stand people talking about it?

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