In recent years, the Emperor has paid little attention to court affairs.
Firstly, his health has been poor and his energy lacking; secondly, his two sons have grown up and taken on official duties.
Especially after the Crown Prince was appointed, the Crown Prince has been presiding over court affairs, and the Emperor has almost ceased meeting with ministers.
However, Minister Liang is a senior court official with the backing of the Yang family, and he holds considerable influence before the Emperor, so it is not surprising that he was summoned to the palace.
Chu Lan felt quite reassured upon hearing this, insisting that Minister Liang must severely reprimand that Deng Yi.
Not long after, Minister Liang returned, but his expression was far from pleasant. Strangely, there were tea stains on his shoulder, as if someone had splashed tea on him?
Who would dare splash tea on Minister Liang?
Chu Lan couldn't help but stare at Minister Liang's shoulder. Minister Liang noticed his gaze and seemed annoyed, but he restrained himself the next moment and even took the initiative to greet him, saying, "Mr. Chu, apologies for the wait," and asked what the matter was.
Chu Lan recounted the incident involving Chu Zhao, emphasizing how arrogant Deng Yi had been, and said resentfully, "If that girl has done wrong, it is only for you, Minister Liang, to discipline her. Who does he think he is to interfere?"
Minister Liang's expression darkened, but he did not immediately summon the Commandant. After a moment of silence, he said, "Mr. Chu, you are overthinking this. Deng Yi cannot discipline Miss Chu, and neither can I. This is merely a childish squabble between young girls. As parents, we should each reprimand our own children and have the nursemaids teach them proper manners."
Chu Lan was momentarily stunned. What did this mean? When the incident first erupted, Minister Liang had not spoken this way—he had clearly stated it was not a trivial matter between children.
"Let's not bring this up again," Minister Liang said, as if struggling to contain himself. "It's all in the past."
In the past? Chu Lan was about to say more when a steward from the Liang residence hurried in and whispered a few words to Minister Liang. Chu Lan watched as Minister Liang's face shifted through a spectrum of colors, like dye soaking into cloth, before finally turning as dark as the bottom of a pot.
"Outra—" he began to roar but checked himself again. Turning to Chu Lan, he said, "Mr. Chu, let this matter rest. Do not mention it again, and let us not meet hereafter."
With that, he flung his sleeve and left, as if he could not bear to look at Chu Lan for another moment.
Not meet again?
Was this forgiveness or not? Chu Lan stood rooted to the spot, unable to process what had just happened.
When he stepped outside and boarded his carriage, a servant handed him a letter, saying it was from the Second Master.
Chu Lan took the letter and tossed it onto the table.
"What does it say?" Jiang Shi asked anxiously.
Chu Tang had already picked up the letter and opened it to read. As she scanned the contents, she relayed to her mother, "Uncle says the matter of A Zhao and Miss Liang's quarrel has been resolved. He asks us not to worry or interfere further. He also thanks us for our efforts and apologizes for the trouble."
Jiang Shi was dumbfounded for a moment. "So, it's settled just like that?"
"It must be," Chu Lan said. "Otherwise, how could A Zhao have been released from prison and even dared to go to the Liang residence to spout such nonsense? And Minister Liang—why did he act that way toward me, saying the matter was over? Even when he heard the servant report about Chu Zhao, he suppressed his anger—"
As her father spoke, Chu Tang let out a deep, melancholic sigh. "Uncle is truly formidable. He's far away in the Border Commandery, beyond the Emperor's reach, while we continue to bear the brunt of his detestable authority."
Jiang Shi slammed the table in fury. "Fine, fine! Let that father and daughter do as they please. They don't care whether we live or die."
Chu Lan said nothing, his brow furrowed tightly in apparent helplessness.
What could he do? As the elder brother, he had no control over this younger brother.Chu Tang handed the tea to Chu Lan and asked curiously, "Which connections did Uncle use? He actually managed to suppress Minister Liang?"
Does Uncle still have connections to use? Didn't he burn all his bridges over a decade ago?
Chu Lan stared at the tea, thinking of the tea stain on Minister Liang's shoulder—
In the palace, the Crown Prince favored martial pursuits, while the Third Prince was arrogant and domineering. Splashing tea or even striking court officials wasn't unheard of for them. But would the Crown Prince or Third Prince bother with such trivial matters? One was busy with archery, horseback riding, and lifting stone locks; the other was absorbed in books, oblivious to everything else. They wouldn't concern themselves with a squabble between two young girls—
The only one in the palace with nothing to do, and who could splash tea on Minister Liang, was His Majesty.
So Chu Ling really did plead with His Majesty! But it was agreed—he would muster his last breath to beg His Majesty for an official post for Chu Ke!
Chu Lan stamped her foot, let out a long sigh of "Aiya!", and flung the teacup to the ground.
"Is his daughter the only person in our Chu family? Are the rest of us not human? He's going to die soon, but he doesn't care if the rest of the family lives or dies!"
Jiang Shi clearly understood as well, both furious and anxious, trying to calm Chu Lan while cursing Chu Ling.
Chu Tang was accustomed to such scenes. Since childhood, whenever Second Uncle was mentioned, her parents would complain and fume.
She didn't have strong feelings about Second Uncle causing trouble for the family in the past. Growing up, she never lacked companions. She was clever, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and articulate. Even if someone looked down on her, she could win them over with a few words and turn others against that person—
But the trouble Chu Zhao stirred up, which had been quiet for so many years, was something Second Uncle could still resolve for her.
That meant Second Uncle still had connections.
If Second Uncle's connections were used for her, it would be like adding flowers to brocade—an embellishment.
What a pity they were wasted on Chu Zhao.
……
……
While Chu Lan's family was in low spirits, Minister Liang's household was even more distressed.
Lady Yan was fuming, and Miss Liang was wiping away tears. They waited anxiously for Minister Liang's return, but before they could voice their grievances, he cut them off.
"Enough, I already know everything."
Seeing Minister Liang's expression, Lady Yan was startled. Then she noticed the stain on his shoulder. As a woman, she was observant—though it had dried, she immediately recognized it as a tea stain.
"What happened to you?" she asked. "How did your clothes get dirty?"
She stepped forward to wipe it and offered to change his official robe.
Minister Liang, having bottled up his anger, finally vented freely at home. He shoved his wife away. "His Majesty splashed it!"
Lady Yan froze in place. Miss Liang stopped crying, her face pale as she stared at her father.
The maids and servants in the room were also stunned. One servant woman snapped back to reality, hurriedly ushering everyone out and closing the door.
"Master, what happened?" Lady Yan asked tremulously. "What trouble have you stirred?"
His Majesty hadn't involved himself in court affairs for some time.
"Did the Zhao Family slander you?"
Seeing his wife and daughter terrified, Minister Liang shook his head. "Don't be afraid. It's nothing serious. It has nothing to do with the Zhao Family, the Third Prince, or the Crown Prince. It was because of that Chu Zhao. His Majesty asked me why I, with grandsons already running around, would bully a young girl. Then he splashed tea on me and said I was worthless."
Because of that Chu Zhao? Lady Yan and Miss Liang stared blankly, thinking they had misheard.
"His Majesty knows about Chu Zhao?" she stammered.
Minister Liang scoffed. "His Majesty doesn't know her. It's because of Chu Ling. Chu Ling must have complained to His Majesty."Lady Yan didn't know whether to feel relieved or more anxious: "Chu Ling actually—"
"What's so strange about that," Minister Liang sat down, letting out a long breath as much of his pent-up frustration dissipated. "He once dared to point at His Majesty's nose and curse—what's surprising about him lodging a complaint against me?"
Lady Yan said quietly, "It's not surprising that he lodged a complaint. What's surprising is that His Majesty actually paid attention to him."
Not only did he pay attention, but he also reprimanded Minister Liang.
Minister Liang's expression darkened: "I don't think this is because of Chu Ling either. It must be Imperial Concubine Zhao spreading slander. These days, the Zhao Family has been reaching for too much, overextending their influence. They see me as an obstacle, and His Majesty has probably believed their rumors, venting his displeasure on me."
His Majesty couldn't very well reprimand Minister Liang under Imperial Concubine Zhao's name—using the matter between the children was just the right pretext. Thinking this way made it seem reasonable, but Lady Yan still couldn't relax.
"Speaking of which, things have been going poorly lately. The Zhao Family is targeting you, and the Yang Family hasn't been of any help either," she said. "We even discussed a marriage alliance with the Xie Family, but they went back on their word."
Hearing this, Miss Liang lowered her head and continued wiping her tears.
Minister Liang's expression darkened once more.
Truthfully, the family's recent gloom wasn't because of that Chu Zhao. When Chu Zhao struck Miss Liang, it was Chu Zhao and the Chu Family who were disgraced—they hadn't suffered any real losses. Instead, it provided a convenient cover for other matters, preventing people from speculating or asking about their worries.
"What kind of absurdity is this," he said. "I'll write to Young Master Xie the Third and demand an explanation for this breach of promise. The Xie Family must give us an answer."
As he spoke, he slapped the table.
"The Yang Family and Zhao Family are one thing, but the Xie Family hasn't even become the Imperial Uncle yet."
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