She told Anran to rest well and left her head maid, Bicao, for Anran to use, saying that if Anran needed anything, she could just go and get it.
A moment later, Jia Niang came in carrying the medicine.
Her small frame carried a red lacquered and gold-painted tray with a white porcelain bowl containing medicine on it. The bowl was clearly too big for her, yet she walked with extreme care and steadiness, each step deliberate and steady.
Princess Yunyang was almost certain in her heart that Jia Niang was Tan Yue, so she felt extremely sorry for Jia Niang when she saw how sensible she was.
The maids were quick to offer to bring it over for Jia Niang, but Jia Niang insisted on bringing it to An Ran herself.
Finally, Anran spoke up: "Jia Niang, why don't we leave it to the other sisters? You're small and weak; if you spill the medicine, we'll have to brew it all over again."
At this moment, Jia Niang could only hear what Qu Anran said. Since she had spoken, she naturally handed it over obediently.
Seeing this, Princess Yunyang became even more determined to keep Anran here for a few more days. If Anran stayed, Jia Niang would definitely not want to leave.
******
The Imperial Study.
After an all-night interrogation, Lu Mingxiu finally obtained a confession.
Chu Tianze knew more about the case than Lu Mingxiu, which was related to a ten-year-old case, so he stayed to help until he obtained a confession.
After the two finished reporting to Yun Shu, Yun Shu's expression turned slightly cold. She then told them to follow the rules and not to punish them for the time being, while waiting to lure out the mastermind behind the scenes.
After discussing state affairs, Yun Shu did not let them leave, but instead led them to the East Warm Pavilion where he usually rested.
"Second Brother, Mingxiu, please sit down." Yun Shu said casually, "Don't be shy here."
Upon hearing this, Chu Tianze feigned concern and said, "Your Majesty, please don't say that. If the Duke of Dingguo and the Heir Apparent heard this, they would surely scold me again!"
Before seizing the throne, Yun Shu had lived in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion for over twenty years as Chu Tianshu, the third son of the legitimate wife. It was also in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion that he married the current Empress. He had a deep affection for the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. Although he addressed the Duke and his wife as his maternal uncle and aunt, he still privately referred to his two elder brothers as "eldest brother" and "second brother." The Duke of Dingguo and his heir were extremely particular about etiquette and refused to disrupt the proper hierarchy.
Knowing that her second brother was always a bit of a rascal, Yun Shu couldn't help but smile and say, "That's natural. As the saying goes, the youngest son and the eldest grandson are the lifeblood of the old couple. At home, the most pampered ones are naturally Yan-ge and me."
Chu Muyan is the eldest grandson of the legitimate wife. Although his birth mother is still unknown, he looks more and more like a member of the Chu family as he grows up, so no one dares to doubt his identity anymore.
Yun Shu chatted with Chu Tianze for a bit, and since she didn't consider Lu Mingxiu an outsider, she didn't avoid him.
"Mingxiu, is something on your mind?" Yun Shu noticed that Lu Mingxiu's expression was a little off today. Although he was as taciturn as ever, a hint of worry flashed in his eyes. He looked just like herself ten years ago before she met Jinniang, and Yun Shu felt a little more concerned about him.
Chu Tianze took out his folding fan and tapped it lightly on his palm, pretending to be deep and silent.
"Your Majesty, I have a request, and I beg you to grant it." Lu Mingxiu stood up, lifted his robe, and knelt on the ground. He said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I wish to request a marriage."
Upon hearing this, Yun Shu's face lit up with joy.
"That's good news, get up quickly." Yun Shu was happy for him, then asked gently, "Which girl have you taken a fancy to? Have you mentioned her to her?"
Lu Mingxiu shook his head but did not get up.
"I was previously engaged to her family," Lu Mingxiu said respectfully. "The person I admire is none other than the Ninth Miss of the Marquis of Nan'an's mansion."
Yun Shu knew something about the marriage agreement between the Marquis of Nan'an and the Marquis of Pingyuan. However, when the Marquis of Pingyuan fell into decline, he delayed for several years to exonerate the Marquis of Pingyuan because he needed Lu Mingxiu to investigate a case. Now that both of the Marquis of Nan'an's legitimate daughters have married, the marriage agreement is considered null and void.
If it were anyone else, Yun Shu would have immediately issued an imperial decree to grant the marriage without hesitation, but An Jiu Niang has recently become quite famous in the capital.
"Your Majesty, I have also heard those rumors, but I believe that Ninth Sister is not that kind of person!" Lu Mingxiu knew Yun Shu's concerns, and he pleaded with a firm gaze, "Rumors are more ferocious than tigers. She is just a young girl, and if she is entangled in such rumors, she will certainly have no power to fight back!"
Yun Shu waved her hand, signaling him to get up first.
To be honest, Yun Shu was not very satisfied. Lu Mingxiu was now an important official in the court, the Marquis of Pingyuan, a person of the highest rank. His wife should be either a princess or a noble lady from a prestigious family, possessing both beauty and virtue.
The woman he had his eye on was the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Nan'an, who had previously broken her promise and was now embroiled in unsavory rumors... No matter how Yun Shu thought about it, she felt that An Jiu was not a good match.
Seeing that Lu Mingxiu stubbornly refused to move, Chu Tianze quickly gave him a wink, signaling him to go out first and that he would handle the rest.
I can't let you call me Second Uncle for nothing!
Chu Tianze was full of confidence. (Just Love Network)
Chapter 81
Having finally gotten rid of Lu Mingxiu, Chu Tianze abandoned his carefree and playful demeanor, closed his folding fan, and a rare seriousness appeared on his handsome face.
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, Mingxiu truly loves that young girl," Chu Tianze advised. "Mingxiu is usually a cold and taciturn fellow. He has never made any requests of you. Why not grant them their wish?"
Yun Shu had her own concerns.
"Second brother, it's not that I want to break up this couple." Yun Shu frowned slightly and said, "The Marquis of Nan'an quietly canceled this marriage. They just saw that the Lu family was in trouble, so they quickly severed ties with the Lu family."
"I also heard that the Marquis of Nan'an mentioned marriage with the Marquis of Pingyuan's family while drunk?" Yun Shu recalled the report from her subordinates that the Marquis of Nan'an's family actually wanted to arrange a marriage with the Marquis of Pingyuan's family again, and couldn't help but sneer, "He has quite the nerve!"
“Although Mingxiu has made great achievements in battle and is becoming more and more experienced in handling affairs, he has not yet figured out matters of love between men and women. I am worried that he will be deceived by others and it will be too late to regret it.”
Chu Tianze immediately understood what Yun Shu was worried about.
Just as famous as the scandalous rumors that circulated about An Jiu in the capital were her beauty.
Lost as a child, but fortunately found by a loyal servant? This might fool the women of the inner quarters, but Yun Shu didn't believe it. If it were that easy, why hadn't Tan Yue been found by now?
This beautiful concubine's daughter was hidden away for more than ten years. When she returned to the capital at the age of marriage, Lu Mingxiu took a fancy to An Jiu. What exactly is the Nan'an Marquis's family up to?
“It’s normal for you to care about Mingxiu and think about things more,” Chu Tianze said knowingly. “You should trust his judgment. Besides,” he seemed to recall something amusing, a faint smile gradually appearing on his lips, “Mingxiu was the one who took a liking to that young lady first. I’m afraid An Jiu still doesn’t know that our Marquis Pingyuan has taken a liking to her!”
A look of astonishment flashed across Yun Shu's eyes.
"Really, would I lie to you?" Chu Tianze revealed a hint of reminiscence, and he couldn't help but laugh, "He couldn't figure it out himself, and he was struggling with his own heart for a long time. Just a few days ago, he came to me, wanting me to pass on a message to you and grant him a marriage."