Xu Qingchen nodded and said, "That's right. I guess the messenger from Da Chu State is Liu Chunfeng."
Ye Li frowned slightly and looked at Mo Xiuyao, who was next to her. "Does Prince Liu have a relationship with Prime Minister Liu?" Mo Xiuyao sneered and said, "The Prince Ding Mansion and the Liu Family have always been at odds. How can they be friends?" When Mo Liufang was still young, the Liu Family was not led by Prime Minister Liu, but by Old Master Liu, who had passed away. Old Master Liu became the Prime Minister when he was over 60 years old. However, Prince Regent Mo Liufang, who was only in his twenties, was above him. How could Old Master Liu, who was narrow-minded, tolerate that? During those years, Old Master Liu had always made things difficult for Mo Liufang. Therefore, the relationship between the Prince Ding Mansion and the Liu Family had never been good. That was why Noble Consort Liu was infatuated with Mo Xiuyao back then. Not only did Mo Xiuyao have no interest in her, but even the Liu Family did not agree to the marriage. Instead, they sent her to the palace without hesitation.
"Let him in. I also want to see why he wants to see I," Mo Xiuyao ordered calmly.
Not long after, the man was led into the teahouse. As expected, it was Prime Minister Liu, who had white hair and a beard. Although Liu Chunfeng was old, his body and spirit seemed to be in good condition. His pair of cloudy eyes were shining with shrewdness. However, the people standing next to him stunned everyone. There were two women standing next to Prime Minister Liu. The older one was wearing a snow-white robe. Her beautiful face looked cold. Who else could it be other than Noble Consort Liu? Although Noble Consort Liu was over 30 years old, time seemed to be extra kind to her. She did not look much different from five or six years ago. Standing next to Noble Consort Liu was a thirteen or fourteen year old girl. She was wearing a light yellow robe embroidered with pink and white hibiscus flowers. Her face, which had gradually grown up, was already showing a faint trace of beauty. It could be imagined that in two years, the young girl's appearance would definitely not be inferior to Noble Consort Liu's. Her clear and bright eyes revealed a purity and elegance that Noble Consort Liu would never have. Seeing Ye Li, the girl's face lit up. She couldn't help but take a step forward and call out softly, "Princess Ding …"
Ye Li was slightly startled. Looking at the countenance that bore some resemblance to Empress Hua and Hua Tianxiang, her heart stirred as she said, "Princess Changle …"
Seeing that Ye Li remembered her, Princess Changle nodded her head in delight. She lifted her foot, intending to walk towards Ye Li. Behind her, Noble Consort Liu lightly coughed, indifferently saying, "Princess, as the princess of a country, you should pay attention to etiquette. Do not lose your decorum and shame the Emperor." Halting her steps, Princess Changle turned her head to look at Noble Consort Liu. Beaming, she replied, "Many thanks to Noble Consort for the reminder. However, it was not this Princess who wanted to come up. Rather, it was Noble Consort who suggested it. This Princess only wishes to reminisce about the past with Princess Ding. I wonder who Your Highness wishes to reminisce with? "Noble Consort Liu's complexion changed as she stared fixedly at Princess Changle. Princess Changle was not afraid, unhesitatingly returning her gaze. After a while, Noble Consort Liu replied, "I naturally wish to reminisce with Princess Ding."
Ye Li stood up. Smiling faintly, she said, "It is rare to meet an old friend in this border town. Since both Noble Consort and the Princess wish to reminisce with this Consort, why don't we change locations? This will also prevent … Noble Consort's reputation from being ruined. " Princess Changle cheerfully took Ye Li's hand. Smiling, she said, "Princess Ding, long time no see. I thought we would never see each other again. Let's go somewhere else to talk. " Finished speaking, Princess Changle pulled Ye Li towards a side room. The entire upper floor of the teahouse had been reserved by Xu Qingchen. There was no need to worry that Princess Changle would casually walk into someone else's room. After taking two steps with Ye Li, Princess Changle turned her head to look at Noble Consort Liu, who was still standing in her original position. Narrowing her watery eyes, she smiled and said, "Noble Consort Liu, you are still not leaving? Even if this Princess's reputation is somewhat lacking, it does not matter. The Emperor's daughter does not have to worry about marriage. However, if Noble Consort Liu … hehe … I wonder if Imperial Father would like to hear someone say that a pear blossom is unfaithful? "
"What nonsense are you speaking?!" Noble Consort Liu's face reddened. Glancing at the purple-clothed, silver-haired man with his back to her, she quickly followed.
Behind her, Feng Zhiyao finally recovered his wits. Pointing in the direction that Princess Changle had disappeared, he clicked his tongue and said, "That girl is Princess Changle?" Mo Xiuyao raised his eyes and glanced at him, indifferently lowering his gaze to drink his tea. "Do you have any objections?" Feng Zhiyao was embarrassed and speechless. What objections could he have? Although he had only met Princess Changle once or twice, he still remembered the innocent and adorable appearance of the little princess, who had been doted on and protected by older sister Hua. Previously, he had even been jealous of this little princess, because she had received all of that person's love and care. However, was this the so-called 'a girl changes eighteen times between childhood and womanhood'? That innocent and adorable little princess could actually casually spit out such bitter mockery.
Xu Qingchen lowered her eyes, indifferently saying, "Princess Changle's days in the palace are not easy." Feng Zhiyao remained silent, his expression gradually sinking. Ever since the empress had pleaded for leniency for the Xu family several years ago, she had been stripped of her right to control the harem by the Emperor. Although everything else remained the same, with the empress's connections and prestige in the palace, no one dared to be disrespectful to her. However, an empress who wielded real power was different from an empress who was merely a figurehead.
Standing to the side, Prime Minister Liu's complexion alternated between green and white. These people had absolutely no intention of inviting him to sit. They even discussed in front of him how his daughter, who was in charge of the imperial harem, had treated Princess Changle harshly. Prime Minister Liu was so angry that his beard stood up. He could not help but interrupt, "Third young master Feng's words are too serious. Has my daughter ever mistreated Princess Changle?" Feng Zhiyao, Zhuo Jing, and Lin Han, who had been engaged in a heated discussion, immediately quieted down. Zhuo Jing's expression changed, returning to its usual indifference. Tilting his head, he glanced at Prime Minister Liu and said, "Prime Minister Liu, don't you know manners to disturb others' conversation?"
Prime Minister Liu was so angry that he fell backwards. Pointing at Zhuo Jing, he stammered for a long time, unable to say anything. After a long time, he finally calmed down. Fuming, he said, "Leaving a guest to the side, is this how the Prince Ding Mansion treats its guests?"
"Those who are welcomed are guests. Those who come uninvited …" Lin Han looked at Prime Minister Liu sincerely, using his expression to tell him that they had not invited him upstairs.
Feng Zhiyao supported his chin with one hand, casually saying, "Furthermore, Prime Minister Liu, this young master not only suspects that the Liu family does not follow the rules, but that the entire imperial family of the Da Chu State does not follow the rules, right? Just now, when we came upstairs, how did you walk? Prime Minister Liu walked in front, with Princess Changle at the back. "
"What's the problem?" Prime Minister Liu unhappily asked. Feng Zhiyao sneered and said, "Prime Minister Liu, Noble Consort Liu is a standard first rank official. Princess Changle is also a standard first rank official. As for you, the Prime Minister … you are a standard first rank official. However, isn't there a difference between different first rank officials? No matter how high Noble Consort Liu's rank is, she is still a concubine. Princess Changle is the empress's legitimate daughter. Let me ask you, would your family allow a concubine to walk in front of a daughter of the first wife? Moreover, you are a concubine's father. "
"Feng Zhiyao! You … you … "Prime Minister Liu was so angry that his entire body began to tremble. The finger he used to point at Feng Zhiyao trembled incessantly. He could not say that Feng Zhiyao was wrong. Under normal circumstances, as the Prime Minister, he was required to salute Princess Changle when he saw her. As for the situation between Noble Consort Liu and Princess Changle, he could not say that the rules of the imperial family were different from those of ordinary families. Although in the palace, Princess Changle had to perform the etiquette of a junior to Noble Consort Liu, in the eyes of the scholars of the realm, Princess Changle, as the eldest princess of the first wife, was more honorable than Noble Consort Liu. The eldest daughter of the first wife saluted Noble Consort Liu out of respect and courtesy for her imperial father. It was not necessary.
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