I swept the harem by pretending to be weak

Liu Zhirou held Chuntao's hand and returned to Changchun Palace.

"Chun Tao, go call Qiu Ju over." Liu Zhirou said casually.

Qiuju came over quickly, stood outside and called out "Madam" with some restraint.

"Come in, don't be shy." Liu Zhirou took a sip of tea and said comfortingly: "We have been friends for so many years. I will never cheat you no matter what. But there is one thing I need you to make a decision on."

"Qiu Ju, please leave it to the Majesty's arrangements." Qiu Ju sat at the bottom with her head lowered, looking very submissive.

"I may be sent to Renshou Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager in a few days. It may be a few days or a few months. Even after I am sent there, the Emperor may not remember me for a long time." Liu Zhirou said lightly. She clearly felt Qiuju's body tense up.

"If you want to sleep with me and become my concubine as soon as possible, I will arrange it right away. If you are not in a hurry, you might as well come with me to Renshou Palace to gain some experience." Liu Zhirou gave a choice, but in fact she did not give a choice.

Liu Zhirou had her own plans and knew that after she went to serve the Queen Mother, she would be able to find a way to get out, but Qiuju didn't know about this.

Serving the Queen Mother would certainly earn her a reputation as a filial and virtuous woman, but it would also keep her out of the Emperor's sight. In this palace, the old was replaced by the new, and if there were no good sisters in the palace to intercede for the concubines serving the Queen Mother, then she would basically be doomed to fall out of favor.

At that time, there would be no point in talking about introductions. If something goes wrong, Qiu Ju would be stuck there.

"Qiu Ju is willing to accompany the Empress, but the situation at home is too urgent..." Qiu Ju looked very hesitant.

Liu Zhirou got the expected reply, but she did not agree immediately. Instead, she activated the effect of speaking without being asked and continued calmly: "Prime Minister Shen's matter has happened for so many years, so there is probably no rush."

She didn't ask, but Qiu Ju easily revealed the solid things that Lu Jin had concealed.

"How much does your Majesty know about what happened to Shen Cheng back then? If I hadn't experienced that time myself, I wouldn't know how cruel it was." Qiu Ju's eyes were red at this time, as if she had remembered something very sad.

"Hundreds of people from the entire Shen family were surrounded in the house and killed indiscriminately. The blood dyed the corridor and the trees red. Some people even say that the houses in that area are haunted." When Liu Zhirou heard this, she became interested.

There might be some really good ghosts in that place.

The eunuch ghost in the Weiyang Palace was almost gone. The other ghosts Liu Zhirou could find were even worse than this one. They would be seriously injured if they got close to a crowded place, and there was no way for them to get any information.

If you can get a supplement...

Liu Zhirou smiled bitterly and shook her head. She didn't know where Prime Minister Shen's previous residence was. Even if she knew, her mental power couldn't extend that far unless she risked leaving the palace to look for it.

But for these things, it's not worth it.

Qiuju looked at Liu Zhirou in confusion, but finally continued her narration.

"I was very young when my father got into trouble and I don't remember much of what happened. But I wasn't the only one who risked his life to be escorted out by the loyal servant that day. One of my brothers was there, too."

"Although I have a hard time in the palace, he has an even worse time outside, and he is a few years older than me. If there is no other way and the case is overturned quickly, he will not have a proper identity to participate in the imperial examinations, and he will not be able to bring honor to his ancestors."

Qiuju said it as if it was a matter of course, but Liu Zhirou felt a little doubtful.

"Prime Minister Shen's subordinates should be able to forge a household registration identity for him, just like they did for you."

"My brother is proud and arrogant. I'm afraid he wouldn't want to use someone else's name." Qiuju said with a strange smile.

"You two siblings are a strange pair. Instead of working hard to clear your father's grievances, protecting your sister and letting her marry a good family, you expect your sister to become a concubine so that you can get a chance to walk in the world with honor." Liu Zhirou was really angry and amused by this.

Generally speaking, shouldn't the elder brother hide his identity, work hard to gain fame, find evidence, and clear his father's name, so as not to waste his younger sister's best years and find a good husband for her? Why is it that here, the situation is reversed, and the burden falls on the younger sister?

"Isn't it the same at the Empress's home?" Qiu Ju asked back.

"You are right." Liu Zhirou was speechless after being asked this question.

At least in the eyes of the world, the status of the entire Liu family is now supported by Liu Zhirou alone. If there is no queen in the palace, a small merchant family will be nothing in the capital.

"You've made up your mind that you won't regret it, right?"

"I only ask Your Majesty to introduce me to you. Qiu Ju will never regret it." Qiu Ju knelt on the ground, kowtowed respectfully, and said in a firm tone.

"You have to know that this is a turbulent time. If you really stand on the wrong side and make the wrong choice, not even Eunuch Lu can save you." Liu Zhirou finally gave a few words of advice, but seeing that Qiuju was still determined, she had to keep silent.

"What was your original name?" Liu Zhirou asked.

"I can't remember my original name. After I married into the Liu family, I took the surname of the old nanny who was responsible for raising me at the time, which is Zhuang." Qiuju replied.

"In this case, I will give you a usable name. After you become the emperor's concubine, you can no longer call her by that name casually. You should understand that Chuntao is naive, and I don't want her to be involved in all these things."

"Yes, the servant understands."

"The moon is setting over the river, and I miss my family. The colorful phoenixes are lonely on the wild stage. The river is full of youthful energy, and the green clouds and flying birds are in the wind and smoke."

"Since you want to clear your father's name and give your brother a good future, this poem is appropriate. I will choose the two words 'Biyun' from them and use them as your name. How about that?" Liu Zhirou thought for a moment and gave this answer.

Chuntao and Qiuju are obviously names from the same series. Since Qiuju wants to be the emperor's concubine, this name cannot be used. This is a matter of the underworld. It is not the lack of wealth that is worrying, but the inequality. If Chuntao is mentioned like this every day, even if she originally has no intention, she will be aroused with some resentment.

This is not a good idea. It would be better to change Qiuju's name so that even if people outside talk about it, they will only know that the two of them are maids brought by Liu Zhirou from home. Others will not understand, and it can also effectively avoid subsequent conflicts.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for giving me the name." Qiuju was grateful.

No matter how long this name can be used, and whether it will be changed by the emperor soon, Liu Zhirou took care to choose a new name for her, and she will remember this kindness.