Priceless: A widow with a baby asks the prince to marry again

It was past midnight and dusk was just beginning to fall, and the palace lanterns were lit one after another.

Liu Rusi stood before the towering palace gates, gazing out at the long imperial road leading to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Her already tense state of mind now weighed even more heavily.

This third palace banquet was also a "family banquet" to welcome Prince Duan, but the location was moved from the imperial garden in the harem to the core of the previous dynasty - Taihe Hall and Baohe Hall.

With men and women seated separately, she would separate from Chu Shiyu and go to Baohe Hall alone to take her seat...

"Your servant greets His Royal Highness Prince Duan. Madam Liu, Young Marquis, please follow me to Baohe Hall." The maid who ushered them in bowed, a subtle hint of embarrassment in her voice. Her gaze flickered over the stern-faced Prince Duan, who remained at Madam Liu's side, his hand still tightly grasping that of Qin Hao, the Young Marquis of Chaoyang, with no intention of letting go...

No one moved. The maid's gaze wandered between the nobles for a moment, finally landing on Liu Rusi, wanting to speak but hesitant.

Chu Shiyu's brows knitted together, his aura visibly darkening. He knew everything about Liu Rusi's experiences in Baohe Hall during the previous Mid-Autumn Festival banquet! He only learned about it afterward... Prince Kang was also implicated, and the mastermind, Concubine Xian, was still under house arrest before he left the capital. In this palace controlled by his father, it was difficult for him to settle scores later...

However, the plotting of Consort Xian and the fact that Liu Rusi had almost been caught in a filthy trap were like a cold, poisonous snake coiling around his heart! At this moment, he absolutely refused to let her leave his sight even a step further!

Taking her to the men's section of the Hall of Supreme Harmony? He naturally didn't care about the looks of those stubborn old men, but he knew what that meant - his cherishment would be misinterpreted as intimacy, and her status would be disparaged as a "favored concubine", or even reduced to a worse plaything! He would never allow such a stigma to fall on her!

After a few moments of intense conflict, Chu Shiyu suddenly snorted angrily, grabbed Liu Rusi's wrist, and turned around, shouting, "Let's go! Let's go back! This is clearly a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for you!"

Liu Rusi, who had been struggling uncomfortably, could not help but give him a speechless elbow! Of course, it was fine for him to do so. He was a prince of great wealth and status, and he was also the Prince of Duan who had made unparalleled contributions to the pacification of Mobei. Even if he fell on the spot, could the emperor still punish him severely?

But she was different! If she did that, all her previous efforts would be in vain!

However, feeling the force coming from his palm and seeing him stop in his tracks at the elbow, Liu Rusi immediately understood—he was using his old tricks again! Just like before at the entrance to the Princess's Mansion, he intended to challenge the Emperor at the palace gates and force him to back down and compromise… After all, this was a welcoming banquet for him, and how could the banquet continue without the main character?

But Liu Rusi quickly rejected this idea. Chu Shiyu's tyrannical style was unmistakable, but when the emperor promised her the position of Minister of Medicine, he had two conditions: the implementation of the "blacklist," and persuading Prince Duan to follow the right path. In fact, the latter might even take precedence!

She pulled Chu Shiyu back, but she still couldn't make up her mind - did she really want to follow that palace maid to Baohe Hall?

The experience of her last visit to Baohedian was still fresh in her mind. Now she was drawn deeper into the vortex of power, and the struggle for interests involved would only become more dangerous! Because of her, Concubine Xian had lost her authority as assistant to the Six Palaces. Now that her confinement had expired, she would definitely attend the palace banquet. Even without the seal of the Empress, it would still be easy for a Concubine to deal with her!

Just as Chu Shiyu, Liu Rusi and a bunch of people were frozen in place, feeling stuck in a dilemma—

"Rusi! Your Highness Prince Duan! And the young marquis, what are you doing standing here?" A familiar and hearty voice came, but the voice was filled with unconcealable fatigue and weakness.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice. It was none other than Fang Qiu, who had separated from them that morning, heading home. She had clearly freshened up and rested, donning a vibrant yellow dress and a bun, her hair styled like a woman waiting to be married. She looked a world away from the dusty, rough, and unruly winter uniform she'd worn in the military. However, the hardships of six months in the military had left an indelible gleam of determination between her features...

But at this moment, although she was forcing a friendly smile, her expression could not hide her melancholy, as if she had experienced something troublesome, and there was an inextricable sorrow locked between her brows.

"Fang Qiu, what's wrong with you?" Liu Rusi asked with concern.

"Oh... never mind. My mother scolded me harshly, saying that as a girl, I had ruined my reputation by hanging out in a military camp full of men! I'd be shunned for marrying in the future because of this..." She imitated her mother's tone, then suddenly raised her voice with a hint of stubbornness. "I retorted: If I could become a female general, what would happen if my reputation was so bad that no one dared to marry me? As a result, my mother called me an 'unfilial daughter'..."

Fang Qiu frowned in annoyance and said, "If I wasn't so bored at home, I wouldn't have come to this palace banquet..."

As she spoke, she glanced disapprovingly at the embarrassed maid beside her—it was none other than Seventeen, the female secret guard who had previously protected her in the army. The Fang family had learned their lesson from the last time Fang Qiu "disappeared" from the palace banquet and fled to the military camp, forcing her, despite her reluctance to bring a maid, to join them.

Listening to Fang Qiu's similar worries, especially her declaration that "I would rather not get married than become a female general", Liu Rusi felt as if a thunderclap had exploded in her heart, and everything suddenly became clear!

That's right! What does it matter if a woman's reputation is bad? What they want is not here! Fang Qiu wants the position of a female general who can gallop on the battlefield, while Liu Rusi wants the power of the Minister of Medicine that can change her fate!

And if she wants to be the Minister of Medicine, she must stand as a woman in the court which is mostly populated by men!

If, to avoid the insignificant infamy that was bound to come sooner or later, I followed the crowd and stepped into the women's prison in the Baohe Hall, fighting a life-and-death battle with the women in the harem and the inner chambers in this tiny space, what would it matter even if I won?!

No matter how well he fought with the women, it was useless! The emperor and his ministers, who truly held the power and could decide whether the Ministry of Medicine should be established, didn't hear a word!

At this palace banquet, her achievements and presence would undoubtedly be mentioned! If she couldn't be there in person to speak up for herself, how could she seize the initiative and truly achieve her goal of becoming the Minister of Medicine?

There will be no shortage of fights going to Baohedian!

Why not go directly to the Hall of Supreme Harmony and sit with the Emperor and all the ministers! Face the coming storm in advance!

What's more, today is Chu Shiyu's welcoming banquet. He has made great achievements and is in the limelight. This Hall of Supreme Harmony can barely be considered half of Chu Shiyu's home court! She might even be able to gain a little more initiative!

In a split second, Liu Rusi had made up her mind. She turned to Fang Qiu, her gaze burning as she asked softly, "Fang Qiu, if I asked you to follow me into the Hall of Supreme Harmony right now and sit with the entire court, including all the high-ranking officials and ministers, would you be afraid?"

"Scared? When have I ever been scared?!" Fang Qiu first denied that fear had anything to do with her, but then asked doubtfully, "But why do we have to go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony?"

Liu Rusi smiled calmly, applying the truth she had just realized to her friend with equal force: "If you want to be a female general, you will definitely have to attend the imperial court in the future! Will the court even set up separate seats for women for you and me then? If we do, how can you and I participate in military affairs and realize our ambitions? Today's palace banquet is nothing more than a rehearsal for tomorrow's!"

Fang Qiu's heart was shaken, and a gleam of fighting spirit flashed in his eyes. He then clenched his fist and responded with great enthusiasm: "Okay! Let's go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony now!"

Her heart was pounding violently because of the impending "battle," like a deafening drum. Liu Rusi's face remained calm, as she nodded heavily and walked side by side with Fang Qiu towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"Wait a minute." Chu Shiyu's low voice sounded, stopping the two women.

His eyes were cold as he turned to the eunuch who had replaced the palace maid to coordinate affairs. His voice was filled with a heavy sense of oppression: "Which eunuch will co-organize the banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony today?"

The eunuch in charge was confused and replied tremblingly, "Your Highness, it's Eunuch Li."

Li Yinglian? Chu Shiyu was slightly surprised. Had Xu Jin really completely lost his power? But now was not the time to delve into it. His expression darkened, and he gave a cold order: "Tell him that I want to add two seats in the palace, below me! If you can't do it—"

Chu Shiyu's eyes flashed with anger, "There's no need to hold this banquet today!"

"This..." The eunuch in charge was in a dilemma, with cold sweat on his forehead.

Chu Shiyu's eyes suddenly became fierce: "Aren't you going yet?!"

The eunuch in charge shuddered all over, and dared not hesitate any longer, turning around and running away hastily - after all, he was just a messenger, and the one who was really in trouble was the newly rising celebrity - Li Yinglian!

Inside, eunuch Li Yinglian, after hearing the message, immediately struggled to think. Ask the emperor? If he disturbed the emperor with such a trivial matter as the seating arrangement, it would only make him look incompetent!

But if she rejected Prince Duan outright, what would happen to that prince's temper... Li Yinglian gritted her teeth and finally compromised. After all, the Third Prince, Chu Shiyu, was known for his tyranny and arrogance. If he said the banquet didn't need to be held, then it really couldn't be held!

Outside, Liu Rusi felt helpless and uneasy about Chu Shiyu's domineering style. At the same time, she thought - the emperor was asking her to persuade Prince Duan to follow the right path, but what is the right path? Adding two seats wouldn't be considered heresy, right?

She chatted with several medical teachers and comforted her master Li Chunfu, who was already looking impatient: "Master, please be patient. You will be able to take your seat soon."

About a quarter of an hour later, Li Yinglian came out to greet them. With a perfectly composed smile on his face, he bowed and said, "Your Highness, the seats have been arranged. It's now 1:00 PM. Is it..."

Chu Shiyu then snorted coldly without comment and led everyone towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Enter the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Aside from the dragon throne on the central platform and their seats, the other seats were already filled. After all, the banquet started at twilight hour, and it was already 2:45, and how many people dared to be late for a palace banquet...

Facing the gazes focused on her, filled with shock, doubt, and even anger, Liu Rusi couldn't help but lose her train of thought. She had been late for the previous banquets, and this time, she had learned her lesson and arrived at the palace early, but she still had to wait outside until she was late before entering...

However, being late is no big deal.

Liu Rusi was about to follow Chu Shiyu's footsteps and take a seat next to him with a calm expression.

"Excuse me! Madam Liu, have we come to the wrong place? Female guests should go to the Baohe Hall in the back!" A minister in a scarlet robe stood up suddenly. Although he tried to maintain superficial politeness, his tone was filled with a stern reprimand, and his expression was even more furious!

"You're not wrong. This is the Hall of Supreme Harmony where I invited Madam Liu!" Chu Shiyu paused and turned to give him a cold look! He saw that this person was not from the usual hostile party, but it was not surprising. He was the Right Censor of the Metropolitan Censorate, and he was very old-fashioned.

Facing Prince Duan's pressing gaze, Zhao Zhengqing didn't flinch. Instead, he straightened his back and retorted in a resounding voice, "Your Highness! The Hall of Supreme Harmony is where state affairs are discussed and important ministers are entertained. Since ancient times, men and women have been seated separately. Etiquette cannot be abolished! Your Highness may be a prince, and have made contributions to the country. However, if you break exceptions at every turn and disregard etiquette and laws, isn't that disrupting social order?"

His voice echoed in the hall, and many conservative officials nodded in agreement, whispering in agreement:

"Master Zhao is absolutely right!"

"Etiquette cannot be abolished, Your Highness!"

"How shameful for a woman to sit in the male section of the Hall of Supreme Harmony!"

At this time, the Left Censor-in-Chief also spoke up with a frown, but only to defend Liu Rusi. "Your Highness, you are known for your carefree and unfussy demeanor. However, your disregard for worldly etiquette and forcing Madam Liu to sit at the men's table is truly damaging to her reputation!"

For a time, the palace was abuzz with discussion, some harshly accusing others gently admonishing, but all the criticism was directed at Chu Shiyu's "willful and reckless behavior." After all, at the previous two palace banquets, Liu was in a passive position, "robbed and plundered" by Prince Duan, and had no choice.

Chu Shiyu ignored him and walked straight to Liu Rusi's seat. He pulled out the heavy rosewood chair, and the legs of the chair hit the ground with a "bang!" Showing his unquestionable toughness, he gestured for Liu Rusi to sit down!

Then, he looked around at the ministers, his voice filled with thunderous pressure, clearly drowning out all the noise: "Is today the King's welcoming banquet?"

He paused slightly, his eyes sweeping across those faces that were either shocked or angry, and spoke each word with a resounding voice: "This king, I want Madam Liu to sit here! If anyone is dissatisfied——"

Chu Shiyu's eyes were filled with arrogance and he said firmly, "Whoever wants to get out of here!"

His words were like boiling oil poured into a raging fire, instantly igniting the already infuriating Taihe Hall!

"Arrogant! Outrageous!"

"Your Highness Prince Duan, how dare you look down upon all the nobles in the court!"

"The rituals are ruined and the music is ruined!"

"Being arrogant due to one's achievements is not the way of a minister!"

Angry rebukes rang out one after another. Some civil officials slammed their desks and stood up, while others stood with their hair and beards standing on end. They pointed their spearheads directly at Chu Shiyu's "arrogance" and "contempt and neglect." Inside the hall, the air seemed to freeze as the swords were drawn.

Liu Rusi was confused for a moment, but she glanced at Fang Qiu, who was also a little at a loss, and signaled her with her eyes to sit down first.

Although Fang Qiu was filled with indignation, she was not good at arguing and knew that it was not appropriate to cause more trouble at this moment. She just sat down heavily in a seat beside her with a depressed look on her face!

Liu Rusi's thoughts raced. She knew that no matter what she said to these ministers, she would not be able to win the debate. Which of these civil officials was not well-read and eloquent?

And Chu Shiyu... He was using his usual domineering style to draw all the firepower to him alone! At least, now no one cared to pursue them, they were all scolding Chu Shiyu...

While secretly casting a look of guilt and gratitude towards Chu Shiyu, Liu Rusi was concentrating on finding a way to break the deadlock...