I just want to be a princess, no, you want to be a queen

Shen Yan stared at the woman in front of him in a daze, recalling his disrespectful words just now. He was scared and didn't know how to explain, but Lu Mingyuan didn't mention what had just happened.

"I have heard what happened in the court today. What you said is admirable. However, I have three questions for you."

Shen Yan stood up from his knees and saluted respectfully: "Marquis Chengyang, may I ask."

Lu Mingyuan said, "My first question is, Your Excellency, who do you think is worthy of being king in the world today?"

Shen Yan lowered his eyes: "Of course it's King Ningyuan." That's why he was so heartbroken about what King Ningyuan had done.

Lu Mingyuan continued, "The second question I want to ask you is, why did you study for the imperial examination?"

Shen Yan raised his eyes and said in a resounding voice: "I will support the emperor and benefit the people."

Lu Mingyuan smiled. "My third question is, Your Excellency, if you refuse the position of Zhongshu Ling today and it falls into the hands of a corrupt and incompetent official in the future, will Your Excellency be able to live up to your ideal of benefiting the world and the people?"

Shen Yan was speechless.

Lu Mingyuan continued, "Your Majesty does intend to appoint Prince Guangcheng as the Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness Prince Ningyuan indeed obtained the throne illegitimately, as Your Excellency has said."

According to what the Lord said, we must seek justice for His Majesty and make Prince Guangcheng the Crown Prince, but would that be good for the people of the world?"

"Your Excellency knows clearly in your heart that what the people of the world care about is whether there is a wise leader who can allow them to live and work in peace and contentment."

Shen Yan's face turned pale, and he asked in confusion: "According to what the Marquis of Chengyang said, should we continue to make mistakes like this?"

"Why is it wrong?" Lu Mingyuan asked in return, "As the sages said, the people are more important than the ruler. Since the people are more important, of course we must put their wishes first."

Shen Yan asked, "But the people didn't say that they wanted to serve His Highness as their king."

"They are too far away from the emperor. They don't know who is a wise ruler. But you, the lord, are well-educated and know who can be a wise ruler. Therefore, I believe that the first duty of an official should be to choose a wise ruler for the people of the world."

"Choose a wise leader for the people of the world." Shen Yan muttered to himself as he looked at the woman in front of him.

"Eldest sister, what's the point of telling him this? Lord Shen only cares about his own reputation, not the lives of others."

Lu Mingyang listened outside for a long time. At this moment, he walked in with a wooden box in his arms, slammed it heavily on the bed, and then pulled Lu Mingyuan away.

Shen Yan said anxiously: "Marquis Chengyang, I have never cared about my reputation."

"Really?" Lu Mingyang glanced at his elder sister, then turned and said, "The boxes are filled with memorials from all over the country. Because of you, my Lord, they weren't processed in time. Who knows how many lives and fortunes are at stake inside them."

Shen Yan was shocked. He opened the wooden box and saw that it was indeed filled with piles of memorials.

"This this……"

"What's this? Isn't this your duty as the Minister of the Central Secretariat? Lord Shen may be very impressive today, but what about the millions of people who have suffered misfortune because of you?"

Lu Mingyang interrupted him harshly.

"This world doesn't belong to one person. That's why we have the imperial court, the six ministries, and the hundreds of officials. Now that the emperor is in a coma, he has shouldered all the burdens. Do you really take it for granted that this world is his sole responsibility? I have delivered this memorial to Lord Shen today. Whether you read it or not is up to you."

"Fourth Miss." Shen Yan said anxiously, "The Minister of the Central Secretariat cannot review memorials."

"Then write it down on some paper and put it inside."

Worried that he might change his mind, Lu Mingyang hurriedly pulled her elder sister away. Shen Yan stopped her again, "Fourth Miss, are we just going to let this go?"

"Sir Shen, Your Highness is a human, not a god. As a human, you have selfish desires." Lu Mingyang glanced at his elder sister and asked, "Doesn't Sir Shen have any?"

Shen Yan lowered his head in panic.

Lu Mingyang continued, "I don't think my husband's selfish desires are unforgivable. At least, he hasn't harmed state affairs. Lord Shen works for the people, not the emperor, isn't he?"

After saying that, she pulled her elder sister away.

On the street at dusk, two people walked slowly forward hand in hand, with two carriages following behind.

Lu Mingyang looked at his elder sister and asked, "Elder sister, do you like Master Shen?"

"Yang'er, stop talking." Lu Mingyuan was displeased.

"But I think you like him. I've never seen you talk so much."

"You still said."

Lu Mingyuan angrily pushed his sister away, but Lu Mingyang clung onto her again and said with a smile, "I won't tell you, he's there too."

Lu Mingyuan was truly defeated by his sister and sighed, "You're already so busy with so many things, how can you still have time to care about me?"

"In my heart, my eldest sister's affairs are the most important."

"Okay, thank you, elder sister."

Lu Mingyuan pushed Lu Mingyang into her carriage and slapped the horse's back. Lu Mingyang opened the curtains and watched his elder sister move further and further away from him.

Hey, I just want to be a matchmaker, why is it so difficult?

Never mind, I really have a lot to do.

Back at the palace, Lu Mingyang went to Xiefang Palace. Concubine Song was staying there. Although she couldn't go out, she was still dressed in splendid clothes, without any sense of desolation.

She looked at Lu Mingyang who was approaching and scolded him, "You traitors! When His Majesty wakes up, I will kill you one by one."

Lu Mingyang asked, "You were the one who poisoned His Majesty. Tell me, if he wakes up, who will he kill first?"

Concubine Song panicked, "Stop talking nonsense."

Lu Mingyang said, "It's no use denying it. The poison has already been detected, and Pharmacist Ge has been imprisoned. No matter what, you can't escape the sentence of regicide and the extermination of all your clans."

As she spoke, she handed Pharmacist Ge's confession to Song Moli.

"Although Song Wei is dead, your mother is still alive, and your brothers and sisters are still alive. Do you have the heart to let them die with you? And King Guangcheng."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Hearing her son's name, Concubine Song could no longer remain calm and stepped forward to strangle Lu Mingyang. Two eunuchs held her down.

Lu Mingyang continued, "You know very well that even if His Majesty wakes up, he won't survive. When the new emperor ascends the throne, do you think King Guangcheng will still be alive?"

Song Moli gradually calmed down and asked, "What's the meaning of your coming here?"

"I want to make a deal with you." Lu Mingyang stated the purpose of his trip: "Tell me the truth about your regicide, and I will protect King Guangcheng's life."

No one could convince the world more than Concubine Song when she told the truth about my father's death.

"Why should I trust you?"

"You have no choice now."

Lu Mingyang met her gaze. Song Moli wavered, "Will Chu Mingzheng listen to you?"

"nature!"

Lu Mingyang said calmly, "Even if Your Highness doesn't listen to me, my Chengyang Marquisate still has a way to get Prince Guangcheng away safely. I'll give you some time to think it over. When you've figured it out, have someone notify me. But hurry up, His Majesty will be waking up soon."

After saying that, Lu Mingyang turned and left.

"I promise you!" Song Moli said straightforwardly.