Marrying Wife and Concubine Together: After Rebirth, I Remarried the Scumbag's Father on the Sp

Liu Chengye's face turned deathly pale instantly, his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground. His voice was trembling with sobs: "Then aren't we doomed? Back then, we dealt with the Zhan family in such a way, and none of our actions were clean. If the Zhan family gains power, they will definitely bring up old grievances and retaliate against us! At that time, the Liu family will probably be doomed!"

Grand Secretary Liu glared at him with exasperation, then kicked him in the knee. "Where has all the composure I taught you gone? You lose your mind at the slightest thing. How are you going to take over my job? Things aren't beyond repair yet, what are you afraid of?"

He paced around the room a few times with his hands behind his back, his steps gradually becoming steady, and his eyes turning fierce. Liu Chengye clutched his knee, not daring to utter a sound, and could only look up at his father with pleading eyes.

Grand Secretary Liu stopped in his tracks, his gaze sharp as a hawk's: "The friendship between the Prince of Dongping and the Zhan family is only just beginning to emerge and is not yet finalized. What we need to do now is to observe the situation quietly and absolutely not to make any rash moves that might alert them."

Liu Chengye was puzzled, his brows furrowed: "What if they really do get married? We can't just sit here and wait to die, can we?"

A sinister glint flashed in Grand Secretary Liu's eyes, and his voice was low and chilling: "If it really is a marriage alliance, then we must find a way to put an end to their hopes."

He leaned closer to Liu Chengye, lowered his voice, and spoke slowly and deliberately, each word seemingly poisoned: "Go and investigate, investigate thoroughly. Investigate the background of that Princess Huian. Does she have any hidden illnesses? Did she have any mishaps when she was young?"

After a moment's hesitation, he spoke again: "If we investigate Mo Ziyu further, we might find something wrong with him. If there's even the slightest impropriety, we must amplify it and expose it to the court, letting everyone in the capital know. Let's see how they manage to arrange marriages then."

Liu Chengye nodded repeatedly, the panic on his face gradually fading, replaced by a sinister look. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, saying, "I understand, son. I'll get to it right away! I will not let Father down!"

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Elder Liu called out to him, his tone stern and imposing.

Liu Chengye stopped and turned back in confusion: "Father, is there anything else you need?"

Grand Secretary Liu stared at him intently, his gaze sharp, and warned him, word by word: "Remember, this matter must be handled with utmost secrecy. Your hands must be clean, and you must not allow anyone to find any fault with you. If there is even the slightest mistake, not only will your life be in danger, but all of us in the Liu family, numbering over a hundred, will be doomed!"

Liu Chengye's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat broke out on his back again. He quickly bowed and said in a trembling but firm voice, "I understand, son! I will certainly be careful!"

Watching Liu Chengye's hurried departure, Grand Secretary Liu slowly closed his eyes, a trace of weariness appearing on his face.

He walked to the table, picked up the cup of tea that had long since gone cold, and drank it all in one gulp.

The bitter tea slid down his throat, but it couldn't suppress the restlessness in his heart.

He knew that whether this move would bring fortune or misfortune remained to be seen.

But he had no choice. The Liu family had reached this point by no means of their own making, and could only struggle to protect themselves in the turbulent political landscape.

Meanwhile, at the Marquis of Zhanyi's residence, Lin Yiwan was sitting in the warm pavilion talking with Princess Youyi.

The warm room was filled with the warmth of burning silver charcoal, and on the table were delicate tea snacks and steaming pre-rain Longjing tea.

Zi'er came in from outside, her hands still covered in snowflakes, and respectfully reported, "Madam, Your Highness, the young prince is holding that little pony and is overjoyed. He's currently walking the horse in the courtyard with the maids. It's snowing so heavily, and I've tried to persuade him to come inside several times, but he refuses."

Princess Youyi couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this, and reached out to brush the snowflakes off Zi'er's shoulder: "This child still loves these little trinkets so much. Let her be, she'll come back when she's tired of playing."

Lin Yiwan smiled too, but a hint of worry flashed in her eyes.

She picked up the teacup, her fingertips touching the warm rim, yet she still felt a heaviness in her heart.

I wonder how the Prince of Dongping's health is. He has always been a strong-willed person, and I'm afraid he might not be willing to take the medicine she personally prescribed on time.

Seeing her worried expression, Princess Youyi couldn't help but ask considerately, "Aunt Wan, what's wrong? Is something on your mind?"

Lin Yiwan turned to look outside and said, "Youyi, since the Prince of Dongping sent a birthday gift to our Ziyu, shouldn't we reciprocate?"

Princess Youyi understood immediately and reacted right away.

She quickly replied, "We should send Uncle Wang a thank-you gift. I'll have Qingdai prepare it right away!"

Lin Yiwan nodded: "Don't send anything too expensive, just some snacks or something, so as not to seem too deliberate!"

She paused for a moment and then said, "I have a century-old ginseng in my storeroom. Take it to him and tell him it will be good for his health and make him strong and healthy!"

Princess Youyi accepted the order and left, her figure quickly disappearing into the snow.

Lin Yiwan watched her retreating figure, her heart filled with complex emotions.

If the Prince of Dongping is truly willing to associate with Princess Youyi, then this would definitely be a good thing for the Marquis of Zhanyi's household.

She doesn't want to give up this opportunity!

This time, Princess Youyi took Mo Ziyu to the Dongping Prince's Mansion, and the mother and son happened to meet Princess Hui'an Xiao Rongrong, who was playing in the snow with the Crown Prince's wife in the back garden.

The snow was falling heavily, covering the branches and trees with a thick layer of white down. The red plum blossoms in the garden were in full bloom, their crimson spots embedded in the pure white, much like cinnabar spreading on rice paper.

Princess Consort Li was building a snowman with several maids. Xiao Rongrong, who was six years old, was wearing a pomegranate red floral jacket and skirt, with her hair styled in two buns and adorned with two round pearls. She was standing on tiptoe to put glass eyes on the snowman's head.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around, her little face covered with a few specks of snow, looking like a delicately carved snow doll.

"Mother!" Xiao Rongrong called out in a clear voice, her gaze immediately falling on Princess Youyi, then quickly shifting to Ziyu, curiously examining the unfamiliar little boy.

Ziyu wore a dark brocade cloak with a snow-white fox fur trim around the edge, which made his features appear even more handsome.

He was also holding a wooden carving in his arms, which was a birthday gift from Tang Xueyi. He treasured it and took it with him everywhere he went.

When he saw Xiao Rongrong looking over, he wasn't shy at all; he simply nodded slightly as a greeting.

Lady Li hurriedly stepped forward and curtsied to Princess Youyi, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Highness."

Princess Youyi quickly helped her up, smiling as she said, "No need for formalities. I apologize for coming so abruptly today. I didn't send anyone to inform you beforehand, which has disturbed your enjoyment, sister-in-law."