Noble Lady

"The court has a clear law: if you marry a wife for ten years and have no children, you can take a concubine."

Fang Rui was stunned. There is this one?

"You are young, so it's normal that you don't know. Besides, few people observe mourning these days, but He Minzhi is a scholar, a group of people who value reputation the most."

Fang Rui seemed to understand something.

"Ms. Xue deliberately arranged for the concubine to marry out of the inn so that the matter wouldn't be known only within the He family. There's no such thing as a wall that's impenetrable. If we spread the news, people will know that He Minzhi took a concubine less than a year after marrying his wife."

"Then she found Mrs. He's family, who were close friends of the He family, to act as witnesses. With witnesses, she had evidence."

At this point, Fang Rui also understood and quickly lowered his voice, "So, Miss Xue worked so hard to do all this in order to prove He Minzhi's guilt."

One can only take a concubine after being married for ten years without having children, but he started taking a concubine less than a year after getting married. It would definitely not be good if it got out.

It would be fine if it was an ordinary person, but He Minzhi was an official and a descendant of a clean official who dreamed of entering the cabinet and becoming a prime minister.

If this card is played, He Minzhi's path to entering the cabinet will be cut off.

After figuring this out, Fang Rui sneered, "He Minzhi deserves it. He gave up his beautiful wife and actually wanted to take a concubine. He's really blind."

Situ Zhen nodded with great satisfaction and looked at Fang Rui again.

The reason why Situ Zhen personally took part in today's matter was to make preparations for the future.

One day, she would completely break up with He Minzhi. Considering the relationship between him and the Marquis of Wu'an Mansion in the eyes of the world, he was afraid that it would be difficult for him to show up.

But if he came to the banquet for He Minzhi to take a concubine, then he would have another relationship with He Minzhi.

If others say that he is putting personal interests above public ones, they should think carefully about it.

After all, he is the prince of Chengwang, and he may not even be willing to attend the banquet of the royal princess.

It would be too far-fetched to say that he attended the banquet for He Minzhi's concubine just because of his status as the son-in-law of the Marquis of Wu'an.

At this moment, a woman's voice was heard from across the wall.

"Miss, since you've invited Mrs. He, who is a good friend of Mrs. He, to come over, why don't you invite Miss Du to come over for a drink as well?"

Situ Zhen thought for a moment and realized that this must be the voice of the maid named Yuzhu beside her.

"What is Miss Du's status? No matter what, she is the legitimate daughter of a first-rank general. Isn't her coming to give face to the He family?" Xue Chenyu said indifferently.

In fact, Xue Chenyu herself had thought about asking Du Jingyuan for help.

But for someone of her status, attending a banquet to take a concubine at the He family would be too humiliating, so she gave up.

Unexpectedly, the prince of Prince Cheng's Mansion came.

Plans cannot keep up with changes, but fortunately the goal has been achieved.

"That's right. When Old Madam He came, she was about to show off to the sky. She didn't contribute a penny, didn't help at all, and pushed everything onto the young lady. She even had the nerve to act like a mother-in-law and embarrass the young lady. How shameless!"

The indignant tone sounded somewhat familiar.

Isn't this the same tone as that of his good nephew?

"You, how come you've learned to be so noisy from Yumei?" Xue Chenyu poked her forehead helplessly, "How many times have I told you to be careful, there are ears on the other side of the wall."

"Yes, young lady, I was rash for a moment." Yuzhu lowered her voice.

She also knew that she had been negligent for a moment. She would have to serve the girl for a long time in the future, so how could she be so impatient?

"Since this is your first time making a mistake and no one else has actually heard it, I'll let you go." Xue Chenyu said half-jokingly, "But if you do it again, I won't let you off easily."

"Thank you, Miss." Yuzhu breathed a sigh of relief.

At the same time, I warned myself that I must never take it lightly in the future.

"This prince heard it."

As a low voice came, Xue Chenyu subconsciously looked in the direction of the sound.

Then a tall figure walked out of the small moon-shaped door.

If he wasn't Situ Zhen, the prince of Prince Cheng, who was supposed to be toasting with He Minzhi at the banquet, then who was he?

"Miss Xue, if this prince hears this, will you punish your maid?"

"Prince." Yuzhu knelt down in front of him without thinking.

"Sir, this matter has nothing to do with my daughter. It's all my fault for speaking without restraint. Yuzhu deserves to be punished, but please keep this matter a secret and don't embarrass my daughter."

"Nonsense." Xue Chenyu scolded softly, "How can you speak to the prince like that?"

Situ Zhen raised his brows slightly.

Then Xue Chenyu continued, "Sir, we were just joking and didn't know you were here. If we said anything inappropriate, please just pretend you didn't hear it, okay?"

Situ Zhen was stunned for a moment. He was ready for her to speak out a plea for mercy, but...

"Okay, whatever Miss Xue says is fine."

Now it was Xue Chenyu's turn to be stunned.

She originally wanted to use the family rhetoric that her mother had mentioned before to shut Situ Zhen up, but she didn't expect that he didn't seem to care at all.

Yes, there are few people that this Prince Cheng cares about.

Apart from His Majesty, he might not even listen to what Prince Cheng said.

"Thank you very much, Prince. My father always said that you are a man of temperament. Seeing you today, it is true." Xue Chenyu took the opportunity to flatter him.

Seeing that Prince Cheng did not refute, Yuzhu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Prince Cheng is not on He Minzhi's side, otherwise what she just said would be very disadvantageous to the girl if it were heard by the mother and son of the He family.

"Thank you in a practical way." Situ Zhen said suddenly.

Xue Chenyu paused as she was about to say goodbye. "I wonder what kind of thank you gift the prince would like? I do have some things, but they are all women's jewelry. I'm afraid there is nothing the prince would like."

Situ Zhen, relying on the alcohol, frowned and shook his head, "Miss Xue, don't try to fool me. You are Madam Xue's beloved daughter. You can't not even have a cup of Junshan Yinzhen."

Junshan Silver Needle?

Xue Chenyu also gradually noticed that Situ Zhen was drunk. She looked at Fang Rui, his attendant, behind him in confusion and asked, "Is the prince drunk?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Xue." Fang Rui clasped his fists apologetically and quickly supported Situ Zhen.

"Our prince is not a good drinker. Lord He offered him a few more glasses of wine. He said he didn't want to drink anymore, but he still offered. I had no choice but to use the excuse of going to the bathroom to bring the prince out."

He Minzhi is really full of bad habits!

Upon hearing this, Xue Chenyu showed no disdain on her face.

"It's not convenient for me to invite you in. Mingyu Pavilion is just ahead. Brother Fang, please take you to Mingyu Pavilion for a while. I'll serve you the Junshan Silver Needles later."

Fang Rui looked at the familiar unlocked yard in front of him, said thank you, and helped Situ Zhen in.

Xue Chenyu and the others also passed by quickly and entered Furongju next door.

After everyone left, Fang Rui turned his head and saw that the prince, who had originally had a dazed look in his eyes, was now sitting steadily at the stone table. How could he not be drunk at all?