Noble Lady

penthouse.

"I know a little bit about what Miss Xue did."

Concubine Chen held the teacup, skimmed the tea foam and took the time to glance at Xue Chenyu, her eyes full of the profound expression of "I see through you".

Xue Chenyu paused for a moment, then realized that what Concubine Chen was referring to was the incident in which she asked He Ruyi to perform her true self in the Qinglong Temple with great emotion.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding." Xue Chenyu knelt down and saluted respectfully and calmly.

If Concubine Chen really wanted to make a fuss, she would have exploded at the Qinglong Temple long ago, and would not have come in disguise today.

The fact that she was just called over alone indicated that the imperial concubine knew about the matter but did not take it to heart.

In other words, compared to finding a good teacher for her son, the Sixth Prince, Xue Chenyu's little trick was not worth mentioning in her mind.

It's understandable for smart people to use some tricks to achieve their goals. As long as they are not too excessive, you can turn a blind eye to them.

"Ms. Xue is a smart person. She knows what I value, so I will not mind if you cater to her preferences. But..."

Concubine Chen paused for a moment, and Xue Chenyu quickly pretended to be terrified and knelt on both knees, "Please tell me clearly, Your Majesty."

"You don't have to be like this. I know you're not an ordinary girl." Concubine Chen raised her hand. "I've heard about your deeds in Lingnan."

"You've gone to great lengths to build a good reputation for the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion. I understand your intentions. This time, you used Lizhu's child to lure me here, presumably for the same purpose."

Xue Chenyu said nothing and did not refute.

Concubine Chen continued, "I have watched Lizhu grow up under my watch. She is not someone who trusts others easily, let alone helps others with such a favor. Since you are able to convince her, it also proves that you have some ability."

"As for the Queen and the Han family behind her, you want to use me and the Duke of Chen's Mansion to fight against them, right?"

Xue Chenyu hummed softly, "Your Majesty, I have a discerning eye, and I dare not lie to you. I have resorted to this desperate measure, seeking help from you, because my father's entourage in the northern border is in great danger."

"Everything this subject has done is not for worldly glory, but only to protect my family. I hope Your Majesty will grant me this."

Concubine Chen's furious expression faded, and she laughed out loud instead. "What a clever young lady from the Xue family, you're so good at taking advantage of others. You've spoken your mind so frankly, and I find it difficult to reject your feelings."

Xue Chenyu was still kneeling on the ground, "Your Highness, please understand. The Crown Prince is only registered under the Queen's name, not a true legitimate son."

"Besides, his biological mother is of humble status, far less noble than the Imperial Concubine. The Imperial Concubine's Sixth Prince may be able to compete for that position."

"How dare you!" Concubine Chen's expression suddenly changed, and she placed the teacup down again. "Do you know what you are saying? If His Majesty heard you, it would be a light punishment for you to be accused of treason by making irresponsible remarks about the crown prince!"

Xue Chenyu certainly knew this, but the best candidates to deal with the Queen and the Han family behind her were Concubine Chen and the Chen Guogong Mansion behind her.

There is only one word "virtuous" in Concubine Wei's name. The maternal family behind her is far inferior to the Empress' maternal family, the Han family, and Concubine Chen's maternal family, the Chen family. It is not enough to deter the Empress and Han Hongyue.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. I may be extremely bold, but Your Highness, do you dare to swear to heaven that you have no intention of that position?"

Xue Chenyu raised her head and looked at Concubine Chen with a sharp gaze. Since some things had already been said, she might as well say them thoroughly.

Concubine Chen boasted that she had held a high position in the harem for many years and had seen countless men, but she had never seen such a pair of eyes.

She seemed to have seen through the ways of the world, yet she was also extremely pure, so pure and direct that it shocked people's hearts.

Concubine Chen laughed in anger, "What a daughter of Marquis Xue, what a daughter of the Marquis Wu'an!"

"As expected of a woman who could turn back in time even after entering a desperate situation. Her decisiveness in divorcing and returning home is truly incomparable to that of an ordinary woman!"

In the past, Lizhu often mentioned the eldest daughter of the Xue family in front of her, and she had also heard a lot about her from the outside world.

But those were mostly just rumors, and she felt that Lizhu's words were biased. Now it seemed that the rumors were too superficial.

With such scheming and cunning, she is not a fickle woman at all. She obviously doesn't even look down on the Hanlin.

"Miss Xue has truly surprised me." Concubine Chen's lips curled slightly. "Your courage and insight have successfully convinced me, Xue Chenyu."

Xue Chenyu bowed deeply, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your appreciation. I am deeply grateful."

"As long as my father and Prince Cheng can be saved and their safe return is guaranteed, I will serve the Imperial Concubine at her beck and call, even at the risk of fire and water."

Concubine Chen was stunned, "You, you actually have such thoughts about that..."

Xue Chenyu nodded without hesitation, "I dare not lie to the Imperial Concubine. I have long been secretly in love with His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Prince Cheng. However, due to my family background, I know I am not worthy of the Crown Prince, so I have never dared to express my feelings."

She couldn't mention the matter of rebirth, so she could only win the trust of Concubine Chen by creating a character of being infatuated and unable to get the love she wanted.

"No wonder, no wonder."

After a brief moment of shock, Concubine Chen quickly regained her composure.

No wonder she could divorce that damn He guy without hesitation and cut ties completely.

No wonder she could travel thousands of miles to Lingnan.

What a pity that one can only watch silently when the love cannot be returned.

"You are a rare person to be able to achieve this." Concubine Chen's mouth curled up again.

"Well, I've long disliked the Queen. As you said, my son might be able to compete for that position. Why can a bastard named after the Queen become the Crown Prince, but my son can't?"

"I never admit defeat and always want to compete for everything. Miss Xue, you are exactly what I like."

Xue Chenyu bowed again, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your appreciation."

The two of them dismissed their attendants and talked for a long time in the room. There were people watching outside, and the others had no idea what they were talking about.

All I know is that when Concubine Chen and Xue Chenyu came out, they were both smiling and seemed to be having a good conversation.

Chen Lizhu and Xue Chenyu looked at each other, and the latter gave her a smile that said "don't worry."

So everything went smoothly?

Chen Lizhu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't guarantee that Sister Xue would succeed if she brought her aunt with her, but based on the matter of Fifth Brother alone, she owed Sister Xue a huge favor.

"Lizhu, how is your cousin?" Concubine Chen asked as if nothing had happened.

Hear the words.

Chen Lizhu pointed to the corner.

Concubine Chen looked in the direction she pointed. The usually high-spirited Sixth Prince now had his head hung down, looking as if he had been greatly shocked.

As soon as he heard Concubine Chen's voice, the Sixth Prince quickly stood up and said, "Greetings, Mother."

"What? Suddenly you realize there are always better people than you?"

The Sixth Prince hung his head and nodded weakly twice.

He has always boasted of his intelligence and believed that he is well-versed in classics. However, today he discovered from Mr. Lu's place that any of Mr. Lu's students is better than him. His so-called familiarity with classics is nothing but a joke.

Before, he had thought that even without Lord Yu’s favor, he could still surpass the Crown Prince just by relying on his policy proposals. He didn’t expect that it was just a bigger joke!