Forced to be a concubine? I turned around and married the scumbag's father.

Zhao Luoxuan stared at Duan Qi for a long while, then suddenly stood up, walked to the desk, picked up a pen, wrote a letter, sealed it with a red candle, and put it in her bosom.

He turned and went to the courtyard where Qi Jun's parents lived.

"Child, why did you come here?" Qi's mother asked in surprise.

Qi's father followed behind.

Zhao Luoxuan suddenly knelt on the ground and solemnly kowtowed.

Startled, Qi's mother quickly helped her up, saying, "Good child, stand up and say what's wrong. We can't accept such a big gift."

Zhao Luoxuan stood up with red eyes and helped Qi's mother up: "Mother, Father, let's go inside and talk."

Zhao Luoxuan recounted everything Duan Yu had said to her in detail, and both of their expressions changed.

Qi's mother asked anxiously, "Is a war about to break out?"

Qi's father was furious: "How could the Empress be so cruel? She's utterly wicked!"

"What nonsense."

Qi's mother quickly pulled him away.

Qi's father suddenly realized he had misspoke, after all, that was Zhao Luoxuan's biological mother.

Zhao Luoxuan sighed: "My mother has always valued the throne. It was her lifelong wish for my brother, the Crown Prince, to ascend the throne and remain in power. But my brother is gentle and not good at fighting, which my mother knows. So, my mother secretly controls the power herself, just to protect my brother and make him the true emperor."

“I’m not entirely sure what’s happening in the capital right now, but it seems that the Empress Dowager feels that the Mu family army poses a threat to her and the Crown Prince. Unless the Mu family army submits or is handed over to someone the Empress Dowager trusts.”

Qi's mother turned pale, but she didn't understand any of this.

Qi's father asked nervously, "So what are your plans?"

If Zhao Luoxuan, considering her mother-daughter relationship, wants to help her brother, that would be understandable. However, in that case, she and her husband would have to find a way to return to Juzhou to inform him.

He couldn't be so foolish as to put the Mu family army in danger just because of Zhao Luoxuan.

Zhao Luoxuan said in a low voice, "I think the two elders should return to Juzhou under the pretext of missing home. I will write a letter for you to take back to Prince Yong and my sister so that they can make preparations in advance."

Qi's father's heart immediately settled down, and he quickly nodded: "Yes, yes, we will immediately resign to King Duan."

Mother Qi shook her head: "You can go back now. I'll stay with Xuanxuan."

"Mother, you should come back with us too."

If a fight really had to be fought, Zhao Luoxuan didn't want to put the two elders in a dilemma.

Qi's mother held onto her hand tightly, saying, "I want to take care of you. If we leave, you won't have any relatives left."

Zhao Luoxuan hugged her, feeling grateful. They had been together for almost two years and had a deep bond, even closer than with her mother and brother.

"Mother, Father, I will feel at ease once you go to Juzhou. As for Duan Yu and me... I may be his queen forever."

Upon hearing this, Qi's mother immediately understood. She glanced at the old man, her expression somewhat somber.

Although the couple both wished for Xuanxuan's happiness and hoped she would have her own child, they felt heartbroken when the time actually came.

Since Xuanxuan wants to become a real princess, it's not appropriate for the couple to stay here; Xuanxuan would feel awkward.

After discussing it with Qi's parents, Zhao Luoxuan handed the letter to Qi's father.

Duan Yu was discussing matters with his ministers when a palace attendant came in and said that the princess was requesting an audience.

Duan Yu raised an eyebrow. She would never come to the main hall to find him at this time, let alone ask to see him while he was handling state affairs.

"Let her go back first, I'll go to her later."

The eunuch relayed the message, leaving Zhao Luoxuan with no choice but to turn around.

"Oh, Princess Consort has arrived! What a rare guest!"

A soft, delicate voice rang out.

Zhao Luoxuan looked over with a normal expression.

The alluringly dressed Consort Yu approached with her maid, who carried a round food box.

Consort Yu glanced at the main hall and smiled charmingly: "What, did the King not allow my sister to enter?"

Zhao Luoxuan was too lazy to talk to her anymore: "His Majesty is busy, I'll go back first."

After saying that, she turned around, but Consort Keyu took a few steps in front of her and blocked her way.

“Sister, you may go in. His Majesty never refuses a sister. If Your Highness has anything to say, why don’t you tell me, and I will convey it for you?”

She had seen many women like Consort Yu in her father's palace. As the most noble legitimate princess, she didn't care about her father's many mistresses.

But right now, this kind of person dares to cause trouble right in front of her.

Zhao Luoxuan smiled faintly: "Does Consort Yu have the right to listen to what the Queen and the King have to say?"

Consort Yu chuckled: "The King talks about everything with his sister."

She pointed to the round box in the maid's hand: "These are crystal jade grapes, a tribute of rare quality. Last night, when His Majesty was sleeping at my sister's place, someone sent them over, saying that this was the only amount he had. How could my sister keep them all to herself? So she washed them and brought them to His Majesty to taste."

She suddenly realized, "Oh dear, could it be that Princess Consort doesn't have any either? It's all my fault, I'll have someone share some with you."

Zhao Luoxuan was too lazy to watch her act: "I'm very busy, do as you please."

She tried to walk around her, but Consort Yu wouldn't let her go and blocked her way again.

"Sister, how is my son with you? I miss my own son so much. May I go and see him?"

Zhao Luoxuan looked at her with a half-smile: "Who is your son? He is my legitimate son. If you think he is your son, you can ask the King to take him back for you."

Consort Yu's face stiffened.

Zhao Luoxuan shoved her aside: "A good dog doesn't block the way!"

Consort Yu stared intently at her retreating figure, her smile vanishing completely.

Gritting his teeth, he said, "The hatred of having my child taken away is irreconcilable!"

Duan Yu could see the situation outside clearly through the stained glass window. After seeing Zhao Luoxuan leave, he didn't say anything and turned back to continue discussing matters with the ministers.

An imperial attendant came in to report that Consort Yu was requesting an audience.

Duan Yu: "Have her personally deliver the crystal jade grapes to the Princess Consort. I will eat them at the Princess Consort's palace later."

The eunuch was taken aback.

How did Your Majesty know that Consort Yu was here to deliver crystal grapes?

Consort Yu's face immediately darkened upon hearing the message. "Are you sure you haven't relayed the wrong message?"

The eunuch said respectfully, "This servant would not dare to mispronounce a single word."

Consort Yu was furious.

But the king's command cannot be disobeyed.

No sooner had Zhao Luoxuan returned to her own palace than Consort Yu arrived.

She was somewhat surprised when the messenger told her that Consort Yu had sent grapes.

"She probably wanted to come in and see the child, right?"

Duan Qi wasn't her biological son. Duan Yu entrusted Duan Qi to her so that she could raise Ji Xuanyu's posthumous child. As for Consort Yu, she couldn't care less about her feelings.

A eunuch rushed over, saw Consort Yu standing at the door, bowed, turned to the people in the princess's palace, whispered a few instructions, and then left.

Consort Yu frowned and asked the maid beside her, "Isn't this someone from the King's side?"

"Yes, Consort."

Consort Yu looked at the main hall of the Princess with suspicion.

She had been with the king for a year, but she still couldn't figure out what was going on between the king and the queen.

Zhao Luoxuan was about to have someone send away Consort Yu; she didn't care for grapes.

I used to be a legitimate princess in the palace, so I've seen all sorts of good things.

Just as I was about to speak, someone came in.

"Your Highness, by imperial decree, the King will invite you to dine with him tonight and to enjoy the Crystal Jade Grapes together."

Zhao Luoxuan was taken aback.

Could it be... that Duan Yu had Consort Yu deliver the grapes?

She suddenly smiled and said, "Then Consort Yu can leave the grapes behind and go."

Women tend to be a little narrow-minded.

She, Zhao Luoxuan, is a normal woman too.

It's understandable that a mere concubine like her would try to lord it over her all day long, and make her feel uncomfortable.

When Duan Yu heard that Zhao Luoxuan had accepted the grapes but hadn't let Consort Yu into the room, he couldn't help but smile.

It's good to have a temper and be jealous.