Chapter 667 Substituted A Daughter of Non-lineal Descent for The Daughter of Lineal Descent
Shao Yanru and Shao Jie’er both looked a little messy when they came in.
However, in comparison, Shao Jie’er looked more embarrassed. Her hair was tied up but still looked wet. She didn’t even have time to dry it up before she came. Shao Yanru’s long hair was basically dried up. Both of them had changed their clothes because when they entered the palace, most of them had prepared extra clothes.
Shao Yanru took Shao Jie’er’s hand who was quite timid and came in. She looked gentle and dignified. She was afraid that Shao Jie’er would panic, so she held her hand all the time, showing an intimate sisterhood image. Thus, in any aspect, Shao Yanru was a kind sister.
Shao Jie’er had always been timid in front of people. Now that such a thing had happened, it was natural for her to panic and be afraid.
Shao Wanru calmly looked at them, who were holding each other’s hands tightly. Her eyes were as cold as ice. Shao Yanru was used to showing her decent manners in front of others.
After the two saluted Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager’s eyes fell on them. After a long while, she said slowly, “When Second Miss fell into the water, First Miss was not by her side. I heard that she went to find Fifth Miss, but why did First Miss go to find Fifth Miss?”
“Your Highness, when I went there, I saw that Fifth Sister was not there. I was afraid that Fifth Sister was not sensible enough and might disturb the noble people in the palace for her first time to enter the palace, so I hurried to find Fifth Sister. I didn’t expect that such a thing would happen to Second Sister. Second Sister being hurt was all my fault as an elder sister. If I hadn’t gone to find Fifth Sister, such a thing wouldn’t have happened at this time!”
Shao Yanru had prepared for this. She lowered her head and said with tears in her eyes.
Such a beauty showed a look of self-blame, coupled with the implication that she cared about her two younger sisters, which would really make others have a good impression of her. Chu Liuzhou felt that Shao Yanru in front of him was very suitable to be his princess. It was not only for the support from Duke Xing’s Mansion but also because her kind character of taking care of people could also deal with the affairs of his mansion.
Thus, he could fully devote himself to the affairs of the court.
In this way, although Shao Wanru’s appearance was outstanding, she was less suitable for him than Shao Yanru.
Shao Wanru raised her watery eyes and asked indifferently, “Big Sister, did you come to find me? Before I left, I told Second Sister that I would walk around casually. Why are you so worried about me, Big Sister?”
Compared with the two sisters who were in a panic, Shao Wanru looked indifferent and did not show much concern for Shao Jie’er. All the people present knew something about Duke Xing’s Mansion, and they were not surprised that Shao Wanru and Shao Yanru could not get close to each other.
“I am worried about you…” Shao Yanru said softly.
“Big Sister, why are you always worried about me? Weren’t you worried that something would happen to Second Sister when she was alone in the pavilion? What’s more, I am not a child anymore, so I don’t need you to care about me all the time. When I was in the Yuhui Nunnery, you also came to care about me repeatedly. However, I was in trouble again and again, and in the end, I almost lost my life. After that, I went to Huaguang Temple. The same thing happened. Big Sister even chased me to Huaguang Temple!”
Shao Wanru rudely interrupted Shao Yanru’s words. Her long eyelashes fluttered twice, with unspeakable grievance and anger.
She ought to be angry!
Troubles happened in the Yuhui Nunnery one after another, seemingly all after Shao Yanru had followed her to the Yuhui Nunnery. She had stayed alone in the Yuhui Nunnery for such a long time but had nothing happened. However, after Shao Yanru had gone up the mountain, matters happened again and again. In the end, Shao Wanru almost lost her life.
The people present didn’t know what had happened in Huaguang Temple, but it seemed that Shao Yanru had been to pester Shao Wanru.
Everyone couldn’t help but think of the word “pester” in their minds. When they thought of these things carefully, they found that Shao Yanru seemingly had always been pestering Shao Wanru. The more she pestered Shao Wanru, the worse Shao Wanru’s situation would be.
“Fifth Sister, I’m really worried about you. I don’t mean anything else. What happened in Yuhui Nunnery and Huaguang Temple were mostly accidents… If… if you feel uncomfortable, I’ll apologize to you here!” When Shao Yanru heard that Shao Wanru had torn the veil of tenderness between them in front of the Empress Dowager and the Empress, she suddenly panicked. Fortunately, she responded quickly and immediately bowed to Shao Wanru.
She looked at Shao Wanru in an aggrieved look, with two lines of tears rolling down. Such a weeping beauty made people feel sorry for her.
“First Miss is also concerned about Fifth Miss. Since her intention is also good, Fifth Miss, you don’t have to blame First Miss too much!” Chu Liuzhou helped Shao Yanru out of the predicament, but his words implied that he was blaming Shao Wanru for being too sensitive.
“First Miss does care about Fifth Miss. When she was at my place, she wanted to accompany me for a while. Later, she said that she was worried about her two sisters, so she couldn’t sit there anymore. When she heard that you two were enjoying the scenery there, she hurried over, but didn’t expect that something still happened!”
Honored Consort Shu helped explain.
“It is lucky that The First Miss and the Fifth Miss are both fine. Second Miss, what’s wrong with you? Why did you fall into the lake?” The Empress changed the topic in a smart way. She naturally stood on her son’s side.
“I… I… I don’t know either…” Shao Jie’er’s tears also fell down. She covered her face with a handkerchief, feeling wronged and sad, but there was another meaning in her behavior and words.
Could it be that there were facts one wished to hide?
“How could Second Miss not know it? Could it be that she suddenly lost consciousness?” Chu Liuzhou’s face darkened and he frowned.
I… I really don’t know anything. I entered the pavilion with Fifth Sister, and then I just drank a glass of wine. At that time, I thought it was tea. So after Fifth Sister poured it out, I tasted it, but just a little. Then Fifth Sister left, and I couldn’t remember anything else since I was in confusion. Big Sister came in to ask me and I said that Fifth Sister had left. This seemed to be a little far away. I… I can’t remember if I really said such things to Big Sister.
Shao Jie’er reached out her hands to hold her head and said painfully.
After drinking a glass of wine poured by Shao Wanru, all her consciousness had begun to blur. Chu Liuyue’s eyes fell on Shao Wanru. Her calm face didn’t show any emotion, as if she didn’t know that Shao Jie’er’s words ruined her reputation and even made people think that she had framed Shao Jie’er.
Her face, which was as delicate as jade, was cold but calm, showing no grievance or anger. Such a serious accusation seemed to have nothing to do with her.
This girl was really strange!
“Second Sister, don’t talk nonsense!” Shao Yanru scolded her with a darkened face.
“I… I… I don’t know, I really don’t know… Maybe I remember wrongly…” Shao Jie’er wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and said with fear.
Everyone here was more powerful than her. As a daughter of non-lineal descent, she did not dare to say anything more. Even if it was the truth, she did not dare to openly point at Shao Wanru. She just secretly glanced at Shao Wanru with anger.
Obviously, she didn’t dare to say anything even though she was angry.
“Make it clear yourself. Empress Dowager and I will make the decision!” The Empress said coldly.
“Yes, you can say everything. Since the Empress is here, she will certainly uphold justice for you!” Chu Liuchen leaned against the chair railing, looking lazy and a little tired. His eyes were clear like water, but people might feel that there were coldness and majesty in his handsome appearance.
The Empress’s face looked not good because she was not the most respected one here. She hurriedly said softly to the Empress Dowager, who was sitting in the higher position with a gloomy face and did not say a word, “It’s up to the Empress Dowager to make the decision!”
“The Empress is really kind. She is just a daughter of non-lineal descent. How could she bother Imperial Grandmother and the Empress? Even if this daughter of non-lineal descent dies, it’s worth it!” Chu Liuchen said with a faint smile, and his eyes fell on Shao Jie’er.
Shao Jie’er subconsciously hid beside Shao Yanru. She felt that someone’s eyes fell on her, which had a kind of indescribable coldness. This prince smiled gently and elegantly, without a trace of coldness, but the meaning of his words made her frightened and nervous.
As rumors said, Prince Chen was indeed moody, and he also treated people’s life like dirt when he was ruthless.
“Though she is a daughter of non-lineal descent, she is from Duke Xing’s Mansion. So this can’t be casually dealt with!” The Empress’s smile became a little stiff.
When Chu Liuzhou saw that his mother was at a disadvantage, he said coldly, “Third brother, what do you mean? Do you think that my Empress mother shouldn’t meddle in this matter?”
“Second Brother, you must be joking. The Empress has originally been in charge of this matter!” Chu Liuchen smiled more and more leisurely. “However, Duke Xing’s Mansion is originally a terrible account book. It has hurt one after another. And there was also a reason for the death of the former Heir of Duke Xing. I have heard from my Emperor Uncle that there was something strange about it! The former Heir of Duke Xing died, and his daughter almost lost her life a few days ago. And now things like this happened. The first branch of Duke Xing’s Mansion is really wronged. Could it be said that the First branch should have died without descendants?”
Chu Liuchen turned to look at Chu Liuzhou with a bigger smile, but the meaning in his words was not pleasant. What’s more, it was related to the Emperor. Since it was the Emperor’s words, it must be true. Even if it was not true, Chu Liuzhou did not dare to go against it.
Chu Liuzhou gritted his teeth with hatred, but he knew that he couldn’t continue his words at this time or this topic. He could only grit his teeth and suppress his anger! If he quarreled with Chu Liuchen about this matter again, it would inevitably be his fault in the end. From childhood to adulthood, Chu Liuzhou had suffered a lot of loss from Chu Liuchen.
Everyone thought that he was an innocent patient, and it must be Chu Liuzhou’s fault if they quarreled with each other. Even his father thought so. Chu Liuzhou was arrogant but not stupid. He had suffered too many losses, so he often thought twice before talking to Chu Liuchen, for fear that Chu Liuchen would have any disadvantages to be threatened by Chu Liuchen.
It suddenly became silence in the hall.
“Second Sister, do you mean that I gave you a glass of wine with problems so that you had fallen into the lake in a daze?” Shao Wanru smiled slightly and took over the topic. Her watery eyes flashed twice as if there were thousands of stars in her eyes, which made people feel that she was more beautiful.
However, her words were straightforward.
For a moment, not only Shao Jie’er’s face turned stiff, but also Shao Yanru looked at Shao Wanru in horror.
How dared she…