Emperor Jingyuan glared fiercely at Yan Yunxuan, and immediately someone stepped forward to escort him back to his seat.
No one was allowed to reveal that they could hear Shen Mingzhu's inner thoughts.
Emperor Jingyuan: …Let me see what kind of demons and monsters my ministers, consorts, and sons really are!
How dare the second prince form cliques for personal gain?
What exactly have they been doing behind my back?
Shen Mingzhu's inner thoughts had given him a wake-up call!
He needed evidence!
With a single gesture, the entire Dragon Shadow Guard sprang into action!
[This is delicious, and this is too!]
[Hehe! Gua Gua, I'm in a good mood, let me treat you to a dish-naming recitation.]
The System played along enthusiastically, immediately cheering,
[Go for it! Go for it! Go for it!]
Shen Mingzhu, beaming with joy, cleared her throat, and soon everyone in the grand hall heard a comedic tongue twister in their minds.
[Here comes the dish-naming recitation! What's at this year's palace banquet? The answer: steamed lamb, steamed bear paw, steamed deer tail, roasted duck, roasted spring chicken, roasted young goose, marinated pork, marinated duck, soy-braised chicken, cured meat, preserved eggs, small tripe, air-dried meat, sausages, assorted platter, smoked chicken with white tripe, steamed eight-treasure pork, glutinous rice-stuffed duck…]
The ministers: …
Some even cast teasing glances at Shen Changyuan.
The daughter of Marquis Changping was truly humorous!
A round-faced young girl couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
The lady beside her quickly patted her gently.
"Mind your manners!"
Hearing the Crown Princess's inner thoughts tonight was both astonishing and thrilling!
The Emperor and Empress had already given their orders—everyone must comply.
Shen Mingzhu heard the laughter nearby and saw a plump, jade-like girl. When the girl noticed Shen Mingzhu looking at her, she flashed a friendly smile.
Her two small canine teeth were utterly adorable.
The next moment, everyone heard Shen Mingzhu and the System's voices again.
[Gua Gua, who was that young girl just now? She's quite cute.]
[Host, that's Zhao Xueer, the legitimate daughter of the Left Vice Minister of Revenue.]
[Oh? So she's my father's subordinate!]
[Yes, yes, yes! Not only is her father your father's subordinate, but she's also a total unlucky soul, just like your fourth brother!]
Hearing this, Shen Mingzhu immediately perked up, took a sip of tea, glanced at Zhao Xueer, and gave a slight nod.
[Gua Gua, tell me, how unlucky is this girl?]
Vice Minister Zhao: …How could Miss Shen just listen and not help? He was Shen Fu's right-hand man in the Ministry of Revenue, his most loyal subordinate!
Zhao Guangming looked at Shen Changyuan,
"Shen Shangshu!"
Shen Changyuan closed his eyes briefly,
"Vice Minister Zhao."
Then, glancing toward the upper seat, he made a zipping motion over his mouth.
Vice Minister Zhao's silence was deafening!
Soon, everyone heard the System's voice.
[So, Zhao Xueer has a personal maid named Liu Qingqing, an orphan she accidentally rescued. Outwardly, they are mistress and servant, but in reality, they are like sisters.]
Lady Zhao: She knew of Qingqing. Her daughter had grown up with her since childhood, treating her like a sister. She provided her with excellent food and clothing, almost like a young lady of the house.
Shen Mingzhu took a bite of chestnut cake and asked nonchalantly.
[And then?]
【Every time Miss Zhao went out to purchase rouge and cosmetics or have new clothes tailored, she would always bring a set for her too. This greatly fueled her ambition. She felt she was no worse than the young lady of the Zhao family, and even believed she was more beautiful than Miss Zhao.
After Zhao Xueer got married, she took advantage of her inattention and climbed into Zhao Xueer's husband's bed.】
Shen Mingzhu, 【So, she was elevated to a concubine?】
The ministers nodded.
In their view, some of the personal maidservants by the side of the matriarchs of various households were specifically used to secure favor. Since she had slept with him, elevating her to a concubine seemed like a natural progression.
If the System had a physical form, its head would probably be shaking like a rattle drum.
【This maidservant, Liu Qingqing, was not elevated to a concubine but continued to serve by Miss Zhao's side.】
【Why? Between being a servant who waits on others and becoming a concubine who is waited upon, anyone would know which to choose! Besides, didn't she voluntarily climb into her young master's bed? Didn't she want to become a concubine?】
Hearing this, the System said smugly,
【Host, you're being narrow-minded!】
The ministers might not understand, but some of the ladies who could hear the inner thoughts did!
They were all too familiar with the sordid affairs of the inner chambers.
At that moment, many ladies looked at Zhao Xueer with instant sympathy.
Madam Zhao also paled, tightly clutching her daughter's hand.
She had only this one daughter!
Raised with utmost pampering and affection since childhood.
Just thinking about her future days, even before hearing Shen Mingzhu's inner thoughts, she was already heartbroken!
Zhao Xueer looked slightly panicked, fearfully gazing at Madam Zhao.
"Mother."
"Xueer, be good, everything will be fine!"
Miss Shen's inner thoughts haven't been verified yet, it can't be! It can't be!
But in her heart, she knew clearly that what Shen Mingzhu had just said was all accurate.
Her daughter truly treated Liu Qingqing like a sister, never considering her a servant. Rouge and cosmetics, new clothes, delicious food—whatever she had, Liu Qingqing would receive a share as well.
She doted on her daughter and indulged her, never expecting to have raised a snake in the grass.
Prepare for a rainy day; take precautions.
Madam Zhao looked at her daughter and thought to herself, regardless of whether the inner thoughts were true or false, she must deal with Liu Qingqing!
She would not leave any danger by her daughter's side.
【Gua Gua, go on!】
【Oh, right! After Liu Qingqing successfully climbed into the bed, she would always sneak around with Zhao Xueer's husband while Zhao Xueer was asleep. Moreover, every time Zhao Xueer became pregnant, she would miscarry. After several miscarriages, Zhao Xueer's health deteriorated, growing worse and worse, until she eventually fell ill and died in bed.
In the end, Liu Qingqing and Zhao Xueer's husband together took possession of Zhao Xueer's substantial dowry, successfully rising to become the new matriarch.
The two even gained quite a reputation in Shengjing—one as a loving husband who couldn't bear to remarry, the other as a loyal servant caring for her young lady's husband. After Liu Qingqing became pregnant, persuaded by everyone, she successfully leveraged her pregnancy to secure her position!】
Zhao Xueer's pupils trembled, her teeth chattered, and a chill ran up her spine.
She tightly gripped Madam Zhao beside her.
"Mother, mother, I'm actually quite healthy, you and father know that."
Madam Zhao looked at Shen Mingzhu and softly comforted her daughter.
"It's alright, it's alright, you haven't even begun marriage discussions yet!"
Madam Zhao appeared calm on the surface, but inside, she was in turmoil.
No one knew that she had already been considering potential matches for her daughter and had even taken a liking to one family.
At this moment, she was filled with dread.
Shen Mingzhu swallowed the chestnut cake in her mouth and looked at Zhao Xueer with a hint of pity in her heart.
Such a fine young lady, deceived by a scoundrel who took advantage of her body, heart, and wealth!
How utterly tragic!