At the end of the day, the Imperial Palace, the Lizheng Hall, and Princess Changle’s sleeping hall
Chuntao was originally the legitimate daughter of the family, and she was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting since she was a child. When she was twelve years old, she was sent to the palace to be a show girl by her father, who was a county magistrate in Taiyuan.
Because of her relatively delicate appearance, she was selected by Empress Changsun and arranged to be Princess Changle's personal maid. She is already fifteen years old this year.
She discovered that since the princess was granted marriage by the emperor a few days ago, she had somehow fallen in love with being a female celebrity.
Today at noon, she went to Shang Gong Bureau as usual to get silk thread and the latest embroidery for the princess.
As a result, by chance, I heard a piece of news from the embroidery workers in the Shanggong Bureau about Chang'an City.
She was shocked by the news on the spot, so she didn't bother to get any more silk threads and embroidery flowers. After asking the embroidery workers about the situation, she hurried back to Princess Changle's dormitory.
As soon as Chuntao entered the main hall, she panted and saluted Princess Changle who was sitting on a chair embroidered with female red, and then said a little eagerly:
"Princess, no, something happened."
Princess Changle raised her head when she heard this, and seeing Chuntao looking tired and out of breath, she sighed and said:
"Chuntao, how many times have I told you to be steady when things happen. Don't be impatient, drink some water, and speak slowly if you have anything to say."
After speaking, Li Lizhi pointed to a cup of tea on the table.
Chuntao did not drink the tea on the table. She raised her head and looked at Li Li with pity and said:
"Princess, I just heard a piece of news related to you at the Shang Palace Bureau."
Li Lizhi raised her eyebrows when she heard this and said:
"what news?"
Hearing this, Chuntao looked around and saw that there were others in the hall, so she stood up and leaned into Li Lizhi's ear, whispering what she heard about cousins getting married, problems in having children, and what Quan Chang'an was discussing. She and Changsun Chong talked about their engagement.
At first, Li Lizhi blushed a little when she heard that she had given birth to a baby, but as she listened, her face turned from red to pale.
After being silent for a while, Li Lizhi said to Chuntao:
"I know about this matter. Just listen to these rumors. Don't spread them around the palace, okay?"
Chuntao looked at the princess's calm expression and said to herself, My Princess, how come you are so calm and not anxious at all when such a big thing has happened.
Chuntao thought for a while and whispered:
"Your Highness, I want to come. Since so many people are spreading rumors, it is very likely that this matter is true. Why don't you go and ask the Queen to help you think of a solution?"
At this time, Princess Changle had calmed down. She picked up the needle and thread on the table again, and then said to Chuntao:
"Chuntao, go down and rest. Don't mention this matter again."
"But princess..."
Li Lizhi was usually very kind to Chuntao, so Chuntao wanted to persuade Princess Changle again.
At this time, Yuechan entered the hall with several palace ladies, and all the palace ladies saluted Princess Changle.
Then Yuechan said:
"Your Highness, the Queen, please come over."
Hearing this, Princess Changle put away her needle and thread again and said to Yuechan:
"good."
After saying that, he took Chuntao and headed towards the Li Zheng Palace.
Half an hour ago, Li Shimin came to the Lizheng Hall and told Queen Changsun about Changsun Wuji's request to terminate the engagement at Ganlu Hall in the morning.
After hearing this, Queen Changsun was very puzzled. She didn't know why her brother suddenly changed his mind and wanted Chong'er to marry Yuzhang.
As for the reason why Chong'er likes Yuzhang, Queen Changsun herself doesn't believe it.
Because if this was really the case, then my brother would definitely have explained it to him from the beginning, and this would not have happened.
Until Li Shimin handed the recent rumors in Chang'an City and the book compiled by Baiqisi's investigation a while ago to his eldest grandson. Only then did the eldest grandson understand what happened.
The eldest grandson was also frightened after reading the hundreds of households recorded in the booklet and the situation of their children after their cousins got married.
Empress Changsun secretly said that it was very dangerous. She didn't dare to think about it now if Li Zhi really married Chong'er. What will happen if the situations mentioned in the booklet occur?
She put down the booklet, thought about it and said:
"Erlang, although this matter is reasonable, don't you think it's all too coincidental? Just after you gave Li Zhi a hand in marriage, this rumor appeared in Chang'an City. Is there someone behind this who is deliberately targeting the royal family? ?”
When Li Er heard this, his eyes instantly became fierce. He gritted his teeth and said bitterly:
"I have already arranged for Baiqisi to investigate. There are shadows of the noble family behind this matter. I suspect that they are dissatisfied with the imperial court's punishment of corrupt officials and deliberately spread this news in order to lose face to the imperial family."
When Queen Changsun heard this, she immediately became angry.
"These aristocratic families are really bold and have plotted against the royal family."
Li Er patted his eldest grandson's hand, sighed and said:
"I will handle the family's affairs. Maid Guanyin, please think about how to comfort Changle when she comes."
The eldest grandson fell into deep thought after hearing this. Yes, the most innocent and hurt person in this matter was Li Zhi.
.....
It wasn't until Yuechan took Princess Changle into the Lizheng Hall that Queen Changsun came back to her senses.
After Li Lizhi entered the palace, she saluted Li Shimin and Empress Changsun and said:
"My son, I would like to pay my respects to my father, the emperor, and my queen. Please give my regards to my father, the emperor, and my mother."
Empress Changsun stood up and pulled Li Lizhi up. Looking at Li Lizhi's thin face, she couldn't help but feel a pain in her heart. She said softly:
"Lizi, why have you lost so much weight these days? Are you feeling unwell?"
As he spoke, he pulled Li Lizhi and sat on the couch next to him, then picked up a plate of pastries and handed it to her.
"This is the pastry just made by the Imperial Kitchen. Try it quickly."
Li Lizhi sat on the couch and did not pick up the cakes on the table. She looked at Queen Changsun and asked:
"My son, you are not hungry. The Queen Mother summoned your son to come over. Is there something wrong?"
For some reason, Empress Changsun felt at this moment that compared to the past, Li Zhi seemed to be less close to her and more distant.
This made her already guilty heart even more uncomfortable.
Queen Changsun took Princess Changle's hand and said in a slightly guilty tone:
"Li Zhi, my mother has something to tell you. My mother and your uncle discussed it today. The marriage between your cousin and you will be abandoned from now on. Your father will issue an order to arrange your engagement tomorrow."
Li Lizhi was stunned for a moment when she heard this, but soon she understood that the breakup of the engagement was most likely due to the rumor Chuntao told.
But for her, it doesn't matter whether the engagement can be broken off or not.
Because even if the engagement was broken off, there would be no result between him and Qin Ming's brother. After all, the queen mother had already betrothed her sixth sister to Qin Ming's brother.
The groom is not Qin Ming, so no matter who the other person is, it is the same to her.
These days, she has already understood her intention. The only one she wants to marry is Qin Ming.
She smiled at Empress Changsun, and then said softly:
"My son, I understand. If my mother has nothing else to do, I will go back first."
Empress Changsun looked at Li Lizhi and wanted to speak several times, but in the end the words of comfort were not uttered.
She nodded and said:
"Well, go ahead."
Li Lizhi stood up, bowed to Li Shimin and Queen Changsun and said:
"Father, Emperor, Mother, I, my sons and ministers, retire."
After saying that, Li Lizhi exited the main hall and took Chuntao back to her dormitory.
A few moments,
Only two sighs echoed in the Li Zheng Hall.
