The news of Consort Qing's capture quickly spread, and officials in the imperial court clamored for her execution to preserve the royal family's honor.
The Prince of Dingbei, however, overruled the objections and suppressed the matter.
Despite his efforts, rumors leaked out. Upon hearing of Consort Qing's return, Qin Yunshang specifically went to the palace.
She felt that something was amiss and sent people to investigate. She discovered that her senior brother had brought a woman back to his residence, but Chi You rarely left the main courtyard, and almost no one had seen her appearance.
Uncertain if the woman brought back was Chi You, Qin Yunshang dispatched people to the residence to inquire.
Ever since the two families had formed an alliance, she had bribed many people in the Liu family. Some of the concubines, knowing she was the future matriarch, were very obedient to her.
When that beautiful concubine saw Chi You's true face, she quickly drew a portrait and handed it over when Qin Yunshang's people came to find her.
Seeing Chi You's portrait, Qin Yunshang's teeth itched with rage. He had actually brought that wretch back to his residence.
That night, she went to the Liu mansion. Unable to find Liu Rongruo, she went directly to see the old madam and, both overtly and covertly, revealed Liu Rongruo's affair with a palace consort.
However, the old madam was utterly unfazed. As long as the child conceived was from their Prime Minister's household, even if she were an imperial consort, she would be given to the Liu family.
But the two families were old acquaintances, and the old madam did not want to disappoint the Qin family. She comforted Qin Yunshang profusely, but her words were clearly perfunctory, which made Qin Yunshang grit her teeth in anger.
She didn't care how many women her senior brother had, but this woman from the Southern Border was absolutely unacceptable.
In her fury, she spread the news.
The imperial court and the harem alike heard that Prime Minister Liu was harboring a palace consort, an act that showed utter disregard for the Emperor. The commotion caused was significant.
However, the Prince of Dingbei held absolute sway in the court and paid no heed to the memorials submitted.
Within a few days, news spread that the Crown Prince, indulging in debauchery in the East Palace and doting on a beauty, had fallen into the lotus pond while drunk. The entire court was shocked.
The Emperor was gravely ill and uninvolved in state affairs. With the Crown Prince's death, a tempest erupted, and no one mentioned Prime Minister Liu harboring a palace consort anymore.
Following the inexplicable death of the Third Prince, and now the Crown Prince, the position of heir apparent was vacant. Throughout the court, only the Eighth Prince, Li Yu, was considered capable of shouldering the responsibility. The political landscape of the court shifted dramatically.
Some elder ministers jointly submitted memorials requesting the Emperor to establish a new heir apparent, but their pleas went unheard and were intercepted.
Most of the court consisted of the Prince of Dingbei's men. As he was regent, no heir apparent could be appointed without his permission.
Li Yu's birth mother was of humble origin. He was brought out of the cold palace and had been groomed by the Prince of Dingbei.
Upon attending court, he showed great respect to Xiao Chizhan, appearing to have no intention of seizing the throne. He conducted himself properly, leaving no room for criticism.
However, those who supported the Prince of Dingbei did not like him and were wary of him. Countless memorials were submitted from the Northern Palace, but Xiao Chizhan completely ignored them.
The matter of establishing a new heir apparent was thus postponed, and the recent political climate had become very tense.
Chi You lived in the Prime Minister's residence, unaware of everything. She remained demure in the mansion, tending to the flowers in the courtyard, and never venturing out.
She could clearly sense that Liu Rongruo's guard towards her had relaxed, and the number of guards stationed behind the main courtyard had significantly decreased.
Many people in the mansion were curious about Chi You, who resided in the main courtyard. Someone informed Madam Liu, expressing a desire to see her.
Since she had entered their household, it was only natural to bring her out for a look.
Madam Liu then sent people to invite her. However, Chi You had no desire to involve herself in the trivial matters of the household and flatly refused, which angered Madam Liu.
When Liu Rongruo learned of this, he said nothing. When the old madam invited him, he spoke a few words casually.
Seeing his attitude, the people in the mansion gave up their attempts to inquire about the woman. Chi You then lived more peacefully in the residence.
One day, Liu Rongruo returned from court early and came to dine with her.
Chi You saw him entering against the light and suppressed her innermost thoughts.
"I brought this for you."
He casually tossed a jewelry box to her.
Chi You had always been indifferent towards him. After all, if she were too eager, Liu Rongruo would surely become suspicious of her.
Who could live carefree with the enemy responsible for the annihilation of their clan?
Therefore, she casually accepted it and set it aside.
He often brought her jewelry from the Central Plains, such as hairpins, decorative combs, and a dazzling array of pearls and jades. She casually glanced at them and then tossed them aside, paying them no further attention.
A pile had accumulated on the dressing table. When a maid saw them, she would tidy them up.
Liu Rongruo paid no mind to her attitude. He washed his hands and sat down.
"When will the Prime Minister return my bracelet?"
She glanced at him.
Liu Rongruo said, "Do not speak while eating, nor while sleeping."
"---"
She had never known this rule before.
Chi You rolled her eyes inwardly. After dinner, seeing him go to the study to handle official business, she followed him.
"My bracelet was left to me by my mother. It is very important to me."
"Very important to you?" Liu Rongruo looked up at her. "Then perhaps I should destroy it."
Crazy.
Chi You forcefully suppressed her anger and said, "I have been staying in the residence for a long time. I wish to go out for a walk."
Liu Rongruo paused and looked at her without speaking.
"I have never seen the scenery of the Central Plains since I arrived here."
He remained silent for a moment, then said, "Come here."
Chi You paused and walked over.
He reached out and pulled her into his arms, seating her on his lap.
Chi You's expression was blank, and she did not move.
Liu Rongruo pinched her chin and leaned down to kiss her.
"Weren't you good at charming men before? Now you can't even be bothered to pretend."
Hearing his words, Chi You felt like laughing inwardly. She looked at him sarcastically.
"Prime Minister, do not be too greedy. Between us, there are tens of thousands of lives. Do you still expect me to smile at you?"
"Oh, if the Southern Border is annihilated, you will have to smile, even if you don't want to."
"---"
Beast.
Chi You struggled, wanting to get up.
He gripped her waist tightly and drew her close.
Chi You looked at him indifferently and said, "Does the Prime Minister think I am like those brainless, big-breasted concubines in your household?"
"Even if the Southern Border is but a small land, if your Great Liang dares to attack the Southern Border without justification, the Western Regions will surely be in uproar. If they ally with Northern Qi, the destruction of Great Liang is not unthinkable."
The moment she finished speaking, she instantly sensed something was wrong with him. Although his expression was neutral, she felt his entire aura turn icy.
Chi You wisely fell silent.
Liu Rongruo looked at her for a moment, then abruptly pinched her chin and brought his lips to hers.
"What, are you hoping Xie Beihan will save you?"
Chi You pushed back, but he pressed her head down, holding her close.
She forcibly turned her face away, and his lips landed on her cheek.
"After Xie Beihan ascended the throne, he was slow to establish an empress."
He glanced at her expression, his look unreadable.
Chi You suddenly thought of Ye Luan. Her elder brother had asked her to take Ye Luan away, but later she was severely wounded by Xiao Chizhan in the Southern Border. She heard they had fought a battle in the Western Regions, resulting in mutual destruction.
Her eyes dimmed slightly. The older brother she knew would not have made himself so miserable for a woman. Now, after ascending the throne, he had defied public opinion by leaving the position of empress vacant, which was truly beyond her expectations.
Her waist was suddenly squeezed, causing her pain and bringing her back to her senses.
"Whether the Emperor of Northern Qi establishes an empress is Northern Qi's business. What does it have to do with us?"
Liu Rongruo raised an eyebrow and leaned back against the chair, his expression cold.
Chi You twisted her waist, trying to loosen his grip.
"I want to go out for a walk."
He remained silent, staring at her lips.
Chi You sneered, "The Prime Minister is truly blinded by lust."
Liu Rongruo also smiled. "Then let me see your ability. How long can you keep me infatuated."
Chi You ignored his words and leaned in to kiss his lips.
The moment she touched him, he immediately tightened his hold on her waist, cupped the back of her neck, and kissed her passionately.