0p0 Chapter 469 The Lu Family Changes Hands!
Chapter 469 The Lu Family Changes Hands!
By the time the Xie family learned about what was happening in Yanzhou, the Lu family had already made it clear that from now on they would completely submit to the Prince of Changle. From then on, the Lu family and the Xie family would keep to themselves and owe each other nothing!
Upon learning of this matter, the Xie family head immediately ordered an investigation, and within just one hour, the investigation led to Xie Yilin's mother.
After the Third Young Master Xie reported this result to the Xie family head, the Xie family's collateral branches were met with the family head's order to purge all the collateral branches.
Meanwhile, Xie Yilin's mother gradually faded from people's sight, citing poor health as the reason.
East Palace.
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't been careless, things wouldn't have gotten so out of control. I never imagined that just Xie Yilin would cause us to completely lose the Lu family's support."
"The Lu family's power is far more complex than it appears on the surface. Losing their patronage is a significant loss for the Xie family. However, fortunately, the Lu family has chosen Aze as their new leader. At least for now, Aze seems solely focused on governing Yan well and fully supports the Crown Prince. Otherwise…?"
"Your Majesty, are you so at ease with Prince Chang Le?"
The Crown Princess gave a bitter smile. "What can I do if I'm worried? If I hadn't been so clever as to let Xie Yilin go to Yanzhou to test things out, things wouldn't have turned out like this. In fact, the Lu family has been pushed out by our Xie family. We can't blame anyone else."
The Xie family head also looked dejected. Almost everyone who had anticipated the Prince of Chang Le's attitude, like the Crown Princess, had hoped Xie Yilin would give it a try. In their eyes, she was just Xie Yilin; if she could win the Prince of Chang Le's heart, all the better; if not, there would be no loss for the Xie family. But what they hadn't expected?
"It's also the old minister's fault for not managing his household strictly. The collateral relatives are so ignorant of the rules, acting on their own initiative and even poisoning the Lu family's gifts! We were originally trying to appease them, but instead..."
The Crown Princess's brows furrowed slightly. "Have you investigated everything? It was indeed our people who did it?"
"Your Majesty, the investigation has been completed. From the mastermind to the final poisoner, it was all a member of the Xie family. Alas! It was a mistake of ours to push the Lu family out of the Xie family's fold."
"That's enough, things are as they are, there's no point in saying more. Since this matter started with the Luo family, then we should do everything we can to strike at the Luo family! That Consort Luo is dead, but the Luo family members are still alive and well! If we want to avenge Yilin, we should start with the Luo family."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this old minister understands. This old minister has already instructed his trusted confidants to quickly gather all the evidence of the Luo family's crimes. When the time comes, we will surely bring down the Luo family in one fell swoop!"
The Crown Princess shook her head. "Don't forget, the Luo family still has a princess. We don't expect to bring down the entire Luo family right now; just causing them some losses will be enough. As for Princess Zhaoyang, she's still on our side, so there's really no need to anger her further. Let's start by targeting those who have a bad relationship with Princess Zhaoyang. The first one will be the Duke of Anguo's mansion."
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Duke of Anguo's mansion has always sided with Prince Ming, and they have married a woman from the Luo family. This is excellent. This old minister will return immediately to make preparations."
"Yes, Father is getting old, so he should take good care of his health. As for any specific, painstaking matters, we should let the people below gain more experience. Only then can our Xie family prosper for another hundred years."
"Your Majesty is right, this old minister has remembered."
The Prince of Changle's Mansion, Yijing Garden.
Mu Xin Nuan, wearing a thick black cloak, stood under the eaves, reaching out with one hand to stroke a plum blossom branch that had been tucked in.
The soft pink color added a touch of life to the otherwise quiet courtyard.
Mu Xin Nuan's face was slightly flushed, whether from the rouge or the cold, it was hard to tell. From a distance, she made Duanmu Chu Ze's heart flutter.
Although he had long known that he was destined to be enslaved by this girl, Duanmu Chuze felt happy and content as he could clearly feel his heart racing for her.
As long as she is by my side for the rest of my life, what does it matter if life is bitter or tiring?
He approached her gently, almost without making a sound, but the unique cool fragrance emanating from him still alerted Mu Xin Nuan to his presence. Her expression relaxed, and after blinking a few times, she playfully leaned back on purpose!
Just as expected!
Mu Xin Nuan fell into a warm and familiar embrace. As her waist tightened, her silvery laughter followed.
Since what happened with Xie Yilin, she hadn't laughed like this in a long time. Hearing her laughter today, so crisp and triumphant, with a touch of playfulness in her joy, filled Duanmu Chuze's heart with warmth. This was his wife!
"How long have you been outside? Your hands are getting cold. Shall we go inside and warm them up?"
"No! The sun is shining brightly today. Don't you think it's nice to admire the plum blossoms here?"
Duanmu Chuze knew he couldn't persuade her otherwise, and most importantly, he couldn't bear to see even the slightest disappointment in her eyes. He ordered someone to bring over a table and chairs, and he held her in his arms, lying half-reclined on the veranda, admiring the plum blossoms together.
Rong Yue warmed a pot of plum blossom wine and brought it over. The aroma of the wine whetted Mu Xin Nuan's appetite.
"The aroma of this wine is so unique, it smells like flowers."
"This wine is made from plum blossoms. Want some?" Duanmu Chuze tilted his head, not missing the small expectation in her eyes.
"Is it okay? Will it make me feel dizzy?" Mu Xin Nuan's eyes seemed to be sparkling with two little stars, clearly she was already tempted.
"No. Someone, prepare it under the pavilion over there; it's a good place to admire the plum blossoms. Also, have someone bring a hand warmer."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Once everything was ready, Mu Xin Nuan acted like a spoiled child and refused to get off him. Duanmu Chu Ze smiled and affectionately picked her up, then strolled into the pavilion.
"Mmm, it smells so good!" Mu Xin Nuan sniffed it first, then took a small sip. She felt a unique aroma of wine that immediately went down her throat. It was slightly spicy and sweet, and a rich fragrance began to fill her mouth.
"It's cold in winter, you can try some. This wine is quite good. If you like it, I'll have someone prepare more next year."