Chapter 107 Escape from the Palace
"Yes, Queen Mother!"

After hearing what Zhao Yushan said, Zhu Xiumin and Zhu Xiulan tactfully stopped what they were about to say.

Know others! Know yourself!
This is what they have been doing all along!
However, deception is motherhood...

Such words!
When Zhu Xiumin and Zhu Xiulan lowered their heads to answer, they exchanged glances for a moment and understood instantly. The other party also noticed the subtle dissatisfaction with the eldest brother Zhu Chengwu implied in Zhao Yushan's words.

But this is not something they can interrupt or persuade.

After all, it was just a vague sense of dissatisfaction!
If it is uncovered, it might cause even greater trouble.

Zhu Xiumin and Zhu Xiulan, who had the same idea in mind, looked at each other, and suddenly felt a little helplessness in their hearts, like a little secret that sisters shared.

The relationship seems to have become even closer!
They didn't notice that when they were looking at each other secretly, the corner of their mother's mouth seemed to curl up slightly.

"The Queen, Princess Min'an, the Third Princess... the two Lords Cui are here!"

At this moment, outside the door of the Jiaoshu Palace where they were, a female voice with profound inner strength came, interrupting the tussle between Zhao Yushan, her mother and her two daughters.

Hearing the report from her trusted palace maid Xiaoyu outside the palace, Zhao Yushan gave a wink to Zhu Xiumin and Zhu Xiulan.

Zhu Xiumin and Zhu Xiulan bowed to Zhao Yushan and tactfully returned behind the screen.

Even though there were only three of them, mother and daughter, Zhao Yushan never slacked off in teaching Zhu Xiumin and Zhu Xiulan etiquette and never let them misbehave.

Even though Xiaoyu's report had exposed the existence of Zhu Xiumin and Zhu Xiulan, as unmarried princesses, Zhao Yushan still asked them to avoid outsiders for the time being.

"Let them in!"

Seeing that her two daughters were hidden by the screen again, Queen Zhao spoke to those outside the palace.

Led by the palace maid Xiaoyu, Cui Zongyan and Cui Ronghe, father and son, entered the residence of the most noble woman in the Ming Dynasty for the first time.

Cui Zongyan and Cui Ronghe, father and son, who had only dared to walk with their heads down and not look up all the way, only dared to look up and salute after they saw the palace maid Xiaoyu who was leading the way in front of them stop.

In a quick glance, Cui Zongyan and Cui Ronghe, the father and son, saw a dignified woman with graceful manners and elegant demeanor.

Although it was said that Queen Zhao was nearly 50 years old, in this quick glance, Cui Zongyan and Cui Ronghe did not see any fatigue common in middle-aged women on Queen Zhao's face.

"Queen Qianan!"

Cui Zongyan was mature after all, and he was the first to react and bowed and greeted.

"Queen Qianan!"

Cui Ronghe finally came to his senses after hearing his father's words.

“Master Cui, there’s no need to be so polite with my brother!

By the way, I call Master Cui He Ge’er. Master Cui should not mind, right?

After all, according to the rules of ordinary families, after Sister Yun and Brother Wu get married, our two families should be as close as one family!"

Zhao Yushan had a smile on her face.

“It is my son’s blessing that the queen values ​​him!

But the Cui family is a small clan in the south of the Yangtze River, and I, a small official of the fourth rank, really don’t dare to dream of it…”

Hearing what Queen Zhao said, Cui Zongyan quickly bowed and spoke humbly and carefully.

However, before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Zhao Yushan.

"Master Cui, you have only met Master Cui today after the order was issued. Have you not promoted Master Cui?"

Zhao Yushan spoke calmly.

But Cui Ronghe, who was standing sideways, suddenly felt as if an invisible wave was coming around him.

"Cui doesn't dare!"

Cui Zongyan was also extremely terrified and bowed again.

“Not daring, not having!

Hehehe~
Lord Cui, I'm going to talk to you straight today!

I am dissatisfied with the marriage between Wu Ge'er and your Cui family!

Just a fire lotus!

But now that it has been proven that Cui's Fire Lotus is not a Fire Lotus but an Earth Core Fire Lotus, that is another matter!"

Zhao Yushan sneered and said so.

The Fire Lotus of the Earth's Core?

What is the Earth Core Fire Lotus?
Cui Zongyan does not have such powerful intelligence channels as the royal family and the Zhao family, and he does not know that the fire lotus given to Zhu Chengwu by the Cui family is actually the more precious Earth Core Fire Lotus.

In Xuzhou City, Zhu Chengwu relied on this high-level rare treasure of heaven and earth and his own secret technique to defeat the two masters, Duke of Yan and Marquis of Xibei, and demonstrated his supernatural power!

"All this is due to the great fortune of Marquis Fu'an!"

Although we don’t know the detailed information yet, Cui Zongyan’s answer is flawless!
Zhao Yushan looked at Cui Zongyan deeply.

He is worthy of being a talent who could reach the fourth rank in the officialdom full of cunning people at the age of 40!
"My Queen's Brother Wu is not blessed with great fortune, but he has great ambitions!
Master Cui's sister Yun is the real fortune sent from heaven!"

Zhao Yushan refuted Cui Zongyan's statement that Zhu Chengwu obtained Cui's Earth Core Fire Lotus thanks to his great fortune, and directly pointed out that Zhu Chengwu had great ambitions.

Seeing that Cui Zongyan did not reply, Zhao Yushan, who had taken a breath, slowed down her tone and continued, "Sir Cui and Brother He do not need to be too restrained in this Queen's Palace!
No need to lower your head when walking!
You can even ask Xiaoyu to show you around!

After all, you will have a lot of time to enter this Jiao Shu Palace in the future!

Jiao Shu and Shu Yun both have the character "Shu" in their names!
This Queen Jiao Shudian has a deep connection with your Sister Shu! "

Zhao Yushan saw Cui Zongyan and Cui Ronghe walking in with their heads down, and told them to not be so reserved.

"Jiao Shu Palace is always the Queen's Jiao Shu Palace!"

Cui Zongyan's answer was extremely concise.

But it shows the respect that the father and son have for Queen Zhao.

"Yes! Jiao Shudian is always the queen's Jiao Shudian! But she will soon no longer be the queen's Jiao Shudian!
The king is old and his health is not very good!

In order to marry Yun Jie'er and to get the Queen's consent, Wu Ge'er made a promise to the Queen several months ago!

He will return to the capital within a few years!
Sometimes I think that the Cining Palace has been vacant for so long, it’s time for it to have an owner! "

Zhao Yushan didn't want to continue playing Tai Chi with Cui Zongyan!
After all, the longer the delay, the more likely accidents are to occur.

Therefore, Zhao Yushan's words were extremely explicit.

Queen Zhao's words caused Cui Zongyan's face to show obvious changes in emotion.

Although Cui Zongyan knew that King Ming was old, he was always in good health!
In front of the court officials, King Ming was as strong as ever, full of confidence and his words were final.

Unexpectedly, today Cui Zongyan learned from Queen Zhao, the King Ming's bedmate, that the King Ming only had a few years left.

If you think about it carefully, is it true that King Ming will reach the end of his life in a few years, or will Queen Zhao and Marquis Fu'an allow King Ming to reach the end of his life in a few years...

It’s hard to say!
But immediately, Cui Zongyan restrained his dark thoughts!

After all, Cui Zongyan is now the father-in-law of Marquis Fu'an, and is on the side of Marquis Fu'an and Queen Zhao!
Queen Zhao is graceful and elegant, Marquis Fu'an is upright and honest, and old Marquis Zhao is the pillar of the country... They will definitely not do such despicable things.

Cui Zongyan kept repeating, emphasizing, and hinting in his mind.

"After returning home, I will ask my family to go to Xuzhou Prefecture to remind Sister Yun to be careful of Marquis Fu'an and Queen Zhao! You must take your own life seriously!" While hypnotizing himself, Cui Zongyan made such a decision in his heart.

However, although he was worried about Cui Shuyun's safety, Cui Zongyan was more moved by another hint in Queen Zhao's words!
Queen Zhao had already hinted it very clearly before!

But now Queen Zhao's hints are even more obvious!
Do not!
What hint?
This was almost telling Cui Zongyan and his son that within a few years, Marquis Fu'an would return to the capital and ascend the throne of Ming Wang. At that time, Queen Zhao would become the Queen Mother and move to Cining Palace, and Cui Shuyun would become the Queen and move into Jiaoshu Palace. But then Cui Zongyan thought of another question: Why did Queen Zhao tell him, and them, such important news!

Although the ambitions of Zhao and Marquis Fu'an were an open secret, and although his legitimate daughter Cui Shuyun had married Marquis Fu'an, who could say that the in-laws would give their full support?

There are many precedents in history of in-laws betraying each other!

And what's the point of telling him such news?

Although the Cui family is famous in Jiangnan and is considered a wealthy family in the entire Ming Dynasty, for a true aristocratic family, this little power and this little apparent wealth cannot affect the overall situation.

Just like Zhu Chengwu's previous life, the BATZ on the Internet will never be able to influence those who stand on high places during the military parade.

The benefits and risks of leaking such important information to him and the Cui family are simply not proportional!
"Queen, if you have any instructions, please tell me directly! I will do my best!"

After thinking about it, Cui Zongyan could only think of this possibility.

Although this possibility is incredible, the Queen of Zhao, who holds a high position and is from the Zhao family, would actually ask him, a minor official of the fourth rank, for help with something.

But apart from this possibility, Cui Zongyan really couldn't think of any reason why Queen Zhao urgently summoned him into the palace and gave him so many excuses.

Although Cui Shuyun and Zhu Chengwu had already been married, and several months had passed since King Ming granted the marriage, there was an obvious gap in status between the two parties. As Queen Zhao had mentioned before, she had some emotions about this marriage.

In addition, Cui Zongyan and Cui Ronghe were foreign ministers and were not suitable to enter the harem.

Cui's mother and sister-in-law had been in their hometown in Jiangnan, watching Cui Shuyun who was dissatisfied with the marriage.

Prevent Cui Shuyun from doing anything stupid!
Or something unexpected happens!
So this was the first time that the Cui family met Queen Zhao, their "relative".

Such deep words when we first met!

Just throw out the temptation of the queen's position!

This…

It seems that what Queen Zhao is asking for is not a small matter, and that matter is also extremely important to Queen Zhao!
But is it possible for Cui Zongyan, a minor official of the fourth rank, to interfere in such matters?
However, Queen Zhao has already said this!

Could Cui Zongyan and his son refuse or dare to refuse what Queen Zhao asked for?

"Master Cui, you are indeed a pillar of the country!"

Zhao Yushan appreciated Cui Zongyan's quick response and put a gentle smile on her face again.

"Sister Min, Sister Lan, please come out!"

Zhao Yushan glanced at Cui Zongyan, Cui Ronghe and his son, then turned to the screen in the hall and spoke.

Under the gaze of Cui Zongyan, Cui Rong and the father and son, two figures who looked 30% similar to Queen Zhao but were completely different walked out from behind the screen.

"Greetings, Master Cui, Little Master Cui!"

Zhu Xiumin and Zhu Xiulan successively paid their respects to Cui Zongyan and Cui Ronghe.

"Meet the two princesses!"

Cui Zongyan, Cui Ronghe and his son quickly returned the gift.

“These are my two daughters, and they are also Wu Ge’er’s sisters!
The older one is called Xiumin, and she is not favored by the king. Unlike the Crown Prince's younger sister, she was not given the title of Princess Changning. When she reached the age of 15, she was only given the title of Princess Min'an!"

Zhao Yushan pointed at Zhu Xiumin and introduced her to Cui Zongyan, Cui Ronghe and the father and son.

There seemed to be dissatisfaction, complaints and grievances in the words.

"Meet Princess Min An!"

Cui Zongyan, Cui Ronghe and his son bowed to Zhu Xiumin again.

He tacitly ignored the dissatisfaction, complaints and grievances in Zhao Yushan's words.

This is not a topic they can interrupt to comment on.

Moreover, Queen Zhao was able to hold on to the position of queen for decades, although most of that was due to the old Marquis Zhao and the Zhao family.

But keeping a pig in the position of queen for so long can cultivate some sophistication in it.

What's more, Queen Zhao Yushan was famous for her intelligence both before and after marrying King Ming.

Would such a person really reveal his emotions so easily?
Unless, such emotions are required by the situation!
Therefore, without understanding the situation, Cui Zongyan and his son could only ignore the emotions "inadvertently" revealed in Zhao Yushan's words.

He avoided the words thrown by Zhao Yushan by greeting Zhu Xiumin again.

Forget about Cui Zongyan, Cui Shuyun's father. After all, he is a shrewd man who has experienced a lot of worldly affairs and has managed to rise to the fourth rank in officialdom.

But Cui Ronghe and this young man were able to keep up with his father's pace and also refused to accept the challenge!

Not simple!

Zhao Yushan couldn't help but sigh in her heart as she watched Cui Zongyan and Cui Ronghe, who were trying to avoid her words by bowing to Zhu Xiumin again, forcing Zhu Xiumin to return the bow.

With such a father and such a brother, the newlywed wife Wu Ge'er is so lucky!
No one has a deeper understanding and insight into the complementary relationship between harem struggles and court struggles than Zhao Yushan, who has been in the position of queen for nearly thirty years.

"This is my youngest daughter, and Wu Ge'er's third sister! She is still young, not yet of age, and not yet given a title! Her name is Xiulan!"

Cui Zongyan and Cui Ronghe, father and son, refused to accept the challenge, so Zhao Yushan had no choice but to follow the introduction.

After all, Zhao Yushan is a master at keeping things balanced!

We can't favor one over the other!
"Meet Princess Xiulan!"

Cui Zongyan and Cui Ronghe did not favor one over the other and bowed to Zhu Xiulan again. Zhu Xiulan and her sister Zhu Xiumin had to return the favor.

"I came here with Master Cui and my brother this time because I really have a favor to ask of you!"

Since Cui Zongyan and Cui Ronghe, father and son, refused to accept the challenge, Zhao Yushan had no choice but to play a straight game after serving the water.

"Your humble servant and I have little influence! It's really..."

Although he didn't know what Queen Zhao was asking for, and although he knew it was difficult for them to refuse Queen Zhao, Cui Zongyan still couldn't help but start struggling...

"It doesn't matter what Lord Cui does or says in the court...

It’s actually not a big deal!
Before Wu Ge'er went to Xuzhou to be enthroned, Min Jie'er and Wu Ge'er had a very good relationship!

Ever since Wu Ge'er was crowned as the Queen of Xuzhou, Min Jie'er and Wu Ge'er haven't seen each other for nearly ten years!
Now I heard that Brother Wu married your sister Yun!
Minjie misses Wuge'er so much!
I also want to meet her new sister-in-law!

So I would like to ask Lord Cui to take Minjie out of the palace!

Send Minjie to Fu'an Marquis Mansion in Xuzhou!

Lord Cui, you might as well go and see your sister Yun!

Lord Cui can also go to Xuzhou and meet with Wu Ge'er in advance to discuss his views on government affairs. After a few years, Wu Ge'er can put Lord Cui in a suitable position to shine and benefit the people! "

What Queen Zhao asked for was beyond Cui Zongyan's expectations.

Such a request...

To be honest, it’s not worth a sun exposure!
And you can go and see Sister Yun. These words really touched Cui Zongyan's heart.

Cui Shuyun was the child who was born with blessings and luck in the year when he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi.

Although Cui Zongyan forced Cui Shuyun to marry into the Fu'an Marquis Mansion for the sake of his future, ideals and family, this does not mean that Cui Zongyan, the father, no longer loves Cui Shuyun, his legitimate daughter.

Moreover, Cui Shuyun's rebellious behavior before getting married really made Cui Zongyan feel worried.

Although Cui Shuyun seemed to accept her fate in the end!

But how did Cui Shuyun live after arriving at the Marquis of Fu'an's Mansion?
This is what Cui Zongyan and his wife have been worried about!
What's more, there is also an opportunity to exchange political views with Marquis Fu'an in advance!

(End of this chapter)