Emperor Jingyuan glared at Yan Yunxuan, and someone immediately stepped forward to invite him back to his seat.
No one is allowed to reveal that they can hear Shen Mingzhu's innermost thoughts.
Emperor Jingyuan: ...I want to see what kind of monsters and demons his ministers, harem, and sons are!
How dare the second son form cliques and engage in corrupt practices?
What exactly do they do behind his back?
Shen Mingzhu's heartfelt words served as a wake-up call for him!
He needs to get the evidence!
With a single gesture, the entire Dragon Shadow Guard sprang into action!
This is delicious! This is delicious too!
Hehe! Guagua, I'm in a good mood, so I'll tell you the menu.
The system was very accommodating, immediately offering its praise.
[One more, please! One more, please!]
With a broad smile, Shen Mingzhu cleared her throat, and then a tongue twister from a crosstalk performance echoed in the minds of everyone in the hall.
[Here comes the menu! What's on this year's imperial banquet? Answer: Steamed lamb, steamed bear's paw, steamed deer tail, roast duck, roast chicken, roast goose, braised pork, braised duck, soy sauce chicken, cured pork, preserved eggs, small sausages, dried meat, sausages, assorted cold dishes, smoked chicken belly, steamed eight-treasure pork, glutinous rice stuffed duck...]
Ministers: ...
Some ministers even looked at Shen Changyuan with sarcasm.
The daughter of the Marquis of Changping is so humorous!
A round-faced little girl couldn't help but burst out laughing.
The lady next to her quickly patted her lightly.
"Mind your manners!"
Hearing the Crown Princess's inner thoughts tonight was both surprising and exciting!
The emperor and empress have both spoken, and they all must obey.
Shen Mingzhu heard the laughter beside her and saw a plump girl next to her. When the girl saw Shen Mingzhu looking at her, she gave her a friendly smile.
Two cute little tiger teeth.
The next second, everyone heard Shen Mingzhu's voice and the system's voice again.
[Guagua, who was that little girl just now? She is quite cute.]
[Host, that's Zhao Xue'er, the legitimate daughter of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.]
Oh? He's my father's subordinate!
[Yes, yes, yes! The little girl's father is not only your father's subordinate, but she's also a close friend. Alas his daughter's fate is tragic]
Upon hearing this, Shen Mingzhu immediately perked up, took a sip of tea, looked at Zhao Xueer, and nodded slightly.
[Guagua, tell me, how wronged was this little girl?]
Vice Minister Zhao: ...How can Miss Shen just listen without offering help? He is Mr. Shen's most capable and loyal subordinate in the Ministry of Revenue!
Zhao Guangming looked at Shen Changyuan.
"Minister Shen!"
Shen Changyuan closed his eyes.
"Minister Zhao."
After speaking, he glanced at the person in the seat of honor and gestured with his hand to his mouth as if to close it.
Zhao Shilang's silence was a wake-up call!
Then everyone heard the system's voice.
[It is said that Zhao Xue'er has a personal maid named Liu Qingqing, an orphan girl whom Miss Zhao had unintentionally saved. The two were ostensibly mistress and servant, but in reality, they are like sisters.]
Madam Zhao: She knew Qingqing well. Her daughter had grown up with her since childhood and they were like sisters. She treated her very well, and her food and clothing were indeed quite good, almost like those of the young ladies in the family.
Shen Mingzhu took a bite of chestnut cake and asked casually.
[Then what? ]
Then, every time Miss Zhao went out to buy rouge and powder, or to have new clothes made, she would bring her a set, which greatly fueled her ambition. She felt that she was no less than Miss Zhao, and even thought that she was more beautiful than Miss Zhao.
After Zhao Xue'er got married, she took advantage of her not paying attention and climbed into her husband's bed.
Shen Mingzhu, [So, she was elevated to the status of a concubine?]
The ministers nodded.
In their view, some of the personal maids of the mistresses of each household were specifically there to secure the masters favor, and since she had slept with him, it was only natural for her to be promoted to the position of concubine.
If the system had a body, it would probably shake its head like a rattle drum after hearing this.
[Liu Qingqing, the maid, was not promoted to concubine; instead, she continued to serve Miss Zhao.]
Why? Anyone would choose between being a servant and being served, or becoming a concubine and being served! Besides, didn't she voluntarily climb into her master-in-law's bed? Didn't she want to become a concubine?
After hearing this, the system said smugly,
[Host, you're being narrow-minded!]
The ministers may not understand, but some of the ladies who can hear their innermost thoughts do!
They knew all too well the dirty secrets of the inner quarters.
At this moment, many of the ladies looked at Zhao Xue'er with immediate sympathy.
Madam Zhao, her face also pale, held her daughter's hand tightly.
She only has one daughter!
She was raised with utmost pampering and care from a young age.
Thinking about her future, she already felt sorry for her even before hearing her Shen Mingzhu true thoughts!
Zhao Xue'er looked slightly frightened and looked at Madam Zhao with some fear.
"mother."
"Xue'er, be good, everything will be alright!"
Miss Shen's inner monologue has not been confirmed yet, no way! No way!
But she knew in her heart that what Shen Mingzhu had just said was very accurate.
The daughter truly treated Liu Qingqing like a sister, never regarding her as a servant. She provided her with cosmetics, new clothes, and delicious food—anything Liu Qingqing had, she would also have.
She doted on her maid and spoiled her, never expecting to raise such an ungrateful ingrate.
Prepare for a rainy day and take precautions before things happen.
Madam Zhao glanced at her daughter and thought to herself, "Whether her innermost thoughts are true or false, I have to deal with Liu Qingqing!"
She would not leave any danger around her daughter.
[Guagua, keep going!]
Oh! After successfully climbing into Zhao Xue'er's bed, Liu Qingqing will continue to have an affair with her husband while Zhao Xue'er was asleep. Moreover, Zhao Xue'er would miscarry every time she got pregnant. After several miscarriages, Zhao Xue'er's health deteriorated and she eventually died on her sick bed.
In the end, Liu Qingqing and Zhao Xueer's husband received Zhao Xueer's generous dowry together, and Liu Qingqing successfully became the new matriarch.
The two were quite renowned in Shengjing; one loved his wife so much he couldn't bear to remarry, and the other was a loyal servant who cared for the husband while was dead. After Liu Qingqing became pregnant, and with the encouragement of everyone, he successfully took the child and became her husband!
Zhao Xueer's pupils dilated, her teeth chattered, and a chill ran down her spine.
She held tightly to Madam Zhao beside her.
"Mother, Mother, I'm actually in good health, you and Father both know that."
Madam Zhao looked at Shen Mingzhu and gently comforted her daughter.
"It's alright, it's alright, you haven't even discussed marriage yet!"
Madam Zhao appeared calm on the surface, but her heart was in turmoil.
No one knew that she had already arranged a marriage for her daughter and found a family she liked.
At that moment, she was terrified!
Shen Mingzhu swallowed the chestnut cake in her mouth and looked at Zhao Xueer with some regret.
She is such a nice young lady, but she was cheated out of her body, her heart, and her money by a scumbag!
It's utterly tragic!