After the milk ball arrived, the father who had no heirs had a string of good luck.

After the morning court session, Situ Che kept Prince Chen and Prince Rui behind and sent someone to summon Tang Rui.

But Tang Rui has disappeared.

Situ Che couldn't care less about important matters and quickly mobilized all the palace staff to search for him.

So, for a whole morning, the entire palace was in chaos, a truly lively scene.

Consort Xu was the eldest daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites. Ever since she met Situ Che during the royal hunt two years ago, she had never forgotten him.

Last year, she entered the palace through the talent show, filled with beautiful dreams for the future.

Who would have thought that after entering the palace, she would not only fail to enjoy a harmonious relationship with the handsome emperor, but she also couldn't see Situ Che even once in a month.

In contrast, Situ Che would visit the Empress and the four concubines' courtyards several times a month.

Perhaps it's because my rank is too low...

At that time, Xu Zhaoyi thought this and secretly made up her mind to do everything she could to climb up the social ladder.

Once she reaches a high position, the emperor will be able to see her.

But she never expected that the Empress and the four concubines would have such a good relationship, and that Situ Che would trust them so much.

Even though she had instigated that fool Consort Chu, Situ Che remained ruthless and firmly stood by Consort Shu's side.

Today, Consort Xu, as usual, took a stroll in the Imperial Garden with her maid. At this time, Situ Che would usually pass by this place after court.

Even if she fails to win the emperor's favor every time, she can still see the emperor she longs for day and night.

only…

Why is the Imperial Garden so lively today?

The eunuchs and palace maids searched everywhere for Princess Zhaohua.

Hearing the shouts of the eunuchs and palace maids, Consort Xu frowned slightly: "Is it necessary to make such a fuss over a princess?"

The maid Qingliu whispered, "My lady, you used to be in poor health and rarely left the house, so you didn't know how formidable Princess Zhaohua is!"

Consort Xu sneered, "Isn't she just the Crown Princess of the Southern Barbarians? This is the Great Xia Dynasty. Who gives her the right to act so arrogantly?"

Although she rarely left her home, she had still heard of Tang Rui's name.

But she didn't think it was anything special.

This is the Great Xia, not the Southern Barbarians.

Tang Rui is the crown prince in the Southern Barbarians, but in the Great Xia, she is a money-losing asset, which has nothing to do with her.

"Your Highness!" Qingliu was startled, fearing the palace maids and eunuchs might overhear, and lowered her voice to continue, "You can't say that. I've asked the old people in the palace, and the Empress, the four Consorts, and even His Highness the Crown Prince all adore this princess. The Emperor treats her like a precious jewel, her status no less than that of the Crown Prince!"

Consort Xu glanced at her indifferently: "What's so strange about that? After all, she has an empress as her mother. The Great Xia and the Southern Barbarians have a good relationship, and out of respect for the empress, no one dares to neglect this princess. She's just lucky to have been born into such a family. If she didn't have an empress as her mother, what would she be?"

"..." That statement... doesn't seem to make any mistake!

Qingliu smiled and said, "My master is intelligent; it must be so."

Consort Xu sneered: "I've heard that in the Southern Barbarian lands, women hold power, and the order of yin and yang is reversed. A group of women, like hens crowing at dawn, are not only like men, but one woman serves several husbands. How is that any different from courtesans? Princess? In the end, she's just a lowly slut who sleeps with anyone."

"This lady speaks well!" came a woman's voice from behind.

Consort Xu and Qingliu were startled and turned around to look.

Suddenly, a beautiful young woman dressed as a palace maid appeared behind them, smiling at them.

Consort Xu frowned: "How dare you! Which palace maid are you from? How dare you eavesdrop here!"

"Me? I'm a palace maid from the laundry department." Tang Rui's eyes darted around, and she continued to lie.

She and Mingyue fooled around all morning, so of course she couldn't wear her clothes anymore.

This palace maid's outfit was something Mingyue somehow managed to get for her.

She intended to go directly to Situ Che's place, but when she passed by here, she overheard the two men, master and servant, talking badly about her.

Tang Rui smiled and said, "I think I just heard you cursing Princess Zhaohua. How long have you been in the palace? Don't you know the saying, 'Disaster comes from the mouth'?"

Consort Xu's eyes turned cold: "What a disrespectful and unruly servant! Who are you talking to? You think you're worthy to lecture me? Qingliu, smash her mouth open!"

"Yes!" Aoyagi stepped forward and raised his hand to slap him!

Tang Rui grabbed her hand and slapped her hard across the back!

Aoyagi was completely stunned!

Consort Xu hadn't expected this little palace maid to be so audacious, and her face turned ashen: "You little wretch, have you eaten the gall of a bear and the heart of a leopard?"

Tang Rui clapped her hands, walked up to her with a smile, and suddenly raised her hand to give her a big slit.

"You...you..." Consort Xu covered her face, trembling with rage. "This is outrageous! This is truly outrageous! Guards! Guards!"

There were many servants in the Imperial Garden, and as soon as they heard her voice, they all gathered around.

Consort Xu pointed at Tang Rui and said viciously, "Beat this wretched servant to death!"

Some of these palace maids and eunuchs didn't recognize Tang Rui, but others did!

One of the palace maids gasped when she saw Tang Rui's face: "Princess Zhaohua, why are you dressed like that!"

"That's fun!" Tang Rui spun around. "Doesn't it look like that?"

The eunuchs and palace maids all knelt down: "Your servants are terrified!"

Xu Zhaoyi was stunned, staring wide-eyed at Tang Rui in disbelief.

A eunuch squeezed in, saw Tang Rui, and breathed a huge sigh of relief: "Your Highness, what are you doing here, and dressed like this... The Emperor has been looking for you everywhere!"

"If she weren't dressed like this, you wouldn't hear Consort Xu saying that women from the Southern Barbarian tribes are promiscuous!" Tang Rui glanced at Consort Xu, a half-smile on her face. "Consort Xu, don't you think so?"

Consort Xu's eyelids twitched, and she forced a smile: "Princess Zhaohua, it's all a misunderstanding... a misunderstanding..."

"If you say it's a misunderstanding, then it's a misunderstanding! The harem is under the Empress Dowager's jurisdiction, and this princess will not overstep her bounds. Mingyue..."

Tang Rui called out, and Mingyue immediately appeared.

"Go to Fengyi Palace and repeat to the Empress Dowager everything Consort Xu just said, word for word!"

"yes!"

Mingyue glared at Consort Xu and then vanished like a ghost.

Xu Zhaoyi's face turned pale, and her vision blurred.

Tang Rui ignored her and looked at the eunuch: "Thank you for your trouble, sir. I will go to see my father right away."

"Alright, Your Highness, this way..." The eunuch glanced at Consort Xu and shook his head.

The other servants also dispersed, casting sympathetic glances at Consort Xu.

Everyone knows that Princess Zhaohua is extremely wealthy and precious.

Of all people to offend, Consort Xu had to offend her!

"My lady, what should we do?" Qingliu was almost in tears.

Consort Xu was completely flustered. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, "It's alright. I only said a few words to her; I didn't kill her. Come with me to see the Emperor, quickly!"

...

When Tang Rui arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance with the eunuch, Prince Chen and Prince Rui were also there.

Despite not having seen him for many years, Prince Chen remained the same as before.

Prince Rui... perhaps it's because he's grown a beard, but he looks much older.

"Zhaohua greets Uncle Chen and Uncle Rui!" Tang Rui greeted the two with a smile.