In the Jiaofang Palace, Empress Qiao looked at Li Jing thoughtfully.

“Why does the Royal Mother look at me like this?” Li Jing laughed and said, “Is there something wrong with me?”

Empress Qiao said slowly: “There’s nothing wrong with you. I just feel that something is wrong between Lu Shi and Su Fei.”

Li Jing also showed a thoughtful expression: “Perhaps she is born with the wrong temperament. Xiaoyu has such a temper, and if someone can catch her eye, it is a good thing. If they don’t catch her eye, she will not like them no matter what.”

Empress Qiao gave Li Jing a dubious look. : “Is it really that simple?”

“Otherwise, what else could it be?” Li Jing smiled matter-of-factly.

“Xiaoyu has no romantic feelings for the third brother. Otherwise, she would not have rejected the third brother that day. Su Fei was dissatisfied with Xiaoyu because of this matter, and Xiaoyu naturally had no good impression of Su Fei. Su Fei made some rude remarks just now, and Xiaoyu to vent her anger, deliberately offered to accompany Su Fei.”

Empress Qiao looked a little calmer and nodded slightly: “Although Lu Shi has a more unruly temper, she also has her own advantages.”

In the past, she had to deal with Empress Dowager Zhao alone. Suppressing Meng Guifei, Qin Xianfei, and Su Fei, she often felt powerless. Now that she had her daughter-in-law Lu Mingyu, who came from a military background and was astonishingly powerful and sharp-tongued, most of the pressure on her shoulders had suddenly been reduced.

It was difficult to survive alone, but it was different if mother-in-law and daughter-in-law joined forces.

Li Jing smiled and took over the conversation, saying, “Capable and talented women are bound to have some temper. We can’t expect them to be sharp-tongued in public and meek as lambs in front of us. That’s not how the world works.”

Empress Qiao listened with both annoyance and amusement. “Alright, your wife is perfect in every way, isn’t she? Stop nagging in my ear. I didn’t say anything negative about her.”

After a pause, she whispered again: “You guys are late today, in the future. If something happens in the palace, don’t wait until it’s too late.”

This was what she could only tell her son. She couldn’t say anything to her daughter-in-law.

Li Jing shamelessly nodded in agreement: “Okay. I am anxious to get Xiaoyu pregnant as soon as possible!”

Empress Qiao: “…”

Empress Qiao rubbed her forehead.

This was her own son; otherwise, she would have long turned her back on him. In the past, he was graceful, polite, humble, and respectful. How did he become so shameless after getting married?

While they were joking, Lu Mingyu also came back.

Empress Qiao looked at Lu Mingyu with a smile: “Has Su Fei returned to Yihua Palace?”

Lu Mingyu replied with a smile: “Yes. I wanted to come back to accompany my mother, but Su Fei asked me to have dinner at Yihua Palace, but I didn’t respond.”

In the palace, the ability to speak diplomatically, tell lies without blinking, and switch faces effortlessly is essential for everyone. It was basic etiquette—sweet words with a hidden agenda.

Empress Qiao glanced at Lu Mingyu and gave a casual “hmm” in response.

…..

After the palace banquet, it was soon the day for Meng Yunluo to put on her makeup.

Lu Mingyu and Meng Yunluo knew each other, and they were going to be sisters-in-law in the future. Naturally, she had to add makeup on this day, and the makeup gift prepared had to be heavy.

Lu Mingyu had already made an appointment with Shen Lan to accompany her, so took a carriage back to the Lu Mansion first.

Lu Mingyue and Lu Xuan gathered around with joy on their faces: “Fourth sister, I knew you were coming back today, so I got up early and waited.”

“After so many days, Fourth sister’s complexion is getting better and better.”

In fact, it had only been more than half a month since she got married. Returning to Lu Mansion at this time, looking at the familiar smiling faces of her fifth sister and sixth brother, Lu Mingyu felt warm in her heart.

“I’m not in the house, so you have to listen to the second sister-in-law.” Lu Mingyu smiled and warned: “Especially Sixth brother, don’t be naughty all day long.”

Lu Xuan replied swornly: “Does that need to be said? During this period, I got up early every day to practice martial arts and study, and I never slacked off. If you don’t believe me, ask my second sister-in-law.”

Lu Mingyu looked at Shen Lan.

Shen Lan pursed her lips and smiled: “Yes, the Sixth brother is not naughty at all, and he always helps me.”

Lu Mingyu raised an eyebrow at Shen Lan: “Is he really so good? You didn’t mean to coax me, do you?”

Before Shen Lan could speak out, Lu Xuan protested: “Fourth sister, why don’t you believe me? I have always been very good and obedient.”

Lu Mingyue smiled and sighed at him first. Then she said to Lu Mingyu, “Fourth Sister, when your marriage month is over, would you like to come back and stay for a few days? Both Sixth Brother and I miss you, and although our adoptive father doesn’t say anything, he must also think of you in his heart.”

This was also a current custom. When a woman gets married, she must stay with her husband’s family for a full month before she can visit her parent’s home for a short stay.

Lu Mingyu smiled and nodded: “Of course. I have told Li Jing a long time ago that I will have to come back and stay for seven or eight days.”

Lu Xuan winked and smiled: “Fourth jiěfū ^[1]husband of elder sister can’t live without Fourth sister for a day, maybe you both will come back together!”

After joking, Lu Mingyu and Shen Lan went to Guangping Hou Mansion together.

…

The Meng family was also extremely lively on this day.

Lu Lin, King of Xingyang, was a military general in the former dynasty who surrendered to Emperor Yongjia six years ago.

Meng Hui, Marquis of Guangping, followed Emperor Yongjia when he raised his army, and had the merit of following the dragon. Moreover, Meng Guifei was Emperor Yongjia’s favorite, and the Eldest Prince was Emperor Yongjia’s favorite son.

The Guangping Marquis Mansion was rising, and it was like a new noble in the current dynasty. Compared with the Qiao Mansion, which came from a scholarly family, it was even more popular.

Now, Meng Yunluo was about to marry into the Royal family and become the Third Huangzifei, so the day of adding makeup was naturally lively. There was also an endless stream of female relatives who came to add makeup.

Guangping Hou Furen was radiant and greeted the guests with a smile.

When Lu Mingyu and Shen Lan arrived hand in hand, Guangping Hou Furen personally greeted them: “The arrival of the Second Huangzifei and the Second Young Madam Lu has made the Meng family shine.”

Lu Mingyu’s status was so valuable that it went without saying. Even Shen Lan, now the Second Young Madam of the Lu family and the future wife of Prince Xingyang, couldn’t be ignored.

Lu Mingyu responded with a smile: “Yun Luo and I have known each other for a few years, and we have been close friends. In a few days, we will be sisters-in-law. It is appropriate to add makeup today.”

Shen Lan took over the words with a smile: “That’s right. There are many people in your house today, so there is no need for Furen to greet us.”

After that, Guangping Hou Furen personally led them to Meng Yunluo’s boudoir before leaving.

The ladies from the capital who came to add makeup gathered around Meng Yunluo, talking and laughing. Meng Yunluo’s face was a little shy, but more of a joy, with a sweet smile on her lips.

As soon as Lu Mingyu arrived, all the girls stood up and saluted.

“Get up quickly,” Lu Mingyu said with a smile: “Today is a happy day for Sister Meng to add makeup, but don’t let Sister Meng blame me just because I am in the limelight.”

Meng Yunluo heard this and was angry and funny: “Lu Mingyu, what do you mean? In your eyes, I am someone who doesn’t want others to be in the limelight?”

“Isn’t it true?” Lu Mingyu pretended to be surprised. Everyone was amused and giggled.

On normal days, Meng Yunluo would have been annoyed.

On such a joyous day, Meng Yunluo couldn’t bring herself to get angry. She just laughed and jokingly poked Lu Mingyu before dropping the matter.

(End of chapter)