Lady Liu? Shen Mingzhu frowned slightly, feeling lost.
If not for Chun Tao's reminder, she would have forgotten about this troublemaker in the Xie Mansion. It seemed that the tactic of setting the dogs against each other last time had been quite effective, keeping everyone in check.
She turned to look at Xie Lang and saw him frowning at her. Only then did Shen Mingzhu say to Chun Tao, "Let her in."
After she spoke, Lady Liu was led in by a maid. Seeing so many boxes being carried out, greed flashed in her eyes. She couldn't help but stare at them for a moment before regaining her senses and nervously looking at Shen Mingzhu.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Lady Liu said, bowing respectfully to Shen Mingzhu.
Shen Mingzhu instinctively exchanged a meaningful look with Xie Lang, who was sitting beside her, wearing a look of amusement.
"I wonder what brings you here, madam?"
Xie Lang crossed his legs and glanced at Lady Liu. A familiar, dissolute smile played on his lips as he folded his arms across his chest, looking every bit the disrespectful young playboy to his elders.
Lady Liu was annoyed. Unable to contain her anger, her face darkened. But the moment she saw Shen Mingzhu, she forced a smile and said, "Your Highness, I do have something important to discuss."
In fact, it wasn't a big deal. Lady Liu had originally planned to find a suitable day to bring it up, hoping to gain some benefits for herself like last time. But just as she was about to go to bed, she heard that the imperial gifts were being carried into the mansion one after another. It made her itch with greed.
After much hesitation, Lady Liu got up and headed to the courtyard where Shen Mingzhu and Xie Lang lived, hoping to seize the opportunity and obtain some benefits.
"Go ahead, Lady Xie," Shen Mingzhu said, motioning for Chun Tao to offer Lady Liu a seat.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Lady Liu said as she sat down. Then she turned to Shen Mingzhu and Xie Lang and said, "There will be a banquet at the mansion in a few days. I sent you the invitation a few days ago."
Shen Mingzhu nodded.
"It's just... Xie Fangfei and her troublesome aunt are secretly planning to find a good husband for her at the banquet. I'm worried that Your Highness may not be aware of this, so I came to inform you."
Oh? Xie Fangfei had visited the pharmacy some time ago. Combining this with Lady Liu's words, her motive for going to the pharmacy was worth pondering.
What had she bought?
Seeing a glimmer of interest in Shen Mingzhu's eyes, Lady Liu was overjoyed and continued, "I wonder what Your Highness's plan is?"
Shen Mingzhu exchanged a look with Xie Lang.
Seeing this, Lady Liu gritted her teeth in hatred. She wished her own son could replace Xie Lang.
Why was Xie Lang so lucky? He had married the favored princess and now had received a large fortune and the princess's favor for no reason!
Lady Liu only wished it was her son who had married the princess.
After a moment of silence, Shen Mingzhu fixed Lady Liu with a sharp look and asked, "Who is the Third Miss's target?"
Lady Liu was taken aback. She instinctively glanced at Shen Mingzhu, only to find that the person in front of her was quick-witted and had quickly grasped the key point.
However...
A wide smile spread across Lady Liu's face, revealing layers of wrinkles. Her flattery was palpable. "This..."
She smiled and looked at Shen Mingzhu without saying a word.
Shen Mingzhu saw through her intentions at a glance and said indifferently, "Just now, His Majesty sent a new batch of items. I'll send someone to pick one for you later."
Hearing this, the greed in Lady Liu's eyes flashed by. She looked at Shen Mingzhu hesitantly and said, "Your Highness, this..."
It seemed that Lady Liu had become even more greedy.
Shen Mingzhu sneered inwardly. Before she could say anything, Xie Lang, who was sitting beside her, spoke up first.
He glared at Lady Liu and turned to look at Shen Mingzhu with dissatisfaction. He grabbed her hand and said, "Your Highness, you just said these items were for me."
"How can they be given to others?"
Over the years, Lady Liu and Xie Lang had maintained a superficial peace. Now that there was a conflict of interest, it was only natural.
Lady Liu didn't think much of it. She only thought that Xie Lang was such a jerk that he didn't want her to get any benefits. She felt anxious.
Looking at Shen Mingzhu's hesitant expression, she became even more impatient.
"Your Highness!" Xie Lang said unhappily, looking at Shen Mingzhu. Then he glanced at Lady Liu and snorted, looking every bit the gigolo.
[Shen Mingzhu, cooperate quickly! I'm saving you money!]
Shen Mingzhu almost burst out laughing at Xie Lang's dissolute expression but managed to suppress her laughter. She hesitated and said, "Then... shall I ask Chun Tao to look for something in the storeroom?"
The items in the storeroom could never compare to the imperial gifts!
Lady Liu could hardly maintain her composure. She quickly said, "Your Highness, this... I've been investigating for so long, and this..."
Lady Liu didn't realize that the aura of an elder she had when she first saw Shen Mingzhu had been completely suppressed. Now she was arguing with a junior like Xie Lang over things, putting herself at a disadvantage.
Seeing this, Shen Mingzhu reached out and patted Xie Lang's hand, comforting him, "Then give this item to Lady Xie. You can go to my storeroom and pick something you like."
Hearing this, Xie Lang showed a displeased expression. Lady Liu quickly continued, "Your Highness, the person the Third Miss has her eye on is an old acquaintance of yours."
Shen Mingzhu was surprised. She looked at Lady Liu and asked, "Who?"
"It's the eldest son of the Zhou family."
Zhou Chengyu?
Shen Mingzhu was truly confused now. What was going on? Did Xie Fangfei have any sense at all?
The Xie family had just started to gain prominence. Among the aristocratic families in the capital, it was only a well-known name. It wasn't until Shen Mingzhu married into the family that the Xie family was truly recognized as an aristocratic family.
The Zhou family was different. It was a century-old aristocratic family known for its literary heritage. Generations of the Zhou family had served in the court, and countless scholars who had received the Zhou family's patronage had entered the court as officials. Their influence was immeasurable.
Xie Fangfei had good taste, but she had set her sights on someone out of her reach. And she had come up with such a scheme.
Shen Mingzhu was almost amused by her audacity.
Xie Fangfei was probably relying on Shen Mingzhu's marriage to the Xie family, thinking that if Zhou Chengyu was taken advantage of, he would not hold it against the Xie family for Shen Mingzhu's sake.
A surge of anger welled up in Shen Mingzhu. She frowned and asked Lady Liu, "Are you sure they're going to make a move at the banquet?"
"Positive," Lady Liu said, a hint of contempt on her face. "The Third Miss is truly the product of her aunt's upbringing. Her actions are so petty and vulgar."
"Since this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her, she can't keep her mouth shut. She's already started bragging to those around her without me even asking."
Good grief.
Shen Mingzhu exchanged a look with Xie Lang, realizing that there must be someone from Lady Liu among Xie Fangfei's entourage.
Then Lady Liu smiled at Shen Mingzhu and continued, "Now it's up to Your Highness. Do you want the Third Miss to make a fool of herself, or do you want to resolve the matter privately?"
Shen Mingzhu fell into deep thought.