Chapter 1756: Chapter 1756

Chapter 1756: 061. The harem must not interfere in politics_2

He Lienuo wiped away a tear – real or imagined – with his slender fingers, stifling the laughter in his heart, and said with shaking shoulders: “No, no, it’s not that I thought of a joke, but I heard the most extraordinary joke! Haha.”

Everyone was even more puzzled, stretching their necks, waiting for him to continue.

Even Consort Liu sat back in her chair, eyes wide open, seemingly displeased with He Lienuo suddenly speaking up and interrupting her plans.

“Oh, didn’t you hear it? The joke was actually told by Consort Liu herself!”

Everyone looked at each other, clueless.

Having just sat back in her chair, Consort Liu suddenly jumped up as if sitting on nails, and said sharply: “What are you saying, Crown Prince Helian? When did I tell a joke? Don’t insult me!”

He Lienuo raised his eyebrows high, looking at her in surprise: “Huh? Why such a big reaction, Consort Liu? Do you also think what you just did was a huge joke?”

Consort Liu was enraged yet didn’t know how to counter him. Her actions were a joke? Impossible! Clearly, she was helping He Lienuo marry a wealthy and virtuous woman!

“Me? What’s wrong with me?” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveI★Fire.net

He Lienuo curled his lips into an innocent smile, his fingers stroking the jade thumb ring he wore, his tone indifferent: “Indeed, I came to Dayong for a diplomatic marriage. However, I already stated before, I wanted a virtuous and well-educated woman. You mentioned the daughter of the Yao Mansion being such a lady, but it turns out Miss Yao was His Highness the Second Prince’s chosen one.”

Yao Hanai’s face instantly turned beet-red, but proud as she was, she stiffened her neck to avoid bowing before everyone.

“Tsk tsk, and now you’ve introduced me to a Miss of Yan Mansion, yet this lady is Consort Liu’s own niece. Hmm, thought she’d be a good match for my fourth brother, but she’s also taken.”

He Lienuo sighed, but his tone was filled with obvious dissatisfaction: “I wonder if the Dayong Royal Family is truly sincere about a diplomatic marriage with Xiliang. Although we lost this time, we came to Dayong with utmost sincerity over a great distance for the marriage alliance. Does Dayong intend to reject us outright? No matter, even if it requires exhausting every Xiliang citizen’s efforts, we wouldn’t mind engaging with Dayong again!”

Saying this, He Lienuo coolly sat back in his chair, closing his eyes tightly, completely indifferent to the others.

Listening to He Lienuo’s reasoning made the officials turn pale. A banquet that was supposed to be harmonious had turned into this? The real culprit seems to be Consort Liu?

The Old Emperor’s eyes widened angrily at Consort Liu, his face turning livid. If not for considering both Consort Liu and the Second Prince’s dignity, he would have rebuked Consort Liu on the spot!

Just as Consort Liu was about to plead for mercy, He Lienuo suddenly opened his eyes and asked with three parts innocence, three parts mockery: “I heard there’s an unwritten rule in Dayong that the harem must not meddle in politics, not even the Empress should casually involve herself in court affairs. So, has Consort Liu speaking about the diplomatic marriage already constituted political interference?”

Consort Liu gasped, worried that if His Majesty decided she was interfering in politics, she would’ve done it twice tonight! Such a crime, let alone her, even the Empress could not bear it.

Seeing his mother consort humiliated, Zhao Hongsheng’s eyes shifted quickly and he said: “Crown Prince Helian, the candidates recommended by my mother consort are my cousins. Since it pertains both to national affairs and family matters, if discussing family matters counts as political interference, perhaps we should never speak again, don’t you agree?”

“True! This is indeed the case!”

For once, He Lienuo looked at Zhao Hongsheng properly; this situation was handled somewhat correctly by him.

Consort Liu breathed a sigh of relief. Although she knew punishments awaited her, at least minimizing any wrongdoing would be better – she couldn’t endure the Emperor’s reprimand.