Chapter 621: Ambition elsewhere, not useful
Gu Nianting felt uncomfortable after hearing this and responded directly.
"What does it have to do with you if Xi'er and I get married?"
Qi Lei and Tao Kangping looked a little embarrassed.
Zhong Suluo sided with them and blamed her son.
"Ting'er, how did I discipline you? You should respect the two adults and not be rude."
Gu Nianting was unhappy and speechless.
Zhong Suluo smiled slightly and turned to Qi Tao and the others.
"My Lords, why do you say that?"
"The Duke's legitimate daughter is willing to marry my son. This is a good match. Besides, Imperial Concubine Yi and I have been sisters for many years."
"Strictly speaking, our two clans are old friends."
Qi Lei lowered his head, not looking directly at him, and told him the pros and cons.
"Hasn't your Majesty heard that you have ambitions elsewhere and are not fit for great use?"
"Who does Miss Ning San follow? Your Majesty is wise and it is self-evident."
"She may change her mind, but she will never forget the kindness of her former master. This is why she is not fit for great use."
"When she was offering advice and using strategies, she always had to consider the old favors and not want to betray them. In this way, how could she help His Royal Highness the Second Prince to accomplish great things?"
Zhong Su Luo nodded seriously.
"Well, Master Qi is right."
Gu Nianting found it very offensive and couldn't help but retort.
"Master Qi is wrong."
"I married Xi'er not for any big or big reasons."
"Don't you understand the meaning of marriage? We are in love with each other and we are getting married for love."
"Mr. Qi keeps saying he is helping me, so I can't help but ask, is your affection for Madam Qi just to use her to get things done?"
Zhong Su Luo frowned and reprimanded severely.
"Ting'er, shut up. I'll emphasize again that you are not allowed to be rude."
Gu Nianting complained.
"But he's not right."
Zhong Su Luo taught the rules in a stern voice.
"It's not your turn to correct me!"
"Misters Qi and Tao are the prime ministers of the Eighth Palace, and they are of the first second rank; I am a concubine, and I am of the second rank; you are the prince, and you are of the first third rank."
"The royal family can be exempted from formalities when meeting ministers, but that does not mean they can ignore the hierarchy of officials."
"Even I have to respect you two adults. How dare you offend me?"
Gu Nianting was unwilling to accept it.
"My child knows his fault."
Zhong Su Luo gave an order.
"I apologize to both of you."
Gu Nianting had a cold face and bowed reluctantly.
"My Lords, please bear with me."
Qi Lei and Tao Kangping bowed in return.
"Your Highness is polite."
Zhong Suluo smiled gracefully at Tao Kangping.
"Excuse me, Master Tao, what do you think?"
Tao Kangping also expressed his views in a humble and polite manner.
"My humble opinion is just that. Thank you for your kindness. If my words offend you, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"The Second Prince has been courting her for many years, but Miss Ning San has remained indifferent. Now, she suddenly agrees to get married. Her behavior is really suspicious."
"It's not me who maliciously speculates on the pure and beautiful love between Your Highness and Miss Ning San. It's the identities of Your Highness and Your Highness that are related to the political situation. I have to think twice."
"This is a beauty trap."
"Master Zhong has made a brilliant calculation. Miss Ning San is probably no match for him. Therefore, I guess that her purpose is to seize Fengzhengtai."
"If you allow this scheme to be carried out, Feng Zhengtai will be in danger. Please be careful and take it seriously, Your Majesty."
Xier was slandered wantonly, and Gu Nianting could no longer bear it and started to mock her.
"Feng Zhengtai, isn't it just a way of making a living by farming? Why did Xi'er take it away? Go to the fields to do farm work?"
"Master Tao is really ridiculous."
Zhong Su Luo glared at him fiercely.
"Ting'er, kneel down. If you dare to speak nonsense again, I will punish you."
Gu Nianting got up from his seat as he was told and knelt down.
"My child obeys."
Zhong Su Luo listened to the opinions and took them seriously.
"You two lords have the same opinion. It seems that this matter needs more consideration."
Qi Lei and Tao Kangping responded.
"Madam Shuyi is wise."
Qi Lei proposed respectfully.
"Lord Zhong, the chancellor of Tinghe, is loyal to His Majesty and is determined not to change his mind. It is not appropriate to discuss countermeasures with him on this matter."
"Alliance leader Zhong Fumeng Qi is resourceful, decisive, and flexible. Your Majesty, please invite him to the palace to discuss a solution to the situation."
Zhong Suluo obeyed his orders.
"Well, okay, I will summon my third brother right away."
At this time, the palace servants reported: "The Imperial Concubine Yi has arrived."
Zhong Su Luo and others saluted together.
"I respectfully wish the Imperial Concubine Yi good health."
Mu Yan helped Zhong Suluo up with both hands and turned to the others.
"I will give you a seat if I am flat."
After expressing their gratitude, everyone took their seats, except Gu Nianting, who knelt down and refused to get up.
Since the foreign ministers were present, Zhong Suluo followed the rules and asked respectfully.
"Your Highness, what can I do for you?"
Mu Yan was as friendly as ever.
"There are no outsiders here. Sister Zhong, there is no need to be restrained. You can just call each other sisters."
"I'm here because..."
Just as she was about to tell him the reason, she saw Gu Nianting's pitiful figure in her peripheral vision. She turned her head and smiled, then asked gently.
"Ting'er, why are you kneeling? I have already given you permission to stand up."
Gu Nianting was unhappy.
"Reporting to the queen, mother will punish you by kneeling."
Mu Yan quickly said something nice and took the opportunity to curry favor with him.
"Why are you so angry, Sister Zhong? Ting'er is a very filial child, how can you bear to punish him?"
"I beg you, sister, for my sake, to allow him to take a seat."
Zhong Suluo really didn't want her beloved son to kneel for a long time, but because of Feng Zhengtai, she had to show an attitude.
Fortunately, Sister Yi came here and gave her a way out.
She acted as if "the imperial concubine's order cannot be disobeyed" and agreed reluctantly.
"Yes."
"Ting'er, sit down."
Gu Nianting regained a little smile.
"Thank you, Imperial Concubine Yi, and thank you, Mother."
Mu Yan looked back at Zhong Suluo and continued to explain the reason.
"I came here specially just to tell my sister a few words."
"My sister spent a lot of money to buy the fragrant incense and confuse Xi'er's mind, making her agree to marry Ting'er."
Zhong Su Luo looked bewildered.
"What is the rich fragrance?"
Mu Yan explained slowly and calmly.
"A spice."
"When burning, the medicinal properties will be activated, which will make Xi'er fall in love with Ting'er without her realizing it, and she will not marry anyone else but him."
"This was made by a hermit master. Because one of the medicinal ingredients is scarce, only one stick of incense is available."
She added an exaggeration intentionally or unintentionally.
"My sister was reluctant to use it at first, but seeing how hard Ting'er tried to court her, I was willing to spend a lot of money and reluctantly give it up to fulfill Ting'er's true love."
Zhong Su Luo was deeply moved.
"Mrs. Ning is so kind, I am deeply grateful."
Mu Yan smiled knowingly.
"Sister Zhong, you're welcome."
"As a family, we should be inseparable."
Understanding why Xier's mood changed, Gu Nianting couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
"So, Xi'er is not sincere to me?"
Mu Yan was kind and comforting.
"Don't worry, Ting'er."
"The medicinal effect of the rich fragrance is enough to last a lifetime. You can regard it as her true heart."
Zhong Suluo held her sister's hand, feeling relieved and contented.
"I was originally worried that this was an enemy plot, but fortunately, Sister Yi gave me some good advice and I learned the truth."
"With your words, I feel relieved."
Mu Yan looked at him and smiled.
"Thank you, Sister Zhong, for your trust."
Qi Lei and Tao Kangping still have concerns.
"Madam Shuyi, please think twice."
Zhong Suluo was stunned.
"Sister Yi is my best friend and the best sister in the palace."
"My Lords, you don't believe her?"