Chapter 069: Female Supremacy 8

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For the past few days, Liu Fulang’s eyelids had been twitching incessantly, giving him a sense that something bad was about to happen.

He voiced his concerns aloud.

Seeing this, Prime Minister Liu remarked, “It’s probably just because you haven’t been sleeping well these past few nights.”

Liu Fulang gritted his teeth. “And whose fault do you think that is?”

Prime Minister Liu responded, “Weren’t you willing? You seemed rather happy about it, too.”

Liu Fulang glared at her, exasperated. “Our child is right here—what are you rambling on about!”

Prime Minister Liu glanced at their quietly dining son. “It’s nothing, nothing. Sooner or later, he’ll have to learn about these things.”

“Nonsense,” Liu Fulang put down his chopsticks, and said to his son, “Qingyun, don’t listen to your mother’s nonsense.”

Hearing his name, Liu Qingyun snapped out of his reverie. “Hmm? The food is delicious—thank you, Father!”

With that, he picked up a piece of braised pork belly from his bowl and chewed it contentedly.

The couple exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in the other’s eyes.

“Son,” Prime Minister Liu called.

Liu Qingyun turned his head, “Mother? Is something the matter?”

His beautiful lips gleamed with oil from the pork belly he had just eaten.

“Have you encountered anything troubling lately?” Prime Minister Liu asked gently.

Troubling?

Liu Qingyun hesitated, recalling the person who yesterday had smiled at him while offering him pastries, watching him eat them with the same gentle smile. He shook his head. “Nothing at all.”

“If anything comes up, remember to tell us. Your mother and I will always help you,” Liu Fulang said.

Liu Qingyun nodded. “Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother.”

“We’re family—no need for such formalities. Come, let’s eat.” Prime Minister Liu picked up her chopsticks and served a piece of pork belly, half fat, half lean, to her husband, and another to her son.

The latter frowned. “Mother, I don’t eat this.”

“But you seemed to enjoy it just a moment ago.”

Liu Qingyun’s expression shifted slightly; no wonder his mouth felt so greasy.

He didn’t eat another bite for the rest of the meal.

Liu Fulang’s heart ached for him and ordered the kitchen to prepare his favorite pastries.

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In the Red Star Kingdom, there was a court session every day, but because the empresses and officials throughout the generations had tended towards a rather indulgent lifestyle, the court was always held before noon.

With their bellies full and spirits soothed, officials often quarreled so fiercely during court that it seemed they would tear the roof off the hall, and more than once had even rolled up their sleeves for a fight.

As for the empress above, she would lounge, yawning and munching on melon seeds, occasionally cheering on whichever official she favored.

This state of affairs led to rival officials exchanging barbs and jibes whenever they met before court.

When Prime Minister Liu alighted from her carriage, she was greeted by the curious, speculative, gloating, or pitying glances of nearby officials.

She was puzzled inside, though she maintained a calm exterior.

Spotting a familiar colleague, she waved her over.

The colleague trotted over promptly. “Prime Minister.”

“What’s going on?”

“Oh, congratulations, Prime Minister! Congratulations!”

Prime Minister Liu’s brows furrowed as she was about to reply, but another group approached. Leading them was the Minister of Personnel.

Normally, Prime Minister Liu was always asking her for money; every time the Minister of Personnel managed to secure some funds for the national treasury, Prime Minister Liu would somehow extract them again. As a result, the Minister of Personnel rarely showed her a pleasant face.

Though they both worked for the good of the nation, the Minister of Personnel toiled endlessly for finances, yet no one ever praised her for it.

Today, however, as she approached, she refrained from sarcasm and instead cupped her hands in salute. “Congratulations, Prime Minister.”

“Thank you,” Prime Minister Liu replied.

“Prime Minister, just half a month ago the Ministry of Personnel allocated funds for disaster relief, so finances are a bit tight. Could the funds for the Empress’s palace be postponed a few days?”

Was the sun rising in the west? The Minister of Personnel was actually speaking kindly to her?

Ordinarily, she’d be expected to shout, “No money!” or “If you want money, there’s none. If you want a life, take mine!”

“Thank you for your hard work with the disaster relief funds. The Empress’s palace can wait a little longer,” Prime Minister Liu replied after considering.

“Very well, thank you, Prime Minister. Shall we have a drink together after court?”

Prime Minister Liu was taken aback. Weren’t they rivals? Why was she inviting her for a drink?

On the way to the palace, various officials, both high and low, all came to offer their congratulations.

Her expression remained composed, but inwardly, Prime Minister Liu began to speculate about all the recent events.

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If this was an imperial decree, she ought to have caught wind of it.

But it seemed everyone else had heard something—everyone except her. What was going on?

Prime Minister Liu glanced at her close colleagues nearby, and with consummate skill in subtle questioning, she finally coaxed the truth out—that which she alone did not know.

Her son and the Crown Princess had exchanged flirtatious glances at a spring banquet?

The Crown Princess had personally brought her son several plates of pastries?

Her son had even given the Crown Princess the cold shoulder, yet the Crown Princess remained gentle and coaxed him tenderly?

Wait—what was happening?

When had her obedient, delicate, and often-ailing second son gotten involved with the Crown Princess?

No wonder the Minister of Personnel’s attitude had changed so suddenly; her nephew was the Crown Princess, after all. Did she believe Liu had instructed Qingyun to get close to the Crown Princess? Though she’d once entertained such thoughts, after several candlelit discussions with her husband, she’d given up on the idea.

Letting her second son live a safe, peaceful life without chasing after wealth or status was enough.

It must be the Crown Princess who deliberately approached her son. She had thought the Crown Princess was an honest person, but it turned out she was cunning, too.

After court, Prime Minister Liu ignored the Minister of Personnel’s invitation and returned home at once.

She found her son squatting in the courtyard, drying medicinal herbs in the sun.

Hearing movement, Liu Qingyun looked up. “Mother, you’re back?”

“Son,” Prime Minister Liu called him over with a grave expression.

He carefully set aside the herbs and came forward. “Mother, why do you look so troubled?”

“Ask Xiao Liu to pack up and accompany your father to the estate outside the city this afternoon,” she sighed. “He’s not feeling well.”

“But Father seemed in good spirits just now.”

“You’re still a child; these things don’t concern you,” Prime Minister Liu said, shaking her head with concern. “He truly isn’t well, and he’s very upset. Go to the estate and keep him company.”

No matter what, she wanted to hide her son away first; as for the trip to the estate, she would discuss it with her husband later.

“Qingyun, come see the new fabrics I picked for you,” at that moment, Liu Fulang strode into the courtyard, followed by several attendants carrying bolts of cloth. Cheerfully, he said, “Caiyi Pavilion delivered the materials I’d been looking for today. Look how beautiful they are—they’ll suit you perfectly.”

Liu Qingyun asked, “Father, weren’t you feeling down?”

“Down? I feel wonderful.”