Rebirth of Poisoned Empress, by 颜若优雅

Chapter 84

The weather was not kind and the rain only persisted. The atmosphere in court had only been exceptionally tense. When the civilians were made aware of the Wangyue City's dam threatening to collapse, they too were filled with anxiousness. But this had nothing to do with Shen Liang. Out of worry, he had stayed up until dawn the night before. It wasn't until the sun rose and Lei Zhen hit him against his sleep acupuncture and forced him to sleep that Shen Liang finally closed his eyes. When he awoke, it was already around the time of Wei (1-3pm). 

"Liangliang, the eldest Auntie requests an audience." *Eldest Auntie is how the legitimate children would address their father's concubines, with eldest being the one with the most seniority. If Liu Shuhan didn't have the title of madame, Shen Liang would address her as Eldest Auntie instead but because Liu Shuhan has been formally married to Shen Ruiting, Shen Liang, by protocol, should be addressing her as "mother."*

Shen Liang did not blame Lei Zhen. After he filled his stomach, he listened to Lei Zhen's report on what conspired in the few hours he had been asleep. Whether it was in court or after court, the net they had cast, everything, down to the simplest detail was disclosed to him. When Qi Yue came in, they were discussing their further step in dragging Wen Yuan down to the abyss and leading the emperor to reopen the case on the civil exams fraud case. 

"The eldest Auntie? Why is she here?' gesturing for Lei Zhen to stop first, Shen Liang scowled. Back then, it was her miscarriage after six months of pregnancy that instigated his being sent to the countryside. Strictly speaking, shouldn't she hate him the most?

"I'm not sure. She only said that she requests and audience with you and she has something to say to you in person." Yesterday, they had already passed the order that they will go into closure and isolation. Who would've expected that with the downpour, the eldest Auntie, whom they had never seen thus far actually hurried over and asked to see Shen Liang. If it wasn't because Qi Yue couldn't see through her, he wouldn't have come to ask for Shen Liang's opinion.

"What could she have possible to say? It'd be nothing more than old events that conspired in the past," in regard to the women in the back courtyard of the Marquis Donglin Manor, Shen liang did not have a good impression with any of them. He didn't have many memories concerning this eldest Auntie of his from his previous life. He recalled vaguely that she seemed to have completely given herself to Buddhism and worshiped all day, refusing to see any outsiders. But as what hat conspired afterwards, Shen Liang remained oblivious. 

"Yes."

"Wait."

Just as Qi Yue was about to turn around and chase the other party away, Shen Liang suddenly called him to a stop. Qi Yue looked at Shen Liang with a puzzled expression and was greeted by a strange smile on Shen Liang's lips: "It's rare and difficult for the other party to come all this way while braving the rain. We can't be too ruthless, can we? Invite her in. Let's see what she has to say."

"Yes."

They were all familiar with the expression Shen Liang had. Qi Yue didn't have any objections and once again turned to relay Shen Liang's orders. 

"Xuan Ge, pay a visit to Uncle Fu's room and tell him not to bring You'er out for the time being."

In matters regarding the child, they still had to remain vigilant and cautious.

"En."

"Master, should I retreat as well?"

Just as Qi Xuan bounced away, Lei Zhen's frow furrowed as he inquired. He, as a male, truly had no interest in back courtyard affairs. It truly wasn't appropriate for him to stay here."

"I have no qualms. If it makes you uncomfortable, then you may retreat," just as Shen Liang's words were delivered, Lei Zhen immediately disappeared without a trace.