Now I really have to marry the princess.

Chapter 64 Can I call you Qingqing?

Liu Rushi, the stepmother, knocked on the door a few times, and when no one answered, she couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.

Lu Lang's methods are truly brilliant; he has now completely tied Yang Dalang to my place.

Thinking of this, Liu Rushi's steps became lighter. She entered the courtyard and called out a few times in a pretentious manner.

Seeing that no one answered, he pushed open the slightly ajar door.

I had just entered the room.

She was then kicked in the knee and wrist from behind.

She stumbled and tumbled to the ground, landing kneeling not too far from the bed.

When she looked up, she saw Yang Zhengdao reclining on the couch, his robes neatly arranged, giving her a half-smile.

"How could you..." As soon as the words left her mouth, Liu Rushi knew she was in trouble.

When she turned around again, she saw a tall woman dressed in black blocking the doorway.

"How come I wasn't drugged with aphrodisiac? Right?" Yang Zhengdao continued her question.

"What aphrodisiac?" Liu Rushi's expression changed, but she quickly put on a smile again: "Young Master Yang, I don't understand what you mean. I just came to take a look..."

"Come and see if I've gotten married to Lady Yingluo yet, right?" Yang Zhengdao interrupted her, stood up and walked up to her.

He looked down at Liu Rushi and continued, "I don't have time to beat around the bush with you. You know who told Li Erlang that a prostitute named Zhezhi had come to your place, and you know who instructed that prostitute to use this aphrodisiac.

Liu Rushi's smile froze on her face. She secretly glanced at the two inner rooms on either side, and then her smile returned.

"Young Master Yang, you flatter me. You and Young Master Li are my greatest patrons. The young ladies here rely on you two for their livelihood."

It's okay if you don't admit it.

Yang Zhengdao sneered: "Presumably, that person told you that once the aphrodisiac incense burns out, it will be impossible to trace, right?"

Liu Rushi was slightly taken aback. Could it be?

A hint of suspicion flashed across her face, and even her smile became somewhat forced.

Yang Zhengdao knew at a glance that his guess was correct.

It must have been Lu Chengqing who orchestrated this from behind the scenes.

The reason was not that he had any personal grudge against Lu Chengqing.

Lu Chengqing's actions did not represent him personally, but rather the Shandong gentry behind him, and even the Guanlong aristocratic families.

Hearing about his "devotion" to Chang Le, coupled with the royal family's attitude of either supporting or tacitly approving it, made them feel a sense of crisis.

In their eyes, Li Er's daughter was a political resource, a dish to be served.

Li Lizhi, the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife, was a main dish on the table. How could we allow a remnant of the previous dynasty, who was only fit to sit at the children's table, to have his way with her?

In addition, since he was the first to propose the prohibition of marriage between close relatives in the Imperial Pharmacy, they dared not retaliate against the centenarian Immortal Sun, but they could not vent their anger on him, a remnant of the previous dynasty.

Thinking about it this way, everything makes perfect sense.

Tonight's "romantic encounter" is exactly the same as yesterday's "fall from a horse," except that one plan failed, so another was devised.

It wouldn't kill him.

But their goal was to ruin his future and prevent him from achieving his long-term happiness.

If yesterday's plan had succeeded, and he had fallen from his horse and become lame, he would have lost his dignity. In Kayan's Tang Dynasty, let alone marrying a princess, it would have been difficult for him to even become an official.

If the plan succeeds today, and he secretly engages in illicit relations, it will be a moral failing. The charge of taking a concubine before marrying a wife will prevent him from being with A-Zhi.

They can guard against open attacks and hidden arrows, but not against conspiracies and tricks. One wrong move, and they'll fall into a trap while watching a dance or listening to music.

Yang Zhengdao circled Liu Rushi, who was kneeling on the ground, and continued, "Foster Mother, you know about my offering of medicine to the Emperor Emeritus, right?"

Liu Rushi, not understanding why, nodded.

"I know, that's good! Li Erlang was affected by the love potion, Ru Meng was affected, and Ying Luo was affected, so the drug is in their bodies."

Yang Zhengdao chuckled softly and sat back down on the couch.

"After the three of them wake up, collect a sample of their excrement from each of them and send it to the Imperial Pharmacy tomorrow. What do you think the Imperial Pharmacy might find out?"

Liu Rushi's expression changed drastically: "This is impossible!"

"Don't believe me!?" Yang Zhengdao glanced at Liu Rushi and then burst into laughter.

His laughter caused Liu Rushi's expression to change again, and her body even trembled slightly.

Yang Zhengdao stopped laughing, leaned forward, and lowered his voice:

"The person behind you knows more about my relationship with Immortal Sun than you do. Why don't you go ask that person tomorrow and see if I have the ability?"

Liu Rushi panicked.

Having spent half her life navigating the treacherous waters of Pingkangfang, she knew better than anyone the intricate power games of Chang'an.

If Yang Dalang really has that ability, when things fall apart, she will be the first one kicked out to take the blame.

Despite Lu Lang's constant calling her "Xiao Qing" and "Anu," she is ultimately nothing more than a tattered shoe in this abalone market.

Which man is not fickle? Peach blossoms fall and plum blossoms wither, but the wind never stops blowing.

Yesterday's colors are tomorrow's flowers; it's just a matter of new scenery replacing old.

Perhaps Lu Lang would dare to clash with Yang Dalang, but tonight he also involves Li Erlang from the Wang family of Hejian.

Li Erlang and Yang Dalang were like brothers, so there was absolutely no reason for them not to stand up for each other.

In this way, Lu Lang would surely be able to give up the friendship he had built up over the past ten years without hesitation.

Thinking of this, I felt a deep sadness.

Taking advantage of the grief, Liu Rushi crawled forward on her knees and grabbed Yang Zhengdao's robe. When she looked up, her eyes were already red.

"Young Master Yang, save me!"

After a mournful cry, her face was streaked with tears.

Wow! A true veteran actor!

This Pingkangfang is truly a place where hidden talents abound; no wonder it was able to train such beautiful girls as Yingluo and Rumeng.

Yang Zhengdao quickly pulled the hem of his robe and moved back a bit. Although Liu Rushi could be considered to still have some charm, Yang Zhengdao was not good at this kind of thing.

Seeing Yang Zhengdao's state, Liu Rushi was secretly delighted. After all, he was just a young man, and a few pitiful pleas would surely soften his heart and make him agree.

So, you gods and immortals are fighting, just don't bring trouble upon me, a mere mortal.

She instantly transformed into a pitiful figure, frowning and raising her eyes, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Young Master Yang, you are wise; this servant is merely..."

"stop!"

Yang Zhengdao immediately interrupted the old witch's spellcasting.

You've stopped referring to yourself as "this old woman" and started calling yourself "this maid." Do you expect me to call you "Qingqing"?

Yang Zhengdao looked disgusted and hid further back.

He coughed lightly and continued, "Since you are Yingluo and Rumeng's foster mother, I naturally won't stand by and watch you become a pawn. As long as you do one thing properly, I will not turn against that person."

Liu Rushi's eyes lit up: "Young Master Yang, please speak."

Yang Zhengdao looked at her and slowly said, "Transfer the land deed of this villa to Yingluo's name."

Liu Rushi was stunned, and then began to wail. Wasn't this going to kill her?

She endured a lifetime of trials and tribulations, scheming and plotting, before finally achieving this comfortable retirement.

"I'll give you a monthly allowance," Yang Zhengdao said calmly.

Liu Rushi's sobs paused for a moment, then she continued to wail and wail.

"One hundred strings of cash." Yang Zhengdao's lips curled up.

Liu Rushi was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter through her tears.