Chapter 157 She Just Took Back What Originally Belonged to Her

"Your son pays his respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager be blessed with good health."

After leaving Yongshou Palace, the Fourth Prince walked towards Jingren Palace, but for some reason, he felt a little heavier in his heart.

Every time when facing the Queen, the Fourth Prince would filter his words in his mind countless times. He tried his best not to let the Queen see too much of his preferences from his words, in order to prevent her from controlling him too much. The ease and comfort he had felt in Yongshou Palace before disappeared without a trace at this moment.

"How's your review going today? Is the teacher's teaching okay? Has your Royal Father asked about your homework these days?"

As soon as they met, the Queen asked a series of questions. The Fourth Prince was already used to this and he calmly answered any questions raised by the Queen.

"In reply to the Empress Dowager, I have finished reviewing all the lessons for today. My master has taught me very well and is very fond of me. Today, the Emperor also came to the study and asked me some questions, which I was able to answer fluently."

"That's not bad. Don't blame the Empress Dowager for being so strict with you. You started learning later than the other princes, and you can only catch up with them by trying your best. If you want your Emperor Father to take notice of you, you must put in much more effort than others, understand?"

The Queen was not very satisfied with the Fourth Prince's performance. In her heart, the Fourth Prince was far less intelligent than her eldest prince. The eldest prince had been gifted since childhood. If it were not for the injustice of God, how could she have fallen to the point of raising someone else's son?

Thinking of this, the queen's eyes were filled with hatred. All this was caused by her sister, so she never regretted what she had done. Her current status was what she deserved. She just took back what originally belonged to her.

"Empress Huang? Empress Huang?"

After reciting the Queen's questions, the Fourth Prince was waiting for her to speak again, but he didn't expect her to just sit there quietly with her head down. Although the room was exceptionally quiet at this time, he could still see the Queen's inner restlessness, and there was even a hint of hatred in the air, but he didn't know the reason yet.

"Well, your performance today was not bad. You must work even harder in the future and strive to relieve your father, the emperor, of his worries as soon as possible."

"The Emperor has arrived!"

At this moment, Su Peisheng's voice suddenly sounded in the room.

"I pay my respects to the Emperor."

"Your son pays homage to His Majesty, Father. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness."

"Everyone, get up. I heard you reciting your lessons from outside. It's very good. Your teacher also praised you for your hard work in recent days."

The emperor just stopped outside for a while and waited until the Fourth Prince had finished reciting everything before coming in.

He used to dislike the Fourth Prince, but after spending such a long time with him, he found that the child was quite capable. Concubine Xi and Concubine Gui often told him that the Fourth Prince was obedient and sensible, so the Emperor naturally paid more attention to him.

"Thank you, Father Huang, for the compliment."

"Well, you've been studying hard in the study for a long time. Your Royal Mother has asked you some questions, and I see that you answered them fluently. Take a break today. Studying is certainly important, but you can't neglect your health either. You also need to rest well."

"Yes, I will remember the Emperor's teachings."

"Your Majesty is absolutely right, Fourth Prince. Then you should go back and have a good rest. Don't stay in the study all day."

"Yes, I'll take my leave then."

The Queen always pretended to be very dignified and virtuous in front of the Emperor. When she saw that the Emperor paid so much attention to the Fourth Prince, she was naturally happy in her heart and would not refute the Emperor's words.

As soon as the Fourth Prince stepped out of Jingren Palace, his mood became much more relaxed.

He knew that he would have to face these things since he chose the queen, but he still underestimated the queen's ambition and ruthlessness towards him.

In the eyes of the queen, his own thoughts are not important at all. As long as she can sit on the final position, all sacrifices are worth it, including his happiness.

Thinking about it now, the Fourth Prince didn't know how to evaluate his previous decision. He could only say that since he had come to this point, he had no choice but to move forward. However, this time he didn't want to be controlled by others. He wanted to fight for his own future.

"Your Majesty, is there something important you want to tell me?"

The Queen was naturally happy to see the Emperor, but she also knew very well that if there was nothing important, the Emperor would not take the initiative to show up in her Jingren Palace.

Now the emperor only maintains superficial respect for her. If it were not for her sister's dying instructions and the pressure from the empress dowager, her position as queen would have been abolished by the emperor long ago.

"The Queen is indeed intelligent. The Third Prince's wedding will be soon. I happened to have nothing to do today, so I wanted to see how the wedding preparations are going. As the Third Prince's mother, you should pay more attention to this matter."

The queen clenched her palms tightly, her hands hidden in her cuffs.

What did she mean by "she has to pay more attention"? When had she not paid attention? Besides, these matters were already handled by the Ministry of Rites. She just needed to confirm the progress. Wasn't that enough?

In the past, he was looking for trouble with me because of Zhen Huan and Nian Shilan's affairs, and now even the affairs of that bitch Concubine Qi can be put on me. The emperor is becoming more and more displeased with me.

"Your Majesty is right. As the head of the Imperial Palace, I will naturally do my best to handle these matters. Your Majesty, please rest assured."

"Speaking of which, this is my first prince's wedding, so everything must be done with care. The Queen is worried."

"Yes, I will do my best."

After the emperor finished saying what he wanted to say, he stood up and prepared to leave.

"Okay, I have nothing else to do, so I'm leaving."

"Your Majesty, it's getting late and it's almost time for dinner. Your Majesty, why don't you have dinner here with me?"

“No need.”

The Queen's words did not stop the Emperor for a moment, and he quickly stepped out of the gate of Jingren Palace.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell."

The queen stared at the door. For a moment, she didn't know who she should hate. The man she loved so much treated her so cruelly. How could she be willing to give up all the efforts she had made over the years?

"My Lady, there's no need to be sad. It's not the end yet, and it's still uncertain who will win or lose."

Jianqiu helped the queen walk to the couch and sit down.

"Your Majesty, they have also accepted the things that were sent to Yongshou Palace before."

Thinking of the so-called "gifts" given at the beginning, Jianqiu smiled.

Zhen Huan and the others would certainly be extra cautious about the things sent to Jingren Palace, but they would never have thought that the apparent gift was just a cover, and the inconspicuous little thing she accidentally left there was the key.

"Yes, Concubine Xi has been pregnant for some time. I don't know how she is doing now."

The queen smiled sarcastically. These people gave birth one after another, always making her extremely annoyed.