Consort Shu already had a good impression of Li Yunyan because of the child, and now that she saw how beautiful Li Yunyan looked, she understood why Yingzhi was so infatuated with her.

Even though she was used to seeing countless beauties in the imperial harem, Consort Shu had to admit that the woman in front of her was extremely beautiful, the kind of beauty that was flawless.

If one had to nitpick, it would be that she has a cold and aloof personality and doesn't seem very approachable.

Perhaps her own son is into this type of woman! No wonder he didn't even touch the concubines she sent into the mansion!

She glared at Gu Yingzhi again, then turned and smiled, saying kindly to Li Yunyan, "You're a good one! From now on, I won't mistreat you if you stay by Yingzhi's side!"

Li Yunyan gave a graceful bow, her voice melodious and pleasant, "Yes, I understand."

Consort Shu nodded and pulled her son into the house to chat.

She frowned and asked, "Yingzhi, why is this Li woman still calling herself a commoner? Don't tell me you don't intend to give her a title?"

"Mother, I wish to offer her the position of Empress!"

"What?! She actually has such grand ambitions?!" Consort Shu's voice almost trembled. This woman looked so gentle and weak, yet she dared to covet the position of the principal wife!

"No!" Gu Yingzhi immediately retorted, "It is I who want to give her the position of principal wife! Mother, I want to divorce Du Qingyao!"

"absurd!"

Consort Shu immediately retorted, "Qingyao comes from a distinguished family, is well-educated and reasonable, and is a good daughter-in-law whom both I and your father have chosen. How can you let us divorce her just like that!"

"But I do not like her!"

"You!" Consort Shu tapped his forehead with her finger and whispered, "There are plenty of people in the royal family who don't like their principal wives. Look at who they've divorced! Since you like this Lady Li, just make her a concubine! Forget about the position of principal wife!"

Gu Yingzhi looked up. "Didn't Du Qingyao say anything to Mother Consort?"

"What did you say? I came straight to Lianjiang City after leaving the palace this time, and I haven't been to Qingyang City yet!"

Gu Yingzhi thought for a moment and then decided to tell the truth: "Mother, I have never touched Du Qingyao!"

"What?!"

Consort Shu really couldn't control her volume this time; her voice was so loud it was split open.

Then she coughed again and said incredulously, "Yingzhi, are you crazy? You've been married for four years! And you still haven't consummated your marriage?! Qingyao must hate you to death!"

"Yes! Your son has indeed wronged her! But your son has no feelings for her, not in the past, and not in the future!"

Gu Yingzhi looked at Consort Shu with sincere eyes and said, "Mother, I may only have these three children left in the future. If Du Qingyao continues to hold this position as Princess Consort, then what about Yun'er and Hui'er..."

"Shut up!"

Consort Shu quickly interrupted, as she couldn't bear to hear anyone say anything bad about her little grandson.

She knew the secrets of the inner quarters better than anyone. If Du Qingyao remained out of favor and had no hope of having children, even the best-natured person would be provoked into jealousy and hatred!

What if she were to harm her grandchildren...?

no!

She absolutely cannot let such a thing happen!

Consort Shu was so angry that she slapped him a few times. "You brat! How can you be so troublesome? You've really offended the Du family!"

Gu Yingzhi bowed deeply to her, "Your subject begs Your Majesty for help!"

Consort Shu glared at him fiercely, then raised her exquisitely groomed fingers to rub her temples. This was a big problem!

"Let me think about it!"

"Let me think about it carefully..."

Seeing his mother's headache from his anger, Gu Yingzhi felt deeply guilty. "Mother, you must be tired from your journey. Please rest for the night and we can discuss it again tomorrow!"

Consort Shu lowered her hand, feeling gratified. "At least you have a conscience, you know how to care for me!"

Gu Yingzhi smiled slightly, "Mother feels sorry for me, and I know it all!"

Consort Shu felt that her son looked much gentler than last year, and he smiled more often, which made her even more satisfied with Lady Li.

If she can keep her son happy like this, then becoming the principal wife is not out of the question.

She raised her finger and poked his forehead. "If you just make me a little less angry, I'll be at ease!"

Gu Yingzhi covered his forehead and smiled, "Your subject obeys!"

*

Consort Shu stayed in Lianjiang City for more than ten days before returning to the capital before the New Year. As a palace concubine, she was supposed to be by the emperor's side during the New Year.

Gu Yingzhi didn't go back with her this year, leaving Li Yunyan and the children in Lianjiang City because he was worried about them.

When Consort Shu left, she held her three children and cried bitterly.

The children cried their hearts out. They loved their kind and gentle grandmother and wished she could stay and play with them forever.

"Waaaaah!! Grandmother! Yun'er can't bear to part with you!"

"Grandmother, Hui'er is also reluctant to leave you. Could you stay a little longer?"

"Grandmother, can you not go back? Xi'er loves you the most!"

Consort Shu kept wiping away her tears with a handkerchief. How could she bear to part with her such a well-behaved grandson? She had only spent ten days with them!

She became even more determined to have them recognize their ancestors and return to their clan as soon as possible. At that time, she would definitely beg His Majesty to let them all live in the palace to keep her company!

After Consort Shu left, the children were listless for several days, and even Gu Yingzhi was depressed for a few days.

Li Yunyan, unusually, did not throw a tantrum and let him do whatever he wanted.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!