Chapter 99 Queen, You Have Been Wronged

After lunch.

Empress Cui came to Chengming Palace.

At that time, Xie Chenzheng and Pei Tingyue were reading ancient books, thinking about the name of the child.

After hearing the palace servant's announcement, Pei Tingyue hurriedly stood up and said, "I will return to the palace first and come back to discuss this with the emperor later."

Xie Chen wrapped his arm around her slender wrist and rubbed it with his fingertips. "Why are you tossing and turning? Take the book of words to relax and go to the bedroom to read it."

Pei Tingyue gently grasped his palm and said, "Then I will be waiting in the bedroom."

Xie Chen shook her dishonest hand, his face gentle: "Go ahead, remember to rest your eyes after watching for a while."

Pei Tingyue was very obedient: "I remember."

After she went to the bedroom, Xie Chenxuan summoned Queen Cui in.

After the ceremony, Empress Cui sat down on a sandalwood chair beside her. A gentle smile played on her lips. "I came here today because I have two things to tell Your Majesty."

Xie Chen replied softly, "Whatever the Queen says is fine."

Empress Cui smiled and stood up, bowing to him again. "First of all, Concubine Li has been diagnosed with more than two months of pregnancy. I, your concubine, once again congratulate the emperor."

Xie Chen had heard Pei Tingyue talk about this happy event that morning, but he didn't feel much. But now that the Queen was congratulating him personally, he smiled a little and waved his hand for her to sit down. "The former court is busy with government affairs, and I can't take care of Concubine Li. I'll have to trouble the Queen to take care of her."

"I understand," Empress Cui agreed, then asked about the reward. "Since Concubine Li is pregnant, will Your Majesty promote Concubine Li?"

"The position of the master is very important and cannot be promoted easily. Let's wait until she is born." Xie Chen had thought about this matter a long time ago and used a reason to decline.

He was not so stingy as to be reluctant to give up the main seat, but he was concerned about other things.

Although the nine concubines were all of the third rank, there was a hierarchy within this rank, with Zhaoyi at the top, Zhaorong and Zhaoyuan next, then Xiuyi, Xiurong, Xiuyuan, and finally Chongyi, Chongrong, and Chongyuan.

Originally, he had intended to reserve the position of Consort Zhao for Pei Tingyue, placing her just below Lin Zhaorong, so it wouldn't be considered an insult to her. But now, if Consort Li were to be promoted, no matter which position she was given, Pei Tingyue's family background wasn't as high as hers, so she would have to stay in the lower position.

Xie Chen didn't want this to happen.

Now that they were both imperial concubines, there was no need for them to perform formalities when they met. But after they had children, Pei Tingyue had to perform formalities for Li Jieyu instead. What was this?

When Xie Chen thought about that scene, he felt uncomfortable.

They decided to stay still and wait until after the birth. If this person was up to the task, he would give her the title of Zhaoyi, no matter what.

"That's fine." Empress Cui paused, then stopped smiling before moving on to the next matter. "I have followed the Emperor's instructions regarding the letter sent home by Concubine Yue. Prime Minister Shen will receive news that Concubine Liang is still favored, but there's no good reason for the confinement, so I didn't have anyone write it down. If Prime Minister Shen gets worried and inquires about the situation in the palace, he'll get the news. I'm afraid it will alert the enemy."

"I will deal with the Prime Minister." Xie Chen's voice softened when he mentioned this.

It was because of this concern that he confined Concubine Liang to her house for half a month. Otherwise, how could the punishment be so light?

After the words were spoken, there was no response in the hall.

Xie Chen remained silent for a long time. After a while, he stood up from his desk and walked to Queen Cui. He lowered his body slightly, patted Queen Cui on the shoulder, and said in a heavy tone, "In the past two years, for the sake of the stability of the previous dynasty, you, Queen, have been wronged."

This sentence made the usually calm and dignified Queen Cui's eyes red. She lowered her head in panic, used a handkerchief to stop the tears from the corners of her eyes, and then raised her head again, with the emotion in her eyes undisguised, "Your concubine is not wronged, your concubine is just resentful."

Xie Chen's expression was very serious: "After the Mid-Autumn Festival, I will give you and our child an explanation."

After a heart-to-heart talk, Empress Cui left Chengming Hall, and Xie Chen sat alone at the desk.

After a long time, he sighed and walked towards the bedroom.

Pei Tingyue was lying on the chaise longue, reading a storybook with great interest, when a pickled green plum was stuffed into her mouth, and the sour and sweet taste melted on her tongue.

She tilted the book to the side and smiled faintly, "Has the Queen left?"

Xie Chen sat on the edge of the couch and took another green plum and placed it on her lips. "Let's go."

Pei Tingyue opened her mouth and swallowed it, tugging at his collar and acting coquettishly: "What should I do? I don't want to remember it."

"Then I won't get up. I will accompany you."

Pei Tingyue was surprised when he heard this.

Accompany her?

No more reviewing memorials?

She had been with him for several months and was becoming increasingly familiar with him.

For most of his concubines, the emperor was not a good husband, and could even be described as heartless.

But to the people, he was definitely a good monarch. Except for a little while in the evening, he spent almost all the rest of the time in the imperial study, reviewing memorials and meeting with ministers, without slacking off for a moment.

Even if she sometimes seduced him into bed, after they were done, he would still get up and finish what he needed to do that day.

It can be said that he performed his duties conscientiously.

What happened today? I actually have to waste time with her.

Pei Tingyue observed his emotions carefully. Although she couldn't show anything on his face, she always felt that he was very heavy.

He was fine just now. Did Queen Cui say something?

Pei Tingyue suppressed her thoughts, hugged his waist, and said softly, "It's still early, Your Majesty, please sleep with me for a while."

Xie Chen agreed.

He originally thought he couldn't sleep, but with the soft and fragrant girl in his arms and his nose smelling the faint fragrance from her body, he actually fell asleep.

They said they would take a nap, but when they woke up again, it was almost evening.

Xie Chen brushed away the messy hair on Pei Tingyue's forehead and asked her softly, "Are you hungry?"

Pei Tingyue nodded.

Ever since she got pregnant, she got hungry faster than usual. If she went to bed late, she had to eat snacks to fill her stomach, otherwise her stomach would growl before she fell asleep.

"Okay, I'll let them serve the food."

The two of them got up, washed up briefly, and moved to the warm room.

When the meal was served and Xie Chen was sitting down with Pei Tingyue, Liang Yao came in and reported, "Your Majesty, the two gentlemen, Chief Minister Shen and Second Minister Yang, are waiting outside the palace. They said they have something important to discuss with Your Majesty."

Xie Chen nodded: "Take the people to the imperial study, I will come later."

"yes."

After Liang Yao left, Xie Chen turned his head to look at Pei Tingyue: "I have something to do and can't accompany you."

Pei Tingyue said obediently: "State affairs are important, Your Majesty, please go quickly."

Xie Chen personally picked up some of her favorite dishes for her, gave her a few instructions, and then strode to the imperial study.