The Duke's wife couldn't help but burst into tears again, thinking of the rumors outside the palace, but she said seriously, "Your Majesty is very sharp-eyed and sharp-eared. Prince Gong's concubine gave birth today, and you must have already found out the reason. But please rest assured, after today, these rumors will not be able to harm you."

Fu Qianyu was still somewhat surprised by these words and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Madam, have you really never doubted these rumors at all?"

The Duke's wife smiled faintly and said frankly, "Is there any doubt? But I can't trust others, but I can trust my child."

Fu Qianyu obviously didn't quite understand what this meant, but she listened to the Duke's wife's explanation with a leisurely smile: "Ever since Xue'er came to her senses, she always mentions the Empress in every letter she writes home, saying that the Empress always thinks of her whenever there's something delicious or fun. The sisters chat and laugh, and life seems to be more relaxed than before."

"I know my daughter well. She's been raised by me and her father. Although she's a bit spoiled, she knows how to be grateful. If others don't treat her sincerely, how could she easily say thank you?"

Fu Qianyu was moved by what she heard, and tears glistened in her eyes.

The Duke's wife continued, "You have done a great favor to our Gao family. Miss Fu is the concubine of Prince Gong. Although it is noble, it is also a dangerous life. If you trust me, you don't have to worry about the affairs of the palace. Although the Gao family has no men serving as officials, the nobility of our ancestors cannot be easily shaken."

What this meant was that he would take care of Fu Qianyu's sister in Prince Gong's Mansion.

Having the support of the Duke's Mansion is also a boost for Fu Qianyin. If Princess Gong dares to harm her sister again, she will also weigh the weight of this matter.

Fu Qianyu's heart warmed, and she hurriedly stood up to greet the Duke's wife, but she stopped her and said earnestly, "Although this is the first time we've spoken quietly like this, I feel a sense of intimacy. It's not for anything else, but simply because you're someone my son can trust."

The fate between people is really amazing.

Thinking back to when they were in the Eastern Palace, she and Gao Yingxue couldn't stand each other, but who would have thought that these two people who had once been as ugly as black-eyed chickens could become sisters.

Who could have expected that the Gao family would become her greatest help in some unforeseen circumstances?

The Duke's wife left near dusk.

After Fu Qianyu sent the Duke's wife back, she sat quietly on the couch without saying a word until Lingyun came in to light the lamp and said that she had been told that the emperor would come for dinner. Only then did she come to her senses.

Zhao Yuancheng has been ill since the beginning of Xia.

The Imperial Physician has been on duty twelve hours a day, and he has only recently felt a little better.

Fu Qianyu knew why he came to Huayang Palace, so she only asked Lingyun to go to the small kitchen to make some light meals and did not make any other preparations.

Half an hour later, the imperial carriage stopped steadily outside Huayang Palace.

Before the emperor entered the room, he heard a few coughs, neither light nor heavy. The court had been busy these days, and the imperial concubine had passed away.

Zhao Yuancheng had not entered the harem for more than half a month. At first glance, Fu Qianyu felt that the emperor looked much thinner than before.

"Greetings to the Emperor."

"No need to be polite."

Fu Qianyu helped Zhao Yuancheng into the house. There was still some honey tea left that the Duke's wife had prepared when she came in the afternoon. Thinking that the emperor was coughing and wheezing, Lingyun added some mint into it again.

When he entered the palace, the emperor and his concubine were sitting on the couch and talking.

"It was only when the Duke's wife entered the palace today that I learned about these unpleasant rumors circulating outside the palace."

As she spoke, she coughed and wheezed again. Fu Qianyu hurriedly took the tea and served it to Zhao Yuancheng. After he drank half a cup, she stroked his chest and said, "This tongue is on someone else's mouth. How can I control what they say? Besides, the clear will be clear, and the turbid will be turbid. I will not take it to heart."

The coolness of the mint slowly spread across his chest, and the itchiness in his throat gradually eased. Zhao Yuancheng said with a stern face, "Even if you are tolerant, since this matter has reached my ears, I must investigate thoroughly. You are the Imperial Concubine, and I will never allow others to maliciously slander you."

Fu Qianyu smiled calmly, "With your Majesty's words, I have nothing to fear even if I face swords, spears, or halberds."

As the two were talking, they heard a few babies crying from the side hall.

Fu Qianyu knew that the child had woken up, and wanted to ask the wet nurse to bring the child over for Zhao Yuancheng to see.

But Zhao Yuancheng was afraid that the disease would pass on to the child, so he said it would not be too late to see him after he recovered.

Fu Qianyu naturally felt sorry for the child and didn't insist. However, she heard Zhao Yuancheng continue, "Today, a minister in the court submitted a petition requesting the reinstatement of the Empress. I originally thought that after the Imperial Noble Consort gave birth to a child, I would appoint her as the successor. I didn't expect her to be so unlucky. What a pity."

Zhao Yuancheng's voice was a little vague. After a pause, he returned his gaze to Fu Qianyu and said seriously, "After Su was deposed, you were the one who took care of all the affairs in the six palaces. Even the Queen Mother praised you. You are more like a queen than Su."

Hearing these words, Fu Qianyu's heart was shocked.

She always said that she didn't care about the position of queen, that everything was destined and there was no point in forcing it.

But when it comes to facing these things head on, it would be a lie to say that I'm not tempted.

"Yu'er, you gave birth to my prince and diligently tended to the affairs of the six palaces. Your father and brother are also pillars of the court. It is well-deserved that you be appointed as the empress. However, you must know that being empress is not just a title; it carries with it a great deal of responsibility. I would like to hear your opinion."

There was a moment of rapid breathing.

Fu Qianyu calmed herself down, knelt before Zhao Yuancheng, and said calmly, "Your Majesty, whether in the past or in the future, I can honestly say that I have never had the ambition to be your empress."

Zhao Yuancheng didn't say anything, nor did he call Fu Qianyu to get up. He just looked at her quietly.

Fu Qianyu raised her eyes slightly, and in her familiar dark pupils, there was the same clear and pure light as before: "But Your Majesty, I am very conflicted."

"What?"

"The only one who can share your bed and grave is the Empress, so I am conflicted. But when you just asked me what I thought about becoming Empress, I suddenly felt relieved. Love has no definition, and having you by my side is better than anything else."

Zhao Yuancheng's eyes were filled with emotion, and the smile on his lips gradually deepened. He reached out and helped the man up, saying softly, "I understand your feelings."

"Ever since the Imperial Noble Consort passed away, you've been feeling depressed. It just so happens that Yin'er has given birth safely. When your sister is out of confinement, you can go out of the palace to visit her. You two sisters can have a chat."

Fu Qianyu was overjoyed and said with a smile, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Not long after, Lingyun saw the opportunity and came forward to say that it was time to eat. Zhao Yuancheng seemed to be in a good mood and even ate half a bowl of soup in the evening.

As for the matter of establishing a queen, the two of them tacitly agreed not to mention it again.

Three days later, Zhao Yuancheng suddenly issued an edict to confer titles on the six palaces.

Fu Xiyu was appointed as Imperial Noble Consort, Xi Zhaoyi as Xi Fei, and Wanpin as Wan Zhaoyi.

The others were also promoted one level each.

But among these people, only Rou Meiren was promoted twice and became the mistress of a palace.

While everyone was lamenting that Fu Xiyu was getting closer and closer to the position of queen, they were also sighing that Leng, who was born as a little dancer, could actually have such honor and favor.

Perhaps in the future, she will become the second Concubine Yi.