Chapter 38 Restraint

Since His Majesty was determined to find another maternal family member for Chanzhen to rely on, he spread the news without any scruples. After one night, the whole capital knew that the imperial concubine would have the full support of the Jing'an Marquis's Mansion in the future, and would no longer be the daughter of a merchant who had no one to rely on except His Majesty's favor.

Although the Jing'an Marquisate had fallen on hard times since the previous generation, this generation had produced a talented general, Song Ge, who had already been highly regarded by His Majesty. Now, with the support of the Imperial Concubine, it was no longer difficult for the Jing'an Marquisate to regain its former glory. Some also raised objections, fearing that the Jing'an Marquisate would become the next imperial relative, the Xiao family, taking control of government affairs, just as the late Empress's maternal family had done. However, as soon as this rumor surfaced, it was quickly quashed.

Song Ge's mother, Wei, only learned the news after the palace banquet. She immediately went to discuss the news with her son with some concern.

"Why didn't you discuss this with your mother before making a decision?"

While Wei hoped her son would bring honor to the family, she was even more concerned that he would be drawn into the battle for the succession, leading to a disastrous outcome. The Jing'an Marquisate had always been a loyal subject, loyal only to His Majesty. Otherwise, it wouldn't have reached its current state of disgrace. But now, her son had resolutely tied the entire Song family to the Imperial Concubine. While the Imperial Concubine was favored now, who knew what would become of her in the future?

Song looked at her mother, her hair turning gray and her face filled with anxiety. She patted her shoulder and said soothingly, "Don't worry, mother. I've met the Imperial Concubine, and she's truly as virtuous and virtuous as the rumors say. It's a great honor for our Jing'an Marquisate to have such a close relationship with her."

Seeing that he did not seem to be blinded by interests, but instead made his own judgment, Wei felt relieved.

"If the Imperial Concubine is truly as you say, then Mother will simply consider it as having gained another adopted daughter. However, Yue Ming, you will have to endure many more questioning gazes from now on."

She felt sorry for her son, who had finally secured a place in the court through his military achievements. However, no matter what he did afterwards, there would always be people questioning whether he relied on the imperial concubine's connections, as relatives by marriage were never favored.

Yue Ming was the name his father gave him, hoping he would be as steady as a mountain and lead the Jing'an Marquisate on a bright and prosperous path. After his father's death, Song Ge had been working hard to revive the Jing'an Marquisate. He had hoped to pass the imperial examinations, but he was not good at poetry and calligraphy, so he had to follow his ancestors' footsteps and join the army as a lowly soldier.

He just smiled indifferently at his mother's worries.

"General Wei Qing of the previous dynasty was once suspected of relying on the favor of his sister, Empress Wei, but who can deny General Wei's strength now? I know that although I am not as brave and skilled in warfare as General Wei, I am confident that I am no less capable than any of my peers in the court. Even if my son relies on the favor of the imperial concubine, as long as I can truly achieve great things and revive the Jing'an Marquisate, what does it matter if others criticize me?"

He held his mother's hand tightly. "Besides, mother, can't you think about it again? Your Majesty is still looking for someone else to support your mother's family when your father is still alive?"

Wei was not a stupid person, otherwise she would not have been able to support the Jing'an Marquisate alone after her husband's death.

"I've heard about the uproar surrounding the case between the imperial concubine's father and the Yao family." Wei sighed. "Although the Song family shares the same surname as our Jing'an Marquisate, their actions are truly those of a cunning villain. I'm afraid even His Majesty looks down on them."

"That's right." Song Ge nodded, a hint of meaning in his eyes. "Your Majesty is now blatantly partial to the Imperial Concubine. Why don't you make a bolder guess, Mother?"

Wei raised her eyebrows in surprise, "You mean, His Majesty intends to..."

She paused, her heart swirling with this speculation. Ever since the late Empress Xiao's passing, the throne had been vacant. She had assumed His Majesty would choose a crown prince from among the first three princes, then establish his mother as Empress. But now, the uncertainty of the Imperial Concubine had arisen...

Song Ge smiled knowingly at her, "Son, your Majesty has already made this plan."

Wei murmured, "I didn't expect His Majesty to be so infatuated..."

He was afraid that the position of imperial concubine would be unfair to his woman, so he tried every means to help her become the queen. This was something she would never have dared to imagine in the past.

"My son has met the Imperial Concubine." He recalled the Imperial Concubine's dazzling beauty at the palace banquet that day, and his eyes were momentarily dazed. "She is a rare beauty in the world, with a gentle and kind nature. It's no surprise that any man in the world would be crazy about her."

Wei was immediately curious when he heard this. "Then I'd like to take a closer look if I get a chance."

Song Ge patted the back of her hand and said, "There will be opportunities. I will definitely not let mother down."

…

The Imperial Astronomical Observatory quickly calculated an auspicious date. On the third day after the palace banquet, Chan Zhen would visit the Marquis of Jing'an's Mansion in the guise of a royal concubine visiting her parents, and would be officially recorded in the Song family genealogy.

The night before, Chan Zhen was still restless. After making love, he clung to His Majesty, his fingers unconsciously drawing on his chest, and he couldn't stop thinking about random things while looking at Fukong.

Chen Dingyao was a little irritated by her, but considering that she had to go to Jing'an Marquis Mansion the next day, he couldn't bear to torment her any further and just helplessly pinched her fingers that were fidgeting with him.

"What's wrong? Are you worried about tomorrow?"

Zen Zhen stopped moving and turned his eyes back to his face.

"Your Majesty, I'm worried about how I'm going to get along with Madam Wei when I meet her at the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion tomorrow. Will Madam Wei dislike me?"

She heard that Madam Wei was a famous iron lady in the capital. After the previous Marquis of Jing'an passed away, Madam Wei single-handedly supported the Marquis's Mansion and raised Song Ge. When people in the capital mentioned Madam Wei, everyone praised her strong will.

Chan Zhen's biological mother was a weak woman who died when she was eight. After Chan Zhen returned to the Song family, Mrs. Song disliked her greatly, but she didn't give her too much trouble for her father's sake. She simply ignored her, always showing an extremely cold expression. Since she recognized Song Ge as her sworn brother, Mrs. Wei naturally became her adoptive mother, but she really didn't know how to treat this adoptive mother.

Chen Dingyao put his arm around her shoulders affectionately and naturally, and said in a low voice, "Mrs. Wei is a sensible person. Since Song Ge has already agreed to this matter, she will naturally not make things difficult for you."

When choosing the Jing'an Marquisate, Song Ge's abilities were not the only considerations, as were his mother, Madam Wei. Madam Wei was a strong-willed, upright, and resourceful woman, and Chan Zhen's gentle and kind disposition was exactly what she admired, so she would be more protective of him.

Chan Zhen had been a distant relative since childhood, needless to say, Song Ming was a heartless and unfaithful man. From what he had heard, her mother paid little attention to her, completely absorbed in her own romantic affairs, even harshly scolding her for being a man. In his opinion, Wei was undoubtedly a good mother, perhaps able to compensate Chan Zhen with some affection.

"No matter how sensible a person is, he will not feel good about suddenly having an extra daughter." Chan Zhen knew that His Majesty was arbitrary and only cared about himself and never considered other people's opinions. Of course, he was the emperor, the most powerful person in the world, and he had nothing to worry about, but Chan Zhen could not do what His Majesty did.

She came from a humble background and had lived in such an environment since childhood, so she had long been accustomed to being cautious and observing other people's words and expressions. Even though she has now reached a high position, she always subconsciously considers the feelings of others.

"Chanzhen, you are my concubine." Chen Dingyao held her face in his hands, letting her raise her head in his arms. "You can do anything as unscrupulously as I do. Only others will guess your feelings, and you don't have the right to worry about others."

He hoped that Zen Zhen could break free from his constraints and be more unscrupulous, so that he would be there to clean up whatever he did.

Zen Zhen saw the unconditional tolerance in his eyes. "But Your Majesty, if Zen Zhen really becomes a reckless person, will you still like me as much as you do now?"

She had never understood why His Majesty doted on her so much. Initially, she'd thought he was simply attracted to her looks, but after spending so much time together, she'd seen clearly that he wasn't simply a womanizer. If it wasn't simply for her beauty, then His Majesty must also be drawn to her personality. Although she felt her sensitive and delicate nature wasn't particularly appealing, she didn't want to let her dote on him become spoiled and completely change herself.

"No matter what Zen Zhen becomes, my feelings towards him will not change at all."

If Zen really became a reckless person, it must have been because of his own pampering. He allowed her to change, so how could he dislike her change and his love for her fade?

Zenjin blushed and buried his head in his chest, "Your Majesty is so mean."

He always coaxes her with sweet words. Fortunately, she is strong-willed, otherwise she would have been spoiled by him.

Chen Dingyao gently stroked her back, his hands holding a piece of warm and soft jade, but he had no obscene desires, but only tender affection for her.

"Zen Zhen has never seen me at my worst."

Since his rebirth, he has tried his best to restrain himself. Even though he wanted to devour her so that they could merge into her bones and blood, so that she would never abandon him again like she did in her previous life, he was afraid to see her resisting her cold gaze like she did in her previous life, so he could only silently suppress those dark thoughts.

He hoped that his violent and cruel emotions would never see the light of day again in this life. He had suppressed them for so long that he wouldn't be able to control them once they were released. She would definitely be so scared that she would want to leave him again.

"I hope Zenzhen never sees it."

As long as she was by his side, the beast in his heart would be locked up underground and never come out of the cage again.

Zen Zhen looked at him in confusion, feeling that his eyes were gentle yet dangerous. She lowered her eyes sharply, unwilling to think about it anymore.

She liked the gentle Majesty towards her, rather than the intimidating Majesty who pinched her chin when they first met.

"Go to sleep." Chen Dingyao gently kissed her brow, a smile in his eyes, "I will accompany you tomorrow."

"Your Majesty?" Zenzhen looked at him in surprise. "Aren't you going to court tomorrow?"

Chen Dingyao raised his eyebrows. "It's a pleasure to occasionally stop working for a day for the woman you love."

Moreover, he was also worried about Zen Zhen's only son going to a strange place alone.

"But... this isn't a good idea." Zen Zhen said in a dilemma.

She naturally wanted His Majesty to accompany her, but it would be bad if His Majesty delayed state affairs because of this.

"There haven't been any important matters at court lately. Besides, I've been working diligently every day, and now I want to relax for a day. Chan Zhen won't allow it?"

Chanzhen suddenly felt a little sorry for him. As a noble concubine, she only had to summon the Imperial Household Department every few days to review palace accounts, but His Majesty had to get up early every day to attend court, even on his birthday. Besides, His Majesty just wanted a day off, so it shouldn't be a problem...

"I am not such an unreasonable person..."