Chapter 257 Selling Yourself

Chunzhi, who had just spoken with great force, suddenly changed her attitude and said that she had lied.

The emperor was a little surprised for a moment, and said "Oh", and then asked her, "What lie did you tell?"

Chunzhi raised her hand to cover her pounding heart and said, "My death is no small matter. To me, life and death are of paramount importance. I have a husband with whom I want to grow old, and I have young and adorable children. I don't want to die at all. Father, please reconsider. It's not absolutely necessary for Huo Zheng to marry the Princess of Xiling, is it?"

The emperor did not respond to her. This man had just made him furious, but now he was giving him a way out.

The emperor didn't want to come down the stairs so quickly, but when he looked at Chunzhi, he realized that she was seven parts straightforward and three parts naive, with a big picture in mind and true feelings.

It’s no wonder that Huo Zheng was unwilling to let go after meeting such a lover.

Seeing that the emperor remained silent, Chunzhi tentatively asked, "Haven't the Fourth and Ninth Brothers married yet? As princes, we should all enjoy the splendor of the royal family. We can't just rely on Huo Zheng to provide all the manpower and then have him sell himself at the last minute, right?"

"Selling yourself?" The emperor was amused by Chunzhi's words.

"Father, as a king and father, should be fair." Chunzhi said bravely: "Let Huo Zheng do all the hard work, and let other princes do this kind of prostitution."

The emperor was speechless for a moment.

Master Xu couldn't help laughing secretly when he heard this.

It’s unbelievable that Princess Chang’an would let other princes sell themselves.

Chunzhi truly felt this way. Seeing that the emperor remained silent and not as furious as before, she said rather presumptuously, "If Your Majesty truly cannot bear to see the other princes sell themselves, it's not impossible for him to take Princess Xiling into his harem himself."

"What do you mean?" The emperor paused, angered by Chunzhi. "You still want me to sell myself?"

Now Eunuch Xu didn't even dare to laugh.

This Princess Chang'an looks gentle and docile, but she is actually very wild.

Chunzhi said, "How can the emperor taking a concubine be considered selling himself? You are clearly making a small sacrifice for the sake of peace between the two countries and for the common people to live in peace."

"It can't even be called a sacrifice," she said, then immediately added, "Although Princess Xiling's reputation isn't great, she's stunningly beautiful, capable of competing with ministers in court and conquering the frontiers on horseback. She also possesses a passionate disposition, a truly extraordinary woman unparalleled in the world. If Father could take her into the harem, her future life would surely be very interesting, and she'd at least be ten years younger!"

Upon hearing this, the emperor couldn't help but snort and reprimanded, "It's a waste of your talent to let you return to the capital with Jiulang. If I had known you were so eloquent, I should have let you stay in Xizhou and participate in the peace talks between the two countries."

"Thank you, Father, for the compliments." Chunzhi seemed to be taking advantage of the situation. "But I can only speak objectively to the facts. Going to the venue for the peace talks between the two countries would certainly make me look timid. It is only because of your wisdom and generosity that you allow me to say these words."

After saying this, the emperor's anger almost dissipated.

He didn't really want to make things difficult for a woman like Chunzhi, but he mainly wanted to see Huo Zheng's attitude.

Summoning Chunzhi to the palace today is just to put a little pressure on her so that she will give up.

But Chunzhi probably didn't know how to write the word "difficult", and her words made the emperor feel that it was not necessary for Huo Zheng to marry Princess Xiling.

The atmosphere has relaxed a lot now.

The emperor cleared his throat and feigned displeasure, saying, "Stop flattering me. Who knows what you're cursing at me in your heart."

"How could that be?" Chunzhi said, "I am truly grateful to my father. If it weren't for his wisdom in granting me and Huo Zheng a marriage, we wouldn't even be husband and wife. How could we have stayed together until today?"

While these words were pleasant to the ear, they also reminded the emperor that the marriage between her and Huo Zheng was granted by the emperor himself. If they were forced to separate at this moment, it would mean that the emperor was changing his mind every day.

Forcing Huo Zheng to marry Princess Xiling would do more harm than good to the emperor.

The emperor could not fail to understand the second meaning behind Chunzhi's words and sneered, "You are really sharp-tongued."

Chunzhi was about to speak when she heard the eunuch outside come in and announce, "Your Majesty, the Empress wishes to see you?"

The emperor looked at Chunzhi and said, "You are truly extraordinary to have the Empress make a special trip to the Imperial Study just for you."

Queen Wang has always been gentle and dutiful. She has been in charge of the six palaces for more than 20 years, and she has only visited the imperial study a few times.

The last time she came was the day she heard that Huo Zheng had died in battle in Xizhou.

But today he obviously came for Chunzhi.

Chunzhi was also a little surprised. Less than half an hour after she was summoned to the palace, Queen Wang came.

It can be seen that the Queen rushed over immediately after hearing the news.

The emperor ordered the eunuch: "Please invite the queen in."

"Yes." The eunuch retreated and said outside the door, "Your Majesty, please."

After a moment, Queen Wang stepped inside.

The Empress, who has always been dignified and steady, walked especially fast today, with her phoenix hairpin swaying and her tassels fluttering. When she entered the imperial study, the first thing she saw was Chunzhi. After confirming that she was fine, she calmed down and saluted to the Emperor to greet him.

The Emperor raised his hand, signaling Queen Wang to excuse herself from the formalities. "Your Majesty, you came so quickly. Are you afraid that I might frighten your good daughter-in-law?"

"The Emperor is kind and benevolent, how could he have frightened her?" Queen Wang said with a smile, "I heard that the Emperor summoned Princess Chang'an to the palace, and I thought you wanted to see my son An. I was worried too, so I rushed here immediately."

The emperor smiled and didn't respond.

"Where's the boy?" Queen Wang continued her monologue and asked Chunzhi, "Why didn't you bring him? I even sent someone to bring his favorite chestnut cake."

The Empress Dowager gave the Emperor a way out, saying that the Emperor summoned Chunzhi to the palace to see his little grandson, not to do anything stupid.

Chunzhi understood something from the Empress's eyes and immediately responded, "The child has fallen asleep. I went to the palace specifically to tell Father that I will bring him back to the palace to meet Father and Mother the Empress another day."

Queen Wang said slowly, "Okay."

The emperor didn't want to watch the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sing the same tune anymore, so he casually picked up a memorial and opened it to read it. Without even looking up, he said, "I still have government affairs to attend to. You can leave now."

Chunzhi replied "yes" and immediately bowed and took his leave.

Queen Wang said, "I'll take my leave," and walked out with her.

Eunuch Xu came out to see him off.

As soon as Chunzhi stepped out of the imperial study, she breathed a sigh of relief.

The weight of the emperor's majesty is difficult for ordinary people to bear.

She had just spoken those words in front of the emperor with such courage that she felt weak in the knees.

Queen Wang reached out and supported her, whispering, "What did you say in front of the Emperor? Are you afraid now?"

Chunzhi lowered her voice and said to Queen Wang, "I... I just said too much. I said that we can't let Huo Zheng contribute manpower and sell himself, and let the emperor sell himself..."