Chapter 109 The throne of Queen?

Seeing that the time was almost up, Xie Junyao returned to the box and stood at the door and said, "It's almost time to go back."

He Ruoyan immediately held Wen Wanyu's hand, his eyes full of reluctance, "Wanwan, take care of yourself."

Tears fell down again, Wen Wanyu bit her lip and nodded.

They had to say goodbye, no matter how reluctant they were. Wen Lingyuan patted He Ruoyan's shoulder with tears in his eyes.

He Ruoyan leaned close to Wen Wanyu and whispered, "Don't ever forget what mother told you before you entered the palace."

"The palace is a dangerous place, and human hearts are unpredictable. The emperor's favor is like thunder and rain. The beauty is still young, but the favor has already ended. I will sit leaning against the incense burner until dawn... Never be tempted."

After all, that person was the Emperor, a man with three harems and six courtyards. Even if he was willing to lower himself and treat Wanwan well now, how long would this kindness last? The triennial selection was always on, and with newcomers entering the palace, could Wanwan still be the most cherished?

She didn't want her Wanwan to be let down by her sincerity.

Meeting her mother's worried gaze, Wen Wanyu raised her lips and smiled, "Wanwan has always kept it in mind."

She always remembered that Wen Wanyu knew what He Ruoyan was worried about, and how could she not be worried? The prerequisite for her to give her heart was that the emperor disbanded the harem. At the very least, he had to... abolish the selection system for concubines.

Xie Junyao walked closer and put his arm around Wen Wanyu's shoulders, revealing a faint smile, "Wanwan and I will return to the palace first."

Wen Lingyuan supported He Ruoyan's arm and bowed down: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I (the minister's wife) respectfully send you off."

When the moment of departure finally arrived, he realized that all the predictions he had made in his heart were as light as a feather. Without even looking back, Wen Wanyu trotted out of the restaurant and got into the carriage.

Only after getting on the carriage did I realize that she was crying secretly.

Holding her gently in his arms, Wen Wanyu could no longer hold back his reluctance to part and burst into tears.

Xie Junyao stroked her back and let her cry in his arms.

She cried for a long time, until her voice was a little hoarse. Xie Junyao smiled and joked, "If you keep crying, I'll start to doubt whether arranging for you to meet your parents is a surprise or a shock."

Wen Wanyu sobbed in his arms.

"I'll arrange for you to meet again in the future." Xie Junyao's fingertips, which were slightly calloused, gently stroked the tears from the corners of her eyes. He coaxed her in a low voice, and his warm breath fell on her ears. His tone was not one of comfort but of statement.

"Really?" Wen Wanyu looked up at him.

Xie Junyao stared at her, his eyes gleaming with a soft glow. "Naturally."

"As long as you stop crying, you can have whatever you want."

Hearing his tone that sounded like coaxing a child, Wen Wanyu laughed and then said in a joking tone: "Then I want the position of queen."

She regretted it immediately after she finished speaking. It was too wishful thinking. She thought to herself, would the emperor think she was greedy and ignorant?

Unexpectedly, his eyes were burning and clear: "Okay."

“But it will take some time.”

He continued, "I've already made plans to depose the empress. Although the Zheng family is loyal, they are extremely concerned about their reputation. I have to convince them. Moreover, I have to start promoting your father and your brother. I have always known that your father is an upright person, and I have high hopes for him..."

Xie Junyao's light voice is as clear as distant mountains.

"I'm just kidding." Wen Wanyu interrupted him.

If he continued, she would really believe it!

Xie Junyao said in a serious tone, "I'm not kidding."

Looking into Xie Junyao's dark, calm eyes, she paused and said, "The position of empress is both an honor and a shackle. Becoming empress means being generous, dignified,... sensible, and also having to persuade the emperor to treat everyone equally. Wanwan can't do that, so Wanwan is really joking."

Xie Junyao hugged her again in his arms without saying a word.

He knew Wanwan was a free-spirited person who disliked being bound by formalities. The position of empress would only be a heavy burden on her shoulders.

Xie Junyao was reluctant, yet reluctant. He wanted to see Wanwan smile, to be free and at ease. Although the palace was an invisible prison... he still wanted her to be the freest of birds.

…

Perhaps influenced by the good and warm atmosphere of Wen Wanyu's family, Xie Junyao stepped into Shoukang Palace again after more than ten days.

Laughter and joy emanated from Shoukang Palace. It was the voice of the seventh brother. These days, he'd been visiting the palace almost daily to accompany the Queen Mother, and he'd deliberately chosen a time when he wasn't usually around.

Unexpectedly, it was still a coincidence.

He was about to turn around and leave when Madam Liu spotted him with her sharp eyes and said to the Queen Mother joyfully, "Queen Mother, the Emperor is here."

The Queen Mother withdrew her smile and curled her lips calmly, "The Emperor is here. Why doesn't the Emperor come in?"

Xie Junyao was upset, but he had to face what he had to face. It was just a matter of time.

Xie Junqian immediately bowed and said, "Greetings to my brother the Emperor."

"No need to be so polite." Xie Junyao smiled faintly, "Seventh Brother is still here today."

It was clearly a tone that couldn't be more ordinary, but the Queen Mother heard another meaning and said calmly, "I wish your seventh brother was always by my side."

Aunt Liu brought a pot of hot tea. Xie Junyao picked up the teacup, and the mist of tea spread out, making it difficult for them to see Xie Junyao's expression.

"Mother, I also want to accompany you all the time, but I'm afraid you will be annoyed with me." Xie Jun said with a hesitant smile.

"You little kid." The Queen Mother was so coaxed by his sweet words that her eyes were filled with smiles. "How could your mother be annoyed with you?"

When looking at Xie Junyao, the Queen Mother's tone became even more distant. "Emperor, can you let Qun'er stay in the capital for a while longer? My health is getting worse day by day..."

Xie Junyao responded calmly.

Xie Jun suddenly smiled faintly and said nonchalantly, "I met Ling Zhaoyuan on the road today. People in and outside the palace often say that Ling Zhaoyuan has bright eyes and white teeth, and is so beautiful that she can captivate fish and geese, and she is deeply loved by my brother the emperor."

The Queen Mother's face darkened.

"Huh." Xie Junxuan deliberately put on a surprised expression: "Ling Zhaoyuan is the woman from that day? I was wondering why she looked so familiar."

The Queen Mother frowned and asked, "That day?"

"Oh." Xie Jun said leisurely, "Some time ago, I met my royal brother outside the palace. He was with Ling Zhaoyuan."

————

[The author is busy with life in the third dimension, so the updates have been late these days. Please forgive me. It will be finished in a few days, so please don't give up. Not many people read it anyway.]