"Good, good, good. You've arranged everything in the harem perfectly. I'm at ease." He said "good" three times.

Little did he know that those three words, "good," which expressed his trust in the Empress, were poison to Yi De. He could coax her, make her call him Zi Yi, and feel sorry for her, but he didn't understand her.

All she wants is an attitude, an attitude that only has her in its heart, an attitude that only loves her. Is that so hard?

However, Yide did not understand Emperor Mingde. What he wanted was harmony in the harem, a peaceful and prosperous era, and the title of a wise ruler. He desired both beautiful women and the empire.

Therefore, he didn't understand why Yide was so stubborn. She kept saying she loved him, but she didn't want to be his concubine. She insisted on being the empress. If it weren't for those beautiful memories from his youth, he would definitely think that this woman only loved his status as the emperor. No, now he had begun to doubt.

The Empress smiled dignifiedly, "Your Majesty, what are you saying? Managing the harem is my duty. Only when the harem is stable can Your Majesty properly handle state affairs. Even if it is hard work, I am happy to do it."

Look, this is what an empress should say. Emperor Mingde was very pleased. He looked at Yide, who was already in tears. Zhao Shuzhen didn't understand why she, at her age, was acting like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old. She wasn't at an age where she could be easily deceived.

Seeing Yide cry, Emperor Mingde felt extremely distressed, but remembering the Empress's words, with war raging outside, the most important thing now was to maintain stability in the court, and no accidents could be allowed to happen.

"The Empress is so thoughtful. If you're moved, thank her and visit her palace often to keep her company. Why are you crying like this?" Emperor Mingde said. It was intentional, it must have been intentional! His words made Yide want to stab him to death with a sword.

The Empress sneered inwardly. Weren't they madly in love? Why couldn't they disregard everything just this once?

Yi De mocked herself, "Haven't I already tried once? Why should I still have hope for this man?" Indeed, she was foolish.

Wiping away her tears, she was like a cactus in the desert, enduring wind and rain, scorching sun, stubbornly surviving and even blooming delicate flowers. "So, Ziyi, am I still your empress?"

Emperor Mingde fell silent. He had originally intended to embrace her, but he withdrew his outstretched hand.

As a man, I feel embarrassed and annoyed.

The Empress chuckled, easing Emperor Mingde's embarrassment and anger. "Your Majesty, look at my sister. She only has you in her heart and eyes. I am so touched. Your Majesty, please don't be angry with her. She loves you so much that she wants to be your Empress. If it were anyone else, she wouldn't even agree to beg you. It's also my sister's fault for being so immature. Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Even a palace maid like Mo Deng is a favor from the Emperor. Every woman in our harem is doing everything she can for Your Majesty. You should stop being so childish and avoid putting Your Majesty in a difficult position. If you really want to be Empress, I will give you the Phoenix Seal when the soldiers return, so that Your Majesty won't be put in a difficult position."

What is the virtue of an empress, what is dignity and grace, what is the demeanor of a proper wife? The Empress has shown it all today, with grace and poise, handing over the Phoenix Seal to you. The man you love still refuses to give it up. How satisfying!

As expected, the Emperor immediately sided with the Empress, saying, "Nonsense! How can the Empress's affairs be treated so lightly?" He firmly remembered the Empress's words: 'If it were anyone else, she wouldn't agree even if you begged her.'

Is she really unwilling? Not necessarily. Back then, she insisted on becoming empress, and now she hasn't given up. She keeps saying she loves him, but her actions hurt him in every way. Over the years, she hasn't forgotten their affection, though she can't say she's been with him every night. And what about her? She faked her death, preferring to die and be posthumously honored as empress rather than live to stay with him.

If it weren't for the Empress's reminder, wouldn't it have made him a laughingstock to the world and disheartened the soldiers on the front lines if he had admitted that she was the Empress today?

Yi De understood that it was ironic that she had suffered another crushing defeat today, and that she was still thinking of going easy on him and letting him go. It was utterly ridiculous.

“I was just joking with you. It was wrong of me to leave the capital in a fit of pique back then. If I had another chance, I would never leave so impulsively, nor would I let you and the Empress Dowager have any rift. I would cherish every moment I spend with you. I'm sorry, Ziyi, I missed so many years of you. Now I want to make up for it.”

She threw herself into Emperor Mingde's arms, her tears soaking his clothes. The two embraced deeply, and Yide glanced at the Empress mockingly, then smiled triumphantly.

The Empress didn't understand what she was so proud of. She was constantly regressing and getting hurt. What was there to be proud of?

At that moment, a voice rang out from outside the hall, "Your subject, Yan Shiren, requests an audience with Your Majesty."

Emperor Mingde frowned, released Yide, and said to the Empress, "Your Majesty has gone to great lengths to handle Aqing's matter."

"It is my duty, Your Majesty. You truly cherish your sister dearly. Rest assured, I will not let my sister suffer any injustice. I will send her the best of everything."

Emperor Mingde could find no fault with the Empress at this time, so he nodded and half-pushed her out.

Yan Shiren should have been in Jiangnan managing the floods at this time, and with the plague breaking out there, what was he doing back? Emperor Mingde was eager to know, hoping it wasn't bad news.

"Sister, let's go. I'll take you to Weiyang Palace. The empress must not interfere in politics. It's best to avoid coming to Taihe Hall in the future. If the ministers see you, who knows how they'll make things difficult for the emperor. As imperial concubines, our first duty is not to make things difficult for the emperor." The empress knew that Yide wouldn't let her touch her, and she wouldn't easily touch Yide either. If Yide fainted, who would be responsible?

Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingde recalled a saying: "When choosing a wife, choose one who is virtuous; when choosing a concubine, choose one who is beautiful."

Yi De already knew what to do. She obediently followed the Empress out of Taihe Palace. It was alright. She hadn't come here expecting to achieve everything at once. There was still time to wait.

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