Chapter 412 It's time

Zhang Chengyan didn't even think about it and answered truthfully, "Of course not. You are now the mother of a country and the ruler of the harem. How can you still need protection?"

Bai Wutong asked again, "Does the emperor think that Su Zhaoyi is someone who needs protection?"

Zhang Chengyan was slightly stunned, "Wutong, why do you suddenly ask this?"

Bai Wutong smiled faintly, "Nothing, I just think that Concubine Su seems to be particularly clingy."

Zhang Chengyan nodded. "After all, she is still young and this is her first time entering the palace. Her family has only taught her to obey me, so it is inevitable that she will be a little clingy."

From his attitude, Bai Wutong keenly grasped the hidden meaning.

Su Zhaoyi was the weak woman who needed his protection, but he was no longer that.

This subtle difference reflects the changes in a man's mind.

Bai Wutong used to be the one who was protected by him, but Jin Weige did not receive such treatment at that time.

Now the situation has changed and the roles have quietly shifted.

Bai Wutong looked calm. He stood up and poured a cup of tea gracefully. "Your Majesty, please have some tea."

"Okay." Zhang Chengyan took the teacup, drank it all, and then said goodbye and left, making the excuse that he had some memorials to review.

On the way back to the Yangxin Palace, Zhang Chengyan frowned slightly and couldn't help asking Wang Decai beside him, "I don't know why, every time I favor Su Zhaoyi, I don't want to see Wutong. I always feel like I have done something wrong. But I am the emperor, how can I do anything wrong?"

Wang Decai lowered his head and remained silent.

In fact, when Zhang Chengyan asked the same question before, he had asked someone privately.

Some people said that this was due to deep-seated guilt and uneasiness in his heart. Ultimately, the emperor had fallen in love with Bai Wutong.

It is because you are sincere that you feel inexplicably guilty when you pamper others.

If it was just a casual act, how could such complicated emotions arise?

But Wang Decai didn't dare to say such words.

The emotional entanglements in the harem were beyond the jurisdiction of a eunuch like him. All he had to do was to serve the emperor well and do his job well. It was better for him to stay out of other matters, otherwise he would make mistakes if he spoke too much.

…

The first day of the new year arrived as expected.

Zhang Chengyan came to Fengyi Palace as usual.

This time, Su Zhaoyi kept quiet and did not come to disrupt the situation.

It was late at night, and Zhang Chengyan was ready to go to bed. Bai Wutong brought him a cup of tea and said softly, "Your Majesty, drink some tea before you rest."

Zhang Chengyan took the teacup without any doubt, drank it and lay down on the bed.

Bai Wutong snuggled up to him, and the two of them lay in each other's arms.

Although they haven't slept in the same bed for half a month, Zhang Chengyan has no other thoughts at this moment, and the same goes for Bai Wutong.

She just felt that she fell asleep so peacefully, her body and mind were relaxed, and she felt comfortable and at ease.

Before they knew it, they both fell asleep.

The next morning, Bai Wutong woke up slowly, but found that Zhang Chengyan was no longer beside him.

"The emperor got up, why didn't he call me?"

Chan'er stepped forward quickly, "The emperor specifically ordered you to sleep a little longer. The emperor got up very early today, even before the court session."

"I see. It's better to get up earlier."

The days pass slowly.

Bai Wutong still lived his leisurely life, and occasionally went to the Yangxin Palace to visit Zhang Chengyan, but it was just a visit, without any excessive intimacy.

On the first and fifteenth day of every lunar month, Zhang Chengyan would still come to Fengyi Palace, but the atmosphere between the two of them had quietly changed at some point, becoming polite yet distant, and treating each other with respect.

To be precise, Bai Wutong no longer tried to cater to and please Zhang Chengyan as deliberately as before.

She used to always pretend to be weak and in need of protection.

It is precisely because of this that Zhang Chengyan dotes on her so much.

But times have changed, and now Bai Wutong has transformed and no longer needs to use this method to gain favor.

As an emperor, Zhang Chengyan has been arrogant since childhood and has a strong self-esteem. He has never had the habit of bowing his head to show goodwill.

As a result, the relationship between the two gradually became strained.

Su Zhaoyi still enjoys the emperor's exclusive favor and is unrivaled in the limelight.

The newly-appointed beauties in the palace were all envious and filled with resentment.

Every time they came to pay their respects, they would beat around the bush and target Su Zhaoyi with veiled words, trying to stir up trouble.

He also wanted to sow discord between Bai Wutong and Su Zhaoyi and instigate her to take action.

But Bai Wutong had no interest in this.

Su Zhaoyi was just a canary spoiled by the emperor.

The reason why she can be so arrogant and domineering now is simply because she relies on the emperor's favor and protection. Once she loses this favor, she will instantly lose her support and become vulnerable.

What's more, Su Zhaoyi's maternal family is not very powerful and has no deep roots.

After everyone left, Chan'er was filled with indignation, and couldn't help but complain in a low voice, "My queen, those people outside really love to gossip. I have taught several people a lesson today!"

Bai Wutong looked calm, picked up the teacup and took a sip, "Let outsiders say whatever they want, don't pay any attention to it."

"Your Highness, you are really patient. People outside are saying that you are afraid of giving up the throne. They also say that you are timid and afraid of things. Unlike Concubine Jin, you are so bold that you let Concubine Su do whatever she wants in front of you!"

"What they said is not wrong. I really didn't care about Su Zhaoyi, and I didn't want to be like Jinpin and scheme with others all day long."

Chan'er was puzzled, "Your Majesty, why is this happening? Aren't you worried that the Emperor's favor will be snatched away by someone else one day?"

Seeing this, Yingchun quickly gave her a look, signaling her to stop talking.

Some words, once said too much, can be considered taboo!

Chan'er finally reacted and closed her mouth angrily.

Bai Wutong didn't stay for long. He got up and walked into the inner room to visit Yunhe.

Yunhe is still young, but extremely intelligent. The emperor has arranged for someone to teach him.

At this moment, Yunhe was dressing herself and preparing to go to study.

Looking at his son's tender and lovely appearance, Bai Wutong felt tenderness in his heart.

In this deep palace, only one's own children are the closest and most reliable.

As for everyone else, none of them can.