Chapter 267 Yuan Heng is my son, a twin.

"But for your sake, I am willing to be a subject who assists the young new emperor and obeys his orders."

Ji Qingwu asked calmly, "When?"

Wei Ting stood beside her and said in a deep voice, "I am in a hurry, but getting married tomorrow is too rushed, and we won't be able to prepare anything."

Ji Qingwu's eyes darted around; the longer it dragged on, the greater the chance of things turning around.

Wei Ting didn't give her any time to adjust, and said with a smile, "I think the day after tomorrow is just right."

After he left, Ji Qingwu looked up at the deep, inky night sky. She could not see any stars, only the moon, which resembled a pale eyebrow.

The day after tomorrow, on the ninth day of the eighth lunar month, will be Emperor Wusu's birthday.

Ji Qingwu stood guard at the door, feeling a chill run down his spine. He glanced up and saw a shadow flash by beside the pillars of the side hall.

The dark blue fabric must belong to a palace servant from Zhaoyang Palace, who appears to be monitoring the palace. I wonder whose orders it is.

Ji Qingwu didn't even have the strength to scoff.

Not long after Wei Ting went to the side hall, the clamor of the court officials subsided.

After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager's voice rose in pitch.

A short while later, the Empress Dowager and others walked out of the side hall in a rage.

As she passed Ji Qingwu, the Empress Dowager stamped her foot and said in a strange tone, "I have a good niece who is first-rate at changing her mind when the wind blows. She has found a new high branch. The Ji family temple is too small to accommodate you."

I don't know what Wei Ting said that angered the Empress Dowager so much.

Ji Qingwu understood that the Empress Dowager's plan had failed, and she was being used as a scapegoat.

Prince Yong was not angry because the succession issue had failed, but because he was furious upon hearing what Wei Ting had said.

"Fifth cousin, are you really going to marry Wei Ting? Your brother is still lying in the hospital, his life hanging by a thread. At this time, you want to marry someone else."

Princess Qingyun followed behind them without saying a word, but her eyes held a hint of reproach.

Ji Qingwu lowered her eyes, composed herself, and smiled.

"Why can't I marry? I am a free man. The Emperor had previously granted me the freedom to marry outside the palace. It was Xiao Dongzi who came to the Ji residence to deliver the decree. You can ask the eunuch to come and question me."

Prince Yong summoned Xiao Dongzi, who confirmed that Ji Qingwu's words were true.

He frowned and said, "But times have changed."

Ji Qingwu's eyes were filled with a strong sense of mockery.

"Before the Emperor left the palace, he said he did not want to see me again. I'm sure you've all heard about this."

Her gaze fell on the Wei siblings who were walking out of the side hall.

"His Majesty has a deep affection for Consort Wei. He was even willing to risk his own life, otherwise he wouldn't be lying here."

The facts are clear: Emperor Wusu is still lying in the palace, and Prince Yong can no longer speak.

Seeing that Ji Qingwu was surrounded, Wei Ting strode towards her.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager and Your Highness, what are your thoughts on my soon-to-be bride who will marry into the Wei family? Why don't you just speak to me directly?"

These two sentences greatly angered the Empress Dowager, who cursed him for being shameless.

Just as the group was about to start arguing again, Princess Huachang's cool voice rang out from behind them.

"Let's proceed as we agreed in the palace. General Wei should inform the deputy general as soon as possible to coordinate with the prince consort in deploying troops. Border matters cannot be delayed."

Princess Huachang said, "We cannot afford to panic at this time. We must first deal with external threats, and then pacify the internal situation."

The Empress Dowager led her entourage back to Cining Palace.

Wei Ting whispered a few words in Ji Qingwu's ear and then left.

Princess Huachang stepped forward and took Ji Qingwu's hand.

"Why are your hands so cold? Have you been standing at the door the whole time?" she said, pulling Ji Qingwu into Zhaoyang Palace.

Princess Huachang looked at the deep worry on her brow and asked, "Qingwu, have you really thought this through?"

Ji Qingwu said softly, "Given the current situation, I have no time to think about it."

“I know you’re not doing this to curry favor with those in power, and I understand the sadness in your heart.” Princess Huachang turned her gaze to the ridge beasts on the eaves of the palace.

He continued, "Just now, Wei Ting made a solemn vow in the palace that after marrying you, he would wholeheartedly assist Yuan Heng and have no other intentions."

Princess Huachang said solemnly, "As the eldest princess of a nation, I hope you will marry him."

"It's not just for Yuan Heng, but because with you by Wei Ting's side, there's one more person to keep Wei Ting in check, which is a good thing for Bei Li."

Ji Qingwu nodded slightly, indicating that she understood this principle.

Seeing her calm and sensible demeanor, Princess Huachang's eyes were filled with pity.

"But for my own sake, Qingwu, I hope you will think this through."

Princess Huachang hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.

“You shouldn’t have gotten involved. This has nothing to do with you. You can just walk away.”

Even Emperor Wusu's own sister, who shared the same mother, said that she could have left.

Ji Qingwu shook his head bitterly.

In the past, when faced with difficulties, she would always think of escaping or cutting things off quickly and decisively, leaving all unpleasantness in yesterday.

But this time, she couldn't do it.

Ji Qingwu looked back at the other person and said softly, "Princess, I once asked His Majesty what his wish was, and he first said that the world was at peace and all people were safe and sound."

Princess Huachang was taken aback.

At this moment, Ji Qingwu mentioned the emperor's wish.

Ji Qingwu said, "Actually, this is also my wish. I hope that people can be free from the afflictions of illness and disaster and live a happy and peaceful life."

Human life is as worthless as grass, but these two people, who are most accustomed to life and death in this world, value the lives of ordinary people more than anything else.

Princess Huachang was deeply moved; her eyes flickered, and the frost in them completely melted away.

"You silly girl..."

She disliked interacting with people and was even less willing to take on responsibilities. She never thought of doing anything for the emperor to share his burdens.

Prince Yong and Qingyun were already doing the right thing by not causing trouble for Emperor Wusu.

Princess Huachang suddenly understood why the emperor favored Ji Qingwu so much.

She sighed after a long pause and said, "But this burden is too heavy. Even the emperor himself couldn't bear it and has already collapsed. Why do you insist on taking it on?"

This time, Ji Qingwu has another reason to be unable to avoid it.

She raised her head, chin up: "Because Yuan Heng is the one I gave birth to."

Under Princess Huachang's utterly astonished gaze, Ji Qingwu said earnestly, "In the past, His Majesty was here, but from now on..."

"I will protect him and help him grow up well."

Princess Huachang struggled to process the news that the Emperor and Ji Qingwu had a son.

Suddenly remembering something, she asked, "Who is your daughter?"

Ji Qingwu said, "They are twins."

Princess Huachang, upon learning this secret under these circumstances, was neither happy nor sad.

She was also about to become a mother herself and understood Ji Qingwu's feelings at this moment, so she couldn't bring herself to say anything to persuade him.

But she was genuinely relieved.

Behind Yuan Heng lies his biggest trump card.