Su Lijin smiled and looked at the Queen Mother, saying considerately, "As the Queen, I am not only responsible for managing the harem, but also for taking care of the Emperor's daily life."
"There are naturally people who take care of daily life. If the Queen were to do the work of a maid, wouldn't she be laughed at by the court and the people?"
The Queen Mother did not back down, and her words were full of criticism: "In my opinion, it would be good for the Queen to do her own thing first."
Xiao Zhaolin looked at Su Lijin, his expression unchanged, but there was a hint of inquiry in his smile.
On the high seat, Xiao Shengxing raised his eyebrows, and was somewhat thoughtful about Su Lijin's rush to decoct the medicine. His eyes gradually fell on the herbs.
"That's what the Queen Mother has admonished."
Faced with the criticism, Su Lijin did not show any angry expression, but instead looked very submissive.
Then she said, "I am the queen, but I am also a wife. It is perfectly normal for a wife to cook for her husband. I'm sure you, Queen Mother, can understand this."
As she spoke, she bowed gracefully in Xiao Shengxing's direction, "After the Emperor was poisoned, I was extremely worried. If you didn't ask me to do something for the Emperor, I would be unable to sleep or eat. I feel like I haven't done what a wife should do for her husband."
What she said made sense, and her wholehearted attitude of doing something for the emperor seemed very sincere.
"Hmph, Queen, you are such a good wife."
The Queen Mother was repeatedly criticized and said sarcastically, "Why didn't I see how virtuous you were before, Queen? Also, shouldn't the Queen also respect her elders?"
"That's right, the Queen Mother is right."
The Concubine Shu who was standing aside suddenly spoke. She stood beside the Empress Dowager and always flattered her. She also slandered Su Lijin in various ways on weekdays. Seeing the Empress Dowager talking about her in a sarcastic tone, she felt very proud.
Concubine Shu took a step forward and quickly glanced at Xiao Zhaolin, who gave her a meaningful look in return.
"The Empress Dowager is the Empress's elder. Should the Empress disobey the words of her elders?"
She looked at Su Lijin provocatively: "The Queen Mother has been upset by you. If you are filial, you should not continue to say that."
Su Lijin thought to herself, what a big blame! She was actually directly accused of being unfilial!
This Wei Shu really goes wherever there is excitement and always takes the blame for anything that happens!
Xiao Shengxing looked at his concubine without saying a word.
Giving Su Lijin a look, Concubine Shu said earnestly, "Let me handle the decoction. The Empress is so busy with all sorts of affairs that she probably doesn't have much energy to devote to it. Why don't I do it? I will definitely watch over the medicine stove for the Emperor the whole time."
Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother nodded in satisfaction: "I think it's a good idea for Concubine Shu to prepare the medicine. She is always careful and will definitely prepare these precious herbs well."
Xiao Zhaolin also nodded slightly, but his eyes were looking at Su Lijin.
Her gaze rested on Concubine Shu's face, and Su Lijin raised an eyebrow: "Are you here to boil the medicine?"
Concubine Shu ignored her and stepped forward to look at Xiao Shengxing's expression and said, "For Your Majesty, I am willing to do anything. Your Majesty will surely understand my love and agree to my request, right?"
This confession was very straightforward and explicit, and coupled with Concubine Shu's expression, it successfully gave Xiao Shengxing goosebumps.
He really felt a chill in his heart, but he couldn't show it. It was really difficult.
Su Lijin wanted to laugh when she saw this, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up. It was really funny to see that Xiao Shengxing, as the emperor, was disgusted and couldn't show his emotions.
As if sensing Su Lijin's gaze, Xiao Shengxing glanced over. Su Lijin smiled at him and raised her eyebrows, looking like she was enjoying the fun.
Xiao Shengxing's face darkened a bit. He turned to look at Concubine Shu. It would be inappropriate for him not to say anything: "This matter..."
"Let Concubine Shu do it, and the emperor won't have to worry about it." The Queen Mother said directly.
Xiao Shengxing nodded: "Okay, Concubine Shu, please boil the medicine for me."
There is no way to avoid this result. After all, the emperor has to listen to the empress dowager's words.
Now, Su Lijin doesn't want to completely break up with her.
"Since I can't make medicine..."
She looked at the herbs thoughtfully.
Xiao Zhaolin, who had been silent the entire time, now stepped forward with a bow and said, "Your Majesty, I have finally found the herbs and now I have finally put my mind at ease. This long journey has truly exhausted me. I would like to take three days off. I beg Your Majesty's permission."
Xiao Zhaolin wants to take three days off from attending court?
Su Lijin frowned slightly. It shouldn't be that simple for Xiao Zhaolin to ask for leave, right?
Xiao Shengxing looked at Xiao Zhaolin with a slightly scrutinizing gaze, but the Queen Mother spoke first, "I can see that he's tired and has lost a lot of weight. Go home and rest well these few days. You don't need to pay your respects or attend court anymore."
She actually agreed to this without even going through the emperor's head.
This is absolutely not allowed in the strict rules of the imperial palace.
Even if she is the empress dowager, she must be the first in imperial power and cannot be surpassed.
Xiao Shengxing's face darkened slightly. He glanced at the empress dowager, and a hint of gloom emerged in his deep eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
This situation was no less than a humiliation for an emperor. As Su Lijin watched, she felt a little sorry for Xiao Shengxing.
Concubine Shu picked up the medicine box beside her and said with a smile, "It will take quite a while to boil the medicine. I will go and boil it first."
Xiao Shengxing nodded, and the Queen Mother had no objection.
Xiao Zhaolin also nodded slightly and looked at Concubine Shu with a gentle smile.
As she walked past Su Lijin, Concubine Shu snorted complacently and sneered in a low voice, "If you want to show your courtesy, you should also see if you can win."
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