Emperor Xuan looked at Yuan Zhao who was kneeling, but he was not as angry as he had imagined. He just asked her to stand up.
"I was just joking, why are you so nervous?"
Yuan Zhao raised his eyes and confirmed that there was no anger on Emperor Xuan's face before sitting down again.
Emperor Xuan turned and pointed to the pile of memorials beside the low table. "Look, even with your brother sharing the burden, I still have so many memorials to review every day."
He sighed, "Your royal grandfather passed away long ago. I have inherited the throne from him for nearly forty years. I am used to being an emperor and dare not slack off..."
Yuan Zhao didn't know why Emperor Xuan suddenly said this to her, but she didn't say much and just listened quietly.
"I believe I have done a pretty good job as an emperor over the years. But lately, I feel that I am getting older and older, and my eyesight is blurring and I am no longer able to do what I want."
It was the first time that Yuan Zhao had seen her father like this. In her memory, her father had always been resolute and decisive, and never questioned his own character.
Emperor Xuan was a powerful figure throughout his life and was in such a high position, which was naturally due to his firm self-belief.
But it was not until Yuan Zhao returned to the capital, saw Yuan Zhizhi in his arms, and heard those prophecies about the future that Emperor Xuan began to waver for the first time.
Later, in order to verify Yuan Zhizhi's thoughts, he searched the ministers and found the truth in every search.
He has been really scared these days. If things continue to develop along the original trajectory, how big a disaster will it cause?
Zhizhi said: The country is destroyed and the family is ruined.
He couldn't help but wonder, where did all this come from?
During this time, he pondered over and over again, trying to make assumptions.
What if he hadn't chosen Wei Shaoqing as his son-in-law?
What if he had chosen Huo Yan from the beginning?
if……
But if he could go back to the past and make the choice again, he might not be able to make the best choice.
Entangled in these causal relationships, Emperor Xuan himself has become a little crazy recently.
He even began to doubt himself: Was he really doing a good job as an emperor?
He didn't know who to talk to, so he summoned Yuan Zhao into the palace.
Yuan Zhao vaguely understood Emperor Xuan's concerns. She first summoned Gan Tang and said, "Gan Tang, take the young lady to the side hall."
Emperor Xuan did not speak. Gan Tang took Yuan Zhizhi. Zheng Lu also understood that the father and daughter had something to say, so he took Gan Tang out.
"The imperial kitchen has made some new pastries, and I'm bringing them over for the fourth young lady to try."
Silence returned to the hall. Yuan Zhao picked up the teapot on the low table and poured a cup of hot tea for Emperor Xuan.
"Father, I have told you that it was only after I heard Zhizhi's inner voice that I learned of all that Wei Shaoqing had done behind my back."
After returning to the capital, Yuan Zhao told Emperor Xuan about these things one by one.
"When I first returned to the capital, my father said I should be punished. I couldn't understand it myself," she smiled. "I couldn't understand how I could be so stupid? I was kept in the dark by Wei Shaoqing for over a decade..."
"I always wonder what would have happened if I hadn't married him? What would have happened if I hadn't left the capital with him? What would have happened if I had always been wary and suspicious of everything?"
Emperor Xuan glanced at Yuan Zhao when he said this. The father and daughter had gone through the same mental journey, but Yuan Zhao no longer looked confused.
She continued slowly, "I've thought about this many times. During the first month, I could only sleep for one or two hours a day."
That was the most painful time for her.
"But later I realized that no matter how many ifs there were, it was useless."
She looked at Emperor Xuan and said firmly, "At that moment in the past, we all made what we thought was the best choice at that time."
"Those choices were made after careful analysis and reflection. We have no way of predicting the consequences of these choices. So once we make a choice, we make it. Whether the outcome is good or bad, we must accept it fully."
"Even if the outcome is the worst, we still need to bear it."
Her tone was light, but it shocked Emperor Xuan's heart.
Emperor Xuan took a sip of tea and asked in a somewhat obscure voice, "Zhao Zhao, do you blame your father?"
Yuan Zhao was stunned. He knew what Emperor Xuan was talking about, but he just shook his head and said calmly,
"Father, if I were in your shoes, I would have done the same..."
Even if it wasn't Wei Shaoqing, it could be someone else, but it definitely wasn't Huo Yan. But who knows, will she be happy if she chooses someone else?
Thinking of this, Yuan Zhao looked out the window at the long staircase outside the Qinzheng Hall and said with a smile, "What's more, this path was not only built by your father for your son, but also chosen by your son himself."
"Looking back now, it's enough to learn from the lessons. The rest should be to avoid making the same mistakes in the future."
Emperor Xuan smiled, and the depression in his heart was relieved a lot. "You are very insightful."
Yuan Zhao raised an eyebrow and said, "I was taught by my father, so I naturally understand everything."
Emperor Xuan took a sip of tea and nodded, "You and your brother have the same temperament as your mother."
"They are the type who are stubborn and never look back."
Yuan Zhao looked at Emperor Xuan and saw a hint of sadness in his expression.
After the Queen Mother passed away, Emperor Xuan rarely mentioned her in front of her and his brother.
"I often dream about her these days. In my dreams, she blames me for not taking good care of you and your sister."
Yuan Zhao simply replied, "If my mother were still alive, she wouldn't say such a thing."
Emperor Xuan choked, and the tea tasted bitter. "Yes..."
The late Queen Shen was the best mother of the country and the best queen.
The father and daughter were silent for a long time. Emperor Xuan finally said, "I have been feeling tired lately. When you have some free time, you can take the children and go out for a walk with me."
Yuan Zhao nodded and said yes, and for a moment he felt sorry for his father.
Isn't he also trapped in this deep palace, in this Qinzheng Palace for his entire life?
…
Before Yuan Zhao finally left, Emperor Xuan said, "You and Huo Yan..." He wanted to say something, but then he thought of Yuan Zhao's words, "Think about your affairs carefully."
He wouldn't make the decision for them this time.
Emperor Xuan looked at her legs again and said, "Let the imperial physician take a look more often. Don't take advantage of your youth and take good care of it."
Yuan Zhao nodded slightly, "Thank you, Father."
Gan Tang also brought Yuan Zhizhi back at the right time. Yuan Zhao saw that Emperor Xuan was still not in good spirits, "Zhizhi, stay here and keep your father company for a few days to relieve his boredom."
Emperor Xuan then smiled and said, "Okay."
After Yuan Zhao left, Yuan Zhizhi returned to the couch, holding something in her hand, and threw it into Emperor Xuan's cup.
[Watch Zhizhi transform into a cup of longevity tea!]
She thought her movements were secretive, but in fact they were all seen by Emperor Xuan and Zheng Lu behind her.
Zheng Lu noticed Yuan Zhizhi's actions and was startled.
What is this little ancestor doing? Openly putting something in His Majesty's cup?!
But unexpectedly, Emperor Xuan held the cup and was about to drink it.
Zheng Lu hurried forward and said, "Your Majesty, the tea is cold. I will make you a new pot."
Emperor Xuan waved his hand, smiled and drank the cup of tea in one gulp.
This is the longevity tea made by his good granddaughter, so just drink it.
Even if he doesn't live long, Yuan Cheng is still here, and someone will continue to be the emperor, so let him do whatever he wants!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
