Seeing that Xiao Jincheng remained silent, Duanmu Qingxin tugged at his arm and said coquettishly, "Father, if you're arguing with Mother, you should apologize to her. She dotes on you so much; you've been the only Phoenix Consort in the harem for so many years..."
At this point, Duanmu Qingxin paused. In the past, she was very confident in her mother's feelings for her father, but ever since she learned that her mother had an illegitimate daughter, she could no longer be sure whether her mother truly loved her father.
If the Empress Dowager loved the Emperor, how could she have two illegitimate daughters and sons outside the palace, and so many of them, with such a large age gap between them? This suggests that the person outside the palace had been with the Empress Dowager for a very long time.
But if the Empress didn't love the Father, why has her harem remained solely with him for so long, without taking in a new ruler? And since those outside have already had two children with the Empress, why hasn't she brought them into the palace? This suggests that the Empress still cares for the Father!
But if her mother still held a place for her father in her heart, then why did she bring her two illegitimate daughters and son into the palace? She really couldn't understand her mother at all!
Duanmu Qingxin didn't want to think too much, and just pleaded with Xiao Jincheng according to her own thoughts: "Please go see the Empress Mother. Even if it's just for my sake, if you don't go see the Empress Mother, she will give the position of Crown Princess to that illegitimate daughter!"
The mere thought of this possibility made Duanmu Qingxin want to kill someone.
From a young age, she was raised by her mother to be the crown princess, and she always tried her best to be a qualified heir.
She was clearly the only legitimate princess in the entire Western Liang Dynasty, so why should the Empress give the position of Crown Princess to someone else?
Xiao Jincheng frowned and glanced at Duanmu Qingxin, noticing the undisguised jealousy on her face. He sighed softly, "I understand. I will go to see your mother, but you must promise your father one thing."
Seeing that Xiao Jincheng was willing to step forward, Duanmu Qingxin was overjoyed: "Please speak."
Xiao Jincheng looked at Duanmu Qingxin seriously and said, "Don't go looking for your mother's illegitimate daughters and sons, and don't try anything with them. If you do see them, be accommodating to them and never get into a conflict with them!"
Xiao Jincheng's words instantly infuriated Duanmu Qingxin. She couldn't understand his words at all: "Why? They are illegitimate children, while I am the legitimate princess. Why should I give way to them!"
The thought of that illegitimate daughter having the exact same face as her mother made her furious. She wanted nothing more than to strangle the illegitimate daughter. She would rather die than let her give in to her!
Seeing that Duanmu Qingxin was so disobedient, Xiao Jincheng was a little unhappy: "Since you don't agree, then I don't want to see your mother either!"
When Duanmu Qingxin saw that Xiao Jincheng was also helping the illegitimate daughter and son, she was so angry that her heart felt like it was going to break. However, she didn't dare to argue with Xiao Jincheng: "Okay, okay, I promise you, I won't hold a grudge against the illegitimate daughter and son. I will try not to lower myself to their level when I see them in the future."
She had originally planned to teach them a lesson whenever she saw them again.
If she could freely enter and leave Fengming Palace, she would have found an opportunity to see that illegitimate daughter long ago and definitely taught her a lesson!
Unfortunately, her mother doesn't allow her to freely enter or leave Fengming Palace now, and even if she needs to see her mother, her mother refuses to see her.
Rumors were spreading everywhere that the Empress Dowager wanted to make that illegitimate daughter the Crown Princess. She was really desperate, which is why she went to her father and asked him to help her plead with the Empress Dowager.
Xiao Jincheng glanced at Duanmu Qingxin and sighed again: "It's not that your father is forcing you. You will understand your father's difficulties in the future."
This child grew up in a sweet environment, how could she possibly understand his suffering!
Duanmu Qingxin pulled Xiao Jincheng and said, "When are you going to see the Empress? She hasn't been attending the morning court lately. Why don't you go see her now?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jincheng frowned and asked, "Has your mother not been attending the morning court sessions lately?"
Duanmu Qingxin shook her head and gritted her teeth, saying, "It's all because of those illegitimate daughter and son! Ever since they entered the palace, Mother Empress has been spending all her time with them and hasn't held morning court for a long time! The officials in the court are talking about it every day, and many officials are requesting an audience with Mother Empress, but she refuses to see them. I heard that even Prince Hui has requested an audience with Mother Empress several times, but she still hasn't seen him!"
Xiao Jincheng frowned even more, looking somewhat troubled: "Since your mother refused to see them when they requested an audience, why would she be willing to see me?"
Duanmu Qingxin raised an eyebrow and said, "How can you be the same as them? You are the Empress's lawfully wedded Phoenix Prince, her first husband. How can those officials compare? Even if Prince Hui is the Empress's own sister, he is not as close as you are to her. As long as you ask to see the Empress, she will definitely be willing to see you."
Xiao Jincheng thought for a moment and said, "How about this, I'll invite your mother to Jinhua Palace again tonight."
Upon hearing this, Duanmu Qingxin seemed to understand something instantly and nodded, saying, "Then it all depends on Father!"
Father is wise. He invited Mother over tonight. If Mother is willing to stay with Father, then they will surely regain Mother's favor.
Night falls.
While Duanmu Junyu was still reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study, Jinzhu heard the palace servant's report outside. She frowned before entering the Imperial Study and bowing to report: "Your Majesty, a palace servant from Jinhua Palace has come and says that the Phoenix Prince has something to ask you to come to Jinhua Palace."
Upon hearing the words "Phoenix Lord," Duanmu Junyu's brows furrowed instinctively, and she paused for a moment while holding the vermilion brush before raising her head and asking, "What does he want with me?"
Jinzhu glanced at Duanmu Junyu and shook her head, saying, "That palace attendant didn't say."
I doubt even the palace servants knew.
Duanmu Junyu frowned, her expression somewhat grave.
Seeing this, Jinzhu cautiously asked, "Are you going?"
Upon hearing this, Duanmu Junyu frowned even more deeply and remained silent for a long while. Jinzhu dared not ask any more questions.
Jinhua Palace.
Upon seeing the palace attendant return, Xiao Jincheng quickly stood up and asked, "How did His Majesty say?"
The palace attendant shook his head: "Fengming Palace has not given a reply."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jincheng slumped into a stool in disappointment. It seemed that she ultimately could not forgive him!
Yes, how could she forgive him!
He betrayed her like this; what woman could forgive that? Especially since she was the ruler of a country.
His heart felt like it was being torn apart, and the pain was so intense that he dared not breathe.
Seeing Xiao Jincheng's distraught appearance, the palace attendant comforted him, saying, "Don't be sad. Perhaps His Majesty has something to attend to. He will surely come to see Father once he is done with his business."
"She's not coming!" Xiao Jincheng said dejectedly, and was about to dismiss the palace servants when he heard a palace servant outside announce loudly, "His Majesty has arrived!"
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