Long time no see
"Yes, rumors say that the Empress Dowager has an improper relationship with a high-ranking official in the court, and palace servants have seen young men entering and leaving Cining Palace on several occasions," Gu Qiyu said.
"And then the Empress Dowager fell ill?" Zhao Youyi was somewhat surprised. Logically speaking, these romantic affairs should not have affected the mind of a shrewd woman. How could the Empress Dowager have fallen ill like this?
Gu Qiyu took a deep breath: "The important thing is the issue of Princess Fu'an's bloodline."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Youyi understood. If the Empress Dowager had no weaknesses, it was only Princess Fu'an.
"Now the capital is completely under the emperor's absolute power. Those who are dissatisfied with the emperor are either demoted or beheaded. Moreover, he has embarked on a massive construction project, building a Star-Picking Tower for his concubine." Speaking of the dog emperor, Gu Qiyu's face clearly showed disgust.
"By the way, I guess you don't know about this Imperial Concubine yet," Gu Qiyu said. "She is a woman that the Emperor found in a brothel. I heard that she looks somewhat similar to the Empress Dowager, and that's why the rumors are so rampant."
"I guess I know." Zhao Youyi took a sip of tea, surprised that Princess Yulang could see through the relationship between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager and send such a pawn into the palace.
While the two of them were enjoying a peaceful life, the emperor in the capital was in turmoil. It was because of his desire to depose the empress and make Consort Wen the empress that the officials who had originally supported him boycotted court and accused him of being licentious and dissolute. The emperor did not understand why it was so difficult for him to make the woman he loved the empress.
"Your Majesty, please calm down," Eunuch Gao said gently, putting down the warm lotus seed soup. "This was sent by the Imperial Concubine. Your Majesty has been feeling unwell lately, and the Imperial Concubine must be worried."
Upon hearing this, the emperor's heart gradually calmed down. "Where is the Imperial Concubine?"
"Her Highness is waiting outside, afraid of disturbing His Majesty's business," said Eunuch Gao cautiously. He wanted to invite the Imperial Concubine in, but she kept making excuses. Alas, in the end, it was the servants who suffered.
"You insolent fool!" The emperor slammed his porcelain spoon down in anger. "It's getting windy outside! How can you leave the Imperial Concubine waiting outside? You blind fool! Quickly, invite the Imperial Concubine in."
Grandpa Gao wiped his sweat and quickly went out to invite someone.
Consort Wen was undoubtedly an extremely beautiful woman. Born into a brothel, she was aloof and ethereal. Her phoenix eyes held a chilling aura, and her gaze sent shivers down people's spines. She favored white, which made her appear even more otherworldly. Every move she made was captivating, much like a mountain spirit, leaving an unforgettable impression.
"Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence," Eunuch Gao said in a low voice.
Consort Wen glanced at him without any surprise, placed her hand on her personal maid's hand, and walked into the Hall of Diligent Governance at a leisurely pace.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Consort Wen bowed gracefully, every movement exuding charm. Only at this moment could one see that she was once a courtesan.
The emperor quickly helped her up, his eyes filled with infatuation: "My beloved concubine has arrived. Why didn't you let someone announce your arrival? It would be bad if you caught a cold while out in the wind."
Consort Wen smiled faintly: "Your Majesty, I am worried that I may be disturbing your important business."
The emperor held her in his arms and coaxed her gently, "How can important matters be more important than my beloved concubine? Did you make this lotus seed soup yourself? I would like to try it."
Consort Wen nodded demurely: "I just don't know if it suits Your Majesty's taste."
The emperor was delighted: "Of course I like what my beloved concubine made."
The emperor lifted her onto the dragon throne, and Consort Wen nestled tenderly in his arms. "Your Majesty, I see your brows are furrowed. Did I cause trouble in court again?"
The emperor reached out and gently pinched her nose, speaking affectionately: "Those ministers are ignorant. The world belongs to me, and I can make whoever I want my empress. I don't know what they're arguing about."
Consort Wen feigned understanding and said, "The Empress has done nothing wrong, and she was personally chosen by the Empress Dowager. If we were to depose her rashly, it would naturally cause dissent among the officials."
Upon hearing her mention the Empress Dowager, the Emperor's face showed a hint of displeasure. Over the years, he had been controlled by the Song family. Having finally brought down the Empress Dowager and the Song family, he naturally did not want to return to a time when he was controlled by others. Now that the world belonged to him, he could not even make the woman he loved his Empress. It was truly infuriating.
"The Empress has been childless for many years. If my beloved concubine becomes pregnant, it will be my first child since I ascended the throne. That will be a precious son!" the Emperor said excitedly.
Upon hearing this, Consort Wen looked sad: "I am a woman from a brothel, and my body is damaged. It will be difficult for me to conceive a royal heir."
The Emperor held Consort Wen's hand tightly and comforted her, "It's alright. I'll have the best gynecologists in the Imperial Hospital take good care of you. You'll definitely be able to conceive our child."
Upon hearing this, Consort Wen blushed and threw herself into the Emperor's arms, saying, "I knew Your Majesty was the best to me."
"Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived," Eunuch Gao reported in a flustered manner.
The emperor waved his hand dismissively: "Let her in since she's here. I want to see what she wants."
The Empress was chosen by the Empress Dowager. She and the Emperor had been married for many years, but their relationship had always been strained. When the Empress Dowager was in power, the Empress's life was still relatively comfortable, but now that the Empress Dowager had fallen from power, the Empress's life was getting worse day by day.
The Empress entered and gave Consort Wen a cold glance. Consort Wen pretended to get up to curtsy, but the Emperor put a large hand around her waist and said, "Don't move."
Consort Wen leaned shyly against his chest and said apologetically to the Empress, "Your Majesty, His Majesty forbade me to perform the ceremony, so I will not."
Seeing the emperor's attitude, the empress dared not say anything more, and asked in a stiff tone, "Why does Your Majesty not attend court?"
The Emperor kissed Consort Wen and said casually, "I can go to the palace whenever I want, and I can't go when I don't want to. Don't you know that the harem shouldn't interfere in politics? How dare you question me like this?"
The Empress bit her lip in anger at his words: "Your Majesty, I am your wife, and it is my duty to advise you."
"Wife? You'll soon be a discarded woman." The emperor smiled coldly, hooking Consort Wen's chin as he said, "Wen'er is my wife, you're just a decoration."
Upon hearing this, the Empress's eyes immediately reddened with anger: "Your Majesty, I have been married to you for over ten years. In all these years, I have served the Empress Dowager and managed the six palaces. What wrong have I done to make you want to divorce me?"
The emperor gave her a cold look but did not answer her question.
The empress lowered her head listlessly, bowed dejectedly, and left.
There was no answer, because he disdained to give one.
"Your Highness, this is a secret report from the capital." Ying Jiu respectfully handed over the letter. Chu Chanyin, wearing a fox fur coat, appeared gentle and refined, but after reading the report, his eyes revealed murderous intent.
"The emperor has suspended court and is attempting to depose the empress..." Chu Chanyin placed the secret letter on the candle flame and burned it until it turned to ashes. "It seems he can't wait any longer. This news should also be shared with the Prince of Zhao."
Chu Chanyin still harbored resentment over the last time King Zhao sent people to assassinate him and Zhao Youyi. Rather than striking first, he decided to let King Zhao be the one to take the lead.
Since A-Wan desires this empire, he must naturally present a clean and honest court. The cancerous tumor that is King Zhao must be eliminated sooner or later. In that case, why not use the emperor's hand to rightfully kill King Zhao?
"Yes." Ying Jiu acknowledged the order and withdrew.
The days passed by at a leisurely pace. As the year drew to a close, Zhao Youyi prepared to return to the General's Mansion to wait for Chu Chanyin to bring the two little glutinous rice balls to celebrate the New Year. There was a plum grove in the mansion, which Zhao Youyi had someone transplant. It was winter, and the plums were in full bloom.
Zhao Youyi, wearing a thick fox fur cloak, was building a snowman in the snow. As soon as Chu Chanyin entered the mansion, he saw the girl's figure under the plum blossom tree and couldn't help but smile: "Awan."
Zhao Zhile and Chu Muqing rushed towards Zhao Youyi and, unsurprisingly, knocked her to the ground. The two little dumplings rubbed against Zhao Youyi like little puppies, calling her "Auntie" and "Auntie" repeatedly.
Zhao Youyi patted the hair of the two little glutinous rice balls, then looked up at Chu Chanyin.
Today he wore an exceptionally bright red cloak over a snow-white brocade robe. A few strands of his hair were casually tied up with a jade hairpin, and a few strands fell down his chest, making him even more alluring. His smile was gentle, like a spring breeze, warming people's hearts in this cold winter.
Zhao Youyi quickened her pace and rushed towards him. Chu Chanyin also stepped forward to catch her. After not seeing each other for several months, the longing in their hearts was palpable.
"Brother Huai Cong," Zhao Youyi whispered, her ear pressed against his chest, able to hear his deafening heartbeat even through the thick clothing, "I miss you so much, do you miss me?"
Chu Chanyin's voice was tinged with laughter as he stroked her slightly cool hair, saying, "Even if I don't think about you for a day, I still frown a thousand times."
Zhao Youyi smiled and wriggled out of his arms, tiptoed and kissed the tip of his nose: "Brother Huai Cong, did you mean something else by those words?"
Realizing what had happened, Chu Chan blushed with embarrassment and reached out to pinch her nose: "You little rascal! I just said I missed you, that's all."
"Ahem." Chu Muqing coughed lightly, trying to appear calm, while his gaze darted back and forth between the two of them. "Uncle and Aunt have made up?"
Zhao Zhile glared at Zhao Youyi angrily: "Auntie is so mean, leaving Lele all alone in Virginia!"
Zhao Youyi quickly picked her up and coaxed her, "The border region was quite unsettled a while ago, and your aunt was too busy, so I had your sister Xiaoqing accompany you in Fuzhou. Besides, haven't you been saying you wanted to live with your brother Mumu?"
Zhao Zhile turned her head to the side, still pouting unhappily, "I don't care, I want to sleep with Auntie tonight!"
"Lele, you're a big girl now, you need to learn to sleep by yourself," Zhao Youyi said earnestly.
She and Chu Chanyin were reunited after a short separation, and tonight they should enjoy a sweet and intimate time together. What's the point of bringing her niece along?
Zhao Youyi's gaze fell on Chu Muqing as she answered his question: "Uncle and Aunt didn't quarrel at all, Mumu. How about you sleep with your sister tonight?"
After saying that, she put Zhao Zhile into Chu Muqing's arms. Chu Muqing looked at Zhao Zhile in his arms with a blank expression: "But... men and women should not touch each other!"
Oh, still a bit old-fashioned.
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