She loved to live a carefree life, do business, travel, and settle scores. But now she can only spend the rest of her life within these high palace walls.
She couldn't bear to think about it. Especially after seeing the late emperor's concubines today, each of them lifeless, spending the rest of their lives waiting to die within the lonely palace walls. Was she going to have to live like this from now on? Furthermore, since Yan Suizhi had become emperor, he was no longer her husband alone. Sooner or later, he would have to take in more concubines. The thought of this made her feel even worse.
Renzong smiled and stroked his fingers across her face.
"I noticed it at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. You always go to see the Concubine Dowager and the others. Meimei, I know what kind of person you are. Don't worry, I will never imprison you. Do whatever you want. Even if it means continuing to run the Xie Family Business, that's fine. But you can't show up in public anymore. Just give me some face, okay?"
Xie Wanyun couldn't help but laugh. "Your Majesty, you must be joking. How can a queen do business? I won't embarrass Your Majesty."
Renzong put his arms around her slender waist and their foreheads touched.
"I also promise you that you will be my only queen in this life, and I will never take any more concubines."
Xie Wanyun placed her hand on his chest, as if trying to push him away, but she didn't use any strength at all.
He just said angrily: "Your Majesty, it's easy to say, but I'm afraid it's beyond Your Majesty's control."
"Why not? I'm the Son of Heaven. Who dares to disobey? Meimei, don't worry. I have you and Jinbai, and that's enough." Renzong put his arm around her shoulders and said with a smile, "I didn't take a nap this afternoon, and I drank at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. I'm really tired now. Queen, come and rest with me."
Xie Wanyun struggled but failed to break free, but just let him do it.
The curtains are drawn and the red candles are burning brightly.
Empress Xie's gentle voice rang out. "Didn't the Emperor just say he was tired? Why is he here again?"
Renzong's voice was hoarse. "I was tired, but as soon as I met Meimei, I felt refreshed."
“Hmm…”
A low and ambiguous voice sounded in the bedroom.
The eunuchs and palace maids blushed, their faces flushed, their eyes looking at their noses, their noses looking at their hearts, and they stood outside the palace with their heads bowed.
The story of the emperor and empress's love had long since spread from the court to the people, and all the women in the world envied her. Empress Xie divorced her husband and remarried a high-ranking official in the court, thinking that she had reached the pinnacle of her love. Who knew that this high-ranking official would become the emperor in the blink of an eye?
The emperor refused to take another concubine for her, and the queen favored him exclusively in the imperial concubine's room.
Throughout history, has any woman's fortune ever matched that of Empress Xie? Envious of her, some even keep her portrait in their homes, burning incense morning and night to pray for her blessings.
Xie Wanyun also heard it, but just smiled.
However, there were always people who worried about the emperor's concubines. On this day, the Regent Han Cheng wrote a letter to the emperor, asking him to consider the interests of the country and select women with both virtue and talent to enrich the harem and continue his family line.
Renzong said, "I have already given a clear answer to this matter. There is no need to discuss it further."
Han Cheng said unwillingly, "Your Majesty, your family affairs are state affairs. Enriching the harem is not for your majesty alone, but for the country. Please think twice."
Renzong had been constantly being advised to take a concubine, and he was getting impatient. He asked coldly, "Then do you have a suitable candidate for the regent?"
Han Cheng worked so hard for so long and finally got the emperor's response. He was overjoyed.
He quickly said, "Royal concubines are naturally extraordinary. The most important thing is to select noble ladies from prestigious families who are virtuous, talented, and beautiful, so that they can be a good match for the Emperor."
Some ministers laughed out loud.
Han Cheng immediately glared at him.
But no one is afraid of him. When the late emperor was alive, he relied on his merits and favor to look down on everyone, and no one dared to offend him. But the current emperor treated him with indifference. It is human nature to kick someone when he is down, and it is human nature to push down the wall when it is down, not to mention that he is not popular.
One minister's words were filled with sarcasm. "Since the Emperor ascended the throne, the court has issued countless decrees and carried out countless matters, both large and small, yet the Prince Regent has shown no enthusiasm. Instead, he's so preoccupied with the Emperor's consorting. Could it be that the Prince Regent has some unspoken motive?"
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