When Renzong returned to the harem, he saw the crown prince was also there. The mother and son did not even welcome him back.
Queen Xie Wanyun had a stern face, while Crown Prince Li Jinbai had an indescribable expression.
Renzong pretended to be surprised and said, "I have left the court, why are you all ignoring me?"
Xie Wanyun had always thought that she was very magnanimous and could accept her husband taking a concubine, but when she heard that he had agreed to this in the court, she felt suffocated.
If she had been like that, she would have divorced her husband directly, even if he was the emperor.
But now, the Xie family’s injustice has not been redressed, and their son Jin Bai is still young. If she is gone, who will shelter him from the wind and rain, and who will keep him safe?
She had long been hampered by these things. She was no longer the uninhibited Xie Wanyun, but a scheming woman in the deep palace who was always worried about gains and losses.
She had spent her entire girlhood in the palace, and had witnessed all sorts of ugly things that went on in the palace competing for favor, which she had always hated. She had never imagined that one day she would become one of them.
When she was young, she didn't understand. Isn't he just a man? What's there to fight about? Now she understands that once a woman marries into the harem, she can no longer live for herself. For the sake of the family's interests and her own children, they have no choice.
Would she have to wait for the emperor's favor like the other concubines? As the empress, she had certain rights of priority, but she didn't want to take possession of things that had been used by others.
However, for the sake of the Xie family and her son, she had to make a compromise.
"Jinbai, did you make our mother angry?" Renzong deliberately frowned and questioned the prince.
Li Jinbai really wanted to hold his forehead and lament. "Father, it was clearly you who pissed Mother off, so why are you blaming me instead?"
Renzong deliberately scolded his son, but he was secretly observing Xie Wanyun out of the corner of his eye.
As expected, Xie Wanyun's face was filled with anger, and he said in a cold voice, "Your Majesty, please don't wrongly accuse Jin Bai. He just came here, and my mother and I haven't had time to say a few words."
"Oh, Jinbai, are you used to living in the Eastern Palace? Is there anything you need?" Renzong followed the Queen's words to show concern for his son.
The East Palace, where the Crown Prince resided, was the former Prince Rui's Palace. Construction had just finished, and before Li Jinbai could officially move in, his father was elevated to the throne, instantly making him, Prince Rui, the Crown Prince. The palace was then simply removed from its name and renamed the East Palace.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I'm used to living here and don't need anything." Li Jinbai was actually quite dissatisfied. The family had just reunited, and they hadn't even spent a few days together before his parents moved into the palace. Although he wasn't forbidden to visit, he was still an adult, and staying in the harem without permission would have drawn accusations from the censors.
He was forced to live alone in the desolate East Palace. He had previously had companions like Qin Junhao and Xie Silong, but given his current status, becoming too close to the courtiers would likely draw criticism. To avoid causing trouble for them, it was best to avoid contact. Therefore, Li Jinbai found the life of the Crown Prince quite dull.
"Father, I heard you've chosen a concubine? The daughter of the regent?"
"You got the news quickly. What do you think?" Renzong smiled very comfortably, deliberately not looking at Xie Wanyun's reaction.
Xie Wanyun was so angry that he clenched his fists.
"I don't think it's good. Han Cheng is a cunning old man, and he is a double-faced person. If your father takes his daughter as his concubine, who knows what he will do in the future." Li Jinbai was really angry. Did his father change his mind so quickly?
"Really? But I think this is a good way to win over the ministers. Besides, Miss Han Ruyi is beautiful, intelligent, and very considerate. If she enters the palace, she will also be a help to me."
Xie Wanyun was furious when she heard this, and she really wanted to walk away, but she held it back. She just snorted and said, "Jin Bai, your father is the emperor. He has his reasons for marrying someone. What do you, a little kid, know?"
"It's rare that the Queen also agrees. I feel very relieved. She is truly a virtuous Queen." Renzong said deliberately.
Xie Wanyun's face was filled with anger. He stood up and said, "I feel a little unwell and want to lie down for a while. Your Majesty, please."
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