Chapter 82 Ending
His Majesty is a stabilizing force in the court. When the ministers heard that he had regained consciousness, they all stopped thinking.
Chan Zhen moved all the memorials that had accumulated over the past few days to the Zichen Hall, set up a desk in front of the bed, and read them to him.
When she read that a minister had proposed to appoint Prince Jin as regent and let him supervise the country, she stopped and looked at the man hesitantly.
"Who wrote this?" Chen Dingyao's expression showed no sign of abnormality.
Chan Zhen knew he was about to take advantage of this opportunity to lash out, so he calmly pushed the memorial back to the bottom of the list. "Zhao'er is still young, and there are more people in the court who can shoulder the important responsibility of regent than just His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin."
"Don't I still have a queen?" Chen Dingyao glanced sideways at her. "If anything were to happen to me, Song Ge could assist Zhao'er in ascending the throne. Then you would be the legitimate empress dowager, and it wouldn't be impossible for her to rule from behind the scenes."
"It's tiring enough for me just managing the harem, I can't do something like ruling the country from behind the curtain." Chan Zhen had never learned any political tactics before. She only learned some of them after entering the palace and being influenced by him. If she were to rule the country from behind the curtain, wouldn't it be harmful to the country and the people?
"It's okay, I'll teach you." Chen Dingyao asked her to pick up the pen and told her to review the memorials on his behalf by oral instructions.
Chanzhen hesitated before she started writing. Her handwriting was very different from that of His Majesty, and it would definitely be noticed. Then she would probably be criticized by the ministers for being presumptuous.
Chen Dingyao noticed her hesitation and said, "Zhenzhen, when you have enough power, even if you do something wrong, people will just smile and compliment you."
After the assassination attempt, Chen Dingyao's thoughts changed a lot. He was twenty years older than Chan Zhen, and he would always die before her. He could protect her while he was alive, and he would always leave enough protection for Chan Zhen after his death.
And there is nothing in this world more secure than power.
"But I don't like it." Zen Zhen shook his head. "I don't like using power to coerce someone."
She herself had been coerced by someone using power, so she naturally knew what it felt like.
Chen Dingyao didn't get discouraged when she refused. Chan Zhen was such a kind and gentle person. He loved her gentleness and wouldn't force her to change herself. So, he could only find another way.
"It's just that you're reviewing memorials on my behalf. My injuries haven't healed yet, so even if I wanted to, I'd be powerless." Chen Dingyao advised her gently, "Zhenzhen, are you unwilling to help your husband with even this little thing?"
Zen Zhen raised his eyes and glanced at him: "I haven't forgiven you yet, why are you calling yourself your husband?"
"Really?" Chen Dingyao smiled. "I thought that since Zen Zhen was willing to be close to me, he had forgiven me."
"Your Majesty has done so many wrong things in the past, how can you forgive them all so easily?" Chan Zhen snorted, and no longer insisted on reviewing the memorial on his behalf. He picked up the pen and wrote carefully on the memorial stroke by stroke as he was told.
"Zhenzhen has such a cruel heart," Chen Dingyao pretended to cough weakly. Seeing her pen pausing, she chuckled softly, "I'm already so badly injured, and yet Chanzhen still refuses to forgive me."
Zen Zhen knew that he was deliberately using a torture trick on her, but the scars on his body were seen by her own eyes and could not be faked, so even though she knew it, she still couldn't avoid falling into the trap.
"I've already told you, wait until Your Majesty is able to get out of bed and walk around."
Chen Dingyao went straight up: "I think I can get out of bed now."
The night is long and dreams are many. Who knows if Zen Zhen will change his mind again in a few days? He has to take advantage of this moment when Zen Zhen is soft-hearted towards him to get more benefits.
Zen Zhen was at a loss for words: "How come Your Majesty is even more difficult to deal with than Zhao'er?"
Zen Zhen was a little annoyed by the noise, so he slammed his pen on the table and threatened him, "If you continue like this, I won't help you write anymore."
Chen Dingyao was happy to see her so lively and energetic in front of him, which was much better than her previous cold attitude. However, since they had just reconciled, he didn't dare to tease her too much and restrained himself a little.
"I know I was wrong, please forgive me, Chan Zhen." After saying that, he returned to his serious state.
After Chan Zhen read the memorial to him, he was able to quickly come up with a solution after just a little thought, and then Chan Zhen would transcribe it into the memorial. For some parts that Chan Zhen didn't quite understand, he would stop and analyze them carefully for Chan Zhen. After a few days, Chan Zhen gained a lot.
Naturally, the ministers were somewhat dissatisfied after receiving the memorial reviewed by Chan Zhen. However, before they could write a letter to remonstrate, words came from the Purple Palace, in which His Majesty praised the Empress for her virtue and wisdom, and for her willingness to personally attend to the emperor's illness and share his worries.
Everyone knows what kind of person the current emperor is. Now that he has said this, the matter is final and there is no chance of maneuver. If anyone brings this up again, it would be a blatant disobedience to the emperor, and the consequences can be imagined.
This wasn't just a disaster for the Empress; it was a disaster for His Majesty. The ministers couldn't help but sigh inwardly and put away their prepared memorials.
As autumn deepened, and the imperial city was covered with golden maple leaves, Chen Dingyao was finally able to get out of bed.
Zen Zhen watched his movements with concern: "Is your Majesty really alright?"
He only felt some pain in his chest when he stood up, but this little pain was better than nothing for him. He slowly walked in front of Chan Zhen, and under her nervous gaze, he stretched out his left hand and held her in his arms.
"I'd rather hold you like this." He liked the posture of holding her whole body in his arms. When he lowered his head, he could see her eyes, which made him feel fulfilled.
Zen Zhen hadn't felt his embrace like this for a long time. She stretched out her hand hesitantly, but finally hugged him back firmly.
His right hand was temporarily unable to move, and Chen Dingyao felt a little regretful that he could not hold her and touch her face at the same time.
"Zhen Zhen, do you still remember what you said before? You'll have something to say to me once I'm able to get out of bed and walk around."
Zenzhen raised his head in his arms and saw his expectant eyes with a hint of uneasiness.
"Your Majesty, what do you want to hear from me?" Chan Zhen thought of the bad things he had done in his previous life, but he didn't want to get his wish so easily.
Chen Dingyao placed his palm on her waist: "There are many things I want to hear, and Chanzhen is willing to satisfy them all."
"Your Majesty, that's a nice thought." Zen Zhen glanced at him calmly. "Please think carefully. I'm only willing to promise you one thing."
"Hmm..." Chen Dingyao thought for a moment and smiled at her, "Then just say you love me."
In his past and present lives, all he wanted was just this one sentence.
Zen was expecting this, and her cheek felt slightly hot against his chest.
"Your Majesty, lower yourself a little." She asked him to turn his head, stood on tiptoe as hard as she could, and spoke in his ear in an almost inaudible voice.
"I love you."
He had said this to her countless times in his two lifetimes, but this was the first time she responded to him.
Zen really thought that she should cherish this hard-earned life. He had changed and loved him the way she liked, so she should face her feelings squarely.
The past cannot be retrieved, and she should let it go and live the rest of her life according to her heart.
She, he, and their Yuan Zhao will surely have a happy life in this life.
"Having heard Zen's words, I will die without regrets." Chen Dingyao finally felt that his pursuit of two lives had borne fruit. He had fallen in love with her at first sight, and even after two reincarnations, he had no regrets.
Zen Zhen put his hand over his mouth and said, "Don't say the word 'die' again. What will Zhao Er and I do if you die?"
"Yes." Chen Dingyao took her hand and kissed it. "I will try to live longer and protect you more."
"Your Majesty, please don't forget the promise you made to me that you would live with me forever." Zenzhen knew that he would eventually die before her, but she hoped that day would come later. "I don't want to be sad for Your Majesty anymore."
"Then I will try to leave after Chanzhen. I will always protect you and bear all the sadness and pain." How could he be willing to leave before her? Seeing her sad and upset for him, his soul would be floating in the air without peace.
"Then I have an agreement with Your Majesty." Zen Zhen buried his head in his arms and said happily.
…
Since Chen Dingyao was able to get out of bed and walk, he began to personally manage state affairs. Although he knew the real culprit behind the assassination, he did not make it public, so everyone thought that the hidden arrow was also done by Prince Yu.
On the second day after taking office, Chen Dingyao summoned Yun Yi.
When Yun Yi saw the smug look on his face, he knew that Chan Zhen had talked it out with him and reconciled with him. He felt bitter in his heart, but he still managed to hold himself together and hugged him.
"Congratulations, Father, for getting what you wished for. I, your son, accept the loss."
Chen Dingyao knew that Yun Yi was talking about the bet they made in the hunting ground. Chan Zhen finally chose him firmly. In their previous life, both father and son suffered losses, but in this life, he was the winner.
"I underestimated you. That arrow almost took my life." Chen Dingyao's tone was light, without much anger in his voice.
"After all, I was just one step short of success." Yun Yi thought of Ri Chanzhen's tearful look that day, and suddenly felt fortunate that he hadn't been able to actually kill him. "Is your Majesty going to settle the score with me later?"
Chen Dingyao said calmly, "Do you admit or deny the charges of regicide and patricide?"
"I plead guilty. I will leave everything to your father." Yun Yi had already considered the consequences. "However, my mother is completely unaware of this matter. I beg you to forgive her."
He couldn't be a good husband to Zen Zhen, nor could he be the crown prince in his father's heart, but at least he had to be a good son to his mother and protect her for the rest of her life.
"I promise you I won't touch Concubine Shu." Chen Dingyao looked at him with a complicated expression, "I won't touch you either."
Yun Yi looked up in surprise. The emperor he knew was not a kind-hearted person. He even ruthlessly eliminated Prince Yu as an obstacle on Yuan Zhao's path to succession. Now that he had committed regicide and coveted Chan Zhen, how could his father let him off easily?
"After I am gone for a hundred years, I will trust you to protect her." Chen Dingyao remembered the panic he felt when he was shot by an arrow. Even emperors will experience birth, old age, sickness and death. Although he will try his best to live longer, if something unexpected happens and he dies before Zhao'er grows up, only Yun Yi can protect them and their son.
It would be fine if Chanzhen accepted Yunyi after his death, as long as she could live the rest of her life in peace and happiness.
He had snatched her away from him, and he had no regrets as long as he could get her true love.
Yun Yi understood the hidden meaning in his words and after a long silence, he suddenly smiled and said, "Your Highness, I am indeed no match for you, Father."
Chen Dingyao gave him a cold look and said, "Don't even think about it while I'm still alive."
This was her greatest concession and tolerance.
After saying that, he waved his sleeves and left, walking towards Fengqi Palace. He couldn't wait to see Chanzhen and his mother.
Fengqi Palace was in chaos at this time. Chan Zhen had been living and eating in Zichen Palace to take care of His Majesty, and it was inevitable that he neglected Yuan Zhao who stayed in Fengqi Palace. So after he returned these few days, Yuan Zhao cried and made a fuss out of grievance.
Chan Zhen was unable to coax Zhao Er, and just as he was getting anxious, he suddenly saw him coming and quickly waved, "Your Majesty, come and coax Zhao Er."
The beloved woman was waiting for him in front of him, holding their child in her arms. The sunlight shone brightly on their faces. That was his whole world.
"I'm here."
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