The other members of the Yan clan never expected that Princess Jinling, who was obedient in Yandu back then, would be so arrogant and domineering now, daring to utter such outrageous words.
All eyes turned to His Majesty standing to the side, and seeing him silently condoning the situation, their faces turned ashen.
Especially the Duke of Yuzhang, who was already in his sixties, was actually lectured like this by a junior.
Chu Changning didn't give him a chance to speak and continued directly.
"You didn't even bow to me. I don't know if you're showing disrespect to the imperial authority or deliberately trying to embarrass His Majesty?"
As she spoke, she glanced around at the other people.
Those kneeling on the ground naturally noticed the gaze. The Duke of Nanjun glanced at His Majesty's expression discreetly and spoke directly.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
Someone started it, and others immediately echoed, all bowing respectfully in unison. The Duke of Yuzhang reluctantly bowed as well.
Before he could launch an attack, Chu Changning continued, "Are you all forcing His Majesty to establish a new empress? Do you think I'm dead?"
"---"
"The selection of concubines should wait until after the ceremony of establishing the empress. If you are so impatient to establish the heir, people who do not know the situation might think that you are eager to support the new emperor."
Arrogant, extremely arrogant.
Which empress throughout history would dare to speak so recklessly about the succession of the previous dynasty? It's utterly absurd, utterly absurd.
The Duke of Yuzhang was so angry that his face turned red, and he almost fainted from choking.
The Yan clan members behind him were furious, but they couldn't utter a single word. Judging from His Majesty's expression, it seemed that they didn't care about Jinling's words at all.
That empress was a wicked empress, utterly a wicked empress who brought ruin to the country and its people.
Chu Changning, having thoroughly vented her anger, didn't care what they were thinking. She turned around and wrapped her arms around Yan Beimo's arm, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Your Majesty, let's go."
Yan Beimo gave her a deep look, but didn't refuse her request and let her go.
Judging from His Majesty's attitude, the Yan clan members understand that even if they cause a huge uproar, His Majesty will not listen.
"Let's go, let's go—she's a demon queen, she's absolutely a demon queen—"
After Chu Changning descended the stone steps, he let go of her hand.
Yan Beimo looked at her profile, which had become indifferent, glanced at her hand, and spoke.
Why aren't you holding me anymore?
Chu Changning was taken aback, then immediately grabbed his arm, "Isn't this to save His Majesty's face? There are so many people here, it's not good to bother His Majesty too much."
"When you were scolding them just now, you didn't even think about saving face for me."
"---"
Chu Changning looked away, teased the son in his arms, and changed the subject.
"Your Majesty, please take Ayu back. I want to practice here a little longer."
"Didn't you ask me to teach you archery?"
He glanced down at her, his expression unreadable.
"Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, so you need not worry about me."
The Yan clan members were all angered and left. What was the point of their act? They were being taught by him and would inevitably be harassed and taken advantage of.
Yan Beimo stopped talking and stared at her.
Chu Changning paused, glanced at her son who was staring at her expectantly, then looked at his eyes and licked her lips.
She cleared her throat, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then tiptoed and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Why don't you hold Ayu and wait for me there, okay?"
Yan Beimo's heart skipped a beat at her sudden kiss, and he felt a little itchy. He reached out to hug her waist.
But the next second, she saw her son in her arms giggling and stretching his little body to kiss his mother.
He immediately let go of her hand and pushed her away, saying, "Go ahead."
Chu Changning wanted to kiss his son, but was pushed away, so he had to give up.
As soon as she left, Qilin came up from behind.
"His Majesty."
Yan Beimo suppressed the restless son in his arms and glanced sideways.
"explain."
"It was the third master of the Wang family who sent a lot of gifts to the Yan clan members. In addition to the Duke of Yuzhang, the Duke of Nanjun, and others, the second and fifth masters, who were far away in Chaodong and Jiangdong, also accepted bribes in private and had very close ties with them."
Upon hearing this, Yan Beimo chuckled, "These old men from the aristocratic families are all quite capable of causing trouble."
"Then should we--"
"No need. Send a message to Yan Rongli by carrier pigeon; he knows what to do."
Qilin bowed and said, "Yes."
"How is the war in the north going?"
"Everything is progressing smoothly, and the Northern Capital has agreed to His Majesty's request."
During the reign of the Great Jin Emperor, he paid close attention to the war in the north and launched several northern expeditions in an attempt to quell the separatist conflicts in the north.
However, he lacked the support of powerful families and was always powerless to achieve his goals.
However, he maintained good relations with the Li family of Longxi, restrained several major aristocratic families in the north, and secretly recovered the northern capital.
He had made an agreement with His Majesty, and after leaving the capital with the Corpse-Fixing Pill, he went directly to the Northern Capital to confront the Western Region barbarians. With His Majesty's help, he quelled the power struggles among aristocratic families and ended many rebellions.
However, the north has been in turmoil for hundreds of years, and the interests involved are too deeply intertwined. If we want to unify the north and end the division, how can the northern states and foreign barbarian enemies give up easily?
"By the way, the Northern Capital has sent the Ice Lotus. The Night Hawk sent a message saying that our people obtained the Fiery Lotus, but were stopped at the royal court by the young master of the Western Regions."
Yan Beimo said coldly, "Where are the things?"
"It was destroyed by Helian Ye himself, but he sent a porcelain bottle, saying it was for the lady to detoxify, and it has already reached the Northwest."
After Qilin finished speaking, he sensed that His Majesty's face was dark and gloomy, so he immediately shut his mouth.
Ayu was also in pain from her father's strong grip, and cried out in pain.
Chu Changning was practicing when he heard his son's painful scream. He quickly jumped off the field and walked towards them.
"What's wrong?"
Yan Bei Mo lowered his gaze, and A Yu was immediately frightened by his eyes and dared not scream. She obediently waved her hand to cover her mouth, looking pitiful like a little girl.
"Ah Yu~"
Chu Changning walked up the corridor and came to their side.
Are you hungry?
Yan Beimo said softly, "Perhaps."
Chu Changning glanced at the sky and thought to himself that it was still early, but he would have to come eventually anyway, so there was no rush.
"Let's go back first."
The royal hunting grounds were not far from the palace, and it was still dawn when they returned.
Xuanming Hall, the emperor's sleeping quarters.
After taking her medicine, Chu Changning glanced at her son, who was lying on the small couch playing, and went over to tease him.
After returning from the imperial study, Yan Beimo went to the back to bathe and wash up.
When he came out, he saw the mother and child sitting on the small couch. He walked over and picked her up from behind.
Chu Changning was startled and before she could react, he was pulled onto his lap.
She nudged him and whispered.
"And there are children too."
Ayu glanced left and right, then crawled over on her little legs, grabbed her father's clothes, and snuggled up to him.
Yan Beimo ignored him, hugged the person in his arms tightly, and lowered his head.
“Two days ago, the Dragon Army went to the Western Regions to find the Fiery Lotus. They found it, but Helian Ye destroyed it. He did this on purpose to prevent you from living.”
Chu Changning was slightly taken aback, lowered his eyelids, and remained silent.
Seeing that she remained unmoved, Yan Beimo caressed the soft flesh of her waist and continued.
"It's alright, Old Liang has prescribed medicine for you, and it will be sent back to Jiankang soon."
Upon hearing this, Chu Changning smiled and leaned in to hug his neck, "Thank you, my husband."
"A verbal thank you?"
She inwardly grimaced, but outwardly smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
Yan Beimo raised an eyebrow, touched her lips, and gestured with his eyes.
Chu Changning glanced warily at her son, who was playing by himself, and gave him a light kiss on the lips.
As if he had been waiting for this moment, the instant he kissed her, he immediately pressed the back of her head, held her body tightly, and kissed her passionately.
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