Chapter 315 Tonight, shall we go to the palace of the imperial servants?
After several rounds of drinks, Li Yuanzhao was already quite drunk.
She instructed Liu Jinzhang and Su Qingci, who were sitting below her, "My two beloved ministers, please entertain all the officials and envoys from various countries well for me, and make sure they enjoy themselves. I am feeling a little tired, so I will take my leave first."
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone immediately knelt down and respectfully bid farewell to His Majesty, saying in unison, "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty! May Your Majesty be well!"
Pei Huaijin stood up and helped her up. Surrounded by palace servants, they left the still noisy and bustling main hall.
Over the years, although His Majesty has not been particularly close to him, she has truly done what she said at the time—giving him sufficient respect and dignity.
In the imperial harem, new concubines come and go, and old ones rise and fall, but the position of the empress remains as solid as a rock.
Therefore, even though the death of Jue La Yun Dan and Huang Mian's fall from favor caused quite a stir in the inner palace and the court, leading many people to speculate and discuss in secret.
Only Pei Huaijin remained uninvolved, never uttering a word about the matter before His Majesty, nor did he feel sorry for himself because of it.
At this moment, he was supporting the slightly tipsy Li Yuanzhao as they walked along the corridor leading to the palace.
The sounds of music and laughter behind them gradually faded away, leaving only the flickering light of the palace lanterns on the corridor, which stretched their shadows long and overlapped together.
Seeing several steps ahead, Pei Huaijin gently reminded him, "Your Majesty, watch your step."
Li Yuanzhao seemed genuinely drunk, his steps were slightly unsteady, and he only gave a vague "hmm" in response.
After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned her head, and looked at Pei Huaijin with a somewhat unfocused gaze.
"Huaijin," she called out, her voice hoarse from drinking, "Do you also think that I am too cold-blooded and ruthless, and deserve to be alone for the rest of my life?"
The question was abrupt and casual, as if it were just a drunken rambling.
But when Pei Huaijin heard this, he felt a sharp pain in his heart.
He has known His Majesty for so long.
Seeing her transform from a ruthless, decisive, and ambitious princess into a powerful and awe-inspiring emperor who reigns supreme.
He had witnessed her ruthlessness in making decisive decisions, her composure when strategizing, and her imposing presence when in a high position…
But I have never seen her like this before, under the influence of alcohol, letting down all the defenses of an emperor, and uttering such words filled with self-doubt...
He had never seen it before.
General Shen died in battle, and Consort Chen committed suicide...
Despite the passing of His Majesty's close associates, His Majesty continues to attend court daily to discuss state affairs, handle political matters, and deliberate on national policies. Even at the victory banquet just now, he was still able to chat and laugh and reward meritorious officials.
In the imperial court and the inner palace, there were indeed discussions in private, with some feeling that His Majesty was too cold-hearted and ruthless.
Now that His Highness Prince Cheng has been bestowed a marriage alliance with the Xianbei by His Majesty, discussions are bound to arise again.
His Majesty asked this question...
Did those rumors also take root in her heart?
He took a soft breath, his voice still gentle, "Your Majesty, General Shen sacrificed his life for the country. Your Majesty posthumously conferred upon him the title of Prince, bestowing upon him the utmost honors, and even adopted a princess to continue the family line. If Your Majesty were truly cold-blooded, why go to such lengths?"
"As for Consort Chen..." He paused, his tone tinged with regret, "His final choice... though regrettable, was his own decision. His Majesty's permission for him to be buried in his homeland is already more than enough. If His Majesty were truly heartless, he could have left it to the court to decide, or even carried out a public execution. Why go through all this trouble?"
Pei Huaijin's hand, which was supporting her arm, tightened slightly. "Your Majesty is the emperor, who holds the reins of power and the fate of all people. Every decision you make concerns the rise and fall of the nation and the lives of countless people. What Your Majesty needs to weigh is never just personal likes and dislikes or selfish feelings, but the overall situation of the country and the stability of the empire. If you are bound by petty emotions and love, how can you establish a stable rule over the country? How can you expand the territory? How can you win the hearts and minds of all the civil and military officials, envoys from all directions, and even the people of the world?"
"Moreover, Your Majesty, you are not truly alone." His gaze was gentle yet firm, looking directly into her eyes. "You have loyal civil and military officials, and the common people throughout your vast empire, who rely on your decisions and enjoy the peace you bring. You also have... the women of your harem, who, whether favored or not, depend on your grace for survival. And I, as your Empress, will always be here, standing behind you."
The night breeze seemed to have subsided a bit.
Li Yuanzhao didn't speak, but completely let go of all his strength and leaned heavily on Pei Huaijin's shoulder.
His breath carried the warm scent of alcohol, which wafted onto the side of his neck.
After a long time, long enough that Pei Huaijin thought she had fallen into a half-asleep state from drunkenness, she suddenly stirred.
Without looking up, she reached out and gently placed her hand on the one that Pei Huaijin was using to support her arm. "Huaijin, you truly are... the Empress I personally chose."
These words were spoken very softly, yet they were like a warm current that unexpectedly surged into Pei Huaijin's heart, making his eyes slightly sore.
He forced himself to remain calm, but his voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly: "To receive Your Majesty's words, I have no regrets in this life."
As soon as she finished speaking, Li Yuanzhao, who was leaning on his shoulder, raised his head slightly and looked at her.
Perhaps it's because the beauty is seen under the moonlight that it appears even more breathtaking than usual.
Her gaze fell on his slightly pursed, beautifully shaped lips, and a thought struck her. She leaned forward slightly and kissed him directly with her wine-scented lips.
Pei Huaijin's heart skipped a beat, his body stiffened slightly, and his mind went blank.
Just as their breaths mingled and their lips touched, a cool and calm voice, which seemed particularly abrupt at that moment, came from not far away.
"His Majesty."
The two turned their heads and saw a person standing silently in the shadows at the end of the corridor.
He wore a simple, moon-white robe, loosely draped with a matching cloak. His figure was slender and tall, like a celestial being descended to the moon.
It was Wang Yanzhi.
He stood there quietly, his face hidden in the interplay of light and shadow, his expression not quite clear.
Only those eyes, still clear in the night, gazed at them quietly.
I don't know how long I've been standing here, or how much I've seen.
Since Jue La Yundan committed suicide, Li Yuanzhao has not held a grudge against him, but he has never taken the initiative to summon him again.
Unexpectedly, he was so bold today that he dared to directly stop the emperor's carriage.
When the almost-kissing moment was witnessed, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Pei Huaijin's face.
He quickly released Li Yuanzhao's hand, took a small step back, and asked evasively, "Minister Wang? What are you... doing here?"
Wang Yanzhi then slowly emerged from the shadows, approached them, and respectfully bowed to the two of them.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty and the Empress."
His voice was clear and melodious, neither humble nor arrogant.
He straightened up, his gaze first falling on Li Yuanzhao, who was clearly drunk, then quickly sweeping over Pei Huaijin beside him, before continuing, "Your Majesty has been feasting for a long time and has drunk quite a bit of wine. I am afraid that Your Majesty will have a headache tomorrow, so I have specially instructed the kitchen to prepare a hangover soup."
He then looked up at Li Yuanzhao and asked softly, "Tonight... would you like to go to my palace for some hangover soup?"
Pei Huaijin was slightly taken aback, his heart filled with mixed feelings.
This question is direct, even a bit bold.
She dared to invite His Majesty to her palace right in front of the Empress.
He subconsciously looked at Li Yuanzhao.
The warmth and excitement he felt from His Majesty's affirmation made him secretly hope that the Emperor could visit his palace tonight.
However, as the empress, she could not compete with the concubines for favor, lest she lose face.
Li Yuanzhao seemed to be quite drunk, his eyes darting between the two men, seemingly unaware of the undercurrents of competition and rivalry swirling in the air.
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