But Empress Xiao herself didn't have any children, so why didn't she take the initiative to give up her positions as Empress, Empress Dowager, or even Grand Empress Dowager?
Of course, Shen Yunjiao could only grumble to herself; she couldn't let Xiao Huaijin be caught in the middle.
His current situation is very sensitive. One is his respected grandmother, and the other is the woman he loves deeply. Anyone would feel uncomfortable in this situation.
Upon seeing this, Shen Yunjiao immediately knelt down and said, "Empress Dowager, although I suffer from a chronic illness, I am definitely not a person of bad character. You can rest assured."
Seeing her pale face and her insistence on kneeling, Xiao Huaijin felt a pang of heartache in his eyes.
He knelt down with Shen Yunjiao, saying, "Grandmother, I have long known that Yunjiao has been frail since childhood, but I am willing to forgo any children for her sake. I can choose a suitable heir from the royal family, so please rest assured, Grandmother."
Madam Xiao gently shook her head, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "Jin'er, even if you love him dearly, you can't guarantee he won't be filial in the future if he's not your biological child. I understand this very well!"
Xiao Huaijin was well aware of the implication in Xiao's words.
He looked up at Empress Xiao and said, “Grandmother, blood ties are not the only bond that holds family together. I respect you and love you, and I hope you can understand and respect me.”
Xiao was taken aback upon hearing this.
Yes, there is no blood relation between her and Xiao Huaijin.
Xiao Huaijin has already gone this far, what else can she do?
Looking into the emperor's resolute eyes, Xiao felt a complex and helpless emotion welling up inside her.
Given Jin'er's personality, if he truly loved Shen Yunjiao, he would never give her up for anyone else.
She sighed softly, slowly walked to Xiao Huaijin's side, and gently patted his shoulder.
“Jin’er, since you have made up your mind, your grandmother will not stop you. But you will have to face the criticism and obstacles from the outside world on your own from now on. Your grandmother will no longer help you.”
Xiao Huaijin straightened up and nodded, saying, "Thank you, Grandmother. Please rest assured, no one dares to speak recklessly."
"That's good, I'll be going back now." Before leaving, Madam Xiao glanced indifferently at Shen Yunjiao, who was kneeling on the ground.
She always felt that this woman was not suited to live in the palace and did not deserve Jin'er's affection.
But since Jin'er wanted it, she could only turn a blind eye.
Xiao Shi did not believe that she would not find a woman who could please Xiao Huaijin more than Shen Yunjiao in the future.
Chu Xiyue breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Madam Xiao leave, but then she saw Xiao Huaijin, with a dark face, lift Shen Yunjiao up and run away, which made her jaw drop in shock.
Is my cousin now so open about his relationship with that woman? He should at least pretend to be reserved in front of her.
Chu Xiyue suddenly felt quite uncomfortable being alone in the palace.
"Your Majesty, uh, Xiyue is going to deliver Buddhist scriptures to her maternal grandmother, so I'll take my leave now." Chu Xiyue quickly made up an excuse and left.
Shen Yunjiao's face flushed even more as she was suddenly picked up. She said softly, "Xiao Huaijin, put me down. I'm not that weak yet."
"Jiaojiao, be good." Xiao Huaijin said in a deep voice. He carried Shen Yunjiao and strode out of the side hall, heading directly towards the Feihua Hall.
Looking up from Shen Yunjiao's angle, one can see Xiao Huaijin's smooth jawline.
She paused for a few seconds. In just a few days, Xiao Huaijin's demeanor had become even more refined and mature.
May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace.
At the main gate of the East Palace, a group of palace maids and eunuchs saw Xiao Huaijin walking briskly towards them and hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects, none of them daring to raise their heads.
But they were very curious: who was His Majesty holding in his arms?
His Majesty is known for his insatiable lust for women.
Xiao Huaijin ignored the kneeling people and instead said to Shen Yunjiao, "You've come so early today, have you had breakfast yet?" "Yes, I have."
Before she left, Granny Lin brought her a bowl of congee.
Shen Yunjiao buried her face in Xiao Huaijin's arms, her skin touching the smooth fabric of his brocade robe.
Xiao Huaijin walked in a very flamboyant manner, just like someone in an ancient costume drama.
It made her very embarrassed.
Seeing that the person in his arms seemed a little shy, Xiao Huaijin quickened his pace.
"Nanfeng, convey my decree: I will not attend the morning court session today."
After entering the Feihua Palace, Xiao Huaijin gently placed Shen Yunjiao on the bed.
Just as I was about to turn around and pour her some water, I noticed that the hem of my brocade robe had been tugged.
Xiao Huaijin turned around and saw Shen Yunjiao pursing her lips, looking at him with her wet phoenix eyes. "I'm really fine. Why don't you go to the morning court?"
Xiao Huaijin sat back on the bed, his gaze darkening. "I won't go. I want to stay here with you."
Shen Yunjiao frowned slightly and muttered in dissatisfaction, "Aren't you afraid that if you act like this, the ministers will say that I'm a femme fatale and a seductress who bewitches the emperor?"
Xiao Huaijin chuckled softly. He reached out his pale fingertips and tucked a stray hair behind Shen Yunjiao's eye. "The court officials dare not criticize the emperor. Besides, everyone gets sick sometimes. If anyone asks, I will just say that I am ill."
Xiao Huaijin, on the contrary, felt that in such a climate of fear and uncertainty, those court officials who did not attend court would secretly be pleased.
"Don't worry, if there are any unapproved memorials or official documents, Nanfeng will send them here," Xiao Huaijin reassured him, his eyes gleaming with a subtle light.
Shen Yunjiao cautiously raised her eyes, and their gazes met in the air.
Shen Yunjiao's pale lips have regained some moisture, and the fine hair on her forehead is messy and damp with sweat. The red spots on her face add to her delicate beauty and make her skin look even more fair and translucent. Now, with her clothes in disarray and her long, slender, pink neck exposed, she looks like a pitiful little white rabbit that has been bullied.
But Xiao Huaijin knew that Shen Yunjiao was not someone who would be bullied.
The thought of her being bound hand and foot to a pillar made Xiao Huaijin's face turn extremely cold.
If he hadn't arrived in time...
Seeing that he suddenly pursed his lips and remained silent, with a hint of anger in his dark eyes, Shen Yunjiao asked in a low voice, somewhat bewildered, "What's wrong? Did I just disrespect the nanny beside your grandmother and make you angry?"
Shen Yunjiao's phoenix eyes trembled slightly, but she said in a low but stubborn voice, "But she came to arrest me first, I was just defending myself."
Xiao Huaijin's eyes grew even deeper and colder.
Seeing his imposing aura, Shen Yunjiao suddenly felt as if she didn't dare to breathe.
At the same time, a feeling of inexplicable grievance welled up in my heart.
Why has Xiao Huaijin become so fierce?
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