Yuqing Palace.
This wasn't her first time visiting this place, which is somewhat ironic, as it was always related to Wei Huaixu.
She stepped into the inner hall and saw Wei Huaixu, dressed in a black brocade robe with dragon patterns, holding a brush and reviewing memorials.
The handsome young emperor, barely twenty years old, held a high position and wielded great power; how glorious he was!
Qingying stepped forward and gave a deep bow, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
"Get up, no need for formalities." He put down his brush and came over to help her up.
Qingying subtly avoided his touch.
He paused for a moment, then frowned and withdrew his hand.
"Did you come here today because of Wei Dongchen?"
He didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.
Qingying was too lazy to play along with him, and said, "Does His Majesty mean that he wants me to enter the palace as a concubine?"
"Yes, as long as you agree, I will ensure his safe return to the Prince's Palace."
"What about the Empress?"
"The Empress is still the Empress."
Looking at the familiar face in front of her, Qingying felt as if she had never known him before.
She couldn't help but chuckle. "I remember the Emperor kneeling outside the Imperial Palace, vowing to be with his beloved for life. Now that I think about it, it's really a joke."
Hearing her sarcasm, Wei Huaixu was not annoyed at all, and said, "Those are all just expedient measures. The only woman I have ever wanted to marry is you."
"Heh~"
If she were to believe his nonsense now, she would be out of her mind, hopelessly stupid.
"I can agree to let you enter the palace and become my concubine, but I have three conditions."
"you say."
"First, you must ensure that Wei Dongchen returns unharmed and that he is not wronged."
"Can."
He never intended to actually harm Wei Dongchen, which was easy for him.
"Secondly, you must clear the Ye family's name, vindicate my mother, and kick the Pan family out of the house."
"OK."
He happened to be investigating the Ye family's case before, so accomplishing this wouldn't be difficult for him.
"Third, after I enter the palace, I will choose the people around me myself, and no one can interfere at will."
"good."
He would grant her any request that wasn't too unreasonable, as long as she agreed to enter the palace.
Qingying didn't propose any harsh conditions, so she naturally knew he would agree. This was just laying the groundwork for the future.
Since we can't escape it, we might as well create the most favorable conditions for our survival.
"Is there anything else?" Wei Huaixu asked.
Qingying blinked, looking innocent and bewildered, "N-nothing."
"When will you enter the palace?"
She paused for a moment, then pointed to herself, "Can I decide for myself?"
"Okay, just don't keep me waiting too long."
She hesitated, pursed her lips, and couldn't make a decision for a moment.
"I will ensure his safe return to the military camp in the western border tomorrow, and then issue an edict to summon him back to the capital."
Qingying was caught off guard. "You don't need me to enter the palace first?"
"It's alright, you can't escape anyway."
"..."
Indeed, she had been pampered since childhood and would never choose to live a life of wandering just to escape him. Furthermore, she suffered from lung disease and could only afford the expensive tonics and medicines every month if she stayed in the capital. Moreover, deceiving the emperor was a serious crime; if she ran away, the Liu family and the Prince Yu's mansion would suffer, and even those who were on good terms with her, such as Xie Jiaoying, Jin Heng, and Wei Yinqiu, would be implicated.
She wasn't that selfish, nor was she that stupid.
...
The day after Qingying returned to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, rewards from the palace were sent over in a steady stream.
Pan initially thought it was because of Liu Shushu, and was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling as she went to greet her, only to be doused with cold water.
"This servant has been ordered by His Majesty to deliver betrothal gifts to Miss Liu."
"A betrothal gift?" Upon hearing that it was for Liu Qingying, Madam Pan's face turned pale.
After all, she was the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo and the Empress's family. Even though Yu was a little impatient, he still put on a smile and patiently said, "His Majesty wants to bestow the title of Imperial Concubine upon Miss Liu and has specially ordered this old servant to come and present her with a betrothal gift."
"Consort Liu..." Pan thought that Liu Shushu would be deposed after only a few days as empress, and she was relieved to hear this.
But Anxin's relief was short-lived, as she quickly became anxious again. "Wait, what did you say? The Emperor wants to make Liu Qingying a Noble Consort?"
Yu Ze's eyes flashed with annoyance as he looked at her. Why did this person seem unable to understand human language? She was, after all, the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo. Even if she disliked the concubine's daughter, she should at least put on a show of respect. She really didn't know what was important.
Madam Pan gradually realized what was happening and quickly put on a smiling face, saying, "Please wait a moment, sir. I have already instructed the servants to invite Ying'er over."
That's more like it.
Yu sat down, and Mu Jin, who was next to him, immediately stepped forward to serve him tea.
He took a sip and said with a smile, "Congratulations to you, Madam, for raising two outstanding daughters."
"Father-in-law, you flatter me. It's all because they've worked hard." She said this, but her heart was bleeding.
After a while, seeing that Yu Ze didn't speak, she couldn't help but ask again, "Father-in-law, there's something else I don't understand."
"Please speak, Madam."
"According to the regulations of our dynasty, His Majesty does not need to offer betrothal gifts when taking concubines into the harem, does he?"
"Indeed, it's not necessary."
"Then what is Your Majesty doing...?"
Yu looked at her, his smile becoming more enigmatic. "We servants only obey orders and dare not speak ill of His Majesty's actions. If you have any objections, please ask His Majesty."
Madam Pan gasped in fright and quickly waved her hands, "No, no, I was just being nosy."
Before long, Qingying arrived at the front hall and was puzzled to see the room filled with gold, silver and jewels, brocade and silk, and rare and precious medicines. "Eunuch Yu, what are all these?"
Eunuch Yu smiled and said, "These are all betrothal gifts from His Majesty to you."
"A betrothal gift??"
"Please take a look and see what's missing so I can go back and replenish it, then send it over tomorrow."
"No need, no need, this is already more than enough." She quickly glanced around and realized that this was much more than Liu Shushu's previous betrothal gifts.
She swallowed hard and whispered, "Wouldn't this... be against the rules?"
Yu smiled and said, "His Majesty is the rule."
Hmm... The emperor is truly remarkable, so willful.
Qingying had no choice but to accept the betrothal gifts.
Before leaving, Yu whispered in her ear, "The young master has returned to camp safely."
She pursed her lips and said, "Go back and tell His Majesty to choose an auspicious day."
"Okay, sure." Yu Ze immediately grinned from ear to ear.
Meanwhile, Yu happily emerged from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Meanwhile, Liu Shushu smashed everything she could in the palace.
"How could he! How could he do this to me!" Her hands were cut by shards of broken porcelain, and her face was pale with anger. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked terrifying.
"He actually offered Liu Qingying a betrothal gift! Has he forgotten that I am his lawfully wedded Empress?!"
She leaned on the table, panting heavily. It took her a long time to calm down before a cold glint flashed in her eyes. "Someone! Help me change my clothes!"
She wants to see His Majesty!
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