If they had no emotional foundation, Xie Wenjun could do whatever he wanted, but now that he likes her, he can't be so willful, he can't punish her whenever he wants, and he can't treat her like he treats others.
He tried to coax her for several days with little effect, but someone gave him advice: to give her a surprise on her birthday so that he could coax her and make her birthday happier.
Therefore, Xie Wenjun decided to hold a grand celebration for the Empress's birthday this year.
With the past two years bringing favorable weather and national peace, it is reasonable for Xie Wenjun to hold a grand banquet for the Empress.
…
The next day, Wan Ge discovered that the person beside her had not left. Ever since she had fallen asleep, the other person seemed to have remained holding her hand without moving.
After Wan Ge got up, Xie Wenjun also got up, but he remained seated on the edge of the bed.
Seeing his expression, Wan Ge coldly asked, "Does Your Majesty wish for me to help you change your clothes?"
With a hint of joy in her eyes, Xie Wenjun asked, "Is it alright?"
Wan Ge originally wanted to tell him that he was dreaming, but seeing the starlight in his eyes, she ultimately did not refuse and picked up the clothes that had been prepared.
Wan Ge helped the other person put on their clothes and tie their belt, but at that moment, the other person pulled him into their arms.
Wan Ge didn't hug him back, but just let him be like that.
Only after the other person had been holding on for a long time without letting go did Wan Ge finally speak, saying, "Your Majesty, you should go to court."
Although there is no clock now, we can tell what time it is from the sky. In the current situation, the other party is definitely late for court.
Moreover, she had originally intended to wait until the other party went to court before waking up, but she did not expect that the other party was still there when she woke up today.
Xie Wenjun kissed her forehead: "Then I'll go to court first, and have dinner with you tonight."
Wan Ge still didn't answer him, but Xie Wenjun wasn't disappointed and left her palace directly.
…
That afternoon, while Wan Ge was studying a new piece of music, Xiao Qin stood beside her with a delighted expression: "Your Majesty, I heard that His Majesty is going to hold a birthday banquet for you, and that His Majesty is personally organizing it."
Generally speaking, most banquets are prepared by the Empress, since these are mostly her duties. As for the Empress's own birthday banquet, it is usually prepared by the Ministry of Rites or female officials in the palace.
This time, Xie Wenjun did not hand it over to the Ministry of Rites, but prepared it himself, wanting to help her celebrate her birthday.
Of all the emperors in history, none have ever personally prepared a birthday banquet for their empress. The empress is truly favored.
Wan Ge simply nodded calmly, seemingly without much reaction.
When Xiaoqin spoke, she had already guessed that the other party had prepared this especially for her, probably wanting to give her a surprise and coax her.
Wan Ge felt that half a month would be enough time, but there were still some things that needed to be said, and they could be said together at that time.
"Your Majesty, you don't seem very happy." Although she herself said that she was a Noble Consort, by now almost everyone believed that His Majesty was just too angry when he said that.
The other party still lived in the palace where the empress should live, and His Majesty would come every day as always, and would continue to coax the empress. This... was even more doting than before.
If it were said that His Majesty really intended to demote him to the rank of Imperial Concubine, how many people would believe such a statement?
His Majesty's current demeanor is clearly an apology to the Empress, and the Phoenix Seal will eventually return to Her Majesty's hands.
Wan Ge answered her question: "Isn't she my husband? Isn't it normal for a man to be willing to prepare these things for the person he likes?"
"But he is His Majesty..." How could His Majesty be an ordinary man?
"Isn't His Majesty a man?"
After Wan Ge said that, Xiao Qin immediately knelt on the ground: "This servant wouldn't dare..."
Wan Ge immediately pulled the other person up: "What are you doing? Remember, you are the person I trust the most. You don't have to kneel down like that."
"I understand," Xiaoqin said, standing up again, her eyes filled with gratitude.
Wan Ge had mixed feelings. Even though she had almost been killed, her feelings for the original owner had never changed.
Just then, a voice came from outside the door: "Consort Ruan has arrived."
Wan Ge was somewhat surprised, and Xiao Qin noticed and replied, "I heard that His Majesty allowed the concubines who were under house arrest to come and visit Her Majesty so that he could celebrate Her Majesty's birthday."
"I see." After answering, Wan Ge led the others into her palace.
…
Consort Ruan looked at the radiant person in front of her and recalled the previous rumors. How could this person look like someone who had quarreled with the emperor?
"What brings you here today, Consort Ruan?"
"I haven't seen Her Majesty the Empress for a long time. I've heard some rumors in the palace and I'm a little worried about her, so I came to check on her."
"What rumors?" Wan Ge seemed to have already anticipated what the other party was going to say.
Consort Ruan leaned closer to her and whispered, "They say His Majesty has demoted you to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort."
Wan Ge nodded: "It's not a rumor."
"What?" Consort Ruan was stunned.
"His Majesty did indeed say that I would be demoted to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort, so you should no longer call me Empress."
"How could that be?" Consort Ruan didn't believe it at all.
Look at the newly added red coral in her room, the bracelet made of shimmering pearls, and the rare agate hair ornaments. How does she look like she's been demoted?
Each of these items looks priceless. Who would give someone a whole bunch of things after getting angry and belittling them?
Although she wasn't demoted, she lost her monthly stipend during her confinement. While she didn't rely on that meager stipend to live, the emperor stopped sending her anything after she was confined.
Although the rewards were given as usual before, isn't this difference in treatment quite obvious?
“That’s just how it is.” After Wan Ge finished speaking, the door was suddenly pushed open by someone, and a tall, handsome man stood in the doorway, looking quite unwell.
Consort Ruan could tell that the Emperor was in a bad mood, so she didn't dare to linger. After performing her rites, she made an excuse and left.
Looking at the other person, who seemed so frightened after bowing, and then left without a second thought.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
Xie Wenjun picked the person up and carried them away. Seeing this, the others also got off the bus.
Xiaoqin looked worried and hesitated whether to leave, but Lingyu pulled her away.
…
Wan Ge was thrown onto the bed, and the other person took the opportunity to press down on her. Looking at the person in front of her, Wan Ge did not avoid him at all, and stared directly into his angry eyes.
Xie Wenjun lowered his head and kissed her until she was almost out of breath before letting her go.
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