"No, I swear it's not true. Xi'er, don't be sad about these things. I will never wrong you."
The Crown Prince would not miss any opportunity to show his loyalty; he was unwilling to let a misunderstanding with the Crown Princess occur, allowing others to take advantage of the situation!
Didn't it all say that in the storybooks I've read before?
When the protagonist has a misunderstanding, a vicious woman will interfere and wantonly harm his crown princess!
"You're still pregnant, don't think about these stressful and upsetting things."
"Don't worry, I won't take any concubines, and Father Emperor certainly won't agree either. What if I accidentally upset you and disturb your pregnancy?"
The crown prince took the opportunity to sow discord among his father, implying that he refused to take any concubines.
However, these words did indeed remind Sheng Jin.
Sheng Jin's initial excitement vanished, and she began to ponder.
He originally thought the Empress's suggestion was good; Chonghua Palace could indeed add a few new people, preferably those who would be favored by the Crown Prince, leaving him no time to care for Xi'er.
With her heart broken and disillusioned, it's hard to guarantee that the Crown Princess won't turn around and throw herself into his arms.
That would be the perfect opportunity for me to take advantage of the situation!
but……
He almost forgot about the woman's jealousy.
If a woman of ill character were to enter, causing chaos in Chonghua Palace, or engaging in scheming and plotting, it could directly lead to the Crown Princess's miscarriage—
That's definitely not advisable!
If such a thing really happened, Sheng Jin would be guilty even if he were to die a thousand deaths.
"Indeed, Crown Princess, please rest assured and focus on your pregnancy. Everything is for the sake of the little prince in your womb."
And the Crown Prince, he should not go out during this period, lest he become involved with other women.
Sheng Jin's words delighted the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, but plunged the Empress into despair.
The empress looked at the high and mighty emperor beside her with a surprised expression, as if she were seeing him for the first time.
Is this still the same ruthless emperor I used to know, the one who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals?
When has he ever considered other people's feelings...?
The queen was unwilling to give up, and her neatly trimmed fingernails dug deep into her flesh. Only after feeling the pain did she let go.
She doesn't even want to admit it now, but the Emperor's love for the Crown Princess has long surpassed his love for power, and he can't even bear to see her sad.
No, she won't give up like this.
Having made up her mind to annoy the Crown Princess, the Empress smiled faintly, exuding an air of elegance and nobility, and then continued.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Princess is pregnant and her health is quite precious, but the Crown Prince should not be neglected. Even if he does not take any concubines, he should at least select a few palace maids to serve as his concubines."
"Mother, I have been feeling powerless lately, and I am afraid that even if I arrange for concubines, I will not be able to favor these women."
Therefore, we will not take any more people in. This is a good time for me to rest and recuperate, so as not to harm my health.
The Crown Prince hurriedly replied to the Empress, his tone intimate, as if the previous estrangement had never existed.
But his refusal, word by word, even going so far as to use his own body as an excuse, showed absolutely no respect for the Empress.
The Empress was furious. She had long known that the Crown Prince was a good-for-nothing who never truly cared for her, but she never expected him to actually refuse her like this.
They're all just trying to excuse the Crown Princess. What do you mean she's not in good health? How could someone who's not in good health get pregnant in just one month?
The list of those who had been summoned to the emperor's bedchamber by the Imperial Household Department showed that the Crown Prince had spent ten out of ten nights in the Crown Princess's palace and had asked for water every time. How could this be considered a sign of poor health?
Thinking of this, the Empress's gaze toward the Crown Prince grew even colder.
However, the crown prince was not afraid. Instead, he smiled and looked back at him, as if he were still the same filial and sensible son he once was.
!
When the Empress met the Crown Prince's gaze, she became even angrier and couldn't even manage a smile.
Sheng Jin took in their subtle expressions and glances, her jade beaded string spinning faster as if she were weighing something.
In reality, he was secretly observing the Crown Princess's reaction to see if she would agree.
The Empress knew that the Crown Prince was not an option, so she took a deep breath, changed her target, and began to put pressure on the Crown Princess.
"Your Highness, as the eldest daughter of the Liu family, and with your father having served as the Vice Minister of Rites, you must be extremely well-versed in etiquette."
"Now that I intend to arrange for the Crown Prince to take in several concubines, you, as the Crown Princess, should know what to do."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Jin tightened her grip, causing the jade beads to stop spinning, as if they were waiting for something.
After a long while, when the Crown Princess's voice came, his fingers began to twirl the beads again.
"Replying to Your Majesty, I have been familiar with the rules and teachings for women since I was a child, and I have always followed the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, never daring to overstep the bounds."
"The Three Obediences and Four Virtues, one of the Three Obediences is obedience to one's husband after marriage. Therefore, I, your son, will naturally prioritize the Crown Prince's wishes in all matters. I will obey Your Highness."
Liu Lingxi knelt upright on the ground, her waist never slumping, just like a proud peacock.
The crown prince was deeply moved, his heart surging with emotion.
He looked at the small figure beside him, his eyes filled with emotion, and he quickly knelt down as well.
"Xi'er..."
Sheng Jin stared intently at that lively little face, which was much better than a cold, lifeless portrait.
His gaze shifted downwards, landing on her knees as she knelt on the ground, and a hint of heartache flashed in his eyes.
"Alright, Your Highness, quickly help the Crown Princess up. This is nothing serious."
Your Majesty, the Crown Princess is currently pregnant and is contributing to the royal family's lineage. She is a great contributor to the royal family. Kneeling back and forth is not good for her pregnancy.
"If the Crown Prince is willing, that's fine. He's not in a hurry, so why should we interfere? We should be enjoying our grandchildren."
When the emperor speaks, no one dares to disobey.
Even if the Empress was unwilling, she had no choice but to give up this time and could not make a fuss about it again.
"Yes, it was my fault for me being nosy. But I have only a mother's heart, and I hope Your Majesty will not blame me."
The Empress's face remained composed, showing no sign that she was about to tear the handkerchief to shreds inside.
That's right, the Queen was almost driven mad with jealousy at this moment.
He had initially thought the Emperor would tone down his advances, but it was clear—
Instead of restraining himself, the Emperor became even more blatant in his favoritism towards the Crown Princess.
Which wife, when pregnant, wouldn't take a few concubines for her husband to show her magnanimity? At the very least, she would promote a few maids to serve him.
Not to mention the royal family, even the wives of fourth or fifth-rank officials would do this.
In order to compete with the favored concubines for her husband's affection, she would even choose some personal maids with indentures to become her concubines.
When she first married into Chonghua Palace, didn't she also take the initiative to arrange for Sheng Jin, who was then the Crown Prince, to take several concubines?
Why is Liu Lingxi so special, that she doesn't intend to suffer any grievances at all?
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