Upon hearing Bai Lingxi's question, Zhou Jin lowered his eyes, not letting Bai Lingxi, or anyone else in the hall, see his eyes instantly redden.
Zhou Jin felt a stinging sensation in his nose and a bitter taste in his mouth, but he tried his best to calm himself down. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Your Majesty, you may not remember, but when I first entered the palace, I made a mistake and was almost beaten to death by the head eunuch. It was because of your kindness that you spoke up for me, which saved my life."
Li Lin listened and knew that it might have happened during the reign of the late emperor, because since Zhou Changling entered the palace, Bai Lingxi had hardly left Ganling Palace and could not possibly save any eunuchs.
Fearing that the young eunuch might say too much and arouse Bai Lingxi's curiosity and desire to explore the past, Li Lin decided to send him away. Besides, Zhou Changling was about to leave court, and if he saw these two, he would inevitably feel angry.
Before Bai Lingxi could speak again, Li Lin interrupted, "Your Majesty, you've just gotten up. The small kitchen is keeping breakfast warm, and the imperial kitchen has also prepared the dishes early. Would you like to have your meal served?"
Li Lin's words indeed attracted Bai Lingxi's attention and interrupted what Bai Lingxi was about to say. Her big, bright eyes blinked, full of expectation, making her look like a greedy cat, which made Zhou Jin's heart flutter.
Bai Lingxi's voice was much cheerfuler than before: "Serve the meal."
Zhou Jin secretly watched Bai Lingxi's gluttonous appearance and found it amusing. At the same time, the pain and depression that had been lingering in her heart were relieved quite a bit. She knew that Bai Lingxi had never suffered, and her personality was still so natural and lively.
Zhou Jin had so much to say to Bai Lingxi: how was she? Was she healthy? How was the little prince? Did she know she had a soul-separation disorder? Her husband was still alive! But all her words boiled down to one sentence: "This servant wishes Your Majesty good health and a long and peaceful life."
Bai Lingxi nodded and dismissed them. Breakfast was the most important thing. Although she felt a strange sense of closeness to the little eunuch, she was still starving, and her tummy was about to burst.
Unbeknownst to Bai Lingxi, the speed at which her body's protective barrier was repairing itself greatly accelerated because it sensed Zhou Jin's approach, resulting in a much rosier complexion than before.
The palace maids were serving Bai Lingxi her breakfast, and she was enjoying it immensely when Li Lin's voice rang out from outside: "The Emperor has arrived!"
At this time, Zhou Jin and the others had already returned to the servants' quarters at Luanxi Pavilion, thus avoiding running into Zhou Changling.
Zhou Changling was in a hurry. He had been restless since the morning court session, always worried that something might go wrong. So he rushed back as soon as he saw that there was nothing important. Only when he saw the living Bai Lingxi did his heart finally settle down.
Upon seeing her husband, Bai Lingxi reluctantly put down her bowl and chopsticks. She wanted to go to him, but Zhou Changling was startled and quickly took three steps at a time to stop Bai Lingxi from getting up.
A palace maid observantly brought Zhou Changling a stool. After Zhou Changling sat down, she asked, "Xi'er, how are you feeling?"
Bai Lingxi frowned, which startled Zhou Changling, who feared she might be unwell. However, her next words reassured him: "I'm alright. I was just a little weak this morning, but I feel much better now."
After Bai Lingxi finished speaking, she continued eating her breakfast without a care in the world. Zhou Changling looked at the energetic Bai Lingxi and suddenly felt a strange, indescribable feeling welling up inside him, as if something was quietly changing.
Bai Lingxi used it sweetly, which gradually eased Zhou Changling's worries. This was good, this was good. He really didn't want to experience the pain of losing Bai Lingxi again.
Besides, recalling the imperial edict appointing her as empress, Zhou Changling had already announced the decree in court and instructed the Ministry of Rites to handle the matter. As for whether the Bai family would have any doubts or dare to question it, these were not Zhou Changling's concerns.
After Bai Lingxi finished her breakfast, Zhou Changling told her about it.
Bai Lingxi suddenly opened her eyes wide in disbelief, because during the days after her amnesia, Bai Lingxi had gradually regained her common sense and knew that Zhou Changling was the emperor of the entire dynasty and possessed supreme power.
Zhou Changling could even have many concubines, with three palaces and six courtyards, and beautiful women to choose from. She even had a fight with him about this.
Upon hearing this news, Bai Lingxi felt a strange pressure. At the same time, it was impossible for her not to be happy, but while she felt joy, she also felt a faint sadness for some reason.
Zhou Changling ordered the servants to remove the food and pulled Bai Lingxi into his arms: "I've wanted to do this for a long time, but you were carrying our prince at the time, and your body was heavy, so it wasn't convenient."
"Now that I have the opportunity, of course I want you to be my queen."
"Xi'er, I can't wait any longer. My empress can only be you!"
Bai Lingxi understood the deep affection and persistence in Zhou Changling's eyes, and felt a warm feeling in her heart, as if a warm current was flowing through her heart. She nodded gently, which was considered as accepting the decree.
——————
On the way to Luanxi Pavilion, Zhou Jin followed behind Li Mu and overheard two palace maids talking in a corner. Being quite perceptive, he slowed down and deliberately listened in.
"Hey, hey, hey, have you heard? The Emperor is going to appoint an Empress!"
"Oh, where did you get this news from?"
"Don't worry about it, just watch."
"Which family's daughter will His Majesty bestow this title upon? What an immense blessing! It's the position of Empress, the most honorable woman in the land!"
The young palace maid's voice was somewhat excited, indicating that she had only recently entered the palace. Her voice and tone were still very lively; after all, how could someone who had been in the palace for a long time maintain such a simple nature?
Of course, besides Bai Lingxi, the woman most favored by two emperors could naturally protect her from ever remaining innocent.
Zhou Jin frowned deeply, then relaxed his brows as if he had thought of something. In any case, it was a good thing for Zhou Changling to make another woman his empress.
Zhou Jin knew that Bai Lingxi was a very proud person, and if she sensed that he was not devoted to her, she would withdraw her love for him.
He knew that Bai Lingxi stayed by his side for the sake of the Bai family, but fortunately, his sincere efforts were not in vain, and Bai Lingxi truly opened her heart to him.
Now that Zhou Changling is about to be crowned empress, Zhou Jin subconsciously ignores the possibility that Bai Lingxi will also be crowned empress. After all, Bai Lingxi is nominally a concubine, and being crowned empress would mean making her identity public.
Secondly, Zhou Changling and the Bai family have a blood feud. His mother's death was indeed inextricably linked to the Bai family. How could he set aside his hatred and accept them as the emperor's father-in-law?
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