The Empress Dowager was the biological mother of Zongzheng Shen. Although she was not very close to this son, she cared about her reputation as Empress Dowager and the reputation of the royal family.
Everyone had their own guesses about what was happening before them. No one dared to say anything in front of Zongzheng Shen, but the murmurs below grew louder and louder.
"First it was Consort Li, and now it's this Lady Bai. The Emperor seems to have deep feelings for that Consort Li."
"Shh, keep your voice down. So what if you're deeply in love? That Consort Li was the late emperor's concubine and the emperor's mother. She's already been buried alive with him. You're asking for trouble by mentioning her now."
"This matter has escalated to such a great extent. What is the Emperor thinking? This is a blatant disregard for the late Emperor."
A chorus of voices rose up, nearly making the Empress Dowager faint with anger: "Emperor, what are you doing? You are the supreme ruler of the world, what kind of beauty can't you have? Why do you have to snatch the wife of your subject? Where have you learned your sense of propriety and shame?"
"..." The room fell into a deathly silence, and everyone was momentarily stunned. Everyone knew Bai Li's identity, but not saying it was one thing, and saying it was another.
Jun Jiuxian seemed to snap out of his daze, leaping to his feet like a monkey. His face showed shock and disbelief, and he instinctively called out to Bai Li, "Madam..."
"My dear minister, you have mistaken me for someone else." Zongzheng Shen's face suddenly turned cold, and he shouted sharply, "Jun Jiuxian, what is your intention in staring at my newly acquired Imperial Noble Consort?"
Jun Jiuxian's face showed a struggle. He clenched his fists tightly, and after a long while, his knees suddenly buckled. He took a deep breath and knelt down: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, perhaps I am seeing things. I have mistaken you for someone else."
His tone revealed a hint of despair and pain, which everyone heard clearly, including Zongzheng Shen. However, Zongzheng Shen did not notice the strange and surprised looks from others. Only one thought was swirling in his mind: Jun Jiuxian had admitted defeat.
What Zongzheng Shen resented most was that Bai Li had once been Jun Jiuxian's wife, and he was a step too late in this matter. Although he was confident that he had the means to win Bai Li's heart and forcibly expel Jun Jiuxian's shadow, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable, especially since Bai Li was the reincarnation of Li Fei, the first woman he had ever loved, and the woman he planned to spend his life with. Therefore, he became somewhat irrational.
"Madam Jun? Your Majesty, this, this..." Lu Qingyan knew it was time for her to perform, because Jun Jiuxian winked at her as he fell down. She stood up abruptly, stammering as if she was too excited. When Zongzheng Shen heard Lu Qingyan speak, he slapped her across the face without hesitation.
Zongzheng Shen had already anticipated the consequences of hosting this banquet. It's not surprising that Jun Jiuxian recognized Bai Li; it would be strange if any husband didn't recognize his wife.
However, he is the emperor, and there is a distinction between ruler and subject. Anyone with a modicum of sense would not rush to offend him at this time. As long as he says that Bai Li is not the emperor's wife, then Bai Li is not, and Jun Jiuxian has no choice but to admit it.
This matter could have been easily resolved, but Empress Lu is simply too tactless. She clearly knows I don't want to talk about it anymore, yet she keeps bringing it up. It seems the Lu family is becoming increasingly unmanageable.
As Zongzheng Shen thought this, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.
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