"If it weren't for this time, I would never have known their ambitions would reach this point. For many years, you and I have always been concerned about the Cui family being your in-laws, which is why we have nurtured a tiger to harm us."
The Grand Empress Dowager held the Emperor's hand and said, "Xuan'er, the Cui family must be eliminated, but we must be cautious and not act hastily. After all, the Cui family is the head of the aristocratic families. Your uncle has been in the court for many years and has countless students..."
The emperor nodded, "Don't worry, Grandmother. I know what to do."
"What do you plan to do with the Queen and your mother?" asked the Empress Dowager.
"My mother is old, so she will be sent to a separate courtyard outside the palace to spend her remaining years. As for the Empress... I will also spare her life and demote her to a commoner."
The Grand Empress Dowager sighed, "I have no objection to your mother's treatment, but the Queen... I know you don't like her, and you two have no feelings for each other, but she... she was the person your brother cared about most when he was alive... You can imprison her, but still give her the dignity of a Queen and let her stay in this position..."
The Empress Dowager thought of another grandson who died young. On his deathbed, he held her hand and begged her to help him take care of the queen.
This is also the reason why the Empress Dowager has been endlessly tolerant of the Queen over the years.
She was not unaware of the Queen's paranoia and viciousness.
Since Ye'er's death, she was forced by the Cui family to marry the emperor, and her temperament has changed over the years.
But if Ye'er hadn't died... she wouldn't have become like this. They used to be a loving couple.
"The Queen is helping the Cui family to kill me. Grandmother, do you want me to forgive her?"
The emperor didn't want to endure it any longer.
"Over the years, for my brother's sake, I have always respected her greatly... I am not unaware of some of the things she has done in the harem. I was willing to tolerate them in the past, but now I am no longer willing to tolerate them."
He wants to reserve the position of queen for the woman he likes.
When the Empress Dowager saw that he had made up his mind, she knew that the Empress's dethronement was a foregone conclusion.
"You could tolerate her for Ye'er's sake before, but why do you insist on destroying her now... You already have a girl you like?"
The Empress Dowager was particularly perceptive, and the Emperor acquiesced.
"Which daughter is she?"
"Just a commoner girl."
Xu Lingyi didn't want to reveal her past, and the emperor didn't want to ask too many questions and expose her scars.
"A commoner girl?"
The Empress Dowager twirled her Buddhist beads and remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "As long as the Emperor likes me, I am willing to be your daughter."
For Ye'er's sake, she tolerated the Queen for many years and made the Emperor give in for many years.
It's rare for an emperor to have a woman he likes.
"You've been away from the capital for over a month, and there's a lot of backlog in government affairs. Once you've dealt with them, bring her to see me and ask the Empress Dowager to see her as well."
The emperor raised his lips and relaxed his brows, "Thank you, Grandmother. You will definitely like her when you meet her."
"I believe in the emperor's judgment."
For the emperor, she would also love the whole family as well.
Before the emperor left.
The Grand Empress Dowager stopped him and said, "Emperor... please put the matter of adopting a son on the agenda as soon as possible."
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes after saying this.
She raised the emperor herself, and her feelings for him were much deeper than for those grandchildren who went to their fiefdoms early.
She had been praying for his offspring for many years, but if the emperor had no offspring this time, even if the Cui family had ambitions, they would not be able to incite...
"After this incident, the Empress Dowager has accepted her fate. As long as you are safe, I will not ask for anything else."
The emperor felt sorry for her because he knew that the Empress Dowager had been praying to Buddha for many years out of concern for his offspring.
The Empress Dowager's health has been deteriorating in recent years.
He wanted to tell her what Dr. Wu said.
But thinking of Xu Lingyi's worries... the emperor swallowed all the words.
If we give the Empress Dowager hope... not only will Xu Lingyi bear the pressure, but any disappointment in the future... will also be a blow to the Empress Dowager.
"Don't worry, I will soon choose an heir from among the royal family."
He is now thirty-six years old. Although he has been in good health for many years, he believes that he is no less than a young man.
However, whenever the ministers in the court mentioned heirs, they all mentioned that he was too old and needed to be adopted as soon as possible.
Now, with only one in ten hopes, the emperor did not dare to ask for too much. After all, he really did not dare to say that he was young anymore.
If Xu Lingyi had no children, the adopted son would be their child.
…
During the time he was away from the court, there were indeed too many things piled up, and the Cui family was watching closely.
The emperor was busy until midnight every day, sleeping only one or two hours at most before having to attend the morning court again.
"Is the madam all right?"
"Madam doesn't like to go out, and neither does that miracle doctor and his friends. But Madam still goes out every few days."
The emperor's eyes darkened, and he couldn't help but chuckle when he heard such words, "Maybe Doctor Wu is asking her for medical skills."
The emperor knew that Doctor Wu wanted to take in a disciple.
"Don't disturb them, just ensure their safety."
He worked day and night during this period just to finish his work as soon as possible so that he could meet Xu Lingyi.
The Cui family still needs some time.
"Your Majesty, are you going to leave the palace?" Liu Dehai asked hurriedly.
The last time the emperor was in danger when he left the palace, Liu Dehai still has lingering fears.
"Um."
The emperor had been busy for a month and now he finally had some free time.
It was also the first time he realized that a day without seeing someone felt like three years.
He also planned to bring Xu Lingyi into the palace and ask the Empress Dowager to meet her.
"Don't worry, I will bring good people with me."
Liu Dehai was a eunuch who had been with him since he was a child and was loyal to him.
"Aning, where are Madam and Dr. Wu?"
Pushing open the door of the courtyard, the emperor still felt at home even though he had not been here for more than a month.
The time he spent with Xu Lingyi here made him realize the peace and tranquility of life.
If they have free time in the future and get tired of living in the palace, they can come and live here.
The broom in Aning's hand fell to the ground.
"Mr. Li...Mr. Li is here?"
"Well, why are you so alarmed? Where's your wife?"
Aning had known this day would come. She tried to remain calm and said, "Madam and Dr. Wu are out collecting herbs."
"I'll wait for them to come back. Aning, get me a glass of water."
The emperor waited for more than an hour, but as dusk approached, no one returned.
Thinking of the accident that happened last time, the emperor felt a little worried.
"Go look for them."
He called for the guards.
"Master... I haven't seen Madam and the Miraculous Doctor go out today. They haven't been out for a few days."
The emperor noticed something was wrong.
His dark eyes darkened, he narrowed his eyes slightly, a sneer appeared on his thin lips, and his eyes were like a cold blade:
"Aning, where's the lady? Where did they go?"
Aning had never seen the emperor look so sinister and ferocious.
She thought of what Xu Lingyi said.
The lady was worried that she would be punished, so she told her to tell the truth if she was discovered.
"Madam and the others left over a month ago. Aning doesn't know where they went."
————
I still posted it after I finished writing it. There is one more update. I am writing it now. The code is slow. I plan to post it at 8 o'clock. ^O^ Thank you for your support. Please add it to your bookshelf.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
