The Empress Dowager gazed silently at Jun Zhe, a storm raging within her.
They were so deeply in love, it made people insanely jealous.
The late emperor treated the late empress in this way. Although he also loved her and favored other concubines, it was different from how he treated the empress. It was a respect due to their noble status and commensurate relationship, unlike how he would tease, pamper, or reward them.
Later, she defeated the late empress and became the most favored concubine in the harem, but the position of empress remained vacant for many years until the emperor inherited the throne. She became the empress dowager, but she was never the empress.
Linghu Lan brought over the porridge, and the Empress Dowager gave her a cold look and let out a sneer.
"Since the young master likes the Empress's matsutake chicken porridge, the Empress shall feed it to the young master. Your porridge is not to my liking."
After she finished speaking, she ignored Linghu Lan and said something to Jun Zhe.
"Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself. I am getting old and only like to quietly drink tea and chat with my loved ones. I can't stand the noise and commotion of young people, so I won't disturb Your Majesty and the Empress's love!"
"Mother!" Jun Zhe's wide eyes were filled with confusion and bewilderment. He knew he had done something wrong again.
Linghu Lan smiled and said, "Your subject respectfully sees off Your Majesty!"
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly and walked towards the door.
As she passed by Linghu Lan, she paused. "I have spent countless days and nights in the palace, witnessing countless rises and falls, unpredictable changes. The Empress is currently riding high and deeply favored by the Emperor. But one must know that prosperity inevitably leads to decline; this is the natural order of life. The Empress should be mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace!"
Is this a threat or a curse? Or both?
Linghu Lan didn't care at all. She had a calm smile on her lips and said calmly, "What the Empress Dowager says is very true. However, I have also heard the saying that after the worst comes the best. I have a clear conscience."
"Hmph! A clear conscience? What a fine conscience!"
The Empress Dowager sneered and went out. Yun Nian glanced at Jun Zhe, who was lying sick in bed, her eyes full of sympathy. She sighed and hurriedly followed him out.
Jun Zhe slumped down, as if all his energy had been depleted.
Linghu Lan ruffled his hair and smiled, "Take good care of yourself and don't overthink things."
Jun Zhe glanced at her, slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, and thought for a moment before saying, "Before I ascended the throne, Mother was not so cold. I still remember when we used to go out for a walk, Mother would personally accompany me to fly kites, which made Father laugh heartily. She would also make snacks for me by hand, and even Father praised her skills as extraordinary. I often visited Mother's palace back then, and thinking back on those days now, they were truly extremely happy."
As Jun Zhe spoke, he suddenly raised his head and looked at Linghu Lan: "Do you know why I'm telling you all this?"
"You want me to never disobey the Empress Dowager and to try my best to comply with her, right?"
"Yes!" Jun Zhe felt somewhat ashamed, as if he had wronged Linghu Lan. His clear eyes lowered, and he reached out to tightly grip the quilt, looking extremely frightened and helpless.
Linghu Lan's heart softened instantly.
She could understand Jun Zhe's helplessness. After all, he was still young and had been raised by the Empress Dowager. It was only natural that he would feel affection for her.
Now, because the Empress Dowager dislikes her, he is caught in the middle, in a dilemma, but he has not learned how to deal with these emotions. His nerves are always on edge, and when he can't hold on any longer, the string breaks.
She reached out and touched Jun Zhe's forehead; his temperature had returned to normal.
She smiled and said, "Alright! I'll do as you say."
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