Chapter 165 With a husband like this, what more could one ask for?
Madam Chu understood what Chu Yunjin meant.
She came all this way for nothing and is destined to leave disappointed.
She was unable to persuade Chu Yunjin to prioritize the bigger picture, nor could she secure the future and marriage that Chu Mingxiu and Chu Yunshan desired. She couldn't help but resent Chu Yunjin's heartlessness.
But now, Chu Yunjin's status is no longer one that she can scold or complain about. Even if she is a mother or an elder, she still has to be respectful.
You can't just complain and then put on a smiling face.
Suppressing her dissatisfaction, Madam Chu stood up and stiffly curtsied to Chu Yunjin: "Your Majesty the Empress is busy with affairs, so this humble woman will take her leave first."
Chu Yunjin ignored her dissatisfaction and ordered the nanny to see her out. After Madam Chu left, she also got up and walked out.
After bringing Ade and Zhaixing to the Empress Dowager's Shou'an Palace, Chu Yunjin waited for the palace servants to announce her arrival before stepping into the palace.
"I heard that Lady Chu entered the palace today?" The Empress Dowager sat on her phoenix couch, leisurely looking at Chu Yunjin. "Is she here for the enthronement ceremony?"
After bowing, Chu Yunjin sat down to the side: "Yes. The Emperor insisted on merging the coronation ceremony and the empress's investiture ceremony, but the civil and military officials did not agree. They tried to dissuade him in the Hall of Diligent Governance but failed. After Father returned home, he asked Mother to go to the palace to persuade me."
"They're all just bored and have nothing better to do," the Empress Dowager scoffed. "If His Majesty can't even make decisions on this small matter, won't he be constantly manipulated by them in the future?"
It is said that the supreme power of the emperor cannot be offended.
The enthronement ceremony was a matter for the emperor alone, a manifestation of his supreme power.
But if the emperor himself willingly gave up this supreme power and wanted to walk alongside someone, what did it have to do with anyone else?
This decision will neither lead to the decline of the country, nor to invasion by enemy countries, nor to discontent among the people—after all, how the emperor's coronation ceremony is conducted has nothing to do with the people.
Why are the ministers worrying so much?
Chu Yunjin turned her head and looked around: "Father is not here?"
"He went to the Imperial Garden to exercise." The Empress Dowager's tone was subtle. "After abdicating, the Emperor Emeritus's health has visibly improved a lot. The imperial physician said that he had been overworked before. Now, as long as he relaxes, doesn't worry too much, doesn't overwork, doesn't have too intense emotional fluctuations, and goes out for exercise occasionally, he should be able to live for a few more years."
Chu Yunjin's expression became somewhat subtle upon hearing these words.
She felt that an emperor like the retired emperor was truly rare in history. He did not cling to power, did not interfere in the affairs of the younger generation, and lived a comfortable life after voluntarily abdicating.
Life is so leisurely, it's like breaking free from constraints.
But was the throne a constraint for him?
Chu Yunjin wasn't quite sure, but for her and Yan Cang, having such a father was their good fortune.
"Mother," Chu Yunjin looked at the Empress Dowager, "did Father not object to Yan Cang's decision?"
The Empress Dowager spoke in a detached tone: "That's your business. The Emperor Emeritus has already abdicated; why are you meddling in his affairs?"
Chu Yunjin remained silent.
Even if the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager were born into an ordinary family, they would be an exceptionally open-minded couple. They would never cause trouble for the younger generation, and they respected each other's opinions on matters big and small, making it impossible to feel the fear associated with imperial families.
Chu Yunjin chatted with the Empress Dowager for a while.
After court, Yan Cang came to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. Just then, the Emperor Emeritus returned from his exercise, and the four of them—father, son, mother-in-law, and daughter-in-law—had lunch together in a harmonious and warm atmosphere.
After the meal, Yan Cang and Chu Yunjin took a stroll in the Imperial Garden.
"My mother went to the palace today." Chu Yunjin held Yan Cang's hand and spoke casually. "She advised me to prioritize the overall situation, to have the demeanor of an empress, not to be arrogant because of favor, and to be a role model for all women in the world."
Yan Cang said in a gentle and calm voice, "Just be yourself and be a good wife to me. You don't need to care what others say."
Chu Yunjin smiled and said, "It seems that the ministers don't like to see the emperor being too devoted to one woman."
"They're just bored and have nothing better to do."
Chu Yunjin's heart softened, and she turned to look behind her.
The palace eunuchs followed at a distance, ensuring that they would not disturb the two masters' conversation, while also keeping them within their sight at all times, so that they could respond promptly if the masters summoned them.
Chu Yunjin looked away without saying a word.
"What's wrong?" Yan Cang asked in a low voice.
"I want to kiss you." Chu Yunjin lowered her eyes gently, her voice carrying a slightly restrained smile, "But there are too many people here."
A smile appeared on Yan Cang's face: "Shall we go back to the palace?"
"No need," Chu Yunjin chuckled. "I just suddenly felt like being a little sentimental."
Yan Cang squeezed her palm, his voice calm and reassuring: "No matter what others say, don't worry about it. With me here, no one can do anything to you."
Chu Yunjin hummed in agreement, holding his hand, her heart filled with tenderness and emotion.
With a husband like this, what more could one ask for?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com