Chapter 417 Pomegranate
Meng Lingge slowly came to understand the mystery behind it.
"Your Majesty means that the former sixth prince of Lanyu Kingdom has become the new emperor and intends to annex our country. However, our country's military strength and financial resources are now comparable to those of Lanyu Kingdom, so the sixth prince does not dare to attack openly. Instead, he wants to sow discord between you and the court officials so that he can reap the benefits."
It is common knowledge that Wen Zhiming has had unpleasant conflicts with court officials over matters concerning the harem in recent years.
The new emperor of Lanyu Kingdom wanted to take advantage of this situation, impersonating a court official to harm the princess, thereby further straining the relationship between the ruler and his subjects in Jinyue Kingdom.
Whether Wen Zhiming is isolated by the court officials or he slaughters officials, it will be a good thing for the new emperor of Lanyu Kingdom.
With the Jin Yue Kingdom's rulers and ministers falling apart, distrusting each other, and turning against each other, it was the perfect opportunity for the Lan Yu Kingdom to take advantage of the chaos and seize Jin Yue Kingdom's territory.
This explains why the poisons administered to Wen Woyu on both occasions were so strange and rare, as these substances originated from foreign countries.
Wen Zhiming nodded. "This is my guess. The people of Lanyu Kingdom are not like court officials. They will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. You and Woyu should be careful recently."
This time, the traps failed to harm Wen Woyu, and it remains to be seen what other tricks these people have up their sleeves.
Meng Lingge was extremely annoyed. She was already troubled enough by the pressure from the court officials, and now the Blue Feather Kingdom had interfered. Chunhong's life was still in jeopardy. She felt overwhelmed and didn't know which matter to deal with first.
She said softly, "If it really was done by the Blue Feather Kingdom, then the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. No matter how careful we are, we may still be unable to defend against it."
There are too many idle people in the palace, and the mastermind behind today's events has not yet been found. Woyu is at an innocent and lively age, and if that person is determined to use her to achieve their goal, they will definitely find another opportunity.
"Moreover, if the Blue Feather Kingdom fails to achieve its goal this time, who knows what methods it will use next to sow discord between the monarch and his subjects? Relying solely on defense will ultimately become a hidden danger."
"The Empress is absolutely right." Wen Zhiming showed little concern and smiled at Meng Lingge.
"Everything has two sides. In my opinion, the Blue Feather Kingdom's intervention at this time may be a good opportunity, a good opportunity to solve the problem once and for all."
"Oh?" Meng Lingge could tell from his words that he already had a plan, so she leaned closer to Wen Zhiming's lips. "What good opportunity? Your Majesty, please tell me?"
Wen Zhiming smiled, cupped his hands in a circle, and whispered in Meng Lingge's ear.
Meng Lingge was listening intently when she heard footsteps approaching. A palace maid outside said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager invites you to Cining Palace to taste the newly arrived fruits."
Upon hearing this, Meng Lingge immediately stood up, but Wen Zhiming pulled her back, preventing her from leaving.
"The Empress Dowager has nothing urgent to attend to. Tell her to wait. You can go later."
He was busy with state affairs, and he didn't have much time to spend with Meng Lingge during the day. He finally managed to squeeze out some time to be with his wife on the Dragon Boat Festival, but one thing after another came up.
Meng Lingge said, "Today is different. Mother must have heard about Woyu's danger and asked me to come and ask about the situation. If I go too late, Mother will definitely worry."
Wen Zhiming had no choice but to let go.
"Then I will go to the Hall of Diligent Governance. I have summoned Prince Zhong and his wife to the palace for dinner tonight, so I will have to see the Empress then."
Meng Lingge knew that Wen Zhiming was reluctant to part, but she did not want to keep the Empress Dowager waiting for long, and she was also worried about Chunhong's condition. Upon hearing this, she nodded and said, "Alright, then I will go to Cining Palace first."
Wen Zhiming watched Meng Lingge's departing figure with a lingering reluctance.
But being the emperor was just too busy; there were endless things to do every day, and thinking about this made him feel a little resentful.
He can only spend time with his wife in the evenings, and so many people are trying to get him to choose concubines. How can he have time?
I don't even have enough time to spend with my wife.
When Meng Lingge arrived at Cining Palace with several palace maids, she saw that besides tea, there were only a few pomegranates on the table in the living room.
The Empress Dowager smiled as kindly as ever.
"The Empress has arrived. Today is a festival, and I wish to have a private conversation with her. You may all leave and wait outside."
The Empress Dowager's people and those brought by Meng Lingge all withdrew as instructed, leaving only the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in the spacious hall.
This was almost unprecedented in Cixi Palace.
When the Empress Dowager was with her, she never hid her protection and favoritism towards her, and openly treated her like a daughter in front of the servants.
Seeing the smile on the Empress Dowager's face and the pomegranates on the table, Meng Lingge became a little flustered and even forgot to sit down.
The Empress Dowager looked at her and smiled, "Lingge, there are no outsiders here, so I'll just call you by your name. It would make us seem like mother and daughter if I addressed you as Empress or Empress Dowager. Please sit down. Come, have some tea first."
Meng Lingge felt increasingly strange and reached out to take the teapot.
"Mother, let me do it."
"No need. We've been mother-in-law and daughter-in-law for a long time. You cured Mo'er's illness. I owe half of my success to you. You deserve to pour me some tea."
The Empress Dowager insisted, and after handing the tea to Meng Ling, she went to peel a pomegranate.
"Lingge, I heard that Woyu encountered danger today?"
"Yes." Meng Lingge knew she couldn't hide this from her, so she told the truth: "When the incident happened, Chunhong, who was by my side, saved Woyu. Woyu only had a few scratches and is now resting after applying medicine. Mother, you don't need to worry."
How could I not worry?
The Empress Dowager sighed, and with a forceful snap, the pomegranate split in two. The moment it was broken open, many pomegranate seeds fell to the ground and onto the table, scattering everywhere.
“These pomegranate seeds number in the hundreds and thousands; even if they fall to the ground, many will still remain. But you and Mo'er have been married for almost five years, yet you only have Woyu as your child. If something were to happen to Woyu, then…”
Having said all that, there was no point in Meng Lingge pretending to be stupid any longer. Upon hearing this, she put down her teacup and calmly looked up.
"Is Mother urging me to conceive an heir quickly, or is she advising me to take in a few beauties for the Emperor so that we may have many children and grandchildren as soon as possible?"
All her haste and rush was in vain; the Empress Dowager's worries were not the same as hers.
These words were too blunt. The Empress Dowager froze for a moment, then gave a dry laugh.
"Lingge, I am also a woman, and I truly love you. That's why I've been helping you all these years, making you the only woman in Mo'er's harem. You have no idea how many old ministers have begged me to give Mo'er a few beautiful girls by her side."
"Originally, I intended to protect you and Mo'er like this for the rest of my life. After all, I also longed for such a unique relationship. I never had it, but you and Mo'er having it would make up for some of my regrets. But I've waited too long. Ever since Woyu was born, your womb hasn't cooperated. I simply can't wait any longer..."
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