Chapter 424 Complete
When the couple were together, Wen Zhiming rarely referred to himself as "朕" (the imperial "I").
By mentioning "I" now, he is telling Meng Lingge that he is carrying her back as the Emperor.
Three years have passed since the two became God. He has been diligent in his duties, while Meng Lingge has been obedient and rule-abiding. Their relationship has lost much of the joy that ordinary couples often experience.
Thinking about it carefully, he had never carried Meng Lingge across these layers of palace walls.
Once the plan is complete, the two of them probably won't easily return to this place.
It was a place where he and Meng Lingge had spent several years, so he wanted to leave his wife with more beautiful memories.
Meng Lingge looked at the palace maids and eunuchs in the distance and shook her head.
"No, we'll make a fool of ourselves if people see us."
These servants certainly didn't dare to laugh in front of the two of them, but they would definitely gossip about it in private.
Her monopolization of the emperor's favor was already intolerable to the court officials according to etiquette and law. Her further reckless behavior only provided her with more fodder for condemnation and gossip.
Wen Zhiming stood up slightly, put his hands behind his back to hug Meng Lingge's waist, and easily carried her on his back.
Meng Lingge was still struggling when Wen Zhiming carried her toward the pavilion exit.
This section of the corridor is not wide, and the railings are only knee-high for easy viewing. Meng Lingge was afraid that if they moved too much, the two of them would fall into the pool, which would make an even bigger joke.
She had no choice but to wrap her arms around Wen Zhiming's neck and give in to his wishes.
Wen Zhiming smiled triumphantly, his pace neither fast nor slow, his tone gentle.
“My wife, no matter what happens in the future, or what grievances you suffer, you must tell me. If there are things you can’t say to the Empress Dowager, then let me say them. We are of one mind as husband and wife, so don’t keep everything from me and grieve alone.”
Meng Lingge gently rested her head on the back of Wen Zhiming's head and rubbed it affectionately.
Every time Wen Zhiming hugged or carried her, she felt a sense of security. It was like a cat finding a comfortable cat bed, instantly relaxing and completely unguarded.
"I didn't have time to be sad. Today was busy, chaotic, and worrying. I refused what my mother said and then didn't have time to pay attention to it. Besides, my mother just had a whim, and I guess she regrets it herself."
She briefly recounted how the Empress Dowager reprimanded Consort Chen and stood up for her.
"I can handle this little thing myself, there's no need for you to get involved. If I encounter any trouble that I can't solve, I'll definitely tell you."
Hearing the ease in her tone, Wen Zhiming knew that she really didn't take the matter to heart. As he relaxed, he felt that Meng Lingge cared about Chunhong even more than he did.
The personal maid's life hangs by a thread. Compared to the Empress Dowager's intention to send her to sleep with someone else, the Lady clearly cares more about Chunhong's life.
It seems we need to hurry up and get the antidote sorted out, otherwise my wife's attention will no longer be on him.
At this moment, Wen Zhiming had already carried Meng Lingge out of the corridor. The palace maids and eunuchs waiting at the intersection all lowered their heads, not daring to peek.
As the two passed by, he quickly followed behind.
Wen Zhiming waved his hand gently, and the clever little eunuch immediately told everyone to keep their distance and follow at a distance.
The palace was quiet and peaceful at Hai hour (9-11 PM). A gentle evening breeze was blowing. Meng Lingge leaned on Wen Zhiming's shoulder, and strands of hair occasionally brushed against Wen Zhiming's cheek.
"My wife."
"Um."
"Wait a few more months, and I'll have plenty of time to spend with you. Will you get annoyed with me then?"
"How could that be?" Meng Lingge smiled slightly.
"No matter where we go or what we do, the most important thing is that the people I care about most are safe and happy together. That's the greatest happiness. Why would I bother you? Besides, I have other roles with corresponding responsibilities and duties. How could you possibly have time to stay with me all the time?"
Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, and street vendors—who can truly be completely idle? Everyone has their own things to do, some more, some less.
“That’s true.” Wen Zhiming thought about his plan and smiled slightly. “I will still have a lot of things to do then, but I will have more time than I do now.”
“But…” Meng Lingge said softly, “But we have made such a big decision, and so far, we haven’t mentioned it to my family or my mother. I wonder what they will think when the time comes.”
The position of Empress is an unparalleled honor for ordinary people. She and Wen Zhiming are giving up this immense wealth and status, and their families may not understand.
Meng Lingge's family was relatively well-off. Meng Xingyuan was the current prime minister, with a stable position, and Meng Qingyu was already thirteen years old, renowned as a talented scholar in the capital. Even without Empress Meng Lingge, their influence in the capital remained strong.
But the Empress Dowager originally wanted to enjoy her old age with her son, but instead she had to drag her aging body around with them, and was reduced from an Empress Dowager to a vagrant. How could she accept this change?
"I will arrange everything." Wen Zhiming tilted his head slightly and touched Meng Lingge's face.
“I once said I would elope with you and roam the world. But then I thought, I can’t let my wife be of such lowly status and homeless. So I have a new plan. In the future, although my status will not be as noble as it is now, I will still be a ruler of a region. I will be both free and dignified, and my mother will be more likely to accept it.”
His wife was originally the eldest daughter of the prime minister. Now that she has married him, even if she doesn't become empress, her status cannot be too low.
Power and wealth are not necessarily the best things to do, but they are absolutely indispensable.
He wanted his wife to be free from the worries of having children and the safety of her family, and he also wanted her to be respected by everyone and to enjoy wealth and honor. Only in this way could he be considered to have considered everything and not wronged her.
"A new plan?" Meng Lingge lowered her voice, her smile gentle.
She wasn't afraid to fly far away and wander the world, but if she could have both freedom and wealth, that would be even better.
Tell me about it.
Wen Zhiming quickened his pace slightly.
"It's still a long way from being completed. I'll take it one step at a time. In short, you can rest assured and leave it to me. I want to give you a surprise after it's done."
If things go smoothly, it can be done in two or three months; if things go slowly, it can take a year and a half.
He was worried that if he told Meng Lingge in advance, she would be impatient. Anyway, once it was almost done, Meng Lingge would be able to guess what was going on.
"Fine, don't tell me then." Meng Lingge said coquettishly, "But if there's anything I can do to help, you must tell me so I can participate in your new plan."
Wen Zhiming's lips curled into a slight smile.
"My wife is truly a diviner. I have something I need your help with right now, and I'd like to borrow someone from you."
Meng Lingge asked, somewhat puzzled, "Who?"
Apart from Chunhong, who was brought by her, all of her other subordinates were serving in the palace and could be ordered around at will by Wen Zhiming. Why would she need to borrow them?
Chunhong was already in a life-or-death situation, so it couldn't possibly be her.
Wen Zhiming said, "The green water of the Imperial Hospital."
Although Lu Shui was affiliated with the Imperial Hospital, it was Meng Lingge who allowed her to enter, and Lu Shui and Meng Lingge were like sisters. Therefore, Wen Zhiming believed that if he wanted to use Lu Shui, he should first get his wife's consent.
Upon hearing this, Meng Lingge immediately understood Wen Zhiming's intention.
"You want to use Green Water as bait to lure the new emperor of Blue Feather Kingdom to appear?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
