Xuan Ling sighed, his tone filled with helplessness: "My beloved concubine, this is my idea, but I didn't expect it to be opposed by the ministers. You may not know that the position of Imperial Noble Consort is noble, second only to the Empress, equivalent to the Vice Empress.
I love you, so I want to give you the best, but my ministers say you are a princess from a foreign race and unworthy of this position. They are also worried that I will dote on you too much, and if you give birth to a prince in the future, it will ruin our ancestors' legacy."
Xueqiong listened, feeling both excited and uneasy.
Holding the memorial tightly, how great would it be if this was an imperial edict?
She looked up at Xuan Ling, her eyes full of determination: "Your Majesty, please believe me. I love you and will be loyal to you."
Xuan Ling patted her hand gently, but said nothing more. He just said lightly: "Okay, let's eat first."
The table was filled with dinner and the aroma was everywhere.
Xuan Ling kept picking up some food for her, speaking gently, "This steamed sea bass is the most nourishing dish. You're too thin, so you need to eat more. And this bowl of bird's nest soup is good for your skin and lungs. Try it."
Pointing to the palace of Chonghua Palace outside the window, he said, "Do you like this palace, my beloved concubine?"
Xue Qiong nodded. "I saw it when I came here just now. It looks very grand from the outside. I wonder what it's like inside?"
Xuan Ling said, "I intend to grant you this palace to live in in the future, but your current position does not allow you to live in a palace of this level."
His narrow eyes glanced at the memorial about the appointment of the Imperial Noble Consort and he said nothing more.
Xue Qiong felt mixed emotions, feeling sweet about his care but anxious about the opposition from the ministers.
She lowered her head to eat the food, and secretly swore in her heart that no matter what, she would grab this ladder to heaven and never let the opportunity slip through her fingers.
She knew very well that only Emperor Xuanwu had the ladder to the clouds. If she could just let him go against all odds, she would have everything she wanted.
But the emperor's heart is hard to predict, and he still seems a little hesitant about her.
After dinner, it was dark.
Xue Qiong pleaded in a delicate voice, "Your Majesty, can I sleep with you tonight?"
Xuan Ling smiled slightly, and the palace maid brought him a sandalwood box. He opened it and took out a jade pendant with a phoenix pattern.
"This is a token of loyalty only possessed by successive empresses. I bestow it upon you."
Xue Qiong was flattered. "Things belonging to successive empresses?"
Xuan Ling forced a smile. "My beloved, I've been busy with court affairs lately. When I'm done, I'd like to take you out to relax. How about going hunting in the snowy mountains?"
"I have no objection."
Xue Qiong was no longer obsessed with sleeping with him. The man in front of her was the emperor who ruled the world. He must be very busy. As his woman, shouldn't she be more sensible?
Two days later at noon.
The maid led Eunuch Fu in. Xue Qiong was delighted. The fact that the chief steward of the imperial court came in person showed how much Emperor Xuanwu valued her.
"Empress Qiong, the Emperor has sent me here to convey a decree."
"Butler, please speak."
"In two days, the Emperor will take His Majesty to Yuqing Mountain to hunt. Please make preparations and we will set off early the next morning."
A sweet smile appeared on Xue Qiong's lips. The emperor's words that day about taking her out for a walk were not false.
"What's the matter? Your Majesty, will it be inconvenient for you in the next two days?" asked Eunuch Fu.
"No, I have no problem."
Xue Qiong asked her maid to give Eunuch Fu a bag of silver, and then she paced in the hall with a serious expression.
Going out of the palace to hunt is a way to show her loyalty to Emperor Xuanwu - a golden opportunity that she cannot miss!
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