I stood up: "Eunuch Li, why did you suddenly come to the Ji residence?"
"Your Highness, you may not know this, but Her Majesty the Empress heard that the Ji family had been attacked and was worried that Your Highness's illness had not yet healed, so she sent this old servant to bring Your Highness back to the palace."
Eunuch Li spoke in a voice that sounded like a rooster with a pinched throat, making everyone want to laugh.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
She's being so kind; she probably has ulterior motives.
Eunuch Li smiled broadly, but his smile seemed unnatural: "When I first arrived, I was worried that the Prince Consort might be unwell, but now that I see him, I am relieved. Please, Prince Consort, return to the palace with this old servant as soon as possible."
I glanced at Xie Yuancheng and then followed Eunuch Li. Luckily, he didn't stop me this time, otherwise he would have given me a reason to complain.
Just as he reached the door, Wan'er ran over: "My lord, I'll go back to the palace with you."
When I saw that Eunuch Li looked unhappy, I quickly said that Wan'er had taken good care of me during this time, which was why I recovered so quickly. Eunuch Li finally agreed to take her with him.
When I lowered the curtain, I saw the hem of Xie Yuancheng's clothes. He must be feeling terrible right now. Fortunately, Ji Yun came, so they can talk to each other.
Eunuch Li led us directly to Chengxing Hall, where the Emperor was. He first issued an imperial edict, and then somehow sent the Empress's eunuch to take me back to the palace. This operation was so confusing that I couldn't fathom his thoughts at all.
I knelt before the main hall, above which sat the person who held the power of life and death in the Great Zhao Dynasty. His voice was not old, but rather strong.
When I first heard it, I felt sorry for the Crown Prince. I'm afraid he'll have to wait another ten or twenty years before he can sit on the throne.
"You are Ji Ying, the son of General Ji, and the consort of Princess Zhaole."
"Isn't that obvious? It was you who arranged the marriage, sir." But I've never met him, so I quickly lowered my head and replied, "Yes."
"The Crown Prince acted rashly this time, causing you to suffer."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
"Please take a seat."
I was finally able to sit up, but I had been kneeling for several minutes as soon as I entered.
When I sat down and looked up at the Emperor, he was about the same age as the Empress, around forty years old. He had an aura that made people feel unapproachable, and his whole being exuded clarity.
The entire Great Zhao Kingdom belonged to him, and he possessed supreme power.
"General Ji was loyal to the country throughout his life, and his son-in-law was very sensible."
"yes."
He spoke at a measured pace, and with each sentence I felt like he was digging a pit for me to fall into, then asking me about what was going on behind the scenes.
"The Imperial Son-in-Law has rendered meritorious service in Sizhou. Now that the Minister of Personnel is retiring and returning to his hometown, you will fill this vacancy."
I don't want to be an official, but thinking about what I'll have to do later, I can only express my gratitude.
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
The Emperor truly promoted me today; he only gave me a few words of advice and then dismissed me.
When I went out, Eunuch Li was still there; he definitely had ulterior motives.
"Your Highness, the Empress invites you. Please come with me."
It was her again. I hurriedly told Wan'er to go back to Qing Palace and tell the princess first, and then I left with Eunuch Li.
Wan'er is so smart, she definitely knows that I asked her to tell Li Zhaole's mother that she was going to start messing with people and to ask her to come and help.
Eunuch Li led me through several places before finally arriving at Zhaoning Palace. However, this time we entered through a side gate, not the main gate. As the head of the six palaces, for her to invite the imperial son-in-law to her palace—wasn't this clearly an attempt to make things difficult for me?
I was kicked as soon as I entered, so I had no choice but to kneel before the Empress.
"The prince consort is so generous in his greetings; I cannot accept it."
You were the one who had someone kick you. I'll kick you and see if you'll kneel down.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
I knelt down following her gaze; she really had entered menopause prematurely.
"Stand up and speak."
I'm a little taller than her. This time, the Empress wasn't wearing heavy makeup; she exuded an intellectual beauty. The thought of her ambiguous relationship with the Crown Prince sends chills down my spine.
"Last time Le'er went to the Ji residence to see you, she said you were still bedridden."
"Your Majesty, it was because I caught a cold at the time, which aggravated my old illness. In the past few days, the cold has subsided, and I feel much better."
A cold isn't a major illness, but it's not minor either. It can be used as a convenient excuse in a critical moment.
"That's good. I heard the Emperor promoted you, but you must remember that the Emperor values not only a person's ability, but more importantly, the power behind them. Although Consort Ji is your aunt, in the court, if someone from the inner palace interferes in politics, the consequences are very tragic."
Could she be thinking that my promotion was due to Consort Ji's influence? Although I had my suspicions, even if she was favored, it wouldn't be enough to get me promoted so many ranks in one go.
"Your subject understands."
The Empress smiled and said, "Indeed, a wise man submits to circumstances. You are Le'er's husband. I thought you were good from the beginning. Although you are not as strong as other men, you have a handsome face."
I get goosebumps whenever I see her. Is she implying that I bewitched Xie Yuancheng and became his subservient subject?
"Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty."
A sound came from outside the door; it was Li Zhaole's voice.
“Mother, how can you let the Prince Consort come to Zhaoning Palace first? Even if he is to come, I should come with him.”
The Empress's expression changed. Although she had concealed it well, I still saw it this time because we were so close.
"Mother." Li Zhaole pushed open the door and came in. She was pregnant, but her voice was still as loud as ever.
"Le'er, you've gone too far."
“Mother, it’s just that the Prince Consort doesn’t know proper etiquette, so please don’t take it to heart.”
Li Zhaole walked over and took the Empress's arm, acting coquettishly. The Empress was amused by her and said, "Alright, since you're here, take him back."
"Thank you, Mother."
The palace maids who came in from outside helped the Empress inside to rest, and Li Zhaole tugged at my sleeve, signaling me to hurry up and go with her.
After walking for a while, once they passed the Imperial Garden, Li Zhaole finally spoke up, saying, "How could you walk with Eunuch Li? He is my mother's confidant."
"The imperial edict had just been issued, and I was about to leave after packing my things when Eunuch Li arrived. Fortunately, Her Majesty the Empress only gave me some instructions and did not make things difficult for me."
"If she makes things difficult for you, you'd be on the guillotine right now."
Seeing the anger on Li Zhaole's face, I quickly told her not to be angry, as the baby in her belly was the most important thing.
But no sooner had she said it than she stormed off in a huff.
Anxiang winked at me as she walked past me, then followed Li Zhaole forward.
Did I say something wrong? Getting angry too much during pregnancy is definitely bad for the baby.
As soon as I entered Heqing Palace, I saw Granny Zhang smiling at me. Ever since I learned that he was disguised as Lingwu, I have felt that Xie Yuancheng has gathered so many talented people around him.
When I told Anxiang what was going on, she laughed beside me: "Madam, you don't know, Zhang Mama has been replaced several times already, Lingwu is the third one."
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