The year-end celebrations for the empire have arrived.
"Baby, I'm going out." Helian Jue, dressed in his crown prince uniform, stood in front of the bed and gently said goodbye to Qiao You.
Qiao You mumbled a "hmm" in a daze, paused for two or three seconds, then tugged at Helian Jue's sleeve and continued to ask slowly, "Brother, when are you coming back?"
She was still half asleep, her voice a little hoarse, like a kitten scratching at his heart.
"I'll be back this afternoon. Today is my last day at work. For the next two weeks, I can spend time with you, baby." Helian Jue explained carefully. Today was the last working day of the year, and as the empire's apparent successor, he couldn't miss it.
Qiao You released his hand. "Okay."
She turned over and went back to sleep.
Helian Jue stood by the bed for several minutes. Only when his personal terminal reminded him that it was time to leave did he slow down and leave the bedroom.
Today, the Imperial Palace will broadcast live via quantum computer, and His Majesty Helian Cheng, His Highness Crown Prince Helian Jue, Empress Leidenxin, and His Highness the Second Prince Helian Tu will all give speeches.
Helian Jue hated seeing that family, but he had no choice but to feign politeness with them today.
"Your Highness, this way." Lin Zhong, also in uniform, led the way for Helian Jue.
Upon entering the lounge, Helian Tu was already there.
Perhaps due to the recent public opinion storm, Helian Tu's face showed unconcealed fatigue during this meeting.
Helian Jue sat down on the sofa furthest from Helian Tu without saying a word.
Helian Tu glanced at Helian Jue, then quickly looked away, and they both fell silent.
Lin Zhong stood quietly behind Helian Jue, waiting.
About twenty minutes later, His Majesty the Emperor and Empress arrived.
Helian Cheng, dressed in a bright yellow imperial uniform, walked in front; Leidenxin, also wearing a bright yellow empress's uniform symbolizing her status, followed closely behind with an air of grandeur.
"Jue'er, you're here so early?" Helian Cheng asked Helian Jue with a hint of flattery and concern.
Helian Jue's feelings for Helian Cheng were complicated; it wasn't exactly hatred, but more like resentment.
Helian Cheng treated Empress Qingyue, Su Shu, very well. The two met during their student days and were a model couple on campus.
When the two first got together, neither knew the other's identity. Even after they found out, it did not affect their relationship at all.
Without any hesitation, Su Shu persuaded her parents and the Su family to give Helian Cheng their full support.
After Helian Cheng ascended the throne, he did not break his promise and made Su Shu his only empress, giving her all the preferential treatment and the unique title "Qingyue". He also ordered the royal clothing workshop to specially make a unique empress dress according to Su Shu's preferences.
In Helian Jue's childhood memories, Helian Cheng was a loving father who treated both his mother and him very well. His father and mother also had a good relationship.
But everything changed after the Empress Dowager mysteriously disappeared.
Helian established Leidenxin as his empress, abandoning his mother and ignoring her completely.
Sometimes, Helian Jue was really puzzled. Was all of Helian Cheng's previous affection just an act?
Thinking of this, Helian Jue gave Helian Cheng a completely unfriendly look and ignored Helian Cheng's attempts to be friendly.
Helian Cheng was not annoyed and sat down in the middle, with Leidenxin following closely behind.
"Tu'er, why don't you quickly pay your respects to your father?" Leidenxin winked at his son, but Helian Tu didn't see it, so he directly reminded him.
Helian Tu was most annoyed by his mother's behavior, but he had no choice but to obey. He could only stand up and bow. Just as Helian Cheng gestured for him to rise, Helian Tu had already sat down. The speed of his movements made Leidenxin glare at Helian Tu with exasperation.
"Your Majesty, everything is ready," Helian Cheng's personal guard reported.
Without Helian Cheng's prompting, Helian Jue had already gotten up and walked outside.
The order is the same every year: His Highness the Crown Prince delivers the opening and closing remarks, His Majesty Helian Cheng then offers his blessings to the entire empire, followed by the Empress and the Second Prince.
Helian Tu stared intently at Helian Jue's retreating figure, determined that one day he would surely ascend to that position.
About five minutes later, Helian Jue's face appeared on all the large screens on every planet in the entire empire.
Helian Cheng looked at Helian Jue on the screen, his tone calm and his expression composed, with a hint of pride in his eyes. Jue'er looked a lot like his mother.
Leidenxin, who had been with Helian Cheng for many years, could tell what the man was thinking just by looking at his expression.
The name Su Shu had always been her nightmare; everything about her seemed to weigh her down.
Back then, everyone knew that Su Shu was the Empress who helped Helian Cheng ascend the throne, while she was just an unknown concubine. Even after giving birth to a prince, she could only be called a Noble Consort. Her son did not have the first right of succession and was always overshadowed by Su Shu's son.
She was unwilling to accept it; she hated it!
She hated her family for sending her into the royal family and then ignoring her; she hated Helian Cheng for wronging her; she hated Su Shu for taking the place that originally belonged to her...
It's alright, who told Su Shu to die young?
Even if Su Shu successfully established the Spirit Pet Pavilion and was revered by the people, so what? Her life was short!
The current Empress of the Empire is Leidensin!
As time goes by, people will gradually forget, and in the future, when they mention the Empress of the Empire, they will only remember the name Leidensin.
Thinking this way, Leidensin's mood gradually brightened, and she sat even more upright, maintaining the dignified posture of a queen.
After finishing his speech, Helian Jue returned to the lounge with a blank expression.
Helian Tu hated Helian Jue's appearance the most; he seemed indifferent to the world, but in reality, he had gotten everything he wanted.
Next, Helian Cheng gave a speech, and Leidenxin, considering her status as empress, followed him.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
