The queen was also very dissatisfied with her daughter-in-law. She had been worried about this matter recently. She had lost her appetite and had lost a lot of weight.

Her eyebrows were drooped, and her emotions were unclear.

"It's all your fault. You got involved with such a shameless woman in a Buddhist temple. Now, you didn't get any advantage and you're in trouble."

The eldest prince was already depressed, and his face became even gloomier after hearing the queen's admonition.

The queen couldn't bear to see him like this, after all, he was her own flesh and blood, so she walked forward and held the eldest prince's hand.

"Don't worry, my son. Even if they have a thousand calculations and reasons, the decision-making power is still in the hands of Your Majesty."

"Mother, I am unwilling to accept this."

Nangong Yue said this with gritted teeth.

The queen naturally understood what he was thinking, and she was of course unwilling to accept it, but she could only comfort her son temporarily.

"You go back first. Let Li Tangru stay in the backyard. She can still be a useful chess piece. I will go to your father and get the upper hand for you."

After hearing his mother's words, Nangong Yue felt a little relieved.

The queen was full of aura and led a group of palace servants straight to the Qinzheng Hall. When she reached the door, she put on a gentle expression.

"Your Majesty, it's already so late and you're still reviewing memorials. There's no end to the business. Your health is more important."

As she spoke, she looked at the

The man in front.

The empress was not a beauty, but she was chosen as the mother of the country and married a virtuous wife. The emperor's eyes flickered when he looked at her.

As boring as ever, he didn't even bother to lift his eyelids.

"The Queen has been worried lately. I see you have lost a lot of weight."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It's nothing, but the affairs of the harem are complicated and I am a little tired. Your Majesty really doesn't care about me. If you can appoint a crown prince and marry a crown prince's wife as soon as possible, you can help me share some of the burden."

The tentative meaning of her words was obvious. The Crown Princess was the future Queen and it was her legitimate right to be in charge of the six palaces.

But the emperor frowned slightly after hearing these words.

"My sons are all unstable, and we need to discuss the matter of appointing a crown prince. There is no rush. It's just that I can't share my worries with the queen. I am very anxious. Otherwise, let Concubine Pei share the worries for the queen."

Upon hearing this, the queen's face changed drastically.

She originally wanted to test whether the emperor had a prince he loved, but she didn't expect that he would actually divide the palace power.

She has no favors, and what matters most is the power in her hands.

At this time, her back was already cold and she was trembling slightly.

"My sister has always been delicate and fragile. She is definitely not good at handling these trivial matters. If she is distracted by these things, she will not be able to serve Your Majesty well. As the queen, this is what I should do."

His Majesty's expression remained unchanged. There was only one throne, and even if his adult son wanted to take a peek,

He would also feel unhappy, after all, everyone wants to always stand at the commanding heights of power.

Now his wife and children have joined forces to plot against him. He is also a victor who has come through countless hardships to achieve his goal, and he knows all the twists and turns.

"In that case, the Queen should hurry back to deal with the affairs of the harem. I have already promised Concubine Pei that I will stay overnight in her palace today."

After saying this, he stood up, and the eunuch next to him tactfully put an outer robe on him.

He passed by the Queen without even looking at her, and went straight to Concubine Pei in Chengqian Palace.

His Majesty the Emperor was walking in the Imperial Garden, and without him noticing, a counselor in black had appeared beside him.

"You heard what the Queen said just now. Tell me, what do you think?"

The strategist pondered for a long time and raised his hand to stroke the goatee on his chin.

"This is a matter concerning the foundation of the country. Your Majesty has already made a decision in his mind. Others are just making unwarranted speculations."

His Majesty the Emperor nodded slightly, looking satisfied.

"Among the many princes, who do you think is the most suitable to inherit the throne?"

Every question is a crucial point.

The counselor who could make a living and have a place by the side of His Majesty the Emperor was naturally no ordinary person. He thought carefully for a long time before he spoke slowly.

"Everyone has his own strengths and weaknesses. Your Majesty's students are all outstanding talents, but it will take some time for your Majesty to personally teach them before we can see the clues."

These words are said, and it is good

It was as if nothing was said, it was clearly he was practicing Tai Chi with the Emperor, but the Emperor nodded in satisfaction with the result.

"The princes have grown up and have their own ideas. I also think they should experience some training."

These words were full of profound meaning. The counselor lowered his head and did not dare to respond.

His Majesty the Emperor clearly wanted his sons to fight among themselves so that they wouldn't have the time to spy on his power and hoped that he would die soon.

The next morning, Li Tangyi went to the palace as usual to take care of matters related to the Queen Mother's birthday banquet.

Just as I arrived at the imperial kitchen, I saw a eunuch in red clothes hurrying in.

"Princess Xiao, please help me find you. His Majesty is calling you to the Qinzheng Palace."

The young eunuch had a flattering and fawning look on his face.

Li Tangyi frowned in confusion.

Why would the Emperor want to see her so early in the morning? Something must be wrong, so she had to be on her toes.

"Please lead the way, eunuch."

As she spoke, she took out a golden melon seed from her sleeve and handed it to the eunuch in front of her.

"It's not worth much, eunuch, use it to buy tea. I wonder what important matter Your Majesty wants me to attend to so early in the morning?"

The young eunuch walked hurriedly, took the golden melon seeds without any courtesy, and played a riddle with her.

"Princess, please forgive me. I was only serving outside the palace and did not dare to speculate on the emperor's will without authorization."

Li Tangyi curled her lips. Since she didn't know the Emperor

What is her intention? It might not be safe for her to go alone.

"In that case, please take me to see King Xiao first, and my wife and I will go to pay our respects to His Majesty."

The young eunuch grinned with a forced smile.

"My lady, please don't make things difficult for me. Your Majesty's order is for you to go alone."

Having said this, Li Tangyi said no more, but just followed the eunuch in a timid manner.

When they arrived at the Qinzheng Hall, a pungent scent of ambergris rushed straight to their heads. Li Tangyi has always been extremely sensitive to these smells, and she frowned subconsciously.

"The daughter-in-law pays respects to the emperor."

She performed the ceremony with great respect, but she knelt on the ground for a long time, and her knees ached, but His Majesty did not utter a word.

The rules in the imperial palace were strict. She didn't even dare to raise her head until the emperor spoke.

I knelt like this for about a cup of tea.

The emperor seemed to have just reacted.

"The third son's wife is here, please get up! I heard that you are too heavy to perform the ceremony."

Previously, Nangong Jin said in person that she was pregnant. This matter had long been no secret. Although no one specifically reported it to His Majesty, it was not surprising that he knew about it.

But no one knew better than her whether she was pregnant or not. Feeling somewhat guilty, she slowly stood up and stood aside with her head lowered and her hands hanging.

This time, it is clearly a Hongmen Banquet!