At the beginning of their marriage, Hongli still felt a little guilty towards Yuying and treated her fairly politely, trying to save face for her. However, after Bao'er passed away, she developed a mental block, and her words and actions became strange.
“I used to act in dramas too, but Yu Ying is ungrateful. She is kind to servants who make mistakes, but very harsh to others. I can’t stand this way of doing things. Moreover, she is superstitious and ignorant, and does not act like a proper wife at all. I feel annoyed even if I talk to her for a second!”
The mother and son often argued, and whenever her attitude was unpleasant, Hongli would turn and leave. So this time, the Empress Dowager changed her attitude. Her tone was no longer harsh, and no matter how much he argued back, she didn't get angry and continued to speak kindly.
"I know everything you've said. I've already warned her, and she will reflect on her actions. After all, we've been husband and wife, so you have to give her a chance to make amends."
However, once a bad impression is formed, it is difficult to change. "Whether she changes her personality or not, it will be the same. I don't like her and I can't be bothered to talk to her."
What could she do if things didn't go her way? The Empress Dowager thought to herself that she didn't like Su Yushan either, but her son still doted on her as always.
Things in this world rarely go exactly as one wishes.
"Being an emperor is not as easy as you think. The emperor's primary task is to consider the overall situation."
Leaving aside distant matters, let's talk about your imperial father. I have nothing to hide. Your imperial father truly has no affection for me, but he still comes to stay overnight here every now and then. It's all an act for outsiders.
Even if you have no feelings for the Empress, you should at least be able to put on an act, right? The Fucha family all serve the court; you can't let them down! Besides, the Empress is the Empress; the Emperor can have favored concubines, but the Empress's position cannot be shaken!
In an effort to persuade her son, the Empress Dowager went to great lengths, even disregarding her own dignity and using her own predicament as an example, hoping to awaken Hongli and make him truly realize the responsibilities of being an emperor.
Hongli understood all these profound principles, but he was simply unwilling to put them into practice. He thought his mother was about to utter some harsh words again, but to his surprise, she softened her tone and said to him:
"I have said everything I need to say. I believe you will make your own decision on what to do."
If his mother forced him to do something, he would have a reason to get angry, but in the current situation, he had no reason to get angry at all.
After leaving Cining Palace, Hongli went to Jingren Palace. He hesitated whether to tell Yushan about this matter. Telling her would only cause her heart attack and would not help. After hesitating for a long time, he finally did not mention it to her. He chatted with her casually and played with his daughter.
However, he was clearly distracted when Rong Yu spoke to him, and it took Rong Yu calling him twice before he came back to his senses.
Seeing this, Su Yushan guessed that he might have something on his mind, so she asked Yunfang to take Rong Yu out before asking him.
"What happened? You seem a bit distracted."
Hongli smiled and said, "It's nothing, just some tedious court affairs."
“If it were truly about court politics, you wouldn’t be hiding it from me,” Su Yushan thought for a moment, and had already guessed a certain possibility.
"But what did the Empress Dowager say to you?"
Hongli, caught off guard, chuckled, "I can't hide anything from you."
Yu Shan had already guessed it, so he could no longer hide it and explained the Empress Dowager's intentions.
As he spoke, Hongli's gaze remained fixed on her face, observing her reaction. He noticed her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her complexion remained unchanged. Hongli immediately began to soothe her:
"Don't worry, I've already refused."
However, some things cannot be resolved by his refusal. "Why would refusal cause trouble? It's probably because the Empress Dowager is putting too much pressure on you that you are troubled."
Yu Shan's voice was soft, but it always struck a chord with him. Hongli sighed, rubbing his forehead, his handsome face revealing his weariness.
"The Empress Dowager always talks about the overall situation of the country and the people. I just feel that being the emperor is too tiring! I used to think that I could make my own decisions after becoming emperor, but after becoming emperor, I was put on a golden headband. Whenever the Empress Dowager nags, I get an unbearable headache."
Now my mother-in-law has learned her lesson. She no longer argues with me; instead, she directly shifts the blame onto me. The so-called ancestral laws are suffocating me.
The Empress Dowager's move was indeed brilliant; seemingly letting go, she actually locked his heart.
"As human beings, where is true freedom? Everyone carries a shackle. The emperor bears the weight of the country and the nation on his shoulders. Since there is no way to escape it, let's follow the rules!"
After all, everyone has their struggles. Putting myself in the Empress's shoes, I'd probably feel very wronged too, wouldn't I?
Thinking about it this way, Su Yushan suddenly felt that she was somewhat despicable.
Her mood was clearly low; her long fingernails dug into her palms. Hongli tenderly pried open her tightly clenched fingers and said to her seriously:
"You were the first person to enter my heart, but due to many rules, I couldn't make you my wife. If anyone is to blame, it's me. Don't blame yourself."
Suppressing the complex emotions surging within her, Su Yushan forced a smile. "I'm fine. I know your predicament. When you have time, go to Changchun Palace to keep her company. I... won't mind."
When she said the last sentence, she paused noticeably. Hongli could tell that it was a lie when she said she didn't mind; she was just pretending not to care so as not to put pressure on him.
However, the Fuca clan was one of the four great families of the Qing Dynasty, and the Fuca clan produced many talented people. Yu Ying was his empress. Although he did not like to hear the empress dowager's words, he understood that she was right.
In order to consolidate his power, he had to maintain appearances and avoid being criticized.
After much hesitation, he finally chose to compromise.
On the evening of February 15th, Hongli arrived at Changchun Palace. Yuying was unaware of this beforehand, and upon seeing Hongli, her eyes were filled with astonishment.
"Your Majesty...?"
After a moment of stunned silence, Yu Ying immediately curtsied. Hongli glanced at her indifferently, his eyes showing no emotion, and said, "No need for formalities."
Since his ascension to the throne, he has never been to Changchun Palace. Yu Ying only occasionally encounters him when she pays her respects to the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace. Why has he suddenly come here today?
Yu Ying was puzzled, and only after the palace servants had served tea and left did she tentatively ask,
"His Majesty is so busy with state affairs, how could he possibly find time to come here?"
When Yu Ying asked this question, she felt uneasy. She thought to herself that she had been behaving herself recently and had not done anything wrong. Surely Hongli was not here to interrogate her?
Hongli didn't bother to elaborate, "You'll have to ask the Empress Dowager about that."
Judging from his tone, it was probably the Empress Dowager who had summoned him, fearing that Hongli would blame her. Yuying quickly expressed her agreement.
"Your Majesty, you may have misunderstood. I have not complained to the Empress Dowager about anything, nor have I made any requests."
Hongli slowly turned his head, his gaze fixed on her. "When did I ever say it was your idea? Why is the Empress so eager to clarify? Are you feeling guilty?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
