—Inside the Phoenix Palace.
"Wei Shuyi!"
The man stood below watching the Empress drink the medicine spoonful by spoonful, and shouted angrily at her.
"Father, I am now the Empress, you can no longer call me by my given name."
"Didn't you receive the letter I sent you? Why didn't you say a few words to the Emperor? It's just a few words, is it that difficult?"
Ever since the Prince of Zhenbei raised this issue in court that day, the Minister of Rites and Grand Tutor Xu were the first to oppose it, and in the inner palace, there just happened to be one who could influence him by whispering in his ear.
Over the years, although the Empress was frail, the Emperor would always carefully consider her words.
This matter concerns all women in the land, and the Empress is the head of all women. If she takes the lead in opposing this matter, even if most people in the court agree, it will not be so easy to proceed.
However, on the last two occasions, the Empress not only did not do as Minister Wei said, but instead went against him.
Regarding the women's imperial examination, the Empress and Xiao Lanhua, along with the other ladies of the harem, wrote a petition to speak on behalf of the Prince of Zhenbei.
"Lord Wei, please keep your voice down. My lady is frail. If you say anything that frightens her, then the Wei family will have no daughters left to send to the palace."
The head maidservant beside the Empress stood in front of her and said.
Even if she is sent to the palace, she may not necessarily become empress.
Wei Shuyi placed the medicine bowl on the table. She had never liked taking medicine, but for some reason, she could always drink the medicine prescribed by Hou Xiangxiang.
"Father, you must never go to the palace again."
"The women of the inner palace must not interfere in politics. I am tired and will go to rest first."
The palace maid helped the empress slowly walk into the bedroom.
The woman gently massaged her temples from behind. Every time Lord Wei came, the Empress would have a headache for several days.
The imperial physician said that this was caused by the rush of qi and blood to the head, coupled with the empress's weak constitution.
"Your Majesty, there's no need to take Lord Wei's words to heart."
"Whether you take it to heart or not, it's been so many years, aren't you used to it yet?" The Empress sneered, recalling how her father had always made her do things she didn't want to do whenever he came to the palace over the years.
never mind.
If he could pass the imperial examination, the young girl who often came to treat him would probably be happy.
If only she could be at the Imperial Hospital, she could come to the palace every day to be with me.
With less than seven days until Lunar New Year's Eve, a time when every household is brightly lit and families are reunited, the Empress gazes at the sky, where stars twinkle and wisps of steam rise.
She got up and went to the window, opening it a little wider.
"Your Majesty, please be careful not to catch a cold."
The woman shook her head and didn't say anything.
And it seems that I am destined to be trapped in this four-sided sky for the rest of my life.
"Your Majesty, Miss Hou has arrived."
Like spring rain after a drought, the empress, who had just been somewhat saddened, turned around and said with some surprise.
"What is she doing here so late? Quickly invite her in, prepare some snacks, not too sweet, and prepare plenty, as the Prince of Zhenbei and the Prince of the Grasslands can eat them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The little girl entered the palace, followed by Da Ni'er and Long'er.
Ever since the poisoning incident, Da Ni'er and Long'er have never dared to let Xiaohaijie enter the palace alone again; it's terrifying.
"Greetings to Your Majesty."
The group bowed, but each bow was more unbearable to watch than the last.
The Empress's hair was already down, and she was preparing to retire for the night. At this moment, the woman exuded a gentle charm as she teased...
"The way you guys greet people is enough to make others leave. Get up and have some snacks."
"Hehe~ Thank you, Your Majesty."
Huo Xiaolong and Wang Dani'er didn't stand on ceremony at all and started eating as soon as they sat down.
Hou Xiangxiang pouted, then said to the Empress...
"We have come to the palace today specifically to thank Your Majesty. Thank you for speaking up for the Prince of Zhenbei."
The Empress shook her head.
"I am not helping the Prince of Zhenbei, I am helping all the women in the world."
“So, Your Majesty the Empress may make a wish,” Hou Xiangxiang whispered.
The Empress raised an eyebrow, looking at the shy little girl before her, and said in a similarly soft voice.
"Any wish is acceptable?"
"Anything works!"
"I am the Empress, shouldn't you be the ones to dictate my wishes?" the Empress said seriously.
"But Your Majesty also has many times when you have no choice in what you do. You can tell us, and we'll help you!"
The woman didn't take these words to heart, thinking it was just Hou Xiangxiang playing around, since these children weren't very proper around her.
Wei Shuyi thought about it carefully, then smiled and said...
"I want to leave the palace, to go out and see the world, on New Year's Eve."
Huo Xiaolong and Da Nier stopped eating, then resumed eating.
That's not impossible. It's definitely difficult, but it's alright.
Xiao Lanhua was definitely going to sneak out. After the banquet on New Year's Eve, the Emperor would usually go to the Empress's place, but the two of them would not share a room and would only sleep separately.
It was just a joke, and the Empress didn't take it to heart.
Lunar New Year's Eve arrived as scheduled. Tonight, the Prince of Zhenbei was also going to the palace to offer his congratulations, but Long'er asked the Emperor for leave.
It was agreed upon a long time ago.
"Your Majesty, I will have a stomachache on New Year's Eve and will be unable to attend the palace banquet. Please don't be angry with me," said the girl in the python robe.
Yuwen Xuanhong's pen paused in mid-air as she carefully processed the sentence. It made perfect sense, yet there was something inexplicable about it. Then, realizing what she meant, she asked Huo Xiaolong seriously.
"Did you have your astrological charts done? You knew you'd have a stomachache before the day even arrived?"
"No, I calculated it by setting up a stall on the roadside, but I heard it's quite accurate. Anyway, I won't be coming; I have a lot of things to do at home."
"What could be happening at home that would prevent you from attending the palace banquet?" Yuwen Xuanhong asked.
“I have more women in my family than you, and they are all very difficult to please. It won’t do if the head of the family isn’t home on New Year’s Eve.”
At this point, the Emperor felt somewhat embarrassed. His harem did indeed have fewer women than Huo Xiaolong's, and the fact that a sixteen-year-old girl was speaking to him so righteously about being the head of the household made it impossible for him to refuse.
The Emperor waved his hand and said
"Okay, go ahead, but don't make a fuss."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Who will be with you for the New Year that day? Not only will she be celebrating the New Year, but she'll also be busy sneaking your wife out of the palace after your banquet.
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