The Empress brought in the soup and saw the Emperor reading memorials. She bowed respectfully, but the Emperor waved her away, telling her not to stand on ceremony. He glanced at her and said with a hint of arrogance, "So, Empress, you've finally forgiven me?"
The Empress smiled and said, "They say that a day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness, and that quarrels in bed can be resolved in bed. How could I bear to really be angry with Your Majesty? If I am angry, it is because I am not virtuous enough and failed to advise Your Majesty not to do something foolish in time."
These words were extremely well said, which surprised even the emperor. He had been married to the empress for more than ten years and knew her quite well. She would never easily calm down when she was angry, let alone be so polite. There was definitely something wrong with her.
Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of malice or theft.
Well, although it's a little inappropriate to say this to the Empress, at this moment, that's really the only thing on the Emperor's mind.
But despite thinking that way, the emperor was actually quite happy. After all, the empress's forgiveness meant he could go back to sleep that night. He had been forced to stay here for so long and felt very uncomfortable.
There have been times in the past when I stayed overnight here due to busy work, but being forced and being willing are two completely different things.
"I'm glad that Xin'er is willing to forgive me. I was wrong about that matter, and I have tried my best to compensate the Lu family. I will not let the loyal ministers feel disheartened."
He began to regret his actions after the investigation into the Cao family case began. On the night of the banquet, he confronted the Lu family. Qin Jian and Prince Jing were so close to the Lu family that they made excuses to avoid him, which prevented the matter from being resolved. He had been troubled by this for some time.
The Empress nodded, looking very pleased; all the torment she had endured during this time had not been in vain.
"Jiu Niang came to see me today."
She brought it up herself, and the emperor really didn't know about it. He only knew that Jiang Jiuniang had come to see her, and after recalling her behavior just now, it was clear that she had been comforted by Jiang Jiuniang.
He had tried countless ways to coax his own empress, but to no avail. Then Jiang Jiuniang came over, and the empress not only calmed down but also took the initiative to cook soup for him and bring him warmth.
For a moment, the emperor was at a loss for words.
"What did she say to you that made you so happy?"
The emperor was quite curious. It was as if Jiang Jiuniang possessed some kind of magic; many things that seemed simple to others could be easily solved in her presence.
"Hehe, she came to me and said she wanted to start a new business, and she wanted me to join her. The initial investment is large, but the later returns are quite substantial. I thought that if I could make some money, I could also help Your Majesty alleviate some of the pressure on the national treasury."
The Empress did indeed think that way. The Emperor had only been on the throne for a short time before starting a war, and the national treasury was not yet full. If she had more money, even if she fell out of favor in the future, the Emperor would still give her enough face because of the money.
She has already given birth to three children, and romantic love is no longer her everything; what she cares about most are her three children.
"Starting a new business again?"
The emperor's eyes lit up. It seemed that Jiang Jiuniang wasn't too bothered by that incident, which was a good thing. As long as she stopped dwelling on it, she would gradually forget about it.
Everything will be the same as before.
The Empress ignored his thoughts and continued, "Yes, she wants to set up a ranch in Yangcheng to raise cows, produce milk, and make milk powder for mass sales. In the future, it can be sold not only domestically but also internationally, with high and long-term profits. Your Majesty, may I do it?"
Without a second thought, the emperor nodded: "If you like it, then do it. Madam Lu's business acumen is just as reliable as her medical skills. Any initial investment can be covered by me."
The Empress was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
She stood behind the emperor, offering to massage his shoulders, and then feigned distress, saying, "There is one more thing, Your Majesty, I don't know if I should tell you."
"you say."
The emperor was in a good mood, and his tone was relaxed.
"A few days ago, my mother came to the palace to visit me. Does Your Majesty know about this?"
The Empress looked at the Emperor tentatively, and the Emperor nodded: "I've heard of it, but back then you didn't want to see anyone and sent her back directly, did you?"
He knew that everything that happened on the Empress's side would be reported to him, so there was nothing strange about it.
The Empress then asked, "Does Your Majesty know the main purpose of Mother's visit?"
"Wasn't it because I felt sorry for you that you confined yourself to your quarters that I tried to comfort you?"
The emperor didn't quite understand: did the mother have an ulterior motive when she visited her daughter?
"No," the Empress shook her head. "My mother was worried that I would fall out of favor, so she sent two people to serve the Emperor in my place."
emperor:???
"Nonsense! Didn't I say during our wedding that I would only ever have you in my life? Why doesn't she remember that!"
The emperor was instantly furious. He really didn't know about this. After all, he didn't need to keep a close eye on the empress. She was his wife, not a criminal. He only needed to know the general outline. But who would have thought that the woman from the Peng family would do something so absurd? Wasn't she pushing her daughter into a fire pit?
Seeing the emperor's anger, the empress was somewhat pleased, at least he still cared about her and didn't feel sorry for the two people she had driven away.
"Your Majesty knows that since Your Majesty ascended the throne, many ministers in the court have wanted to send their daughters into the palace, and Your Majesty has shielded me from too much trouble. Now even my parents are starting to have such ideas. I don't want Your Majesty to bear such pressure anymore. If those ministers bring it up again, Your Majesty, please agree, Your Majesty..."
"Your Majesty, that's enough!"
Before she could finish speaking, the emperor interrupted her sharply.
"How can you, an empress, push your husband away like this! Do you think I would lie to you about a promise I made? Go back and remain under house arrest until you've thought it through!"
He was really angry and pointed to the door, telling people to leave.
"Your Majesty, waaaaaah..."
Instead of leaving, the empress threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.
"Does Your Majesty really think I'm willing to do such a thing? Does Your Majesty think my heart doesn't ache? But the situation is like this. Even my parents are like this, let alone others. Rather than letting Your Majesty bear such great pressure, I'd rather be magnanimous and gain a reputation for virtue. It's better than being pointed at and called a jealous woman when the time comes..."
She spoke and cried, and soon her tears soaked the emperor's clothes.
In this way, no matter how angry the emperor was, he couldn't vent his anger.
He reached out and pulled her into his arms, noticing how much weight she had lost in just a few days, which made him realize how difficult things had been for her lately.
He closed his eyes and said, "Xin'er, don't cry. I really know I was wrong. I will never act impulsively again, so as not to disappoint loyal ministers, and I will never let you fall into such a difficult situation."
Indeed, there have been people in the court who have been urging him to take a concubine, but he has refused them all. He thought that as long as he didn't give in, it would be fine, and his attitude was never too firm. Now it seems that he has to bring it out into the open.
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