Chapter 274 Zhao Lingmeng's Chat with the Emperor
The Emperor fell silent after hearing what Zhao Lingmeng said. After all, Funing had his reasons for that incident. In fact, if Funing wasn't so valuable now, he wouldn't have felt that there was anything wrong with being wary of the court officials. But now! The Emperor had already issued a self-criticism summons, let alone such a small matter. What would happen if he admitted it?
After a while, Zhao Lingmeng heard the emperor sigh: "I am sorry for you in this matter."
"Pfft, Father, you're stretching it a bit too far! How can you be blamed for whether life is good or not? It's my own fault that I haven't stood up for myself. If I hadn't nurtured their appetites from the beginning, perhaps I would be living a carefree life now.
In the end, you have to make your own way in life, otherwise you won’t be able to live a good life no matter who you marry. But I also like the feeling of being the only one who has the final say in the mansion now.”
Zhao Lingmeng could only say sorry to the original owner in her heart. If she hadn't said that, all of them would have gone to accompany her. How could the emperor be wrong?
Zhao Lingmeng didn't really think the original owner had no reason at all, but she was the ultimate beneficiary, so she felt she had no right to judge. But it was different in front of the emperor. If she said something bad, it would cause the emperor's dissatisfaction and suspicion, and might even harm many people.
The emperor was quite surprised when he heard Funing say this, "You really think so!"
"Yes, I used to be nice to everyone, and everyone could figure out my personality. Maybe marrying into a wealthy family would have the same outcome. It's a reality that good people are often bullied."
"Alas, you really don't look like Changyou's daughter. Changyou just wants to help as much as possible, but you really look like my daughter."
Zhao Lingmeng heard the emperor sighing with emotion, and she internally complained endlessly. Any help she could offer was welcome, as was her father, who was more cunning than a lotus root, and who could be said to be a traitor if he could. But she wouldn't be so foolish as to destroy the kind persona her father had worked so hard to establish.
Zhao Lingmeng was very casual as she ate a piece of fruit while replying to the emperor: "I am now your daughter."
"Hahahaha, that's right, I am more blessed."
The emperor was not happy because of Fu Ning's words, but because Fu Ning's relaxed attitude made the emperor feel comfortable. He felt that she was really like a daughter in front of her father, rather than a subject in front of the emperor.
The emperor thought he had been very good to his children, but when they were in front of him, they acted as if he would eat them at any time, acting respectful and filial. After a while, he felt that they were perfunctory.
If the eldest prince and the others knew what the emperor was thinking, they would probably feel even more aggrieved. Every time the emperor met them, he didn't speak to them in a particularly friendly tone, and in the end he even blamed them for being reserved. This was extremely hypocritical.
"Do you know why your father hasn't returned yet?" The emperor asked this question, tapping his fingers lightly and unconsciously on the table. He also paid attention to Zhao Lingmeng's expression.
The emperor saw Fu Ning blurt out without hesitation, "I guess he's afraid you'll ask him some fatal question!"
Zhao Lingmeng feigned a casual air as she answered the Emperor's questions. She felt she knew why the Emperor had summoned her to the palace today. He was waiting for her! He was definitely going to ask her that fateful question. Fortunately, she had thought of the answer in advance.
"Hahaha, you are such a straightforward girl. Changyou is not as good as you!"
Zhao Lingmeng wasn't afraid at all! He even said, "Be careful if you say something bad about me." He said, "Please keep it to yourself. Maybe one day my father will ask me, and I'll tell him."
The emperor was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "You! I was just joking. Changyou is also very loyal."
The Emperor certainly felt that way. Even when he was most suspicious of Zhao Changyou, he simply wanted military power. It wasn't that he doubted Changyou's loyalty, but something as crucial as military power must be held in his own hands. If he had known Changyou didn't care about it at all, why would he have resorted to so many tricks?
"Your Majesty is right." Zhao Lingmeng flattered the emperor while eating, with an expression that said whatever the emperor said was right.
The emperor glanced at Zhao Lingmeng and pretended to mention it casually: "You and your elder brother haven't reconciled yet?"
"Ah? My son and I?" Zhao Lingmeng was surprised, and countless thoughts were already flashing through her mind. She didn't know what answer the emperor was looking for by asking this, so she had to be careful in her response.
The Emperor wasn't always calculating. He asked this question simply because they were discussing the old Marquis Zhao, and he wanted to help his friend mediate the conflict between his children. Especially since Changyou had made such a great contribution this time, how heartbroken he would be if he returned to find his children at odds with each other!
The emperor responded softly.
"It's not that we haven't made peace! It's mainly because I and my sister-in-law have reached the point of enmity, and it will be difficult for you to be caught in the middle. And I don't want to take advantage of someone I hate, but if you need anything, I will help you if I can."
What Zhao Lingmeng didn’t mean was that it wasn’t my place to help, and she wouldn’t help.
"Your elder brother can divorce his wife! Why make it so complicated?" In the eyes of the emperor, this matter is very simple. If someone reaches out, he should think about the consequences.
"Alas, family affairs are complicated! My eldest sister-in-law has been diligent and good in all other aspects except for this time she plotted against me. She also has two children. She and my eldest brother have been friends for so many years, it's impossible for her to not be allowed to live. There is no place for her to stand in the Jin family now."
This is still a conservative statement made by Zhao Lingmeng. Now, not to mention that the Jin family has no place to stand, it is not an exaggeration to say that the whole family hates her.
"You are still too kind," the emperor sighed. Seeing that their relationship was not as stiff as he had imagined, he brought up the main topic of today.
"Who do you expect to be the crown prince?"
"Huh?" Zhao Lingmeng looked like the emperor, are you kidding me? But in his heart he kept saying, here it comes, here comes today's theme.
The emperor smiled and said nothing, just looking at Zhao Lingmeng calmly, obviously not allowing her to get away with it.
"Father, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"
When the emperor heard Zhao Lingmeng say this, he didn't think she meant to deceive him. He knew that lying was a way for many people to survive. If he took it too seriously, he would probably lose his entire court.
"Tell me the truth, whether it's a lie or not!"
Zhao Lingmeng looked at the emperor in surprise and thought to herself that it was true that the emperor seemed to be quite tolerant of her, but she didn't know if it was true.
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