Chapter 5 The Queen's Meeting

In the past few days, Su Jingyao's injury on the inner thigh has completely recovered. At this moment, she is concentrating on practicing calligraphy in the study room of Xiyan Palace.

"Master, Aunt Jinhua from the Empress's side is here and is waiting for you in the hall."

Miaoyun hurried into the study, with a hint of worry on her face.

Su Jingyao paused the pen in her hand, raised her eyebrows slightly, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

The queen finally found her. If she hadn't, how would she perform in the future?

"Well, let's go."

Su Jingyao calmly put down her pen, stood up slowly, and walked towards the hall at a leisurely pace.

In the hall of Xiyan Palace, Aunt Jinhua stood in the middle of the hall with a dignified and serious expression. When she saw Su Jingyao coming in, she immediately performed a standard salute.

"This servant is here to see Concubine Su."

"Aunt, please stand up. I wonder why you came to Xiyan Palace today?"

Su Jingyao wore a light pink long dress today, the hem of which elegantly dragged on the ground, her figure was slender, agile and absolutely beautiful.

Aunt Jinhua raised her head and looked directly at Su Jingyao, with surprise in her eyes. What a charming and attractive woman! It was a pity that with such beauty, she couldn't capture a man's heart, which was in vain.

Aunt Jinhua's face returned to its serious state.

"Princess Su, you have been married into the Eastern Palace for ten days. The Empress Dowager has some free time today, so she would like to invite you to Kunning Palace for a talk."

"yes."

Su Jingyao responded softly, and then followed Aunt Jinhua to Kunning Palace.

In Kunning Palace, the palace was magnificent, solemn and dignified. The empress sat at the top of the hall, with a dignified demeanor and a majestic air without even being angry.

Su Jingyao walked into the hall with lotus steps. After reaching the center of the hall, she bent her knees slightly and bowed with a gentle smile on her face.

She said softly, "I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen, may Your Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness."

The queen slowly raised her right hand, picked up the teacup beside her, took a sip, and gently put the cup down.

She lowered her eyes slightly, and her indifferent gaze swept across Su Jingyao in front of her like cold lightning, with a hint of majesty in her eyes.

At that time, the Crown Prince chose the daughter of a military commander as his Crown Princess, which made the Queen quite unhappy.

After all, the Crown Princess not only grew up outside the Great Wall and had no manners, but also had no children after marriage, and she also asked the Crown Prince not to marry anyone else except her.

But the Crown Prince was her only prince, and had been carefully taught by her since childhood. The relationship between mother and son was deep, so naturally they would not have any grudges because of a woman.

Since the prince likes her, there's nothing wrong in marrying her.

Can the Crown Prince really remain chaste for the Crown Princess for his entire life?

The queen understood men and knew the emperor even better, so naturally she didn't believe it.

As the daughter of Shang Shuling, the chief civil official, Su Jingyao had been well-read in poetry and books since childhood. She was a gentle and quiet lady from a noble family. The Queen originally wanted her to be the Crown Princess.

At first, he had thought that he would ask His Majesty to appoint Su Jingyao as the Crown Princess when she was two years older. However, he never expected that when the Crown Prince went to war, he was seduced by a wild woman.

In order not to affect the mother-son relationship between her and the prince, the queen had to suppress her dislike for the princess.

After all, she has been in the harem for many years and is well aware of the political intrigues there. She also understands her son well. The more she opposes, the more counterproductive it will be. It would be better to wait until the prince's feelings fade.

The Crown Princess had been infertile for two years, which gave the Empress a good excuse, so she personally asked His Majesty to issue an order to grant her a marriage.

As the daughter of Shang Shuling, Su Jingyao has been asked by many noble families about her appearance, talent and personality since she was ten years old. The Queen is no exception for the sake of the Prince.

The daughter of the Su family grew up in the pampering of her parents and has a simple personality, which made the queen quite satisfied. In addition, Su Jingyao's appearance was really outstanding, which made the queen even more satisfied.

Can a man with a strong mind really concentrate on a beautiful woman when he meets her?

However, since Su Jingyao married into the Eastern Palace, the Queen Mother had been waiting for a full ten days. Her spies in the Eastern Palace actually reported back that the Prince had never been to Xiyan Palace except for staying there on the first day.

How can this be possible!

As the crown prince, if he wants to inherit the throne, he must convince the court officials, and he must have a prince before he ascends the throne.

Without the prince, how can the country be stable? How can the ambitions of other princes be suppressed?

The queen looked at Su Jingyao's face carefully.

Her eyebrows were as dark as distant ink, her eyes were as clear as autumn water, and her lips were red without any makeup. She was even more beautiful than she had imagined.

Although the Queen was used to seeing all kinds of beauties in the harem, she couldn't help but be slightly distracted when she saw Su Jingyao.

"Get up! Do you admit your guilt?" The queen's voice was cold, majestic and shocking, making people shudder.

Su Jingyao had been doing the half-squatting ceremony for quite a while, but suddenly she heard the Queen's question and her heart shuddered.

Her body trembled slightly, and her face showed panic. Although she didn't know what was going on, she was so scared that she knelt down with a thud.

"Please let me know, Your Majesty." Her voice trembled slightly.

"Why did you marry into the East Palace?"

The Queen looked down at Su Jingyao with a gaze as sharp as an arrow, and her voice was filled with unquestionable majesty.

"Your Majesty, I entered the Eastern Palace to serve His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and to give birth to an heir to the throne for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

After Su Jingyao finished speaking, she bit her lips tightly and frowned slightly.

These are the words in the imperial edict, but can she tie up the prince and give birth to a child?

Su Jingyao lowered her head, looking pitiful, but she was so angry that she wanted to roll her eyes to the sky.

If you have the guts, go find your own son!

"I heard that you have been married into the Eastern Palace for ten days, but the Crown Prince has not yet consummated the marriage with you?"

The Queen's words were blunt and sharp, like a sword, piercing Su Jingyao's heart.

Su Jingyao's pretty face turned red instantly. When the Queen asked her such a private matter in person, her tears welled up in her eyes, as if they would burst at any time.

At home, she has always been the apple of her parents' eyes. Even if she makes mistakes, her brother is there to protect her.

Now that she was being questioned by the Queen without any regard for her dignity, she felt very aggrieved.

"Your Highness, your Highness and the Crown Princess are in love. Your Highness has to deal with many complicated government affairs during the day. Whether it is the Crown Princess or me, as long as your Highness is comfortable, your Highness will not come to me for a long time, and I will not have any complaints."

Su Jingyao tried hard to hold back the tears that were about to burst out, her eyes were red, and she tried hard not to let them fall.

Her voice was faintly tearful, so pitiful that it made people feel pity for her.

When the Queen asked someone to inquire earlier, she already knew that Su Jingyao was a weak and simple person, but she didn't expect that she was so non-competitive.

Since the prince didn't go to her place, she really didn't fight for it and just guarded her own little world in Xiyan Palace.

"The Crown Prince is the heir apparent of a country, and it is his great responsibility to provide for the succession of the royal heir. Since ancient times, there are three types of unfilial behavior, and the worst is to have no heir. I originally thought that as a daughter of an aristocratic family, you would understand this."

"If a country's crown prince only acts according to his own will, how can he gain the trust of his officials and the love of the people?"

"Today you will copy the "Rules for Women" ten times in Kunning Palace before returning."

"Yes, I will remember the Queen's teachings."

"Get up."

"Thank you, Queen."

Su Jingyao stood up and, under the guidance of Aunt Jinhua, walked slowly towards a side hall with slightly heavy steps.

The palace ladies had already prepared the pens, ink, paper and inkstone.

By the time Su Jingyao finished copying, it was already dark and her wrists were aching unbearably, as if they were being bitten by millions of ants.

As for the prince, he has already stayed in Yu's study for almost a whole day today.

Recently, some cities in the south have suffered from drought. Jun Zechen discussed countermeasures with his father and many ministers for a long time.

After the morning court session, discussions began on many aspects.

How to provide disaster relief and exempt taxes, which cities need to open warehouses to release grain, who should be sent to relocate disaster victims, how the Ministry of Works should develop water conservancy, how to appease the people, and send people to investigate the disaster situation, etc.

The day's discussion finally came to an end. Jun Zechen breathed a sigh of relief, slowly stood up, and prepared to salute his father and leave.

Unexpectedly, the Grand Eunuch Dehai of Emperor Jingsheng suddenly walked in.

Eunuch Dehai knelt respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, your Highness, the Crown Prince."

"Get up, what's going on?"

Emperor Jingsheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his stern gaze still fixed on the policies and plans that had just been discussed, his voice intimidating without him being angry.

"Your Majesty, Aunt Jinhua, who is beside the Empress, wants to see you."

The prince's heart sank. Someone beside his mother? Could it be that something happened to his mother?

Thinking of this, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

"Let her in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After Aunt Jinhua entered the palace, she first bowed respectfully to Emperor Jingsheng and the Crown Prince, and then explained her purpose.

"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother knows that you and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince have been handling government affairs in the study today. I didn't want to disturb Your Majesty and His Royal Highness, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..."

When Aunt Jinhua said this, she glanced at the prince and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Seeing this, Emperor Jingsheng frowned slightly and asked, "How is the Crown Prince?"

He had already roughly guessed the Queen's intention of coming this time.

"Your Majesty, please ask Your Majesty to discipline your legitimate prince. The continuation of the royal heir is also the most important matter for Your Majesty."

After Aunt Jinhua finished speaking, she lowered her head, not daring to look at the two most distinguished people in the hall.

When Jun Zechen heard what Aunt Jinhua said, his face instantly turned ugly. His mother actually complained to his father in front of him!

After listening to Aunt Jinhua's words, Emperor Jingsheng looked relaxed. He sighed helplessly in his heart, "The Empress, oh, the Empress, you are really getting better and better at ordering him around."

"Step back. I know what the Queen means."

After Aunt Jinhua quietly left, the prince slowly stood up and walked steadily to the center of the hall.

"Father, your son..."

"Prince."

Emperor Jingsheng's voice was not loud, but it contained supreme majesty. He raised his head slightly and looked at Jun Zechen with sharp eyes.

"Although your mother was somewhat dissatisfied with the Crown Princess at first, the Empress did not stop you because you were in love with her. Now the Crown Princess has not been pregnant for two years, and your mother has asked me to grant you a marriage with the Su family's legitimate daughter. Do you feel resentful?"

Jun Zechen bowed his head and replied respectfully, "I dare not. I know how much your mother loves me."

A glimmer of satisfaction flashed across Emperor Jingsheng's eyes, and he nodded.

The prince was gifted since childhood, and after entering school, his talent was particularly dazzling among all the princes.

Emperor Jingsheng looked at this outstanding son in front of him and felt very pleased.

He said in a gentle tone: "Your decision-making in government affairs is now no less than mine."

"Father, how dare I compete with you." Jun Zechen raised his head, his eyes filled with awe.

"When you were seventeen, I sent you to war. Do you know why?"

"As a man of courage, I should conquer the world and protect my country and my people."

Jun Zechen's voice was firm and powerful. He straightened his body with determination in his eyes.

"Haha, that's true, but there are other reasons."

Emperor Jingsheng's gaze became profound, as if he was recalling the past.

"You grew up in the deep palace. Your mother never hid the secrets of the harem from you, so that you could understand the evilness of human hearts early on. After you entered the court, the conspiracies and schemes of the former dynasty were countless. When you were young, you must have been extremely annoyed by this."

Jun Zechen listened to his father's words with a look of surprise on his face. He never thought that his father would understand his heart so well.

Hearing his father's words, Jun Zechen was slightly shocked.

He stared at Emperor Jing Sheng, his lips trembling slightly. He wanted to say something but didn't know where to start.

"You are still young and should not be trapped in all these calculations. As a crown prince, you must maneuver among the calculations while also being open-minded and caring about the world."

"I sent you to the battlefield so that you could see the corpses strewn all over the land, witness the people being displaced, experience the cruelty of war, and deeply understand what it means for a country to be strong."

"And you."

Emperor Jingsheng's eyes were as sharp as torches as he met Jun Zechen's eyes, and his voice was sonorous and powerful.

"As a prince, the country is your most important responsibility. Even if you have a crush on a girl when you were young, in front of the country, your loved one, your cherished things, and even yourself, must be sacrificed."

"Father, I know that the country is the most important thing in my heart. I must devote myself to it until my death."

"Minister Su is the pillar of the country. If you ignore your concubine, you will chill the hearts of your subjects. I originally arranged a marriage for you. Since you did not refuse, you should accept the responsibility of being the crown prince."

"If there is no Concubine Su, there will be more Concubines and Concubines in the future. Are you going to marry them all back to the palace as decoration?"

Jun Zechen's face changed, and he said sincerely: "I know I was wrong, and I will definitely treat Concubine Su well."

"Well, back off."

"Yes, I will take my leave."

Jun Zechen walked out of Yu's study with a gloomy face and furrowed brows. With every step, he carried a hint of anger as he walked slowly towards the East Palace.

Today's affairs were already numerous, and after they were finished, he was lectured by his father because of his mother's complaint, and he felt depressed.

"An Shun, what did the concubine do today?"

Jun Zechen's voice was as cold as ice, his eyes were filled with chill, and he stared coldly ahead, as if he wanted to freeze everything in front of him.

An Shun bent his body and followed Jun Zechen carefully.

She replied softly, "Your Highness, the Concubine went to the Queen Mother's place in Kunning Palace today."

Jun Zechen's heart sank when he heard this.

Originally, he thought that Su Jingyao had been behaving herself in the East Palace for ten days and was a simple, innocent and peaceful woman.

I didn't expect her to be so scheming. Knowing that seducing me would be fruitless, she tried to please the Queen Mother in order to gain status.

He clenched his fists unconsciously, and the anger in his eyes burst out like a burning flame.

Jun Zechen took big strides, his speed suddenly increased, and he walked into the East Palace with the majestic four-square step, heading straight towards the Xiyan Palace.

An Shun took small steps and tried his best to jog after him, secretly complaining in his heart.

Alas, his Royal Highness the Crown Prince, why doesn't he show any sympathy to this old man?

Qiluan Palace.

When Ling Yue heard the news that Jun Zechen had returned to the East Palace, a hint of joy flashed in her beautiful eyes. She then eagerly ordered the servants to bring dinner, unable to hide her inner anticipation.

Meixiang's eyes flickered, revealing a hint of hesitation, her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.

She looked at her master's happy expression and couldn't bear to break her joy, but she also didn't want her master to be busy only to see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince absent.

Finally, Meixiang took a deep breath and said softly, "Master, after His Highness returned to the East Palace, he immediately went to Xiyan Palace."

When Ling Yue heard this, her body trembled violently, the smile on her face froze instantly, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

He said softly, "Aze must have gone to Xiyan Palace for something important. Let's keep the dinner warm."

Just the fluttering eyelashes and the tightly clenched handkerchief revealed her inner anxiety.

Ling Yue sat down slowly on the couch and waved her delicate hand lightly, and Mei Xiang lowered her head and left.

She sat there alone, a look of loss gradually appearing on her beautiful face, and the light in her eyes became dim.

It is clear that Aze has ignored Su Jingyao for ten days, so maybe he really has something important to tell him when he goes to Xiyan Palace today.

But for some reason, her heart could never calm down, as if an invisible force was stirring her emotions.

Su Jingyao's pitiful appearance kept appearing in her mind.

Su Jingyao was a girl from a noble family, a graceful and charming girl, and the prince's concubine who was innocent and kind-hearted. The prince had every right to go to Xiyan Palace.

But......

As a woman, Ling Yue herself would be distracted by Su Jingyao's beauty, let alone the prince.

Thinking of this, Ling Yue felt more and more uneasy. She really didn't want the prince to have too much contact with Su Jingyao.

However, I have no one to vent my fear and anxiety to and can only bury it deep in my heart.