Su Jingyao's pretty face turned red instantly. The Queen asked her such a private matter in person. 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 will always be there to protect her.
Now that she was being questioned by the Queen without any regard for her dignity, she felt very aggrieved.
"Empress, Your Highness and the Crown Princess are in love. Your Highness has to deal with many complicated government affairs during the day. Whether it's the Crown Princess or me, as long as Your Highness is happy, I won't have any complaints if Your Highness doesn't come to my place all the time."
Su Jingyao tried hard to hold back the tears that were about to burst out, her eyes were red, and she tried her best not to let them fall.
Her voice was filled with a hint of crying, so pitiful that it made people feel pity.
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 to a nation, and the continuation of the imperial line is his grave responsibility. 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 principle."
"If a crown prince acts solely on his own whim, 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 maids 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 being gnawed by millions of ants.
As for the Crown Prince, he has been in the imperial study for almost the entire day.
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, they began to discuss many aspects.
How to provide disaster relief and tax exemption, which cities need to open their granaries to release grain, who should be sent to relocate the victims, how the Ministry of Works should develop water conservancy projects, how to appease the people, and send people to investigate the disaster situation, etc.
The day's discussion finally ended. Jun Zechen breathed a sigh of relief, slowly stood up, and prepared to salute his father and leave.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Jingsheng's chief eunuch, Eunuch Dehai, suddenly walked in.
Eunuch Dehai knelt respectfully and saluted: "Your Majesty, your Highness, the Crown Prince."
"Get up, what's going on?"
Emperor Jingsheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his majestic gaze still fixed on the policies and plans that had just been discussed, his voice intimidating without anger.
"Your Majesty, Aunt Jinhua from the Empress's household requests an audience."
The prince was startled. Someone close to 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 hall, she first bowed respectfully to Emperor Jingsheng and the Crown Prince, and then explained her purpose.
"Your Majesty, the Empress knows that you and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince have been handling government affairs in the Imperial 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.
Upon seeing this, Emperor Jingsheng frowned slightly and asked, "How is the Crown Prince?"
He had already roughly guessed the Queen's intention in coming here.
"Your Majesty, please discipline your legitimate prince. Continuing the line of succession is of paramount importance to His Royal Highness."
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 hearing what Aunt Jinhua said, Emperor Jingsheng looked relaxed. He sighed helplessly in his heart, "The Queen, oh, the Queen, you are really ordering him around more and more."
"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 a sharp gaze.
"Although your mother was initially somewhat dissatisfied with the Crown Princess, the Empress did not try to stop you because you were in love with her. Now that the Crown Princess has not conceived in two years, your mother has requested my decree to grant you a marriage with the Su family's legitimate daughter. Do you harbor any resentment?"
Jun Zechen bowed his head and replied respectfully, "I dare not. I know how much your Majesty loves me."
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Emperor Jingsheng's eyes and he nodded.
The prince was gifted since childhood, and after entering school, his talent was particularly dazzling among the other princes.
Emperor Jingsheng looked at his outstanding son 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 full of awe.
"When you were seventeen, I sent you out to fight. Do you know why?"
"As a man of courage, I should sweep across the world to 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 deep, as if he was recalling the past.
"You grew up in the inner palace. Your mother never hid the secrets of the harem from you, hoping to teach you how treacherous people are. After you entered the court, you encountered countless conspiracies and schemes. I'm afraid you must have been extremely disgusted by them when you were young."
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