Chapter 161: Seeking to Become the Queen
"I heard that you farmed in the palace for three months?" Xiao Yuancheng suddenly asked.
"Your Majesty, yes." Xiao Ji replied calmly, "I felt sorry for the wasteland around the palace, so I decided to lease it to the villagers in the surrounding villages."
A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Yuancheng's eyes. He had thought his son would use this as an excuse to complain, but he didn't expect him to admit it so calmly.
"I also heard that you went to the fields yourself. Why did you go to the fields yourself?" the emperor asked. In his mind, even if Xiao Ji was demoted to a commoner, it would not be his turn to do those things.
He hadn't dared to raise his head since he came in. Had his character really been worn away? Did he really intend to be an ordinary person, or did he want to become famous? To gain a good reputation?
In fact, Xiao Ji didn't dare to look up, fearing that if he said something unpleasant, he would reveal an unpleasant expression. So he still lowered his head and said, "At that time, I was a commoner, and a commoner should do what a commoner should do. Although I still have some money, I have a wife and family to support, and I can't just sit there and eat up all the money."
These words made Xiao Yuancheng speechless for a moment. Should he say that he had lost his fighting spirit, or that he was too down-to-earth?
The hall was silent for a moment. Xiao Yuancheng stared at his son, who had always kept his brows lowered. Suddenly, he laughed. As his laughter died down, the emperor said meaningfully, "My son is a true man. He has made great progress in just three months of training."
He doesn't care whether his son is pretending or really being obedient, after all, isn't this what makes him a good son?
"If you have made progress, you deserve a reward. Tell me, Ji'er, what do you want?"
Xiao Yuancheng twirled the jade ring on his finger, wondering what his son would want. He hadn't yet decided on a palace, so would he want a luxurious one? Would he continue to rule the court? Or would he truly be content with a life of luxury and leisure, with only a few treasures?
But he didn't expect his son, who had just stood up, to kneel down again and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward. I do have a wish."
The rotating jade ring suddenly stopped, and Xiao Yuancheng was silent for a moment, "Speak."
I hope it's not something that makes him unhappy - "Your Majesty, I ask for an order to make my wife the prince's principal wife."
Qing Wu, who had been silent and waiting quietly, immediately knelt down with a look of surprise on her face. Although Xiao Ji had said long ago that she was his only wife, and she had thought that there would be such a day, who would have thought that the first thing Xiao Ji would say when he returned to Beijing to meet the emperor would be this?
Xiao Yuancheng's fingers suddenly stopped, the jade ring leaving a red mark on his knuckles. He narrowed his eyes, examining his son kneeling in the hall, then looked at the girl who remained silent and bowed her head.
"Main wife?" The emperor's voice was filled with doubt. "Is this your wish?"
"Yes." The young man, who had never raised his head, finally raised his head. His eyes, identical to those of the queen, were as firm as a rock. "Madam, you and I have shared hardships and never left each other. I am deeply moved by your kindness and have no way to repay you. I will only grant her the position of principal consort and let us be together forever."
Xiao Yuancheng looked at his son kneeling in the hall with complicated eyes. The candlelight in the hall cast a shadow on Xiao Ji's profile. Looking at that somewhat obscure face, he couldn't help but mutter:
"A lifetime together?" The emperor's voice was filled with disbelief. "Do you know what you are saying? You are a prince..."
"I know this very well." Xiao Ji's voice was calm and firm. "In the past three months, I have seen the fickleness of the world. Only my wife has always been by my side."
Xiao Yuancheng turned his gaze to Qingwu. This seemingly docile woman was now kneeling with her back straight, a stubbornness evident in her bones. Thinking of her identity and her actions, Xiao Yuancheng put himself in her shoes and understood.
"You are the daughter of Xi Aiqing, and you are indeed a good person."
Qing Wu immediately lowered his eyes, "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise."
The hall was silent for a moment. Xiao Yuancheng looked at the perfect couple before him and suddenly remembered where he had heard the vow of "a lifetime together".
When Empress Yuan died, he planned to remarry the daughter of the Yang family and met Yang Linghui by chance. The empress, who was still a young girl at that time, was thinking about her future husband with her maid, and these were what she said at the time.
Children follow their mothers. Some people are gone, but the influence of some people remains.
After all, he had a wonderful time with the beautiful and intelligent queen. Xiao Yuancheng thought that he was not a cruel person. Since his son had a problem with his leg and was honest, he would just follow his wish.
The daughter of the governor of Jingzhou is indeed worthy of the position of princess. It just so happens that I have given an explanation to Lord Xi.
After a few pauses, Xiao Yuancheng said, "Since you insist on doing this, I will approve it. I will have someone draft an edict and issue it tomorrow."
Xiao Yuancheng agreed straightforwardly. Xiao Ji's eyes flashed with surprise, but then he heard Xiao Yuancheng say, "But..." The emperor looked at the two of them meaningfully, "I want to see if you can really keep your oath today."
However, this sentence did not cause any ripples in Xiao Ji's heart. He was only concerned with looking at the girl beside him. He held her hand in front of Xiao Yuancheng and said, "Qingqing, did you hear that?"
Looking into the boy's pure and clear eyes, Qing Wu couldn't help but nodded. There were a few tears in his eyes, but more of a smile.
Everything Xiao Ji said to her is now coming true one by one. How can she not be touched?
The two people's movements were not big, but the people at the top could see it clearly. The couple was so close and their affection was surging.
Xiao Yuancheng watched this scene, and something in his heart suddenly softened. On one hand, he felt that being young was wonderful, but on the other hand, he felt that it was an eyesore. He waved his hand and said, "Retreat. You can go to Chonghua Palace and rest first."
Xiao Ji naturally couldn't wait to leave. He kowtowed with Qing Wu and left quickly, almost forgetting to disguise himself. Fortunately, Xiao Ji's leg had not fully recovered and still hurt occasionally, so the inconvenience caused him did not make the two people in the hall suspicious.
After watching the two of them disappear, Bai De'an whispered, "Your Majesty, the last time I went there, the relationship between the prince and the princess didn't seem so good..."
However, Xiao Yuancheng saw the couple's affectionate appearance with his own eyes, and he did not doubt it at all. "It is possible that he was in a bad mood at the beginning and did not understand the princess's kindness. Later he understood it. Time reveals a person's true character."
*
The young couple was led outside by the eunuch. Zhao Tongyuzhu had been waiting outside for a long time. Nanny Xia finally breathed a sigh of relief, but she was concerned about the emperor's presence and did not dare to ask any questions.
Meeting their worried gazes, Xiao Ji was the first to raise Qing Wu's hand and announced, "I have sought the Emperor's decree. From now on, Madam will be my principal wife."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Tong's eyes widened, and he even forgot the rules for a moment. He looked at Qing Wu with joy and said loudly: "Congratulations, Princess! You...you have finally gotten what you deserve after all the hard work!" His voice was so loud that even the guards outside the palace looked at him sideways.
Yuzhu and Aunt Xia wept with joy. Aunt Xia's hands trembled as she said happily, "This is great news, a very good news!"
She looked at Qing Wu, tears dripping from her old eyes, "Madam, no, the princess's luck..."
Nanny Xia never imagined that such a miserable child in her youth would have such luck when she grew up? Bullied by her mother and sisters, betrayed by her husband, she could become the prince's wife?
"Our princess isn't just lucky, it's good deeds that pay off!"
The steady Yuzhu rarely said a word. She saw how her wife treated her son-in-law. Even after being forced to exchange, she still treated him so attentively. Her wife deserved all this.
Of course, they are even happier because they have a brighter future. How can it not be glorious to be a prominent figure around the princess?
Especially Nanny Xia, she thought about it and wondered if this was called abandoning the dark and joining the light?
Thinking of this, I walked more briskly and finally had the mood to appreciate the surrounding scenery and look at the palace that I hadn't visited for many years.
The voices of the group were not small. The young eunuch who led the way frowned but did not dare to say anything. Prince Zhao had just been restored to the throne and His Majesty still loved him, so he did not dare to teach him a lesson.
Xiao Ji noticed this movement and waved his hand, saying, "You can go back. I've been away from the palace for three months, so I still remember where Chonghua Palace is."
The young eunuch wanted to say something, but was dissuaded by Xiao Ji's look. After he left, the group instantly relaxed a little.
Later, Qingwu and Xiaoji walked in front, followed by Zhao Tong, Yuzhu, and Nanny Xia five or six steps later. Soon they started chatting in groups of three or four.
The moonlight shone on the palace road, illuminating it brightly. They walked forward in the warm summer evening breeze, and it seemed like a dream for a moment.
The group soon arrived at Chonghua Palace. The emperor was over fifty years old, and the palace for young royal heirs was now occupied by only the youngest, the eighth prince.
As soon as Xiao Ji Qingwu entered Chonghua Palace, the six-year-old Eighth Prince was led by a maid to pay his respects to Xiao Ji Qingwu.
"Brother, have you met Sixth Brother and Sixth...Sister-in-law?"
The fair and tender Eighth Prince hesitated, and the nanny beside him immediately pulled him to remind him that he had called the wrong name, but he heard Xiao Ji touching his head and praising him.
"You are right. This is your Sixth Sister-in-law. I have informed His Majesty today, and His Majesty will issue an edict tomorrow. From now on, Qingqing will be my legal wife."
The princes and royal family have always been lenient with these little brothers who have not yet grown up. As long as nothing disastrous happens to the country, the throne will never be passed on to them. They are the representatives of the next generation of monarchs' friendly brotherhood.
The little eighth prince didn't think there was anything wrong. The concubines in the palace were promoted all the time, including his mother.
"...Congratulations to Sixth Brother and Sixth Sister-in-law."
The eighth prince was stunned for a moment before squeezing out these words. Xiao Ji could see that he was still young and shy, so he encouraged him a few words and then let the old woman take him back.
A young eunuch from Chonghua Palace was already standing by, leading Xiao Ji and Qingwu to the palace that had been cleaned for them. Xiao Ji was in a good mood and had a lot to say.
"My eighth brother just moved away from his mother and is shy about strangers."
Qingwu naturally would not blame a child. Some people are born introverted, and some are born extroverted. As long as the person's character is not bad, we should not think that shy people are bad.
She was disliked by Mrs. Zheng because she couldn't say many nice things, so how could she dislike a child now?
"It's okay, just a kid."
After walking a few steps, they arrived at the arranged palace, and the young eunuch took the other three to their residence.
Once the door was closed, there were only two people left in the room.
Without anyone around, the young couple naturally felt more at ease. Before they had taken two steps, Qingwu was embraced by Xiao Ji. Qingwu tried to push him away, but Xiao Ji was unwilling to let go.
"This is in the palace..."
"It's okay~" The boy rubbed the girl's cheek, "They can't see it."
After being bored for a while, Xiao Ji finally said with emotion: "I have thought about returning to the palace thousands of times, but now that I have really returned, it feels unreal."
Qing Wu patted his back and said with a smile, "What's unreal? You met the emperor, my brother, and I became his principal wife."
Xiao Ji rested his head on her shoulder and nodded. After a pause, he realized that although his wife's tone was happy, it didn't seem that happy. He immediately raised his head and took a step back, staring at Qing Wu's expression for a while.
There was a faint smile on the girl's lips. The smile was very gentle and contained joy, but not exciting enough. After a moment of silence, Xiao Ji guessed the real reason.
The lady in front of him was the one he acknowledged from the bottom of his heart, and he had personally asked for permission to appoint her as the legitimate wife. However, in the eyes of outsiders, the legitimate wife was still Xi Qingtong, the famous Xi family member in the capital, not Qingwu.
Because of this, it is always imperfect.
"It's okay." Xiao Ji took Qing Wu's hand, his eyes firm, "I won't let you bear the identity of Xi Qingtong for the rest of your life."
Qing Wu was a little surprised. Xiao Ji had even seen through her inner thoughts. She really didn't want to live her whole life as Xi Qingtong. "But...everyone knows you married Xi Qingtong. How can you explain it? If the wife-swapping incident gets out, it will do you no good. Your reputation..."
Xiao Ji wants to be the emperor, so the most important thing is to protect his reputation.
"Who am I marrying? Isn't it my decision who my wife is? You two look exactly alike...whoever I say is the one..."
The corners of Xiao Ji's lips curled up, and his eyes, which had been firm just now, now turned into a strange look, which made Qing Wu secretly shocked.
"you mean……"
"The Imperial Jade Disc is only revised once every ten years. The last revision was seven years ago, and the next revision will be in two years. During this period, no additions will be made to the Imperial Jade Disc for the royal family. Even Eighth Brother's name hasn't been recorded on the Jade Disc yet..."
Although the royal jade discs are called jade discs, they are actually "written on molten gold paper and sandwiched between silver Sanskrit leaves". They are organized by imperial lineage and arranged in order of seniority. Those who are alive are written in red script, while those who have passed away are written in black script. During the years when the discs were not compiled, no matter whether they were born, died, or got married, they would not be recorded in the discs. They would be completed in the next compilation.
Understanding Xiao Ji's implication, Qing Wu blinked, "In other words... Xi Qingtong's name isn't on the Royal Jade Disc right now?"
She had never expected this, but after being surprised, her thoughts gradually became clear, as if she had thought of Xiao Ji's idea.
"Also, the jade disc won't have the exact name written on it. It will only say 'Ms. So-and-so'..."
Xiao Ji nodded, his eyes narrowed in smile, "I married the eldest daughter of the Xi family. Xi Qingtong has always claimed to be the eldest daughter of the Xi family, but the eldest daughter of the Xi family is obviously you, Qingqing."
"As long as I tell others that Xi Qingtong has always admired Song Yunhe and begged you to marry Song Yunhe in exchange for her last year, and you married me in her place, then everything will make sense."
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