But in the eyes of the masses, she, the empress who ruled the world, seemed to be dispensable.
Empress Dowager Zhang glared at Xia Xueyi, who then snapped out of her daze and deliberately straightened her back.
So what if Su Wanwan used to cultivate many good relationships?
The empress, who occupies the central position and is high above all others, is herself.
Having the Emperor's favor makes her a thousand times better than Su Wanwan.
Just then, a palace maid came to report:
"The Emperor has led the princes to offer birthday greetings."
The ladies of the court and the women of the inner court all avoided the area and were led to another hall.
Accompanying Lu Xingjian were Prince Rong, Lu Youting, and his three-year-old son, Prince Rong's heir, Lu Xingce.
Su Wanwan was stunned; she had almost forgotten about Prince Rong.
All I remember is that he once solemnly promised her that he would not marry anyone but Su Wanwan, and that he would only love her for the rest of his life.
She was young then, and didn't understand love.
But Zhou instructed her to maintain close contact with Prince Rong and to make sure he took notice of her.
She had to do everything she could to please Prince Rong.
She coaxed him into saying he would marry no one but her.
In the end, he still married someone else and had children.
It's clear that vows made with words are completely meaningless.
Unexpectedly, he is still in Beijing.
After Emperor Xianzong ascended the throne, the princes were required to leave the capital for their fiefdoms shortly after getting married, and could not return to the capital without an imperial edict.
Prince Rong was the thirteenth son of Emperor Xianzong, the younger brother of the late emperor, and the uncle of Lu Xingjian.
Back then, Prince Rong, Lu Youting, was about to leave the capital to take up his fiefdom. Even a large number of his royal baggage and attendants set off by boat.
As a result, Princess Rong discovered she was pregnant just before her departure, and had to apply for a postponement of her enfeoffment, becoming an exception among all the princes.
He truly had deep affection for Princess Rong.
This only makes his vows of eternal love seem pale and laughable.
She was too young then, and apart from offering her sincere heart, she couldn't find any way to move Prince Rong, who was several years older than her.
Therefore, she spent a lot of effort on those deliberate attempts to please others.
It took me quite a while to get over the heartbreak.
The Empress Dowager affectionately called Lu Xingce forward, patted his head, and smiled:
"He's a handsome young man. How is Princess Rong's health?"
Lu Youting's expression was indifferent; he simply said, "It's nothing serious, thank you for your concern, Mother."
Empress Dowager Zhang flattered, "Next month, the late emperor's twenty-seven-month mourning period will end, and the palace should have a few more little princes to serve the mother in filial piety."
The Empress Dowager smiled and looked at Lu Xingjian, "That makes sense. It's time to add a few new concubines to the Emperor's harem."
Lu Xingjian said gently and respectfully, "Grandson will remember the teachings of His Majesty."
He glanced discreetly at the person beside the Empress Dowager.
Su Wanwan sat there obediently and quietly, her gaze fixed on Prince Rong, Lu Youting, slightly lost in thought.
A cold glint flashed in Lu Xingjian's eyes.
Xia Xueyi noticed his gaze, and the smile on her face froze.
What made her heart sink even more was that Lu Xingjian's clothes were the same color and material as Su Wanwan's!
They are all black, only the patterns are different.
He stood out conspicuously amidst the magnificent attire.
She, the empress, wore a dark blue ceremonial robe, making her appear like an outsider.
She shuddered.
Lu Xingjian had always been averse to women, and he didn't even enter the bridal chamber on his wedding day.
In the year since their marriage, under the pretext of mourning the late emperor, he has not favored any other woman.
Why are they suddenly joining forces with the Empress Dowager to add new concubines to the harem?
Could it be that he intends to add Su Wanwan to his harem?!
No!
She would never allow Su Wanwan to have the chance to enter the palace and compete with her for the emperor's favor!
She clenched the handkerchief in her hand and forced a smile:
"Speaking of adding new concubines, didn't Mother say that Princess Rong's health is not good and that we should find a concubine for Uncle Rong? I wonder if anyone has been chosen?"
Empress Dowager Zhang smiled meaningfully.
"That's quite a coincidence. A while ago, Princess Rong submitted a memorial to me, requesting that Su Wanwan be betrothed to Prince Rong as a concubine. I didn't expect it to coincide with the marriage proposal from the Duke of Anguo's family."
The Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised, and her expression darkened slightly.
"Is that so? Youting, what do you think?"
No matter what, Princess Rong is considered her daughter-in-law.
If they need something, they should go to Empress Dowager Zhang instead of their legal mother, which shows they really don't respect her.
Prince Rong, Lu Youting, bowed deeply, his expression solemn and serious.
“My sister Wanwan and I grew up together. If we can bring her into the manor, it will be a blessing for Youting. I hope that Mother will grant my request.”
The phrase "childhood sweethearts" sounded particularly ironic to Lu Xingjian.
He quietly clenched his fist.
What kind of childhood sweethearts are they?
Lu Youting simply took advantage of a loophole and lingered in front of her for three years while he was preoccupied.
They also shamelessly ruined her reputation.
The Empress Dowager remained silent.
Empress Dowager Zhang smiled and said, "You two have been close since childhood, which is a good match. Your Majesty, please agree to the marriage between Prince Rong and Princess Rong."
Su Wanwan was a widow, and for her to marry Prince Rong as a concubine was definitely a stroke of luck for her.
When the Qingning Palace caught fire, it was Prince Rong, Lu Youting, who rescued Su Wanwan.
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