When Chu Huanyi woke up, it was already noon.
As soon as she opened her eyes, the first thing that greeted her was Chun Xian's familiar voice."Miss, you're awake?"
Chu Huanyi turned around and saw Chun Xian's sweet and childish smile. He sat up in joy.
Chun Xian came to the bed with a bowl of Eight Treasures Soup and said with a smile,"Niangniang, drink the soup? This is the eighth bowl of soup that Chun Xian has scooped. You have to drink it while it's hot before it gets cold. Chun Xian has to scoop the ninth bowl while she has to report to the Emperor. How tiring!”
Chu Huanyi glared at Chun Xian." You wretched girl, are you deliberately trying to anger me? You clearly know that I don't want to be an Empress, yet you still call me an Empress on purpose, you…"
Chun Xian giggled." Aiyo! Everyone in the palace knew that the emperor was doting on the young miss and was head over heels for her, so what was wrong with calling her niangniang? Perhaps tomorrow, the emperor will make the young miss the empress!”
Chu Huanyi's face turned pale and he quickly shouted,""Chun Xian, don't spout nonsense! You clearly know that I can't be the Empress. Even if the Emperor has that intention, I can't possibly agree to it.”
"Why? What was wrong with the Emperor? He was young, promising, intelligent, and wise. He should be a very good emperor. Why was Miss unwilling to be his empress? Moreover, compared to the deposed Crown Prince, the Emperor was much better. Although the emperor's temperament is impatient and domineering, he treats his subjects with clear rewards and punishments, and he treats them with kindness and might. He's not like that deposed crown prince who beats people, kills people, and even poisons them to death…"
"Chun Xian, what nonsense are you talking about? If you continue to spout nonsense, I'll chase you out!”Chu Huanyi shouted and struggled to sit up.
Chun Xian pouted unwillingly." How is this nonsense? "This is a fact that everyone knows, and the Emperor is really more suitable for Miss than the deposed Crown Prince, and he loves Miss more than the deposed Crown Prince. I just don't understand why Miss keeps rejecting the Emperor.”
It turned out that Xuanyuan Rui had mentioned to Chu Huanyi several times that he wanted to make her the empress, but Chu Huanyi had always rejected him.
A helpless smile was reflected on Chu Huanyi's beautiful face." How could I not know his heart? But Chun Xian, I'm from the Feng Palace! I swore in front of the holy daughter that I would be the crown prince's wife for the rest of my life and take care of the crown prince for the rest of my life. How could I go against my oath?”
"But young miss has already promised the emperor to stay, didn't she?”At the mention of the holy daughter, Chun Xian's face turned pale.
Chu Huanyi nodded." That's right. I really couldn't bear to see him go crazy for me and sacrifice himself for me again. That's why I agreed to be his woman regardless of everything. Although I know that this is wrong, I just…"
Chun Xian sat down." Miss, you've fallen in love with the Emperor, haven't you?”
Chu Huanyi was stunned." Love?"
"Yes, you must have fallen in love with him. Otherwise, with Miss's ability, how could she not reject him?”
Chu Huanyi's eyes widened. Did she fall in love with him? Was it because she fell in love with him that she couldn't bear to reject him, so she stayed regardless of everything?
No, that was impossible. As the Nine Phoenix of Dunhuang, how could she give her feelings so easily? Even though she had sworn an oath to the crown prince in front of the Vermillion Bird Maiden, she had never had any true feelings for him. How could she possibly love Xuanyuan Rui?
But if she didn't love him, why did she feel heartbroken when she found out that he was trapped in Yamato Palace without food and clothing? If she had no feelings for him, why was she so worried when she found out that Xuanyuan Qi wanted to kill him? If she really had no feelings for him, why would she accept him and stay because she could not reject him?
Could it be that she…had really fallen in love with him?
Chu Huanyi looked up at Chun Xian." I, I don't know…I don't know if I love him. I really don't know…"
Chun Xian handed the Eight Treasures Soup to her." It doesn't matter if you don't know. Anyway, Chun Xian knows that the Emperor loves you very much.”
"How do you know that he loves me very much?"
"I can tell from the soup." Chun Xian pointed at the Eight Treasures Soup.”
"Soup?" Chu Huanyi took the soup." What's wrong with this soup?”
"The emperor specifically instructed the imperial kitchen to use eight kinds of medicinal herbs, plus millet, wheat, and winter melon skin. It took a full eight hours to brew this soup. The Emperor said that Miss 'body was weak and she had been tired for the whole night, so he asked someone to make the Eight Treasures Soup to strengthen Miss' body and replenish her energy.”
When she heard Xuanyuan Rui say that she was 'weak and tired from the night', Chu Huanyi's cheeks flushed red. She was so embarrassed that she wanted to dig a hole and hide in it.
This man…this man actually said such things to Chun Xian? If he hadn't forcefully taken it for a night, how could he have…
However, before Chun Xian could finish her sentence, she said,"The emperor said that this Eight Treasures Soup should be drunk warm and not cold, so he wanted me to change the soup once it cooled. However, he also said that he couldn't wake Young Lady up and wanted Young Lady to sleep well. So from morning until now, I changed seven bowls of soup before waiting for Miss to wake up. Miss, please drink the soup.”
Chu Huanyi bit her lip and glared at Tang. He…He was actually so meticulous and considerate? He even thought of the temperature at which he should drink a bowl of soup. If such a man was really determined to get a woman, who could reject him? Who could be so ruthless as to reject him? If the person who came to the Feng Palace to propose marriage was him, how good would that be? If it was him, then he and she would definitely be the happiest couple in the world, right?
Seeing that Chu Huanyi was in a daze again, Chun Xian picked up a spoon and scooped some soup to her lips." Miss, have some?" Only after drinking the soup can we go see the emperor."
"Emperor, where is he?"
"I heard from Xiao Rang that after the emperor left court, he went to the empress dowager to pay his respects and has yet to return.”
After Xuanyuan Rui inherited the throne, his mother, Consort Ling, was honored as Empress Dowager Xiaoren and her residence was moved to the Great Ming Palace.
At the mention of the Empress Dowager, Chu Huanyi felt uneasy for some reason.
"Chun Xian, I want to visit the Emperor. Can you help me change my clothes?”
"Of course, but you have to drink the soup before you can go. Otherwise, if the emperor blames you, no one can bear it.”
Chu Huanyi had no choice but to finish the Eight Treasures Soup. Then, he endured the discomfort in his body and changed into a dress with a silver-red veil over it. He only brought Chun Xian, three palace maids, and two eunuchs to the Great Ming Palace.
Before they even reached the Great Ming Palace, Chu Huanyi could hear Xuanyuan Rui's furious roar from afar." Mother, I'm already an adult. I have the freedom to choose whoever I want to be my empress. Mother, please don't interfere!"”
" No!" Empress Dowager Xiao Ren said angrily." I may be able to follow your orders for other things, but I will never agree to this!" You must make Yao Zhen the Empress. She was the Princess Consort chosen for you by the late Emperor when he was still alive. Since the late Emperor has already ruled the skies, you should naturally follow the late Emperor's will and make Yao Zhen the Empress.”
"I can't do it! If you want me to make Xue Yaozhen the empress, then I'd rather not make an empress for the rest of my life and only accompany Huan 'er. I just can't figure out what's so bad about Huan 'er. Why don't you like her, Mother? In terms of background, she came from the Phoenix Palace of Dunhuang, a descendant of the Heavenly Lady, and her status was extremely noble. In terms of appearance, in the entire Three Palaces and Six Courts, even in the entire world, which woman could compare to her? In terms of temperament, she is gentle, graceful, amiable, and demure. There is no one in the palace who doesn't like her. Why do you hate her?”
"Rui 'er, the reason why mother hates her is because she's a witch from the Phoenix Palace in Dunhuang!”
Xuanyuan Rui was surprised." Why? What was so bad about the people of the Phoenix Palace? In order to marry the Feng Palace, the Crown Prince did not hesitate to travel thousands of miles and cross mountains and rivers to finally obtain this rare marriage. Why did Mother…"
"It's precisely because she was once the Crown Prince's wife that I forbid you from making her your empress.”
Hearing his mother say this, Xuanyuan Rui seemed to be relieved." So it's because of this! Mother, don't worry. Huan 'er and the crown prince are only husband and wife in name. In reality, Huan' er is still a virgin. This is what I have personally confirmed.”
"Rui 'er, mother entered the palace at the age of fourteen and became an imperial concubine at the age of sixteen. It has been more than twenty years. Over the past twenty years, Mother had seen many of the schemes and grudges in the palace. Often, a small matter like a sesame seed could kill a person! Rui 'er, you're my mother's darling, my mother's only hope in this life. It wasn't easy for you to inherit the throne and become the ruler of a country. Mother doesn't want you to fall into someone's trap for a woman, or even become the target of public criticism…"
"Mother, what are you trying to say?" Xuanyuan Rui's voice turned cold.”
"I want you to cripple Chu Huanyi and banish her to the Cold Palace!”
"Cripple Huan 'er?" Xuanyuan Rui raised his voice. Why? It's fine if you don't want me to make her my queen, but why do you want me to cripple her? Mother, do you really hate her that much?”
"Rui Er, think about it. Since ancient times, which emperor has ever had a good ending after snatching someone else's concubine as his concubine? Which one of them didn't lose their country, the hearts of the people, and even their lives? Rui 'er, you almost lost your life because of her. Mother doesn't want you to…"
" I'm not Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, and I'm not Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty. I'm me. I'm Xuanyuan Rui, the emperor of the South Qin Dynasty!" Xuanyuan Rui shouted. I have the freedom to choose whoever I want to be the empress. No one in the world can interfere, including you, mother!”
"Rui, Rui!"
Xuanyuan Rui flicked his sleeves and left the Great Ming Palace. However, he met the pale-faced Chu Huanyi at the corner.
Xuanyuan Rui was slightly stunned when he saw Chu Huanyi. He quickly stepped forward and said,""Huan 'er, why are you here?"
Chu Huanyi shook his head. His weak body was trembling." Your Majesty, I…"
Xuanyuan Rui thought she was cold and quickly took off his robe to put it on her." Are you cold? Silly girl, look at how thin you are. Of course you will be cold. Let's go. I'll accompany you to the imperial garden to bask in the sun so that you won't feel cold anymore. I'll also take a look at the pot of peony flowers that Ouyang Che sent over from 600 miles away yesterday.”
Without waiting for Chu Huanyi to refuse, Xuanyuan Rui hugged her and walked towards the imperial garden, ignoring the two people standing at the entrance of the Great Ming Palace.
One of them was his mother, Empress Dowager Xiaoren, and the other was the daughter of the prime minister that Empress Dowager Xiaoren insisted on making her empress!! Xue Yaozhen.
Xuanyuan Rui led Chu Huanyi around the imperial garden. They got rid of the eunuchs, palace maids, and guards. They passed through the bridges and the Qu Chi and arrived at the fake mountain beside Tianyin Lake.
Chu Huanyi looked at the cave that was still dark even in broad daylight. He was a little puzzled." Your Majesty, didn't you want to see the flowers?”
Xuanyuan Rui hugged her and sat down against the mountain wall."There's a peony king in front of me, so why should I look at the peony?”
Chu Huanyi was stunned. It took her a long time to realize that Xuanyuan Rui was talking about her." Your Majesty, you…you lied to me? Ouyang Che didn't send any flowers, right?”
Xuanyuan Rui smiled and shook his head. He leaned over and kissed her." No, Ouyang Che really sent a pot of peonies. I just thought it would be better to look at you than the flowers." There is no flower in the world that can compare to you, and there is no flower that is as beautiful and alluring as you.”
Chu Huanyi glared at him coquettishly." You…"
He smiled nonchalantly and pointed at the cave that was less than the height of a person when standing up. Even if he lay down, it would be too crowded."Do you know why I brought you here?”
Chu Huanyi didn't even have time to answer because Xuanyuan Rui had already laid her down on the ground. His slender body pressed down on her and he said in a half-serious and half-teasing manner,""The Yuezhou Provincial Governor has reported that Yuezhou is suffering from a severe drought. I have to go to Yuezhou to take a look at the disaster in a while. I might not be back for a few days, so before I leave, I want to finish what I didn't finish that morning!”
"But it's broad daylight now. It's not good to do such a thing. What if someone sees it? Besides, the Empress Dowager…"
At the mention of the Empress Dowager, Xuanyuan Rui's face, which was originally beaming with joy, turned ashen." You heard that?”
"Yes!" She pushed Xuanyuan Rui away and sat up." Your Majesty, I know you treat me well and I know you like me, but…but I don't want you to be criticized by the world because of me. I don't want you to become a stubborn and despotic ruler who doesn't listen to advice because of me. I…"
Xuanyuan Rui's face darkened." I don't want to hear it! I'm the ruler of a country. It's fine as long as I know what I'm doing. As for the gossip of others, I don't want to pay attention to it, and you don't have to pay attention to it either! I want you to know that I love you. I can do anything for you. In this life, I don't want any other woman except you. But…"
He paused and stared at her." But you have to treat me equally and be my wife wholeheartedly. Otherwise…Otherwise, I won't let you off!" I'll make you beg for death, and even the Feng Palace won't be at peace, do you understand?”
"Emperor, I…"
"Stop talking. I'm going to continue what I didn't finish that morning. Take off your clothes, I want to see you!" He ordered domineeringly.
Looking at his determined and handsome face, Chu Huanyi knew that no matter what she said, he wouldn't listen.
In fact, there was no need for her to say that. From the moment she gave herself to him last night, her heart had already belonged to him completely. Whether he was gentle, overbearing, open-minded, or arbitrary, she was destined to be his woman. So what else did she need to say?
……
In the evening, after Chu Huanyi sent Xuanyuan Rui on his way to Yuezhou, she quietly returned to the Great Harmony Palace with a body full of pain, embarrassment, and embarrassment.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived at the Great Harmony Palace, Chun Xian came out anxiously to welcome them." Your Majesty, you're finally back! The Empress Dowager has been waiting for a long time!”
Chu Huanyi was stunned. Empress Dowager? What was she doing here?
Just as she was thinking, Empress Dowager Xiaoren's stern and slightly angry voice came from inside," Where did Consort Zhen go? Why have I been waiting here for so long, but I haven't seen him? What arrogance! Someone, go and ask why Consort Zhen hasn't returned yet. Is she deliberately making me wait?"
An unfamiliar female voice said,""Empress Dowager, there's no need to ask. Yao Zhen has already asked and said that someone saw Consort Zhen and the emperor in the cave by Tianyin Lake.”
"In the cave by the Tianyin Lake? That place was dirty. What was he going there for?”
"I don't know. It seems like Consort Zhen met the emperor there for the first time, so she brought the emperor there to reminisce about the old times…"
Before the woman could finish her sentence, Chu Huanyi sucked in a breath of cold air. Then, he heard Empress Dowager Xiaoren's furious voice,""I haven't died yet, but Daji of the South Qin Country has already been born."Men! Bring Consort Zhen here immediately! Even if you have to tie her up, you have to tie her up!"”
Chun Xian's face turned pale when she heard that. She grabbed Chu Huanyi's hand and whispered,""Niangniang, don't go in. It won't be too late to see the Empress Dowager when the emperor returns.”
Chu Huanyi's face was also pale." No, the Emperor will only be back in a few days. Do you want me to hide for a few days? Besides, an ugly daughter-in-law had to meet her in-laws, didn't she?”
"But the Empress Dowager…"
Chu Huanyi shook his head." Don't worry. I've already encountered the worst situation. This time won't make a difference."”
With that, she tidied her clothes and walked in."Greetings, Empress Dowager Jixiang!”
When Empress Dowager Xiaoren saw Chu Huanyi covered in dust, even his hair and ears were stained with yellow mud, she immediately understood that what Xue Yaozhen said was true. This demon-like woman really pulled Xuanyuan Rui to be intimate in broad daylight. No wonder Xuanyuan Rui abandoned the state affairs and the government for her. He even ignored his own mother's words.
Empress Dowager Xiaoren was furious and snapped,""Chu Huanyi, hello! If Daji wanted to charm King Zhou, she would have to look at the time and the sky. However, you seduced the Emperor in broad daylight and framed him. Tell me, what crime do you deserve?"
"Empress Dowager, I…It's not me, it's the emperor…"
Empress Dowager Xiaoren glared at him." What did you say?" You seduced the emperor, do you still have a reason to justify yourself? Could it be that you want to say that the emperor took the initiative?"
Chu Huanyi shook his head." No, Huan 'er wouldn't dare. It's just that…"
"But what?"
"The Emperor is the ruler of a country and is in charge of the people of the world. Who would dare to disobey the Emperor's words? The emperor said to go east, how could Huan 'er dare to go west?”
"He is the ruler of a country, and we should listen to what he says, but can't you distinguish, advise, and stop him?”
"Huan 'er said it, but the emperor didn't listen.”
"If he doesn't listen, can't you say it again?”
"Empress Dowager, even the emperor might not listen to your words, let alone me.”
Empress Dowager Xiaoren was so angry that her body trembled and her eyes widened."What a glib tongue. No wonder Rui 'er is so loyal to you. You're so good at talking!"Someone, slap me. I want to see how many mouths you have to talk to me like this!”
Before Chu Huanyi could react, she had two palace maids support her body. Then, her face burned and she was slapped several times. Her cheeks were swollen and blood kept flowing from the corner of her mouth. She knelt on the ground and could not even speak.
Empress Dowager Xiaoren stood up and walked in front of Chu Huanyi." Do you know why I'm here today?”
Chu Huanyi was kneeling on the ground. His hair was disheveled, and he looked extremely pitiful.
Empress Dowager Xiaoren pointed at a beautiful woman who was about 17 or 18 years old and asked,""Do you know who she is?"
Chu Huanyi raised his head. His face was covered in tears, sweat, and blood. His entire body trembled as he looked at the woman who was as proud as a peacock.
"Her name is Xue Yaozhen, the empress chosen by the late emperor for Rui 'er.”
Chu Huanyi was stunned when he heard that the former emperor had personally chosen her." Empress?”
"That's right! I'm here today to tell you, don't even think about bewitching the emperor. As long as I'm here, I won't allow you to seduce the emperor, bring chaos to the court, and harm my South Qin country!”
Empress Dowager Xiaoren turned around and held Xue Yaozhen's hand as they walked out, saying,""Tomorrow, I will draft a decree to let all the civil and military officials and ministers of the court know that the Emperor is about to appoint Yao Zhen as the Empress. As for the official appointment date, it will be set on the fifteenth of next month. As for you, you filthy, shameless vixen who wreaks havoc in the palace, you can stay in the Cold Jade Palace!”
"Men!"
"Empress Dowager!"
"Cut off Chu Huanyi's title as a noble consort and send her into the Cold Jade Palace immediately. She is not allowed to report to the Emperor, nor is she allowed to be questioned. She is also not allowed to send food and water. I want to see how long this Daji of the South Qin country can live.”
"Yes!"
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