684 Untitled (2)
“What do you mean?” The Emperor was puzzled.
The Empress said bluntly, “Your Majesty, why don’t you give me a quick death about the Crown Princess? Do you really want to confer the Eldest Princess as the successor?”
The Emperor frowned and said, “She doesn’t even want to acknowledge me.”
The Empress asked relentlessly, “What if she reunites with Your Majesty? Is Your Majesty going to pass the position of Crown Prince to her?”
“I didn’t say that,” the Emperor said impatiently. He realized that his tone wasn’t good. He sighed and held the Empress’s hand. “I still have a few years left. I can still accompany you for a few more years. I promise you that no matter who becomes the Crown Prince, I won’t let you suffer.”
You even promised me that you wouldn’t acknowledge that child, but what’s going on now? The Empress pursed her lips and did not say the question in her heart. It was fine to throw a tantrum, but it would not be smart if she annoyed the Emperor.
The Empress changed the topic and said, “Has Your Majesty not considered Li’er? He’s also Prince Yan’s flesh and blood, the nephew of the Great Zhou Emperor. The blood of the royal families of the two countries flows in his body, so he’s also extremely noble.”
“I’ll consider it,” the Emperor said.
The Empress and the Emperor had been husband and wife for many years. She could understand what he was thinking with a look. When Nangong Li was mentioned, he was clearly not too interested. It was not that he did not dote on this child, but Nangong Yan had lost his favor and even Nangong Li was implicated.
When his anger towards Nangong Yan subsided, Nangong Li would be able to regain his favor. However, the problem was that no one knew how long this process would take. If not for those little fellows, the Emperor might have easily doted on Nangong Li.
While she was thinking, the Emperor said, “It’s getting late. I’ll go back to my bedchamber first.”
The Empress was stunned. “Your Majesty… aren’t you going to eat with me?”
“I…” Thinking of the little fellows in the bedchamber, the Emperor was a little worried.
The Empress’s heart skipped a beat, but on the surface, she said considerately, “Got it. Your Majesty is worried about the children. Go. I’ll also choose a few capable nannies to send to Consort Yun.”
The Emperor nodded. “That’s good. Consort Yun has never raised a child before. She’s not as experienced as you. If you have nothing to do, remind her more.”
“I understand.” The Empress smiled and sent the Emperor out of the Central Palace.
The Emperor left a little quickly, showing how anxious he was to see those little fellows.
The Empress could no longer hold back her smile. She slapped the pillar beside her, and her fingernail guard broke.
The eunuch walked forward, picked up the broken guard on the ground, and said to the Empress, “Your Majesty, please calm down!”
The Empress did not have a bad temper. After taking a deep breath, she suppressed the anger in her heart and said firmly, “Do you think I’ve lost favor?”
The eunuch hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, what are you saying? You’re His Majesty’s wife. His Majesty has doted on you alone for so many years. How could you lose favor? Didn’t you see how nervous His Majesty is about you when you were angry just now?”
The Empress snorted coldly. “He’s nervous about me, but he’s even more nervous about those little fellows.”
The eunuch said, “Those children are indeed likable, but such young children will always be naughty. When His Majesty’s novelty passes, he will find them annoying.”
“Is that so?” the Empress murmured.
The eunuch smiled and said, “Of course. I heard that those children are extremely noisy. In a few days, His Majesty won’t be able to take it anymore.”
The Empress did not want to keep arguing about this. She paused and asked, “Where’s the commandery prince? Why haven’t I seen him for two days?”
When Nangong Li was in the Capital, he would come to greet the Empress every day. This was also why he could still walk freely in the palace after Nangong Yan’s accident. The Emperor saw his filial piety towards the Empress and would not casually stop him from entering the palace.
The eunuch took a deep breath in confusion. “That’s right. There’s been no news of His Highness for two days. Even if His Highness can’t come and greet you, he’ll send someone to deliver news.”
The Empress said with a headache, “Go to the Princess Manor and help me take a look at Li’er and Xi’er.”
“Yes,” the eunuch agreed. He took a carriage without eating lunch.
Nangong Li had only been sent back to the Princess Manor this morning. After he was tortured by Consort Yun and her daughter, he was taught a lesson by Yu Shaoqing. He fell down the hill and fainted in the grass for two days and two nights.
Fortunately, there were no ferocious beasts there. Otherwise, he would have been taken away without anyone noticing. A passing woodcutter discovered him, recognized the token on him, and sent him back to the Princess Manor.
Nangong Li was beaten up beyond recognition. His mouth was swollen and his tongue was tied in a knot. The eunuch listened for a long time but could not tell who had caused him to suffer.
