907 Secret (6)
…
In the palace of the Daliang Dynasty, Empress Xiande listened to the palace maid report what happened at the Summer Banquet today. When she heard Shen Miao say, “I won’t take in concubines for my husband. When Prince Rui came to propose marriage to me, he said that he wouldn’t take in any other women. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have married him and come all the way to Long Ye.” Hearing this, Empress Xiande couldn’t help but laugh. She had to look dignified as an empress and rarely smiled. When she smiled, she actually looked a little girlish.
“Empress, why are you smiling so happily?” Emperor Yong Le’s voice came from outside. His expression was slightly cold as he stepped into Weiyang Palace. Looking at Empress Xiande, a strange look flashed across his eyes.
Empress Xiande smiled happily and said, “Cai Lian, tell His Majesty what the princess consort said.”
The palace maid called Cai Lian quickly lowered her head and repeated what she had said to the empress in detail. Hearing this, Emperor Yong Le flicked his sleeve and said angrily, “Nonsense! Unruly! How dare she!”
Cai Lian was shocked and her body was trembling. The emperor’s anger was not something a small palace maid like her could withstand.
Empress Xiande looked at Emperor Yong Le reproachfully and said to Cai Lian, “You can leave.”
Cai Lian heaved a sigh of relief and quickly left. Only then did Empress Xiande smile and say, “Shen Miao is really compatible with Jingxing. They are both straightforward people.”
“Xie Yuan is insensible and fools around. Are you also insensible?” Emperor Yong Le looked at Empress Xiande in dissatisfaction. “You seem to like Shen Miao very much?”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such an interesting person in Long Ye.” Empress Xiande smiled. Seeing Emperor Yong Le sit down beside her, her tone was still gentle, but her voice was filled with praise. “She is a smart person, but she also keeps an honest heart.”
“I can’t tell if she’s smart or honest,” Emperor Yong Le said coldly. “But I can tell she’s scheming.”
“If that’s the case, with Jingxing’s intelligence, how could he not tell and fall for a scheming woman?”
Emperor Yong Le said disapprovingly, “Xie Yuan is still young and can’t tell right from wrong. That’s why he’s bewitched by that woman.”
Empress Xiande sighed. She knew that Emperor Yong Le was stubborn and did not want to argue with him, so she said, “In short, I think Jingxing’s wife is a very good person.”
“If she’s really good, she wouldn’t have said that in front of so many people.” Emperor Yong Le was very dissatisfied. “Empress, do you also think it’s right for women to be jealous and stop her husband from taking in concubines?”
Empress Xiande smiled faintly. “That’s naturally a good thing for womens. It’s just that very few women can do it.”
“Empress!” Hearing this, Emperor Yong Le frowned and looked at Empress Xiande sternly.
“My apology.” Although Empress Xiande said that, she did not look too afraid. She only said, “Your Majesty, don’t worry too much about Jingxing. He knows what to do. If you interfere too much, you will only irritate him.”
“I have my own ideas,” Emperor Yong Le said in a low voice.
After a moment of silence, Empress Xiande said, “Your Majesty, are you ready for the hunt next month?”
Emperor Yong Le’s expression was unreadable. “I’ve already arranged everything.”
“Can I go with you?” Empress Xiande asked, “I want to be by your side.”
“I’ll bring Consort Jing along.” Emperor Yong Le said, “If anything happens to me, you have to take care of the harem.”
Empress Xiande lowered her head and did not speak. A moment later, she looked up and smiled gently. “I understand.”
“The person I’m most worried about is Xie Yuan. Back then, he hid in Ming Qi when he was young. I felt guilty towards him. However, now that the world is in a state of chaos, I still can’t fulfill the promise I made back then. In the future, no matter how much he hates me and understands the efforts I made, this is all I can do.” Emperor Yong Le looked out and said sadly, “Unfortunately, before Mother died, she didn’t even get to see him.”
“Mother will be happy to see Jingxing becoming such an outstanding man,” Empress Xiande said.
“Empress,” Emperor Yong Le suddenly said.
Empress Xiande looked at him and heard Emperor Yong Le continue, “It’s been hard on you all these years.”
“It’s my job to share Your Majesty’s burdens.” Empress Xiande smiled. Her expression was very calm as she said, “I’ve accompanied Your Majesty for decades. Your Majesty treats me very well. I’m already satisfied.”
Emperor Yong Le looked at Empress Xiande and wanted to say something. He moved his lips, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. He only looked at Empress Xiande with a complicated expression before looking away.
