activa-t Chapter 455
Chapter 455
The Empress rolled her eyes on the side, thinking to herself, now he’s worried, but where was he earlier?However, thinking of Xu Hening, who had left the capital on official business, the Empress also heaved a sigh.
Speaking of this Xu Hening, he really was quite unlucky.
He married his first princess consort, and within a year, she was gone. Then, just as he was about to marry a second consort, the Emperor sent him out of the capital on an errand.
“Your Majesty, what do you plan to do with those people from the Qinling Kingdom?” the Empress asked, also feeling a headache thinking about Shangguan Mu and Shangguan Yun.
After all, Shangguan Mu’s behavior had been extremely rude, and the Qinling Kingdom was more powerful than the Lannuo Kingdom. If handled poorly, it could bring disaster upon the Lannuo Kingdom.
The Empress had no idea about the behind‑the‑scenes schemes of Zhu Jingchen and Xu Hening.
At this moment, as the mother of the nation, all she felt was worry for the people of the Lannuo Kingdom.
“What can I do? I didn’t invite them here,” Zhu Jingchen said, his tone of disdain toward Shangguan Mu and Shangguan Yun practically dripping.
“Your Majesty, this is no time for angry words. Those two are real, living people. I heard they went to the Li family yesterday?” The Empress sighed. Sometimes she felt the Emperor was just a big child.
“Hmph. And that Xu Hening—he could have left, but he didn’t arrange more guards for the Li family. Jin Yan, send someone to watch the Li residence later. If that third prince of Qinling dares to be disrespectful again and disturb the Li family’s dependents, just take him away directly,” Zhu Jingchen said. He believed the Lannuo Kingdom now had enough leverage to stand against the Qinling Kingdom.
This was still the capital of the Lannuo Kingdom; how could they allow a mere third prince to stir up trouble here?
“Your Majesty, you are the sovereign of our Lannuo Kingdom and should put the overall situation first,” the Empress said, having accepted her father’s request to persuade this headstrong Emperor.
Although the Empress knew the national treasury was no longer as empty as before, she still felt they were no match for the Qinling Kingdom.
If sacrificing Li Zhiwei alone could secure peace for the entire Lannuo Kingdom, why not do it?
But she couldn’t understand why the Emperor was unwilling.
Could it be because she was the girl Prince An intended to marry?
She had heard that the Qinling Kingdom’s princess was stunningly beautiful and no worse than Li Zhiwei.
At most, Prince An could be compensated with another consort. That Qinling princess, whether in status or appearance, was no inferior to Li Zhiwei. Prince An wouldn’t lose out by exchanging consorts.
That was how the Empress thought, and she planned to advise Xu Hening in the same way.
“This matter, I have my own ideas. You need not worry, Empress,” Zhu Jingchen said, well aware of what the Empress meant.
In the past, he might have thought the same.
After all, although he valued Prince An, he wouldn’t sacrifice all the people of the Lannuo Kingdom for his sake.
But now, he was choosing to oppose the Qinling Kingdom not just for Prince An, but because he understood clearly that the Qinling Kingdom’s demands went far beyond a marital alliance.
There was the century‑old treaty.
And the entire Li family.
He was also perfectly aware that even if he allowed Li Zhiwei to marry Shangguan Mu, the Qinling Kingdom would not go easy on that supposed century‑old pact. Since they already had the confidence to stand against the Qinling Kingdom, why continue to placate them?
As for Shangguan Yun, he had no intention of keeping her around either.
But these matters were not something he could explain to the Empress.
“Your Majesty, you are the ruler of a nation. You cannot act out of personal interest…” The Empress’s voice trailed off.
Even she found it hard to say more, but thinking of her father’s entreaty, she didn’t know how to persuade him further.
“Your Majesty, you must think thrice!” the Empress said, looking at Zhu Jingchen. Finally, she could only say this.
“Your Majesty!”
Just as Zhu Jingchen was wondering how to tell the Empress what he knew, a sweet, light voice rang out.
The Empress frowned. On ordinary days, she might let it slide and not bother with these petty concubines.
But at this moment, she was furious. She and the Emperor were discussing state affairs.
“Concubine Xi, is this your usual decorum?” the Empress asked, her face full of displeasure, looking at the palace‑robed woman entering.
“Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty, and to Her Majesty the Empress,” Concubine Xi said, as if only then noticing the Empress, hastily bowing to Zhu Jingchen and the Empress.
“My beloved, please rise,” Zhu Jingchen said, relieved at Concubine Xi’s arrival. Otherwise, he feared he might accidentally reveal all his plans to the Empress in a moment of weakness.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Concubine Xi said, casting a shy, flirtatious glance at Zhu Jingchen, completely ignoring the fury blazing in the Empress’s eyes.
After all, the Emperor himself had told her to rise.
“Your Majesty, have I disturbed you and Sister Empress?” Concubine Xi deliberately shot a glance at the Evidently displeased Empress.
“How could that be? My beloved’s arrival makes both the Empress and me very happy. Isn’t that right, Empress?” Zhu Jingchen asked with a smile, as if he didn’t see the anger in the Empress’s eyes.
“Concubine Xi, I still have matters to discuss with His Majesty. You may withdraw now,” the Empress said coldly, directly dismissing her.
“Your Majesty, forgive me. I didn’t know you and Sister Empress had matters to discuss. I shall take my leave immediately,” Concubine Xi said obediently, pretending to leave.
But inwardly, she was confident that if she pretended to go, the Emperor would surely keep her there.
After all, she could tell that the Emperor was delighted to see her.
Although the Empress was the head of the imperial harem, the imperial harem belonged to the Emperor. The Empress’s opinion didn’t matter.
“Enough, Empress. I think it’s fine for Concubine Xi to stay,” Zhu Jingchen cleared his throat and quickly said.
“Your Majesty…” the Empress could clearly see that the Emperor was evading the issue.
This Concubine Xi wasn’t really that favored.
He was probably just trying to avoid continuing their previous topic.
Thinking of this, the Empress also felt a pang of grievance. If it weren’t for the sake of the Lannuo Kingdom’s people, why would she want to send Li Zhiwei to a marriage alliance?
But since the Emperor was unreasonable, the Empress thought she might try approaching Li Zhiwei herself.
After all, the survival of the entire Lannuo Kingdom was at stake.
She would do this for the sake of the whole country. When Li Zhiwei married, she would prepare a generous gift to make amends.
As for the Li family, she would see to them in the future.
Presumably, no one in the capital would dare trouble the Li family.
“I shall not disturb Your Majesty’s leisure,” the Empress said. She then stood up, bowed to Zhu Jingchen, and prepared to send someone to summon Li Zhiwei to the palace.
Watching the Empress’s retreating back, Zhu Jingchen breathed a sigh of relief.
“Your Majesty, I recently learned a new tune. How about gracing my chambers today? I will play it for you,” Concubine Xi said, looking at Zhu Jingchen with shyness and anticipation.
She was triumphant inside, feeling that her good days were about to begin.