His brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again.
Ye Xiaowei continued, “Since childhood, I have been frail and sickly, requiring medication year-round. If not for the meticulous care of my mother, the Empress, and my father, I would certainly not have been able to grow up safely. Thinking of all these years, I have spent my days confined to the Eastern Palace, bedridden. Not only have I been unable to attend court to share my mother's burdens, but I have also caused her constant worry and anxiety. This is truly my filial impiety. As the Crown Princess, I have been unable to achieve anything, unable to contribute to the nation's affairs. I am deeply ashamed. Now, my condition is gradually improving, and my health is recovering. Therefore, I wish to take this opportunity to make up for my years of neglect and, in this year of natural disasters, contribute my humble strength to the country and its people!”
These heartfelt words were spoken with sincerity and utmost aptness, and at just the right time.
Emperor Mingde was already troubled by this matter, and Ye Xiaowei brought it up at this moment, which was exactly what she wanted. It was like a life-saving straw when someone was drowning, or a piece of charcoal offered in the freezing cold.
These words made Emperor Mingde feel even more love and affection for Ye Xiaowei, and also deeply grateful.
"It is truly a blessing for all the people of Fengyu to have such awareness, and naturally, it is also a blessing for me. However, your health has just improved, so it is still not advisable to overexert yourself..."
"Mother Queen!"
Ye Xiaowei suddenly knelt down on both knees in front of Emperor Mingde with a thud. Emperor Mingde was heartbroken and hurriedly bent down to help her up.
Unable to conceal her deep worry, she said, "Wei'er, what's wrong... Get up quickly..."
Ye Xiaowei, however, remained resolute and shook her head:
“Mother, I was not just putting on an act. I am not such a hypocritical person, nor am I one of those who like to put on a show. What I just said came from the bottom of my heart, and every word was true.”
"But Wei'er, your health has always been poor. If I were to hastily entrust you with serving the country, I fear you would not be able to handle it. How about this, you should rest in the Eastern Palace for a while longer and see what the imperial physicians say. If they all say you have fully recovered, then I will allow you to attend court and assume the responsibilities of the Crown Princess. Although you have overseen the country before, you have always had your father assisting you..."
After a pause, he continued, "I know your intentions and have never thought you were the kind of person who was hypocritical. You want to make many contributions as the Crown Princess so that you can rightfully ascend the throne and consolidate your power when you do so in the future. I naturally hope that you will do so as well. But you must also remember that you can't get fat in one bite. You must not be too reckless or eager for quick success!"
Ye Xiaowei smiled and shook her head upon hearing this: "Mother, although I also wish to achieve great things, I am also aware of my current abilities. I understand your words very well, so I do not intend to do anything earth-shattering in a short period of time. I do not have that ability. I simply want to contribute my modest efforts in my own way to the well-being of the people!"
"So what you mean is?"
"Your subject wishes to go to Mount Wutai to fast and chant Buddhist scriptures for three years, in order to pray that the Phoenix Feather Kingdom will be prosperous and strong, that the people will live in peace and happiness, and that they will be free from natural disasters and man-made calamities, and that Mother Empress, Father Empress, and Father Emperor will enjoy good health and longevity!"
Emperor Mingde was naturally quite surprised to hear this. In the previous dynasty, princesses or crown princesses had gone to Mount Wutai to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist prayers in order to pray for peace and prosperity for the country. However, this place was remote, had a harsh climate, and was extremely inconvenient to travel to.
Ye Xiaowei has been frail and sickly since childhood, and she had only just recovered a little when she was sent to that kind of place and forced to eat vegetarian food every day. How could she possibly endure it?
☆、024 Praying for the People
Although her fearless spirit deeply moved her, it still caused her some concern.
"Wei'er, this is absolutely unacceptable. How could I bear to let you suffer like that... Besides, three years is far too long..."
"Mother Empress! I understand that you care about your son, but besides being my mother, you are also the ruler of Fengyu Kingdom!" These words were exactly what Emperor Mingde wanted to hear.
Ye Xiaowei is right. In private, she is a mother, but in public, she is the ruler of Fengyu. Although she is worried about Ye Xiaowei's safety, she should care more about the safety of the people of Fengyu.
Emperor Mingde was filled with mixed emotions. Although he felt reluctant to do so, Ye Xiaowei's words were all true and reasonable, each word like a sharp rock, striking right to the heart.
Emperor Mingde reached out and helped Ye Xiaowei up, his face filled with relief and emotion, as well as some affection and reluctance, his expression somewhat complicated.
"It's rare to see someone as understanding and righteous as Wei'er. Since you insist on this, I will not object further, after all, you are praying for the entire Phoenix Feather. However, I must make you agree to one thing!"
Emperor Mingde's expression turned somewhat serious, and Ye Xiaowei replied respectfully:
"Please give your instructions, Your Majesty!"
"Although Mount Wutai is a place for Taoist cultivation and health preservation, it is not in the imperial palace. The guards there are certainly not as strict as those in the imperial palace. Moreover, the climate there is strange, and you have been frail and sickly since childhood. You have never left the imperial palace even for a moment, and I am truly worried about you. Therefore, you must promise me that you will protect yourself and not be harmed in any way. Your heart for praying for the well-being of all people is already commendable, so you must act within your capabilities!"
"Your subject obeys the decree!"
Emperor Mingde scrutinized Ye Xiaowei for a long time, then couldn't help but give her a few more instructions before letting her leave.
In Fengyu Kingdom, no crown princess has ever volunteered to go to Wutai Mountain to fast and chant Buddhist scriptures for three years to pray for the well-being of all people.
Generally speaking, most of them choose to establish military merits and win the admiration of the masses on the battlefield, but Ye Xiao is an unprecedented person in the entire Phoenix Feather Kingdom.
The next day, Emperor Mingde told his ministers about the matter in court. Many of them objected, and the reason was quite simple.
The Crown Princess is the heir apparent of the Phoenix Feather Kingdom and the future emperor. Her status is illustrious. How could she condescend to go to such a harsh place? I fear that the Crown Princess's delicate body cannot withstand such hardship. I hope Emperor Mingde will reconsider.
Many ministers remained neutral and observed the situation. Grand Tutor Li Xueyu was a cunning old fox who had a close relationship with Li Chunxiang, the Minister of War of the current dynasty, and they were in cahoots.
The two old foxes exchanged a knowing smile, instantly understanding each other's meaning.
The fact that the emperor brought this matter up shows that she has already made her decision. Speaking it out now is just to inform everyone and let the officials know as well.
Having spent years navigating the treacherous waters of the imperial court, these two cunning old foxes naturally understood the emperor's thoughts. Talking now would be pointless; it was better to wait and see.
Sure enough, after the ministers discussed for a while, Emperor Mingde spoke:
"My mind is made up on this matter, and my ministers need not try to persuade me any further. It is rare to find a Crown Princess who is so understanding, compassionate towards the people, and possesses such a spirit of dedication. As the Crown Princess wishes, we will depart for Mount Wutai in three days. I will lead all my ministers to see her off at the palace gate! Ministers, if you have anything to say, please speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned!"
"Your Majesty, this old minister has something to report!"
Grand Tutor Li Xueyu stepped forward.
"Grand Tutor, please speak!"
“My son and Her Highness the Crown Princess are engaged. According to the ancestral rules of Fengyu, princesses and princes must marry after their coming-of-age ceremony at the age of sixteen. However, Her Highness the Crown Princess is already fourteen years old this year. In three more years, she will be seventeen. Wouldn’t that mean the wedding with my son would have to be postponed?”
She had gone through a lot of trouble to get this marriage, and she had to use all sorts of tricks along the way.
Ye Xiaowei is the Crown Princess, who will become the future emperor, and her son Li Muyan is her rightful ruler, who will become the future empress if nothing unexpected happens.
She is now the Grand Tutor of the court, and Emperor Mingde was taught by her. Naturally, people should be afraid of her and give her some face.
Over the years, she has made many contributions in the court and among the people, and her reputation is illustrious. If Li Muyan becomes emperor and empress in the future, the Li family will naturally be unparalleled in their prominence and hold immense power in the court.
She wouldn't let such an opportunity slip away.
Emperor Mingde said, "The Crown Princess is going to pray for the country and its people, so she naturally cannot return midway to marry your son. Furthermore, Mount Wutai is a place for cultivation, so it would be inappropriate to have Muyan go there to get married. Therefore…"
Emperor Mingde looked troubled, and seeing this, Li Xueyu quickly said, "This old minister did not mean that!"
"Oh? Then, according to the Grand Tutor, it means..."
"What this old minister means is that since my son and Her Highness the Crown Princess are already engaged, and Her Highness the Crown Princess, being of noble birth, is not afraid of difficulties and is so righteous, praying for the well-being of all people, my son, as the future Crown Princess's consort, should stand with Her Highness. Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to grant my son permission to travel together!"
Li Chunxiang and Li Xueyu had been colluding for a long time and were practically on the same side. Seeing this, she also stepped forward to speak up for her.
"In my humble opinion, it would be best to have Young Master Li accompany Her Highness so that Her Highness and Young Master Li can properly cultivate their relationship. Moreover, Her Highness is traveling such a long distance alone, so it would be good for her to have someone accompany and take care of her!"
After Li Chunxiang finished speaking, the other officials who were affiliated with the two women's faction all echoed her and nodded in agreement.
Emperor Mingde pondered for a moment and found it reasonable, so he nodded:
"In that case, I grant your permission!"
Overjoyed, Li Xueyu quickly knelt down to express her gratitude: "This old subject thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"
"Court adjourned!"
In the inner courtyard of the East Palace, Ye Xiaowei leaned against the soft couch of the Imperial Concubine, with a palace maid fanning her and two handsome young men massaging her legs.
Beside them was a man holding a white fox, extremely handsome and imposing, with dazzling golden eyes that sparkled brightly.
However, at this moment, his little face did not show much happiness. Instead, his little mouth was pouting, and his bright golden eyes kept glancing at Ye Xiaowei.
When Luo Zijin cast that extremely aggrieved look at her for the third time, she finally couldn't help but speak up.
He opened his mouth to take the grapes from the handsome man's hand and spat all the seeds into his fair, jade-like palm.
"Stop looking at me with such pitiful eyes, I really can't take it anymore, Young Master Luo!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Zijing handed the white fox to a maid standing nearby and leaned against Ye Xiaowei.
She curled a lock of long silver hair between her fingers and said:
“Your Highness, how could you do this? You didn’t even consult us before deciding to go to such a place so quickly. Moreover, I heard that His Majesty even allowed Li Muyan to accompany you in court today. I had finally managed to build some rapport with Your Highness, and now we have to part ways. How can I bear it…”
☆、025 Two Attendants
Ye Xiaowei had a nonchalant smile on her lips. She hooked her finger under Luo Zijing's chin and lifted it slightly, looking directly into those bright golden eyes.
"Are you really reluctant to part with me?"
Luo Zijing nodded without hesitation: "Yes!"
Ye Xiaowei's smile grew wider, making Luo Zijin's heart flutter even more.
"What's so difficult about that? Just come with me!" Luo Zijin's eyes suddenly lit up, her golden eyes sparkling with a bright light that made people dizzy for a while.
Ye Xiaowei poked his forehead in annoyance: "Damn it, your eyes are truly more dazzling than gold!"
Luo Zijing grabbed Ye Xiaowei's hand: "Is this really true? Don't try to fool me!"
"A promise is a promise!" Luo Zijin happily hugged Ye Xiaowei tightly, holding her petite body close to her chest. Due to her excitement, she hugged her a little too tightly, and Ye Xiaowei was panting.
She couldn't help but complain: "Do you want to murder me? Do you want to strangle me to death?!"
Startled, Luo Zijing quickly let go, finally able to breathe in the fresh air again. Ye Xiaowei couldn't help but greedily inhale a few more breaths. However, because of what had just happened, two pink blushes appeared on her originally fair and translucent face, which, combined with her elegant and refined appearance, gave her a unique charm. Luo Zijing stared at her, dumbfounded, like a fool.
"Luo Zijin, are you out of your mind? You're choking me to death!"
Luo Zijing then realized what was happening and hurriedly reached out to gently pat her back to help her catch her breath, saying repeatedly:
"It was my fault. I was too excited and overly emotional, that's why I did that. Are you alright?"
Ye Xiaowei resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Firstly, as the Crown Princess and the head of the Eastern Palace, she naturally couldn't do something as unrefined as rolling her eyes. Secondly, she was always extremely dignified, elegant, and noble in front of others, and if she suddenly rolled her eyes, people would definitely wonder if she had broken her brain today.
"I'm not tofu, do you think I'll break at the slightest touch? Alright, stop filming. You should go back and prepare; we'll be setting off in three days!"
Luo Zijin quickly stood up, but her expression still showed some worry.
"Are you really alright?"
Ye Xiaowei looked at him with a half-smile, but her eyes were extremely sharp and slightly angry.
"Get out now, and perhaps I won't change my mind..."
Luo Zijing's forehead creased with three black lines, her lips twitched, and she said awkwardly:
"Your subject takes his leave!" He took the white fox back from the maid's arms, gently stroking its body with his fingers, as if talking to himself, or perhaps deliberately speaking to Ye Xiaowei.