"Replying to Mother Empress, just now you said that I am a precious and virtuous wife of our Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, and Father Emperor said, 'What you say is absolutely right.' I am grateful for your kindness and once again thank Father Emperor for bestowing this title!" Ji Wushang said earnestly, his eyes looking at Empress Yao with a full chill.
“Yes, yes!” Emperor Zhou pointed at Ji Wushang and laughed, “The Fourth Imperial Consort is really clever, she knows what I mean!” As he spoke, Emperor Zhou immediately smiled at Empress Yao.
Empress Yao looked at him, feigning a friendly smile, "Yes, yes..."
The palace servants around them watched them laugh and joined in the laughter.
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong bowed again, "Thank you, Father and Mother!"
"Yes, stop kneeling, stand up!" Empress Yao's smile faded as she looked at them.
“Yes.” Nan Xuzong stood up and went to help Ji Wushang up. Ji Wushang touched him and looked up into his eyes. He also looked at her, his dark eyes looking at her as if they had an extra layer of magic, trying to draw Ji Wushang in.
Ji Wushang lowered his eyes and remained silent, but he stood with her.
"Third Prince, Third Princess," Empress Yao said to the two who had been standing there for a long time.
Huangfu Xuan suppressed his anger. Seeing Nan Xuzong and the other man being pressured by Empress Yao, and hearing the mention of Consort Zhen, Huangfu Xuan was reminded of his own birth mother, Consort Yuan. That vile Empress Yao, always so good at forcing and framing others! She'll surely suffer a terrible death one day!
"Your subject is here!" Huangfu Xuan pulled Ma Ruyi to kneel down.
"You don't need me to say anything more, do you?" Empress Yao said. "I am also looking forward to holding a grandson of the emperor!"
"Your subject understands!" Huangfu Xuan snorted coldly, "But now there is Fusang in the east, the Western Regions in the west, Qingzhao in the south, and Bohai in the north. Therefore, your subject believes that stabilizing the country and ensuring its peace is the most important thing. Matters of personal feelings can wait!"
"As the ancients said, 'Cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.' The Third Prince is mistaken!" Empress Yao immediately retorted upon hearing Huangfu Xuan's words. "Now you should all think about the Huangfu family!"
"Mother, I believe that times are different, and naturally, people should act accordingly." Ma Ruyi looked up, her beautiful eyes flashing with a chilling coldness. The fate of the nation was more important than herself!
Empress Yao listened to Ma Ruyi's words, sizing her up. She had overlooked this girl! What a sharp-tongued, shrewish woman! And now she's even speaking up for Huangfu Xuan? How utterly laughable! Who does Ma Ruyi think she is! Does she even have the right to argue with her here! Don't think she doesn't know; Ma Ruyi isn't Ma Ruyi, she's a wild girl of unknown origin! If she could find some evidence, she would surely condemn them both to eternal damnation! So they wouldn't have to keep chattering here!
"What the Third Imperial Consort said isn't entirely unreasonable! Well, I was just thinking of chatting with you all today, but somehow we ended up on this topic." Empress Yao then said, "I see the Emperor is tired. You may all leave! Go and play in the Imperial Garden, and spend more time interacting with the ministers; it will be extremely helpful for your studies."
"Yes." Nan Xuzong and the other three nodded in unison.
Just as Empress Yao had said, Emperor Zhou was indeed not in good spirits and seemed to need to rest and sleep.
The four men each had their own thoughts, and then they withdrew.
Ji Wushang walked silently ahead, and Nan Xuzong immediately followed. Huangfu Xuan, knowing that the matter between the two of them needed to be resolved, pulled Ma Ruyi away to another place.
Ma Ruyi's heart pounded even harder as he pulled her along. They arrived at a rather secluded spot, and it was Huangfu Xuan who spoke first, "You spoke up for me earlier."
"Yes, you should." Ma Ruyi whispered, poking her fingers together.
"???" I didn't expect you to be so sharp-tongued. Who taught you that? Huangfu Xuan's eyes were fixed on her every move and word. The next second, he pressed her against the side of the corridor, his arms restraining her.
"No, no..." Ma Ruyi looked at his handsome face as he leaned closer and became nervous.
"No?" He smiled.
????——
Nan Xuzong caught up with Ji Wushang and took her hand in his. "Are you unhappy?"
"I didn't." Ji Wushang looked at him, her heart pounding with anxiety.
"Don't panic, don't panic." Nan Xuzong looked at her, pulled her into his arms, and after a long while, whispered in her ear, "Don't put pressure on yourself, okay?"
"I...I don't know..." Ji Wushang nestled in his arms, burying her head in his chest, "Empress Yao, she..."
“Don’t worry about her,” Nan Xuzong smiled. “She’s fine now.”
"This is just the prelude... I know she definitely won't let it go."
"Then let her come!" Nan Xuzong kissed her dark hair. "Don't worry, I will always keep my promises."
"Actually, actually..."
"No, actually." Nan Xuzong interrupted her. "Don't let your imagination run wild." He was slightly annoyed. Was this little woman thinking about something else again?
“You’re taking all the blame upon yourself. I think Father will be disappointed in you.” Ji Wushang looked up at him.
He suddenly smiled and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with his hand. "Don't worry."
Ji Wushang pursed his lips.
He lowered his head and kissed her lips, then held her in his arms. "Empress Yao is trying to break us up, but we're determined not to separate. Let's see what other tricks she has up her sleeve! But right now, we must expose that fake first, otherwise, I'm worried something big is about to happen!"
"What are you talking about?" Before Ji Wushang could finish speaking, Nan Xuzong placed his fingertip on her lips. "Yes."
Ji Wushang nodded, "I'm afraid we need to think about this carefully. Empress Yao is too powerful, and besides, Father Emperor..." Ji Wushang shook his head slightly.
Nan Xuzong narrowed his eyes. "Let's go."
When they arrived at the Imperial Garden, many ministers looked at them as they came, but seeing that they were coming and going in pairs, they simply watched from a distance.
After what had just happened, all the ministers lost their playful spirit and began to speak and act cautiously.
At this moment, Ji Wushang saw Huangfu Ting walking towards the direction of the Crown Prince's palace, so he tugged at Nan Xuzong's sleeve. Nan Xuzong turned around and said, "Let's go take a look together."
The two followed Huangfu Ting, but since this was the palace, Huangfu Ting quickly realized that he was inside. He turned around and looked at them, saying, "Fourth Imperial Brother, Fourth Sister-in-law."
"Where are you going, Second Brother?" Nan Xuzong placed his hand on Ji Wushang's waist.
"Greetings, Second Imperial Brother." Ji Wushang bowed his head softly in greeting.
“Go to the Crown Prince’s palace and see how he is!” Huangfu Ting smiled slightly. “You guys are quite quick. What did Father and Mother say to you?” His smile was three parts upturned and seven parts sarcasm.