"Ling'er apologizes to Mother for what she did last time. Please forgive Ling'er for what she did. It was Ling'er who acted without thinking. Mother is still the Empress Dowager of the country. Whatever she does is naturally for the sake of the country and the people. So it was Ling'er's fault."
Hai Ling's gentle apology surprised the Empress Dowager. She held her daughter-in-law's abilities in even higher regard. Hai Ling had clearly attacked her, yet now she offered an apology, perfectly resolving the matter and making the Emperor even more fond of her. Hai Ling's conduct was truly impeccable. Even the Empress Dowager herself was not half as capable as Hai Ling. If she had Hai Ling's methods, she and her son would not have left the palace that day.
However, in front of Feng'er, the Empress Dowager would naturally not be unreasonable; that would be the behavior of a fool.
"Alright, it's all in the past. It's just a mother and child, what's wrong or right? The most important thing is for the Empress to rest and have a healthy pregnancy, and give me a little grandson. That's what matters most."
"Thank you, Mother Empress."
"Sit down, don't stand," the Empress Dowager said, pulling Hailing to sit down. She then affectionately placed two dishes in Hailing's bowl, and Hailing thanked her again. The people at the table began to eat, chatting casually as they ate, creating a harmonious atmosphere with no signs of discord.
The Empress Dowager also mentioned the last time the Emperor had ordered the people of the West Mansion to reflect on their actions within the mansion. Seeing that his mother had temporarily put aside her resentment tonight, Ye Lingfeng didn't want to upset her, so he breathed a sigh of relief and instructed the eunuch to deliver the imperial decree to the West Mansion, stating that the two officials of the West Mansion could attend court tomorrow. The Empress Dowager's expression finally improved considerably. Tonight, her son and daughter-in-law had both gone along with her wishes, so she felt somewhat relieved and smiled more often.
Granny Ying and Shi Mei, among others, smiled as they looked at everything before them.
After the meal, Ye Lingfeng and Hai Ling greeted the Empress Dowager and then left the main hall to return to Liuyue Palace.
After they left, Granny Ying helped the Empress Dowager to rest, and the two talked as they walked.
Granny Ying was happy for the Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty, the Emperor and the Empress did a good job tonight and did not make you angry."
The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow. She wouldn't be angry if they continued like this, but she was afraid they were just putting on an act and would eventually revert to their old ways.
"Never mind, let's talk about this later."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ying Mama helped the Empress Dowager into the main hall of Cining Palace to rest.
Inside the Liuyue Palace, Ye Lingfeng held Hailing's hand. Thinking of everything Hailing had done tonight for him, he couldn't help but kiss her small hand and softly said, "Ling'er, thank you for what you did tonight."
Because Ling'er lowered her stance, the Empress Dowager's attitude softened considerably. If the two of them work hard in the future, he believes that she will no longer cause trouble for Ling'er, and the family can live together in love and harmony, which is what he desires most.
"No need to thank me. She is your mother, and naturally she is my mother as well. Although I believe I did nothing wrong last time, it was still my fault to lay a hand on an elder, so apologizing is what I should do."
As Hai Ling spoke, she lowered her head and bit Ye Lingfeng's hand, immediately leaving a small tooth mark on the back of his hand. Ye Lingfeng laughed and teased her.
"When did our Ling'er turn into a little wild beast? She can even bite people now."
Hai Ling laughed heartily, when suddenly her son kicked in her belly and she cried out, causing Ye Lingfeng to tense up: "What's wrong? What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, my son kicked me."
Hai Ling pointed to her stomach, and Ye Lingfeng immediately bent down, picked her up and put her on the bed, then said earnestly, "Let me have a heart-to-heart talk with my son. How can you be so unfilial?"
After saying that, she gently lay down in Hailin's belly and began to talk to the baby inside: "Son, do you know how hard it was for your mother to carry you? So you must be good and not kick your mother anymore."
After he finished speaking, he listened attentively. The little baby in Hai Ling's belly was very quiet. Ye Lingfeng immediately smiled and looked at Hai Ling: "Ling'er, look, look, he really understood. It seems to be a smart baby."
"Yes, yes, yes, our son will definitely be the smartest."
Hailin smiled, feeling truly happy to share everything about her child with her beloved.
However, it was late at night, and he had been traveling by carriage for several nights and had just rushed to the Imperial Study to handle government affairs, so it was best to let him rest early.
"Ye, go to sleep early, you have to attend the morning court tomorrow," Hai Ling reminded Ye Lingfeng. He responded and then undressed to go to sleep. Because of the days of carriage travel and the previous trip to the Imperial Study to handle government affairs, Ye Lingfeng fell asleep quickly. Hai Ling, on the other hand, was wide awake. She had slept for most of the day, so she was in good spirits. Looking at the sleeping man beside her, he was less cold and domineering than usual, and very soft. His dark hair was scattered on the pillowcase, making his skin look as delicate as snow. Whether viewed up close or from afar, he was so handsome that it was enviable. Hai Ling reached out and gently touched his long eyelashes, which were as fine as small fans, covering his deep and mysterious eyes, his proud nose, and his sexy lips. Every time her hand touched a spot, she felt a warm current from her heart, and a part of her heart sank in. She thought to herself silently.
Night, from now on, my child and I will never leave you.
Inside the palace, the lamps flickered, casting a soft glow throughout the room.
The next day, Hai Ling woke up to find that Ye Lingfeng had already gone to the morning court session. Since there was nothing for her to do after waking up, Hai Ling slept for a while longer. When she opened her eyes again, it was already late. Ye Lingfeng had come back to check on her once, but seeing that she was asleep, he quietly left again.
After finishing breakfast, Fuyue came in and reported, "General Ji and Young General Ji request an audience."
Upon hearing that her father had arrived, Hailing immediately ordered someone to invite him in.
Yesterday, Ji Shaocheng returned to the mansion. Ji Cong originally wanted to go to the palace to visit his daughter, but Ji Shaocheng knew that Hailing must be very tired from riding in the carriage for days and being pregnant. So he stopped his father. This morning, after the two of them went to the morning court, they came over again.
Two figures quickly appeared in front of the palace gate. The one in front was Ji Cong, and the one behind was Ji Shaocheng. The two entered the palace one after the other and paid their respects.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
"Get up, Father," Hai Ling came over and helped Ji Cong up. Now that Jiang Batian was dead, her mind was at ease. There was still one thing left: to find out where her mother and family were buried. Because she was in a hurry to leave the Great Zhou Dynasty, she hadn't checked where the Nie family was buried. So she would send someone to find Prince Jing, Feng Zihe, to inquire where the Nie family was buried, and then bury her mother with the Nie family, as well as the Nie family's ancestral sword, Long Tian Jue, with them.
In the main hall, Ji Cong and Ji Shaocheng stood up. Ji Cong looked at Hai Ling and saw that her belly was quite large. Although she looked a little thin, she was in good spirits. Ji Cong finally felt relieved.
Hai Ling helped Ji Cong to sit down, and then asked him with concern how he was feeling and whether everything was alright at the Ji residence.
Ji Cong replied to each of them, and then Hai Ling looked up and saw Ji Shaocheng, who had not spoken. She then thought of Mingzhu in the palace. Mingzhu is now the princess of Nanling Kingdom and has come to Beilu for a marriage alliance. Because of the recent events in Beilu, her wedding has been postponed again and again. Now that there is nothing important, it is not advisable to delay any longer.
However, she wouldn't force her brother to marry her if he didn't want to.
"Brother, I heard from Mingzhu that you don't want to marry her, is that right?"
When Hai Ling asked, Ji Shaocheng's face darkened slightly. He was surprised that the woman had brought this up with his sister. However, his reluctance to marry her was a thing of the past. Since the two of them had been spending time together recently, he had come to appreciate Nalan Mingzhu and did not intend to refuse the marriage.
Ji Cong, standing beside Ji Shaocheng, frowned as he looked at his son.
This marriage alliance concerns the two countries. The Ji family has been meritorious for generations, and the Emperor's bestowal of this marriage alliance is a great favor. How can their son refuse the marriage?
"Cheng'er, this is really true."
Ji Cong's words were serious. Ji Shaocheng shook his head and then looked at Hai Ling.
“I didn’t want to marry her before, but after going to Da Zhou, I changed my mind. Actually, Nalan Mingzhu is not bad.”
Compared to the daughters of prominent families in the capital, he preferred to marry Nalan Mingzhu because she didn't have the affected mannerisms of those young ladies. She was straightforward and honest, which he liked.
"Does that mean you're willing to marry Mingzhu, brother?"