"Get up," Zong Zhengjin's face returned to normal as soon as he heard the voice, and everything that had just happened seemed like a dream.

  Su Jingxiao watched with a tongue-tied expression, shrugged her shoulders, and calmly faced their scrutiny and jealousy, while secretly observing Zong Zhengjin's reaction.

  Today, Yu Fu wore a brocade double-butterfly embroidered shirt with a gold-trimmed hundred-butterfly cloud thin jacket over it. The light color against the backdrop of the garden full of red plum blossoms made her look even more stunning in her red dress. She was a timeless beauty, a pleasure to behold, and her shy demeanor only added to her charm. Every movement she made was full of elegance and poise.

  Zong Zhengjin knew that her gaze was not well-concealed, and she couldn't help but curl up the corners of her mouth, finding it hilarious. She then seriously observed the beauty in front of her.

  Indeed, as rumored, extremely beautiful, weak willow feng, delicate and weak, although I see it with pity, charming and moving people, but beauty is just beauty, there is no special feature to speak of, he has seen countless people, beautiful people have never been few.

  Compared to the self-proclaimed person next to him, he is indeed far inferior. Not to mention the fineness of that face, just one is a clear lotus and the other is a powdered face, who wins and who loses is already known.

  Not to mention the eyes of the woman beside him, bright and beautiful, as clear as a stream, charming and captivating, how can the woman in front compare? Like all women, the greed in her eyes is too obvious, and the invisible dirt on her face has ruined her good looks.

  Yu Fuhen noticed the gaze of the person opposite, secretly delighted, and subtly presented her most moving and beautiful side in front of him, wanting to speak but hesitating, blushing and smiling shyly.

  Yu Congmei also sensed it, feeling extremely disgusted and jealous. She felt a little disappointed about the emperor's neglect. It was not easy to see him, but he didn't even give her a glance. Unwilling in her heart, she finally spoke up, "Your Majesty has come to admire the plum blossoms? The concubine thinks they are blooming beautifully."

  Zong Zhengjin heard this and withdrew his gaze, his tone calm, "It's still not bad."

  Such a calm attitude made Yu Xiu Mei unaware of how to continue, standing there in silence, somewhat embarrassed.

  "My father once said that the plum garden in the imperial palace is one of the best in Chu and Zhou states, many rare treasures are collected here, which cannot be compared with any other place. Today I have the good fortune to see it, indeed it is true, I have broadened my horizons," Yu Fu'er bowed her head and said at the right moment.

  The sound is crisp and pleasant, like the oriole, gentle and elegant.

  "There's a unique charm in subtlety, an extreme clarity that transcends coldness. The elegance possessed by plum blossoms, I see it in you too, Yu Gongzhu," Su Jing said before Zong Zhengjin could speak up.

  Everyone else was wrapped in windbreakers or thick coats, after all it was winter, and although the sun was shining, the temperature was still very low. But she alone wore a thin autumn dress with no coat, which made her appear even thinner and more delicate, highlighting her enchanting beauty.

  Zong Zhengjin smiled lightly and cooperated, then coughed unnaturally, "You can't compare yourself to a plum blossom, so why envy others?"

  "It's just envy" is all it is, what's the point of saying it out loud

  Su Jing blinked her eyes and pouted, "Concubine knows her mistake, Miss Yu doesn't need to mind."

  Yu Fu's face changed color due to her words, and such straightforward sarcasm made her feel a lump in her throat. Upon hearing the emperor's words, she felt somewhat relieved, relaxed her facial expression, and revealed a smile. "Zhen Pei doesn't need to worry, my daughter has been robust since childhood, so she doesn't think it's particularly cold."

  Su Jing raised an eyebrow and didn't respond, suddenly feeling a bit awkward.

  However, this was exactly what Su Jing wanted. She pulled his sleeve and said, "Your Majesty, the concubine wants to go back."

  Zong Zhengjin stood here and felt bored too, nodded, "I'll go with you."

  "Huang Shang" Yu Congmei reluctantly tried to persuade him to stay in a low voice.

  Zong Zhengjin suddenly turned around, "Pass on my decree, Li Liangyu is promoted to Xiao Yu, the Empress's body is not suitable, you can take care of her sister instead."

  Yu Congmei was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing and curtsied, "I thank my lord for his great kindness, I will definitely follow your orders carefully."

  Although it was only a first rank, it was an affirmation of her. Except for being promoted to the palace at the beginning and being sealed as a good lady, there were no further promotions afterwards. Although she knew early on that compared to others, she was higher, and later promotions would be even more difficult, but fortunately, there has been a breakthrough now.

  Su Jingxiu turned her head and glanced at the two women's faces, hooked a smile, the emperor played beautifully, knowing Yu Fu'en's relationship with Yu Fuying, also knew that Yu Fuying entered the palace for what, a good stratagem to sow discord, I'm afraid the prime minister and the empress would not feel well in their hearts.

  Zong Zhengjin sent her back to Zuiyunwu and returned to Zichen Hall.

  Tonight is the first day of the month, almost everyone is watching, where will the emperor go tonight.

  Whether to rest in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, or as last time, stay overnight at Drunken Cloud Pavilion, or follow the usual practice and go to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

  At the end of Xu Shi, the news finally came that the emperor had gone to Kun Ning Palace, and many people who were waiting to see the queen's joke couldn't help but feel indignant.

  "What's the use of this, Empress?" Zong Zhengjin walked in and saw that the empress had been kneeling on the ground for some time, and after a moment of silence, he finally spoke up.

  The queen suppressed the bitterness in her heart and said, "I have committed a crime, I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

  Zong Zhengjin unconsciously turned the ring in his hand, "What crime does the Empress have?"

  "I, the concubine, was so eager to have a child that I forgot my identity as the empress and did shameful things, which almost harmed the emperor's body. This is my first crime. I failed to live up to the trust placed in me by the emperor and set a bad example for the other women in the palace. This is my second crime. I was unable to fulfill my duties as a woman of the inner court and failed to produce an heir for the emperor, ensuring the continuation of his lineage. This is my third crime."

  After a long time, Zong Zheng's voice was cold and calm as he opened his mouth, "Your crime is not just this little bit. The things you've done could have gotten you killed a hundred times over."

  "Your Majesty", he really knows everything now

  "I won't move you, it doesn't mean I'm not clear about it, don't be self-righteous," Zong Zhengjin's cold tone was oppressive, thinking of something, but in the end only said one sentence.

  The queen had previously been optimistic, thinking that many things she did were flawless and unknown to humans and ghosts. However, it seems that although she doesn't know why he didn't make a move on her, he actually knew all along.

  So after all these years, he still doesn't want to give her a child?

  "Your Majesty, my father allowed my concubine's younger sister to enter the palace, it was for..."

  "She doesn't deserve it," he spat out coldly.

  The queen smiled wryly and said, "I understand."

  I'm afraid he can't avoid Yu's family after all.

  "I will retreat to Kun Ning Palace, live a simple life and worship Buddha. All the matters in the harem can be handled by Sister Shu from now on. I also believe she is capable of it."

  "No need, you just be your queen," after all, time is limited, he also needs her to create a false image.

  The queen was taken aback, stuttering, "I obey Your Majesty's decree."

  Zong Zhengjin didn't say another word to her and stood up, lifting his legs to walk out. That night, the Emperor ended up staying in the Qianqing Palace.

  Cining Palace

  "It's getting harder for me to fathom the Emperor's thoughts," Empress Dowager sighed, deeply moved by the news brought by the palace staff.

  Liu Momo also sighed, she had long felt that the emperor was not a mediocre person. When he was so young, he was able to grow up safely, hide his light and nurture his spirit, and finally obtain the throne in one move. Although the empress dowager played a part, after all, it was still him who relied on himself.

  She had also advised the Empress Dowager long ago that since she had no children of her own, it would be better to raise him sincerely and let him grow up. After all, the kindness of giving birth is not as good as the kindness of raising. The Emperor is a wise person, he will acknowledge this feeling.

  "After all, he is the emperor, and it's inevitable for him to have some thoughts after growing up."

  The empress dowager snorted, "I'm afraid that as she grew older, her courage also grew, and her thoughts became even more crooked."

  He didn't run into Guan Mei, she could understand that, but when he couldn't get past this hurdle, she could give him time to adapt. This was also the reason why she had always indulged the empress and harmed the crown prince while standing by and doing nothing. The male heir must be born from their own Yuan family's womb.

  She "sympathized" with Du Wanru, temporarily taking her in as her own, also to leave herself a way out. If she had a boy in her belly, even if he was not healthy, even if he was foolish, but if there was no other choice, then she could only use this child.

  She personally brought Yu Fu to him, giving him the opportunity, but he still ignored it. The Yu family was still somewhat repulsive to him, and it was not in vain that she had instilled this idea in him since childhood.

  "The Empress Dowager has made preparations, how can Master Hou possibly plan to send another Yuan family girl into the palace?"

  The empress dowager furrowed her brow, although she was a member of the Yuan family, but if compared, she would rather this person be Shangguan Mei, after all, she was her own flesh and blood great-niece, this bloodline was different from that of the Yuan family, and naturally, her own daughter's children could not be compared to others.

  "Our family will not agree," the Empress Dowager shook her head and decided.

  No matter what, she had to think of her own granddaughter, and she only had this one close granddaughter. If another Yuan family girl entered the palace, then her brother would not be as fully supportive of Shangguan Wan'er as he was now, and Shangguan Wan'er's situation would become difficult.

  "At the beginning, when cooperating with Yu's family, it was agreed that this person would be provided by Yu's family. Now that Yu Fu has entered the palace, no matter what, they will not have a reason to send someone in again. As long as I don't agree, they won't have a way."

  "But if the Marquis knew what the Empress Dowager was thinking, he would definitely be angry," Liu Momo also came from the Yuan family and naturally knew that the young master of the past, now the Marquis of Jingkang, was a certain kind of person.

  The empress sighed, her eyes clear and bright. "I have lived for the Yuan family for so long, but in these last few years, I must live for myself. I cannot let Mei'er's mother rest in peace beneath the nine springs."

  Her daughter had a difficult labor during childbirth, which damaged her body. No matter how much she recovered afterwards, she was still injured and eventually passed away after a few years. This was also the reason why she insisted on letting Mei'er enter the palace in the first place. If she wasn't there, Mei'er would have definitely suffered greatly, and it wouldn't be the same inside the palace.

  Ascending to a high position, one dominates others' lives.

  Palace Concubine (Yi) / 33 / 33265

  Gong Shu