Chapter 608 - In a Panic, Consort Zhaos Plan (2/2)

She turned sideways and cried so hard that her words were almost choked by sobbing.

“My dear consort, what are you talking about? I have been really busy recently. The envoys from the Southern Barbarian Lands have come and I have a headache.” Emperor Zongwen held Consort Zhao’s hand lovingly and wiped the tears at the corners of her eyes with his hand before he explained softly. However, Consort Zhao became even sadder. She threw herself into his embrace and cried bitterly.

As she cried, she muttered, “I… I, I said in front of Buddha that I was willing to be with an oil lamp before the statue of Buddha… and would never see Your Majesty again, but… but I… really can’t bear to leave you. As soon as I heard that you were coming, I couldn’t control myself… If Buddha blames me, I… I’m willing to be sent to h.e.l.l in the next life and never to be born again!”

Her words were full of love. Emperor Zongwen’s heart softened as he looked at the tearful and miserable Consort Zhao. His displeasure and suspicion because of Lian An had reduced a little. In the past 10 years, Consort Zhao had been staying in Mingyue Palace and had never gone out, so she would not have anything to do with Lian An. At most, Lian An had seen Consort Xian and Consort Zhao in the He family and somehow took a fancy to one of them.

“Alright, my dear consort, don’t cry anymore. I will go with you to pray in front of Buddha for forgiveness. Furthermore, you’re my consort. How can you really stay in front of Buddha? Buddha will not blame you for going back on your word.” Emperor Zongwen coaxed her in a soft voice and reached out to hold Consort Zhao’s arm as they stepped into Mingyue Palace.

Seeing Consort Zhao’s expression, Emperor Zongwen thought of Consort Xian. Every time Consort Xian was upset, she did not say anything, and still pretended that she did not care in front of him. If Emperor Zongwen had not seen it, she would not have mentioned anyone. That kind-hearted little woman had won his heart in this way and had always remained there. And now, his affection for her had become his karma. When he looked at Consort Zhao who resembled Consort Xian, and her aggrieved and sincere look, Emperor Zongwen’s heart softened.

He would not blame her for what had happened before.

Caichun breathed a sigh of relief behind them. She lowered her head and followed them into the palace. Judging by the Emperor’s words, he felt sorry for Consort Zhao. As long as Consort Zhao fawned over the Emperor carefully today and took advantage of Consort Xian’s position in the Emperor’s heart, the Emperor might forgive the matter about her before. In this way, she would have more say in the future when she cooperated with the Empress Dowager.

“Oh, who sent this to you?” Emperor Zongwen saw a jade box on the table the moment he came in. The box was opened, but the tea leaves inside didn’t seem to be fresh. He frowned slightly and asked with anger on his face.

He had not been to Mingyue Palace for a few days, but someone already dared to humiliate Consort Zhao. It made him angry. This reminded him of one time: since he was busy and didn’t have time to pay attention to Consort Xian, then he heard that Consort Xian was punished by the Empress and locked in Anhe Palace and couldn’t go out. When he went there, he saw Consort Xian and her son eating cold food!

“Your Majesty, you misunderstood. The tea was sent by King Xuan and I gave it to him before. Maybe King Xuan sent it back because he didn’t like it,” Consort Zhao explained softly, but there was a trace of sadness on her face.

She was not only Feng Yuran’s aunt, but also the Emperor’s favorite consort. It was a shame that the thing she sent out was returned.

“If he didn’t want it, he can just give it to someone else. Why is Old Eight so out of line?” Emperor Zongwen sat down with a hint of displeasure in his eyebrows.

“Your Majesty, you can’t blame King Xuan for that. He is just a forthright young man. It’s not a big deal. Somebody, why is the tea still here? Put it away.” Consort Zhao pouted. She seemed to be helping Feng Yuran, while she ordered Caichun to put the tea away, as if she was covering for Feng Yuran.

It didn’t matter if a prince was young and straightforward. But what if he was the Emperor? He was young and could not do things properly. How could the Emperor let him run such a great kingdom? Consort Zhao was testing Emperor Zongwen’s att.i.tude. Since she wanted to ally with the Empress Dowager in the future, it was necessary.

Emperor Zongwen was angry at first, but then his expression softened. He gave a sigh and comforted Consort Zhao. “Old Eight was too much. My beloved consort, you’ve been wronged. I’ll send someone to teach him a lesson later. He’s so inconsiderate. Fortunately, no one asked him to do anything.”

Did that mean that the Emperor had no intention of bequeathing the throne to Feng Yuran?

Consort Zhao heaved a sigh of relief and felt rather glad for herself. According to the Emperor’s words, Feng Yuran was just a prince without any position or power. Fortunately, she had not tried her best to push him to the throne. It seemed that she did not have to pay attention to him, but have to pay attention to King Yan and King Chu first. After the Emperor left, she had to send word to the Empress Dowager and tell her to keep an eye on the two men and that Feng Yuran was not a threat.

Feng Yuran had neither the support of his mother’s family nor the favor of the Emperor. Although he was the favorite son of the Emperor, he was just an idle prince for the rest of his life.

“Your Majesty, don’t say that. King Xuan is just young and not very sensible. You can teach him slowly in the future. He will learn it well.” Consort Zhao said softly to Emperor Zongwen but could not hide the pride on the corners of her lips. Feng Yuran would never have his day, which meant that Consort Xian would not succeed. She would become the Empress Dowager when King Ning ascended to the throne.

Then she could kill Feng Yuran and Mo Xuetong with one word!

Even if he wanted to be an ordinary prince in this life, he had to get her permission!

“Consort Xian, even if you have won His Majesty’s heart, so what? Not only couldn’t you keep yourself safe, but you couldn’t keep your son and your daughter-in-law safe!”

She was too happy and her joy shone out of the corners of her eyes. Even though it had pa.s.sed away in an instant, Emperor Zongwen saw it. No one noticed that his eyes darkened a little.

Outside Mingyue Palace, a palace maid came in a hurry, but was kept out of the palace by several palace maids. The lead palace maid Caichun had already asked people to close the palace gates, claiming that the Emperor seldom came to Mingyue Palace, and it was the time for Consort Zhao to please the Emperor and regain his favor. So no one was allowed to disturb the Emperor and Consort Zhao…

The palace maid stomped her feet resentfully and turned to leave helplessly.

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