Story of Yanxi Palace: Fu Ying's banner will never fall

Chapter 145 The Dissension Between the Emperor and the Empress

Although she had the excuse of working for the Empress, as a palace maid, it was inappropriate for her to stay outside for too long. Wei Yingluo hurried back to Changchun Palace, but was told by Mingyu that the Emperor had arrived.

Wei Yingluo returned to her room on her own accord. Although she was engaged to Fu Heng, she should still stay away from the emperor to avoid trouble.

Inside the bedroom, the eunuch carefully brought in a small table with exquisite carvings and gently placed the delicious dishes one by one.

The queen's eyes were full of concern, and she said gently: "The emperor has been busy with state affairs all day, so he must be hungry. Please eat some."

After saying this, the Queen personally handed the small bowl of steaming delicious soup to the Emperor, her expression focused and full of love.

Influenced by this warm atmosphere, the emperor's tone became much softer: "The queen should also dine with us."

The queen was slightly surprised, but after thinking about it, she shook her head gently and reminded him, "Your Majesty, it is against the ancestral rules for the concubines to eat with you."

After receiving the expected answer, the emperor couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

He smiled bitterly and said, "The queen is still the same as before, strictly following the etiquette and has never stepped out of line in the slightest."

Although the queen could see the emperor's displeasure, she remained calm and said with a firm gaze: "As a role model for the six palaces, I would never dare to cross the line."

At this time, a breeze blew the gauze curtains, and the queen turned around and whispered, "Mingyu, close all the windows. It's windy at night, don't let the emperor catch a cold."

The emperor stared at the queen, said no more, lowered his head and drank the soup silently, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was thinking about something.

The next day, in the early morning, the empress personally dressed the emperor. The emperor suddenly felt emotional and said tiredly: "Sometimes, I really don't want to go to court."

The queen frowned slightly, her eyes full of worry, and advised: "Since Your Majesty is determined to be a wise ruler, you must not slack off in the slightest. Otherwise, it will be my fault."

The emperor was slightly unhappy and said in a somewhat aggressive tone: "I don't want to go to court, what does this have to do with the queen?"

The queen stepped back, knelt solemnly, and said, "The queen has the responsibility of advising the emperor. If the emperor is lazy about government affairs, I am definitely at fault."

The emperor paused for a moment, looking at the jade belt and golden crown beside him, a trace of fatigue flashed across his face.

After a while, he personally helped the queen up and said helplessly: "I have mentioned it many times. I feel tired for you for doing this. My queen is not jealous, but tolerant and kind. I can't find any flaws in you. Don't complain about yourself anymore."

The queen seemed a little uncomfortable with such straightforward praise. She lowered her head slightly and said shyly, "I am far from being that good... On the contrary, I have many shortcomings in the past period of time, which has caused frequent incidents in the palace."

After putting on his court robes, the emperor went to court.

When he reached the door, he suddenly turned around and said, "Noble Lady Yu is about to give birth. I hope the Queen will take good care of her."

The Queen nodded and said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will take good care of Concubine Yu and make sure she has a smooth delivery."

The emperor looked at his wife's beautiful face, and it was hard to tell whether he felt more joy or sadness. He smiled and said, "I believe you can handle everything properly."

Having said that, he strode away.

The emperor personally instructed, so the empress naturally took it very seriously. Therefore, Concubine Yu soon moved into Changchun Palace to take care of her pregnancy.

The queen was carefully trimming the bonsai on the stand, while Mingyu stood by, stealing glances at the queen from time to time. The queen finally couldn't help herself and asked, "What's wrong? You seem to be hesitant to speak."

Mingyu considered it again and again, and decided to speak frankly: "Empress, you really shouldn't have brought Concubine Yu to Changchun Palace."

The queen stared at her quietly and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Mingyu never hid her thoughts in front of the queen, and said, "Noble Lady Yu is about to give birth soon, so she needs to be careful in everything. No matter if she eats too much or too little at any meal, as long as there is any place that is not taken care of properly, it will be blamed on you, the queen."

The Queen was slightly surprised and asked, "Mingyu, you and Yingluo have defended Concubine Yu many times before, why do you think this way this time?"

Mingyu replied almost mercilessly: "I just think we shouldn't take the initiative to cause trouble."

The Queen put down the scissors, walked over to her side, and asked with interest, "Do you think I am asking for trouble by bringing Concubine Yu to Changchun Palace?"

Mingyu did not deny it: "I am a stupid servant, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The queen put down the scissors, leaned over the table and wrote a word, and asked, "Do you know what this word is?"

The queen patiently taught her: "There is a mouth on the lower left and a hand on the upper right. This is the origin of the word 'hou' in oracle bone script. The Forbidden City is a magnificent palace with countless concubines and palace maids. The queen is the head of all concubines and is responsible for providing protection for the women here."

Mingyu instantly understood the queen's deep meaning, but even though she understood, she still couldn't comprehend it. She frowned and said, "But they are all here to compete with you for the emperor!"

The Queen's expression revealed an indescribable sadness and pity. She looked at the word "Queen" on the white paper and said softly, "They left their homes, their parents and relatives, and were trapped in this deep palace all their lives. It's already pitiful enough.

If I were also full of jealousy, suppressing and ostracizing others, the palace would inevitably be in chaos. I have limited abilities and little power, but I can always give them some warmth, so that when they are wronged, they will not be left without help.

I am first a queen, and then a woman."

Mingyu stood there in a daze, tears welling up in her eyes. She thought to herself that she was indeed too childish, always not steady enough, and sometimes even caused trouble for the Queen.

The Queen looked at the tears in Mingyu's eyes, touched her forehead lovingly, and said angrily, "You're crying, you're such a little girl."

Mingyu smiled sheepishly.

Since Concubine Gao was demoted to Concubine Gao and punished with house arrest, the Forbidden City has finally returned to its former tranquility.

At this time, Concubine Yu was about to give birth. Unlike in the previous life, this time Concubine Yu's delivery was not hindered at all, and everything seemed to be going very smoothly.

But the Queen still went to Changchun Garden to accompany the Queen Mother to worship Buddha and was not in the palace.

One night, Wei Yingluo was resting in her room when she suddenly heard a shrill woman's scream.