The Herbal Scents of Farm Life
Chapter 1661: The shock in my heart was not small!

Chapter 1661: Chapter 1661: The shock in my heart was not small!

"If this matter were to happen to me, I could not assume an indifferent attitude either."

"However, I still believe that if Princess Consort Lian truly wishes to leave the palace, she should ask for the Emperor’s written permission to do so. That would be better than leaving a negative impression at Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s, wouldn’t it?"

"Your Majesty, do you think what I’ve said is correct?"

In the end, she even turned the conversation to the Emperor to ask for his agreement.

What could the Emperor say? Women in the palace are not allowed to leave the palace on their own initiative.

Even the Empress Dowager and the Empress, who might want to leave the palace, have to go through a series of cumbersome procedures, and yet, Princess Consort Lian has recently wished to leave the palace whenever she pleases.

When this matter reached the ears of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, the matriarch naturally had to intervene.

"It’s Princess Consort Lian’s fault in this matter. When she comes over, I will remind her to be more careful," the Emperor conceded.

...

At Princess Consort Lian’s palace, the moment Eunuch Gui delivered the decree, summoning Princess Consort Lian to the Imperial Study,

Princess Consort Lian’s emotions had never been as agitated as they were at that moment.

Ever since she was scolded by the Emperor, she had not seen His Majesty for several days, although she had been busy visiting her son.

But deep inside, she still hoped the Emperor would come to her palace.

Moreover, she feared that the Emperor had truly become disappointed with her and would no longer remember her, especially since the secret between them and Sui Zimo had been utterly exposed.

She no longer pretended to be a loving mother, and to the Emperor, she seemed to have outlived her usefulness.

As for what lay ahead, it was her turn to think of ways to recapture the Emperor’s heart.

But what could she possibly think of?

She had neither the power nor the status of the Empress, nor did she have a family with towering influence from the former dynasty like the Empress did.

What could she do?

All she could do was wait, day after day, hoping that the Emperor would remember her one day and come to see her.

Her daily trips out of the palace to visit her son were also a tactic; going out of the palace frequently was bound to catch the Emperor’s attention.

If this could make the Emperor notice her and remember her as Jin’er’s mother, then all her efforts would not have been in vain.

Therefore, when Eunuch Gui came to summon her to the Imperial Study, her heart was filled with joy.

She immediately ordered her maids to help her dress up, to look as beautiful as possible, and took the palanquin to the Imperial Study.

Meanwhile, Eunuch Gui couldn’t help but feel contempt as he watched Princess Consort Lian prepare herself.

He wondered what Princess Consort Lian’s reaction would be when she saw the plainly dressed Empress in the Imperial Study, and whether her heart would twist with envy.

After all, Princess Consort Lian’s face, compared to the always well-maintained Empress, was far from close, and her current attire only served to highlight the maturity of a woman nearly fifty.

However, the Empress was different. Her simple attire made her appear at least ten years younger.

Compared to Princess Consort Lian, it was like comparing heaven and earth!

...

Indeed, when Eunuch Gui led Princess Consort Lian into the Imperial Study, the Emperor felt nauseated upon seeing her attire and the wrinkles on her face.

And Princess Consort Lian, upon realizing that the Imperial Study was not only occupied by the Emperor but also by the Empress, was greatly startled!

She knew the Empress had been restored to favor but had not expected that the Emperor’s affection for the Empress had reached a point where the Empress could enter the Imperial Study at any time.