The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 448 - 400: Is Feng Wuyou Your Childhood Sweetheart? _2

Chapter 448: Chapter 400: Is Feng Wuyou Your Childhood Sweetheart? _2

The Empress Dowager saw that the Emperor smiled and felt somewhat displeased, "It’s one thing for a granddaughter to be called Taotao, but how could a grandson use Taotao as a milk name? It sounds like the name of a girl."

Seeing that the Empress Dowager was still not happy, the Emperor continued, "Mother, a milk name is just used during infancy. When he’s older, he’ll naturally be called by his formal name."

With the Emperor’s remark, the Empress Dowager found it hard to bring up the issue again, "I feel that the Crown Princess ought to be the mother of the entire nation, required to display dignity to all under heaven. Shen Chuwei is unsuitable to be the Crown Princess and lacks the majestic presence needed."

As the Empress Dowager said this, she also brought up the Empress, "In those days, I had said that Consort Xu should be established as the Crown Princess. Concubine Xu is virtuous and well-behaved, gentle and graceful, otherwise..."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s gaze darkened slightly. He raised his head to look at the Empress Dowager and said seemingly indifferently, "Mother, the Empress has managed the Phoenix Seal these years, organizing the harem with order, with meticulous care in all matters, freeing me from worries. The Empress has done quite well."

The Empress Dowager was unconvinced, "When she first entered the palace, didn’t she cause plenty of trouble? Climbing walls every three days, where was there any semblance of a Crown Princess?"

The Emperor said, "Mother, the Empress comes from a Martial Family, being proficient in some Kung Fu is only normal. There are many rules in the palace, and it’s inevitable she would have been unaccustomed after her sudden arrival. The Empress has changed a lot and has done very well. Besides, all these are old matters, let’s not mention them again."

The Empress Dowager became a bit upset, "You always defend her. If not for her, would Consort Xu have died?"

On the topic of Consort Xu’s death, the Emperor’s expression grew darker, "The death of Consort Xu has nothing to do with the Empress. Although the Empress can be somewhat petulant, she has never harbored a malicious intent, of this I can assure."

Seeing her son defending the Empress to such an extent, and recalling Consort Xu’s death, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help feeling unwilling to let go.

Suddenly, the Emperor asked, "Mother, if you think Lingling is unsuitable to be the Empress, why do you believe Lady Chang to be suitable?"

At these words, a flicker of confusion passed through the Empress Dowager’s eyes, "Is it not Lady Chang? How did it become Lady Chang?"

The Emperor huffed, "Of course, she’s been punished for her mistakes."

"Lady Chang is proficient in all arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting, virtuous and well-mannered. What’s wrong with her being the Crown Princess? It will only make the Chang Family more loyal to Daxia, and as long as there are no children, the Chang Family won’t harbor any ulterior motives."

At the Empress Dowager’s words, the Emperor frowned, remembering when he originally married Lingling, the Empress Dowager had made the same suggestion. She had advised that in order to prevent the Chang Family from harboring ulterior motives, the Empress should not be allowed to conceive.

"General Chang has been unfailingly loyal for three generations, and has shown no ulterior motives even though the Empress has given birth to two sons. Mother can rest assured, I know my limits," the Emperor reassured.

The Empress Dowager nodded, indicating agreement, "What’s done is done, further discussion is pointless. You should think thrice about the matter of the Crown Princess."

The Emperor said, "Mother has traveled far and must be weary. You should rest. Your son asks to be excused."

The Empress Dowager nodded, and the Emperor rose to leave the Cining Palace.

After leaving Cining Palace, the Emperor intended to visit Fengyi Palace, but considering the Empress’s attitude towards him, he would just be met with rejection; he decided instead to go to Yangxin Hall.

Eunuch Li bowed and followed closely behind.

The Emperor walked slowly, glancing at Eunuch Li beside him. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Eunuch Li, do you think I should visit the Empress in Fengyi Palace?"

Eunuch Li was startled by the question but, as someone serving close to the Emperor, of course had to give his advice.

"Your Majesty, the Empress has not been feeling well; her appetite must also be poor. The Empress loves sour and spicy food. If Your Majesty were to bring some when you visit, it would be even better."

The Emperor, finding the suggestion reasonable as the Empress has always enjoyed eating, thought she was just a bit fussy.

"You make a good point. Prepare some delicious food and send it to Fengyi Palace."

Eunuch Li was in a bit of a dilemma but had no choice but to comply, "As Your Majesty commands."

The Emperor entered Yangxin Hall and sat down on the Dragon Throne, with nothing to do, he couldn’t help but recall his younger days when the Empress would often come to the Imperial Study Room and Yangxin Hall to see him.

Nothing like now, when he wouldn’t see the Empress visit the Imperial Study Room or Yangxin Hall for months.

Eunuch Li, after much effort, prepared an array of exotic fruits and hastened to deliver them to Fengyi Palace.

"Empress, His Majesty knows Your Highness loves sweet and sour fruits and has specifically ordered this servant to bring some for Your Highness to try," Eunuch Li said with a ingratiating smile.

The Empress glanced at the fruits in the platter such as lychees, grapes, etc., and said indifferently," Thank you for your efforts, Eunuch Li."

Seizing the moment, Eunuch Li said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has been busy recently and is not feeling well. Perhaps Your Highness would like to pay Him a visit?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress angrily retorted, "If His Majesty is unwell, hurry up and summon the Imperial Doctor!"

Eunuch Li was startled by her angry outburst, "As Your Highness commands, this servant will immediately call for the Imperial Doctor."

After speaking, he hastily made his exit.

The Empress stared at the fruits on the table, lost in thought, and still somewhat worried about the damned Emperor.

Qing Ying, having followed her mistress for so long, understood her thoughts somewhat.

"Your Highness, it’s been a long time since you’ve seen His Majesty, why not pay Him a visit?"

The Empress hmphed, "Even if I went, I couldn’t cure his illness. Hasn’t the Emperor been enjoying nightly merriments? Now that He’s unwell, whom does He blame?"

In Yangxin Hall, the Emperor saw Eunuch Li return and eagerly asked, "How did it go? Was the Empress pleased?"

Eunuch Li smiled and said, "Having received the fruits from His Majesty, naturally, the Empress was pleased."

The Emperor probed further, "Did the Empress say anything?"

Eunuch Li shook his head; he dared not spin too great a tale.

The Emperor, looking disappointed, turned his gaze away and focused on the memorials before him.

East Palace

After returning, the two little ones lay in their crib, asleep.

Xuetuan roamed nearby, probably waiting for the two little ancestors to come back and play. Upon seeing they were asleep, it seemed a bit disappointed.

Shen Chuwei picked up the disheartened Xuetuan and sat down on the couch. After being busy for most of the day, she now felt tired and wished to sleep.

Xiao Jinyan saw this and sat down on the couch as well, noticing her holding Xuetuan with an unhappy look. He consoled, "The Empress Dowager is indeed somewhat harsh. You needn’t take it to heart; everything is in my hands."

Shen Chuwei lifted her head to look at Xiao Jinyan; he was truly good to her and also devoted. In ancient times, achieving this was pretty rare.

Xiao Jinyan, perceiving the unspoken part of her heart, somewhat agreed with the first half but what did she mean by "rare species" with the latter half?

Shen Chuwei, holding Xuetuan, stared curiously at Xiao Jinyan and couldn’t help but ask, "Your Highness, did you have a childhood friend with whom you were very close?"

Xiao Jinyan shook his head, "No, why do you ask?"

"No?" Shen Chuwei appeared as if she were stunned, could Xiao Jinyan actually be lying to her?

Was he feeling guilty?

Xiao Jinyan, listening to her confused thoughts, furrowed his brow, "Has someone been speaking to you?"

ps: One more Chapter