nucmednet Chapter 987 But her husband is dead
Chapter 987 But her husband is dead
Xiao Yunde became increasingly depressed and pushed all court affairs to Emperor Zhaowu.
He gets up early every morning and rushes out, with hope still in his eyes; when dusk falls, he returns home with a staggering gait and an unconcealable look of dejection between his brows.
It was not until several days later that Xiao Yunde learned that Shi Yunqi had been conferred the title of Duke.
Emperor Zhaowu asked, "Does your father think it is inappropriate?"
Xiao Yunde was silent for a moment, and then he said, "Now you are the emperor of Beiyi. If you think it's okay, then it's okay. You don't need to ask me in the future."
"My son knows." Emperor Zhaowu lowered his eyes. He had prepared a lot of words of comfort, but none of them came in handy. He thought about it and said, "My sister submitted a memorial to report on Lingzhou. The disaster, the Lantern Festival, and the school were all handled well and went smoothly. The local officials were also very cooperative, and we can be considered united."
At last, he said jokingly, "If the imperial sister grew up in the royal family and was a man, she would be able to shoulder the heavy responsibility of governing a vast country."
Xiao Yunde then raised his eyes to look at him, his eyes dark as ink, "Why, are you backing out?"
Emperor Zhaowu smiled bitterly and whispered, "My son doesn't dare, but I am worried that I might fail to act properly and cause trouble for state affairs."
Xiao Yunde was silent for a moment, his voice was hoarse: "You can do it too." He suddenly remembered something, "You have been on the throne for a long time, but the harem is empty. If there is a girl you like, you can take her into the palace first. No one took care of it for you in the past, and there are no old people in the palace. Now the court officials are looking forward to your selection so that they can send her away..."
"Father," Emperor Zhaowu's eyes darkened, but his tone remained respectful, "I dare to ask, do you still remember the reason why you dismissed the harem back then?"
Xiao Yunde's expression was gloomy. "Of course I have no right to urge you. But you have to understand that my situation back then was different from yours." He paused, and said in a low voice, "You can choose some noble ladies from aristocratic families who are beneficial to you and whom you like to enter the palace, so as to balance the forces of all parties in the court..."
"Father, I don't want to think about this matter too early." Emperor Zhaowu was already quite strong.
Xiao Yunde waved his hand, "I just said that casually, you don't have to be too nervous. I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. I understand the principle of not doing to others what you don't want others to do to you."
"Thank you, father, for your consideration of your son." Emperor Zhaowu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Then I heard my father ask, "What should the queen in your mind be like?"
Emperor Zhaowu thought about it carefully and said, "I like dealing with smart women, and it would be best if they could help me with government affairs."
"Isn't that the harem interfering in politics?"
"When my father was in power, it was no longer uncommon for women to serve as officials." Emperor Zhaowu had obviously thought it over carefully. "I think that although my queen does not need to serve as an official, it would be good for her to give me some advice when I make important decisions. She can even pull me back in time when I go astray."
Xiao Yunde raised his eyebrows slightly, "I'm afraid it's difficult to find such a person."
"Yes, it's difficult." Emperor Zhaowu was a little sad, "This is just my hope."
"Well...it's not that there isn't." Xiao Yunde said lightly.
Emperor Zhaowu's eyelids jumped, "Who are you talking about, father?"
Xiao Yunde raised his hand to refill his tea, and then spoke word by word, "Yan Xingchen." He did not look at his son, but continued, "This girl has great ideas and a quick pen. She has compiled your political achievements and public sentiments for you. Your reputation among the people is growing day by day, and her hard work is indispensable."
Emperor Zhaowu tapped the armrest unconsciously with his knuckles. After a long while, he said, "Father, you have a good eye. However, I think Yan Qing is a pillar of our dynasty, and we must listen to her own ideas. If she doesn't want to enter the palace, we can't force her."
"Of course." Xiao Yunde raised his eyes and looked at his son. "A relationship between two people who love each other is the longest and most valuable relationship in this world. That's why I came to ask you. Since you said that you also like Yan Qing, then I will ask the Ministry of Rites to start making preparations."
Emperor Zhaowu was stunned, and only heard a rumbling sound in his ears. "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is," Xiao Yunde paused and said calmly, "I have already consulted Yan Qing about this matter, and she nodded. When I asked you just now, you were also interested in her. Isn't this a win-win situation for everyone?"
Emperor Zhaowu suddenly froze, his knuckles turning white as he clenched the teacup tightly. "Everyone is very happy."
His hand holding the teacup suddenly trembled, and a little tea spilled onto the table. "Father..." He stood up hastily, his black dragon robe drawing a messy arc in the air, "Your Highness... I still have memorials to review, so I'll take my leave now."
He turned and walked away, looking embarrassed.
Just as he stepped out of the door, he heard Xiao Yunde's majestic voice suddenly rang out, "Stop!"
Emperor Zhaowu was sweating profusely. He turned around and asked respectfully, "Father, do you have any other instructions?"
"The one you like is Xia'er." Xiao Yunde raised his hand and slapped the table, causing the teacup to jump three times.
Emperor Zhaowu was stunned, and felt annoyed as if someone had suddenly discovered his true thoughts. "I don't know what father is talking about."
Xiao Yunde stood up slowly, "You'd better not know what I'm talking about, otherwise you will only fail miserably."
Emperor Zhaowu then turned back inside, lifted up the corner of his robe and sat down again, "Father, let's take a step back. Isn't it normal that I am in love with Xia'er? In this world, how many women are as smart as her?"
Xiao Yunde was extremely shocked, "As expected!" He was just guessing, but he knew it would be revealed with just one trick.
Emperor Zhaowu's eyes were as dark as the night, but his voice was terrifyingly calm, "In the best case, if Xia'er can become the heir of Beiyi, it will be a blessing for the people. In the worst case..."
"Shut up!" Xiao Yunde was so angry that he slammed the table and stood up, "She already has a prince consort!"
"But her husband is dead." Emperor Zhaowu refused to give in.
"Her husband died, leaving behind three children. I watched those three children being born with my own eyes," he suddenly lowered his voice, "I treat them like my own flesh and blood. Who else in this world can do that?"
Xiao Yunde laughed in anger, "Okay, so you have planned this long ago! What's the 'Son of Heaven guarding the country'? It's just to stay by her side!"
"The two things are not contradictory at all." Emperor Zhaowu admitted frankly, with a dark current in his eyes.
"Then go and ask Xia'er if she is willing?" Xiao Yunde rested his hands on the table, veins bulging on his hands.
Emperor Zhaowu's voice was as light as a whisper, as sincere as a young man, "I will leave the throne vacant until she can see me one day." He raised his eyes, with tiny shadows in his eyes, "Father, you should understand this feeling yourself. When you decide to set off to run towards that person, even the biting wind turns into a spring breeze."
When he first decided to go to Iron Horse City, he couldn't sleep well all night. Every day of the journey was a record of his determination to go to her.
Xiao Yunde glanced at his son's passionate expression and asked in a deep voice, "Where did you take Chu Jun?"