The prince is more stable

Chapter 879 Couple Reunion
Undeniably, Xue Meiyun was an exceptionally beautiful woman. Women who were selected to enter the imperial harem not only had to come from extraordinary backgrounds, but their appearance also had to be carefully chosen.

The palace had a very strict concept of "beauty"; it wasn't just about who looked good.

The kind of "snake-like face," "V-shaped face," and "high-tech face" that are so common in later generations would have been eliminated immediately if it were a talent show in the Song Dynasty.

In the eyes of the ancients, that kind of face shape was a typical sign of a mean and widow-killing person, and it was completely devoid of beauty, which could be described as "ugly".

The woman before me, Xue Meiyun, was very dignified in appearance. She looked gentle and graceful, exuding an intellectual and elegant beauty. Her features were particularly outstanding, with an oval face, almond-shaped eyes, and thin lips. Her eyes revealed a hint of resentment and melancholy, which was especially captivating to men.

Such a woman was the dream girl of countless men back in her hometown.

However, after entering the palace, she had to actively create opportunities to "coincidentally" meet the emperor, fearing that she would not gain his favor.

So why are men so obsessed with the word "power"?
Because if you have power, you can have everything in the world.

The white moonlight that all men yearn for but cannot have, he can stand up and kick.

At this moment, Xue Meiyun's expression revealed a desire to be kicked by Zhao Xiaoqian, a desire she would gladly accept.

In front of Xue Meiyun, Zhao Xiaoqian still maintained some composure, but subtly exposed her intention to create a "chance encounter."

Xue Meiyun blushed for a moment, then gritted her teeth and went for it, bravely raising her head and looking directly into Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my crime of deception. Yes, the one or two so-called 'chance encounters' with Your Majesty were intentional on my part."

Zhao Xiaoqian raised an eyebrow: "Why?"

"My father is the Vice Prefect of Hangzhou. Before I was selected to enter the palace, he told me that he hoped I could gain the Emperor's favor and help him get promoted. If I did not gain the Emperor's favor, I might be sent out of the palace and forced to find another husband. My father would then disown me as his daughter..."

As she spoke, Xue Meiyun was already on the verge of tears, raising her sleeve to wipe them away: "Your Majesty... has no way out. If Your Majesty does not favor me, I will be left with no one to rely on in this world. If I am dismissed from the palace, I will have nowhere to go."

It has to be said that every smile, frown, joy, anger, and resentment of the white moonlight, every expression that appears on that stunning face, can make a man feel heartache and excitement. It is all about a man's tearful yet trivial youth.

Zhao Xiaoqian's heart was moved; he couldn't help but be moved. Any normal man would feel heartache seeing such a stunningly beautiful woman in tears before him.

Unless it's a man like Zheng Chunhe, who might secretly mutter "damn green tea b*tch."

Zhao Xiaoqian listened with a smile the whole time.

The story is old-fashioned and not particularly tragic, but in this era, it is probably the fate that all women have to accept.

A heartless father, an invisible mother, a broken home, and a girl who loves to sing little tunes...

Once all the buffs are stacked up, you'll realize that this woman shouldn't be under the car, she should be in a brothel...

As if he had just heard a captivating story, Zhao Xiaoqian said leisurely, "Your father set very high performance targets for you. Is the Hangzhou magistrate so unreasonable that he would even force his own daughter to this extent... By the way, you are his biological daughter, aren't you? You weren't picked up from a trash can, were you?"

Xue Meiyun lowered her eyes and choked up, saying, "I am her biological son, but my father only values ​​my younger brother. He places all the family's hopes on him, expecting him to pass the imperial examinations in the future."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked. Okay, let's add another buff: a younger brother who's good at studying...

This family's configuration is so perfect that it makes you want to save her, a kind, lovely, and beautiful woman.

After Xue Meiyun finished recounting her background, she boldly raised her eyes and quickly glanced at him before lowering her head again, her cheeks flushing red.

Zhao Xiaoqian remained expressionless and said calmly, "Alright, I will not send you out of the palace for the time being. You can stay here in peace."

After saying that, Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand.

Xue Meiyun was stunned. She hadn't expected that even after she had said all that, the Emperor still showed no intention of favoring her.

Could it be that the officials have too high standards and look down on her looks?

However, unless they are fairy-like, normal women have a clear and accurate understanding of their own appearance. Beautiful women are actually very aware of their advantages in terms of appearance and figure.

Xue Meiyun was no exception. She knew from a young age that she was very beautiful. Others said so, she saw it in the mirror, and even when she took a piss and looked at herself, she knew it was true!

However, at this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian's indifferent attitude made her feel insecure for the first time in her life, and she subconsciously touched her cheek.

Then she was suddenly startled and looked up to see Zhao Xiaoqian smiling at her, his smile intriguing.

Xue Meiyun's cheeks flushed even redder, and she dared not say more, so she hurriedly bowed and took her leave.

After she left, the father and son looked at each other in the pavilion, and then suddenly both laughed.

“This woman is very cunning and not a good match for you. Be careful,” Zhao Hao said. “I know that, which is why I have never favored her, even though I know she is incredibly beautiful.”

Zhao Hao smiled and praised, "To be able to maintain a clear mind in the face of beauty, you have already surpassed most young people in the world. Not bad."

Zhao Xiaoqian's gaze gradually deepened, and he said calmly, "Her father was the Vice Prefect of Hangzhou. Jiangnan is a land of literary talent and beauty. Since ancient times, it has not only produced many scholars and talented people, but also a large number of scholar-merchants and maritime merchants."

"I don't know if she has these people behind her, nor do I know what her purpose is in deliberately creating these chance encounters. So, let's keep her in suspense for now. She's just a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl. No matter how cunning she is, she's still inexperienced and will eventually reveal her flaws."

Zhao Hao laughed heartily: "You have always been thoughtful, which makes me feel at ease. When one is in a high position, one is surrounded by glory, but also by enemies. Since ancient times, emperors have always been lonely people because there are too many conspiracies and schemes around them. Emperors can no longer trust anyone."

“You are still young now, but in a few years you will know what it means to be ‘heartless’ and ‘alone.’”

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "Perhaps I am different from other emperors. At least I can trust my parents and my woman. If my children are well-educated, I may also be able to trust them. In comparison, I am much happier than other emperors."

Zhao Hao nodded and said, "That's right, you are indeed much happier."

The father and son chatted in the pavilion for a long time. As it was getting late, Zhao Xiaoqian was about to instruct Zheng Chunhe to prepare a banquet so that the father and son could have a few drinks that night, when a eunuch rushed over with a happy expression on his face.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty the Empress! The young prince and all the concubines have returned to Bianjing and are currently outside the palace gates!"

Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhao Hao opened their eyes wide and stood up at the same time. The father and son quickly exchanged a glance, and then ran towards the palace gate.

When you're running at this point, neither of you cares about the other's speed.

Zhao Xiaoqian ran the fastest, rushing towards Xuande Gate like a madman, with Zheng Chunhe and a group of eunuchs following closely behind.

Zhao Hao, who was obese, lagged behind. He hadn't run more than a few steps before he was panting heavily, and he laughed intermittently: "Haha!...Finally, I'm back! My grandson, my dear grandson...Haha! Grandfather has arrived!"

After running for a long time, I finally ran from the back garden to the front of Xuande Gate.

They had run at least several miles. Even though Zhao Xiaoqian was young and strong, he was out of breath when he reached the palace gate. He had to bend over and pant for a long time before he gradually calmed down.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian's clothes were disheveled, his hair was loose, and his yellow robe was hanging loosely on his body. He looked quite disheveled, like a deposed monarch who had just been driven into the palace by rebels and was fleeing for his life.

Zheng Chunhe couldn't bear to watch any longer and hurriedly helped Zhao Xiaoqian straighten his clothes.

Panting heavily, Zhao Xiaoqian pointed to the eunuch beside him and said, "Open, open the door!"

The eunuch hurriedly agreed and was about to open the side gate of Xuande Gate when Zhao Xiaoqian immediately stopped him.

"Open the central gate, and have the guards set up the ceremonial procession. I will welcome the Empress into the palace in a grand and dignified manner."

The officials behind him immediately stood in neat rows, lined up on both sides inside the palace gate. Banners and screens representing the Song emperor were also displayed, and even the bells and drums above the palace tower were struck loudly.

Like the main gate of a wealthy family's house in ancient times, the central gate of the imperial palace was not usually opened easily.

Whether it's the palace gate or the main gate of a wealthy family, people can only enter and exit through the side gate on ordinary days, unless the host family has a major event, such as a wedding, funeral, or receiving an imperial decree.

Today, Di Ying and the other women returned to the capital. It was their first time coming to the palace gates. Zhao Xiaoqian was welcoming his empress back to the capital, and it was only proper and proper for him to open the central gate.

The central gate of Xuande Gate was slowly pushed open. Zhao Xiaoqian stood inside the gate, while Di Ying stood in the center outside the palace gate, flanked by his mother, Madam Feng, and a group of concubines, including Yelü Nanxian, who was not yet officially recognized, as well as Zhao Xiaoqian's only son, Zhao Hao.

When the palace gates were pushed open, connecting the inside and outside, Zhao Xiaoqian and Di Ying saw each other at first glance. The couple were reunited and burst into tears.

Zhao Xiaoqian sent his wife and children away from Zhengding City to Japan to avoid disaster, and it has been almost a year since then.

Now that the couple has reunited, they stand blankly inside and outside the palace gates, gazing at each other with deep affection. Looking at each other's familiar features, it feels as if a lifetime has passed.

"My lord..." Di Ying covered her mouth and wept.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled through his tears, while Zheng Chunhe beside him hurriedly shouted, "This servant respectfully welcomes Your Majesty the Empress, the young prince, and all the concubines back to the palace!"

The eunuchs and imperial guards behind them knelt down and bowed, shouting in unison, "Welcome back to the palace, Your Majesty the Empress, the young prince, and all the concubines!"

Looking at the person she had longed for for so long, Di Ying disregarded the welcoming procession and etiquette, and rushed towards Zhao Xiaoqian, throwing herself into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest. The couple embraced tightly.

"Madam, I've missed you so much!" Zhao Xiaoqian hugged her tightly, inhaling her familiar scent.

Di Ying could no longer speak; she simply threw herself into his arms and wailed. The grievances, worries, and longing of the past year poured out like a torrential downpour.

(End of this chapter)