Entering the palace means entering a high position; I'm His Majesty's cousin, who am I afr

After the emperor left, Lü'e pushed open the palace door and entered the sleeping quarters very quietly.

Seeing that Shen Jiayu was removing her makeup in front of the dressing table, Lü'e brought over a basin of clear, warm water to wash her face.

Shen Jiayu let her long black hair fall loose, wrung out a clean handkerchief, and carefully wiped her face.

Green calyx handed over a dry handkerchief at the right moment. Shen Jiayu took it, wiped the water droplets off, and walked to the bedside.

As Green Calyx burned some calming incense, she cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, why has His Majesty left again?"

After lying down on the bed, Shen Jiayu said, "I was the one who told him to leave."

Green Calyx hesitated and said, "Your Majesty and His Majesty have been having conflicts for the past two or three months. If this continues, it will damage their relationship. We must resolve our differences."

Shen Jiayu looked at the tent and shook her head, saying, "I can only talk to him openly after he understands. Otherwise, nothing will work."

He asked her then, "After all these years together, has she ever felt a flutter in her heart?" She replied that she hadn't.

Is it really not true?

She lied.

How could I not be tempted?

When he held her hand as they walked along the bustling streets outside the palace, when he openly showered her with affection, and when they spent countless nights entwined in tender embraces, his gentle kisses falling on her ear.

Her heart was racing, and she could hardly contain it.

But in the end, reason prevailed, and he suppressed his feelings.

But the feelings she's had for him all these years aren't fake; she truly has feelings for him.

During this period, it seemed that the two were really arguing and having a cold war, but in reality, she was indulging herself and giving the emperor a chance.

To this day, she is still satisfied.

Whether or not the emperor can seize it depends entirely on himself.

Seeing that Shen Jiayu said this, Lü'e did not say anything more.

In terms of experience and knowledge, the Empress is far superior to someone who knows nothing about love and romance.

She believed in the Empress's decision.

Shen Jiayu hadn't rested well yesterday, and was indeed tired at this moment. She yawned and instructed Lü'e, "You've had a long day. Go back and rest early after you're done. Just send two maids to keep watch here."

Green Calyx responded, got up and extinguished most of the candles in the hall, leaving only one to illuminate the room, before leaving.

After arranging her duties, Lü'e returned to her residence.

According to old palace custom, palace maids of their rank were allowed to live in a room by themselves.

But Hongling and Lü'e have grown up together since they were little, and they've gotten used to living together. Even now, they still live together.

Green Calyx pushed open the door and went inside, suddenly noticing that the quilt, which had been moving just moments before, had suddenly fallen silent.

She chuckled and said, "It's me, I'm back."

As soon as she finished speaking, Hongling threw off the covers and sat up. "You scared me! I thought..."

Green Calyx continued, "You thought the Empress summoned you to discuss marriage?"

Hongling smiled sullenly.

Green Calyx shook her head slightly, poured hot water, and began to wash and groom herself.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Hongling quickly got off the bed and leaned closer, "Traitor!"

Green Calyx paused in combing her hair, and said nothing.

By the end of the day, Hongling's carefully prepared criticisms were now pouring out: "Didn't we already agree that we'd always stay by Her Majesty's side? My methods may be clumsy, but I kept my promise not to marry. You liar, you went to the flower-viewing banquet with Her Majesty in high spirits, and came back so late. Could it be that you've really found someone you like and are going to abandon Her Majesty and me to leave the palace for a man?"

Green Calyx remained silent.

Hongling stamped her foot in frustration: "Say something! What do you mean by this?!"

Seeing her like this, Lü'e couldn't help but say, "Do you think Her Majesty can't see through your acting?"

Hongling pouted and remained silent.

Green Calyx put down the wooden comb and said calmly, "The invitations to everyone have already been sent out, and the flower viewing banquet has started as scheduled. More than a dozen young ladies and gentlemen have already arrived. If I don't go, wouldn't I be letting down Your Highness's kindness and causing her to lose face?"

Hongling thought for a moment and said, "Then let's treat it as a regular flower-viewing banquet."

Green Calyx immediately retorted, "Although it wasn't said openly, the word has already spread. Do you think everyone else is a fool?"

Hongling retorted, "Our Lady is an Imperial Noble Consort. Inviting them to a banquet is already giving them face. Who would dare to laugh at us?"

Green Calyx sighed softly, "So what if you avoid it now? What about next time? Will you still cry and make a scene in front of Her Majesty?"

This time, Hongling was speechless.

Green calyx stood up, went over and took her hand to sit down. "I have already spoken with Your Majesty. We both only wish to stay by Your Majesty's side and do not wish to leave the palace. Please do not dislike us."

Upon hearing this, Hongling's eyes widened slightly, and she eagerly asked, "What did Her Majesty say?"

A gentle smile appeared on Green Calyx's face: "Your Majesty agrees."

Hongling was thrilled.

Once her excitement had subsided slightly, Lü'e continued, "We are old servants of Her Majesty, having served her since childhood. What can't we say to Her Majesty? If we speak frankly and openly, Her Majesty will surely understand our intentions. Don't use such clumsy acting skills next time."

Hongling stuck out her tongue and, making a joke, bowed to her: "Aunt Lü'e, this servant understands."

Green Calyx was amused by her and wanted to hit her.

Hongling laughed and ran away, then hid under the covers again and went to sleep.

*

The matter of the cold war between the emperor and empress eventually came to the attention of the Duke of Zhenguo.

Originally, Empress Dowager Shen and the Duchess of the State intended to keep it from him to avoid him losing his stubborn temper.

Unexpectedly, after so much time, there has been no progress at all.

During a conversation between the couple, the Duchess inadvertently let slip the secret.

The Duke of Zhenguo was whispering to his wife, "Our little Yuan is such a lovely girl. I wish I could hold her in the palm of my hand and pamper her. I can't bear to see her suffer even a little. But if it were a boy, it would be different. He needs to suffer a little to learn skills. When he grows up, I'll teach him to wield swords and spears and make him stand out."

The Duchess glared at him. "Does a boy have to learn to wield swords and spears from a roughneck like you? We were born as precious princes, and such things are for others to do. Learning to govern the country is what's important."

The Duke disagreed: "His Majesty is still young. Shouldn't he hold power for several more decades? These matters are not really his concern. It would be better for him to learn a skill and improve his health."

The Duchess snorted coldly, refusing to reason with him.

The Duke rubbed his hands together and chuckled, "I wonder when the second son will arrive?"

The Duchess said irritably, "Just you wait, Yu'er won't see His Majesty anymore!"

The Duke was shocked, and his expression changed instantly.

The Duchess realized she had let something slip and tried to smooth things over, but the Duke of Zhenguo pressed her for answers, so she had no choice but to tell the truth.

Upon hearing this, the Duke of Zhenguo immediately turned to leave.

The Duchess grabbed him, asking warily, "What are you going to do?"

The Duke of Zhenguo puffed out his beard and glared, "I'm going to the palace to ask what's going on. Why is His Majesty bullying our Yu'er?"

The Duchess said helplessly, "It's already dark, and the palace gates are locked. You can't get in! Besides, did you hear what I was saying, Duke? I said Yu'er wouldn't see His Majesty!"

It took her a lot of persuasion to convince the Duke of Zhenguo to stop.