Compared to the cautious Empress Qiao, Meng Guifei was much more unrestrained in the palace. Apart from some superficial efforts, she and Emperor Yongjia were more like a couple in private.

If Empress Qiao were here, she would never ask Eunuch Liu and others to step down.

It was clear that she was used to overstepping her boundaries.

On normal days, Eunuch Liu would have left. But today, Eunuch Liu did not move, waiting for Emperor Yongjia to give orders.

When Meng Guifei saw that Eunuch Liu did not listen to her orders, she frowned unhappily and glared at him: “Didn’t you hear what I said? Why don’t you leave!”

Emperor Yongjia said coldly: “Everyone, please leave. No one is allowed to come in without my order.”

Eunuch Liu then bowed in response and quietly withdrew with the eunuchs.

Meng Guifei was displeased and snorted, “This Eunuch Liu is really arrogant. Now he doesn’t even care about me.”

Emperor Yongjia said nothing and just stared at Meng Guifei.

Meng Guifei was not afraid of his glare. She leaned over to him affectionately and stretched out her hand to smooth the frowning brows of Emperor Yongjia: “I also heard about what happened in the court today.”

“Zhao Sheng must have lost his mind for a moment, so he attacked Lu Shi. In my opinion, this matter has nothing to do with the Royal Mother. Don’t be estranged from her because of this. Don’t vent your anger on Qin Shi either.”

The hand touching the brow was well-maintained, slender, and soft.

The face in front of him was charming and beautiful, with the charm of a mature woman, but without any sign of aging. It was like a flower proudly blooming on a branch, nourished by the sun and rain, blooming fresh and beautiful.

This was his childhood sweetheart, the woman he had loved for more than 20 years.

Everyone in the palace knew that she was his treasure. Whether she was a qiè or a guifei, she had never suffered any grievances. She lived a carefree life under his favor and protection.

He had always been proud of it. As a man, he could not give his beloved woman a name, but he gave her everything except the name.

Why was she still not satisfied?

Why did you do something that hurt him so much?

…

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Seeing Emperor Yongjia looking at her intently, Meng Guifei couldn’t help but smile and leaned into Emperor Yongjia’s arms: “Don’t be angry. I’ll have someone serve you food and I’ll eat with you, okay?”

Calling themselves you and me directly in private is also a special favor enjoyed by Meng Guifei.

Emperor Yongjia did not push away the familiar soft body in his arms, but simply said: “I have something to tell you.”

Meng Guifei smiled and looked up: “What’s the matter?”

Emperor Yongjia looked into Meng Guifei’s eyes and said slowly, “I intend to make the Second Prince the crown prince.”

Meng Guifei: “…”

Emperor Yongjia looked at Meng Guifei with her eyes wide open in disbelief, watched her smile stiffen, watched her try her best to suppress her huge disappointment, and watched her whole body tremble with anger.

Emperor Yongjia never thought that he would say such cruel words to her one day: “I am already forty years old, and the Wei Dynasty has been established for nine years. The country has no crown prince, and people’s hearts are unstable. I plan to lead an army to attack Yan and Chu next year, and it’s time to decide on a crown prince.”

Meng Guifei’s pupils shrank. She tried to force out a smile, but couldn’t: “You…you want to make the Second Prince the crown prince?”

Emperor Yongjia said calmly: “The Second Prince is a legitimate son. If I don’t make him the crown prince, who else do I crown?”

The word “legitimate” pierced Meng Guifei’s ears like a needle tip.

Meng Guifei was so shocked that her most instinctive reaction could not be hidden from others.

She was in no mood to deceive herself, and looked at Emperor Yongjia angrily: “You told me before that the person you love most in this life is me, and our son is also the one you love most. With you here, we mother and son will not suffer any grievances. Have you forgotten all these words?”

Emperor Yongjia and Meng Guifei looked at each other, and a chill was revealed in his calm voices: “I also want to ask you, have I wronged you in these years?”

Meng Guifei was speechless.

No matter how angry she was, she couldn’t say such heartless and ridiculous words.

She really had never been wronged.

She was a qiè ^[1]concubine in the inner house of the Li family, and she enjoyed more glory than the wife. Later, she became a Guifei and had the best food, clothing, and living expenses. Emperor Yongjia gave her everything she wanted – except the position of wife, she had everything.

Her son was also the most favored prince. Emperor Yongjia’s preference for the Eldest Prince was well-known to everyone.

However, Emperor Yongjia wanted to pass the throne to the Second Prince! What should the Eldest Prince do? What should she do? Wouldn’t they, mother and son, become a joke in the eyes of everyone?

“Jiaojiao, I have never treated you and your son badly.”

Perhaps the most angry moment had passed. Emperor Yongjia was now very calm and sober, and his words were calm and cold: “I also thought that you understood my heart.”

“I have given you and your son everything I can. But you shouldn’t be greedy and want things that don’t belong to you. I have an original wife, legitimate sons, and daughters. If I want to appoint a crown prince, it cannot be any other son. It can only be the Second Prince.”

The raging anger in Meng Guifei’s heart rushed to her mind and into her eyes. Her eyes were red, but she was not about to cry.

“Good! Well said!”

Meng Guifei gritted her teeth and squeezed out a few words: “Your Majesty is indeed thoughtful. I was spoiled by your favor and had thoughts that I shouldn’t have. Fortunately… Fortunately, Your Majesty is wise and has made a decision long ago. I should congratulate Your Majesty first.”

Emperor Yongjia’s eyes flashed with sarcasm: “I hope you can figure it out.”

These few words deeply hurt Meng Guifei.

Meng Guifei blinked and pushed back the tears: “Since the Emperor has made up his mind, I have nothing more to say. I will take my leave now.”
After saying that, she turned and left.

After taking two steps, the voice of Emperor Yongjia came from behind: “Jiaojiao, you should never do anything to Lu Shi!”

Meng Guifei’s body froze, and she turned around quickly, about to open her mouth to refute and defend herself. Emperor Yongjia had already continued: “You don’t need to refute, let alone explain. I am not so confused that I don’t know right from wrong.”

“Anything that has been done will always leave clues. If the Ministry of Justice cannot solve the case within three days, then seven days. If seven days is not enough, then half a month.”

“I want to give an explanation to the Second Prince, to the Lu and Qiao families, and to give justice to my daughter-in-law and my unborn grandchildren. This case must be investigated thoroughly!”

“However, there is no need to investigate further. Last night, I guessed that this matter was your doing. I don’t know whether Ah Yi was involved. The Meng family must have been involved.”

“In my heart, you have always been enthusiastic, lively, cheerful, and kind. You disregarded your reputation and wanted to follow me as my concubine. The day I married you, I secretly vowed that I would never let you down in this life.”

“But I never thought that you would become like this!”

“Jiaojiao, how did you become like this!”

(End of this chapter)