The Empress Dowager gave her kind advice, and Xu Zhihuai accepted it humbly, with a smile on his face and a chill in his heart.
If something sounds nice, sometimes it’s okay to just listen to it.
Xu Zhihuai never doubted that Zhu Xuxing was passionately devoted to her, but people would change.
That night, Zhu Xiuxing went to the Hot Spring Palace alone.
He originally thought that Xu Zhihuai had fallen asleep, but he didn't expect that she was wearing a spring robe, with long hair disheveled, and a plain face. She was sitting by the hot spring pool, with a pair of white jade feet gently lapping the water, making a clear sound. .
"Huai'er?"
Zhu Xuxing raised his eyebrows and showed his face.
"See Your Highness."
Xu Zhihuai stood up with a smile, but he stopped him with words: "You don't have to move, your feet will slip, and you will fall carefully."
Zhu Xuxing came to her, squatted down, and stroked her long hair: "Why are you here?"
Xu Zhihuai tilted his head and placed his pillow on his open palm.
His palms were warm and dry, close to her delicate skin.
Zhu Xuxing's eyes grew darker: "You don't think it's rare for you to act like a spoiled child like this."
Xu Zhihuai smiled: "I didn't say anything, how could I be so coquettish?"
Zhu Xuxing leaned forward and got very close to her: "You are waiting for me here, aren't you acting coquettishly?"
As he spoke, he kissed her earlobe tightly.
Xu Zhihuai was tickled by his kiss, tilted her head and chuckled. She put her hands on his chest, looked straight into his eyes and said, "Your Highness's eyes are a little red. He must be tired from reading the memorial under the lamp."
Zhu Xuxing pursed his lips and whispered in her ear: "It would be great if I could only look at you every day."
He locked her in his arms and held her tightly.
The water is sparkling and the pond is full of beauty.
Zhu Xuxing kissed Xu Zhihuai's wet temples, put the tip of his nose against her cheek, and murmured softly: "We'll stay here tonight, okay?"
Xu Zhihuai said weakly: "When An'er wakes up at night, I will cry if I don't see my concubine."
Zhu Xuxing sighed softly: "Okay, let's go back now."
Xu Zhihuai heard the disappointment in his words, Yingying turned around, put her arms around his neck and said, "Don't worry, I also warmed some plum wine."
"oh?"
Zhu Xuxing was inexplicably surprised: "Have you prepared these?"
"Does your Highness like it?"
"Of course I like what you prepared."
After drinking the warm wine, the two of them were reluctant to part ways.
Zhu Xuxing looked at the slightly tipsy person in his arms, and suddenly thought of something: "Have you seen your mother today?"
Xu Zhihuai opened his dark eyes, looked at him and said, "Yes, I went with An'er."
Zhu Xuxing pinched her earlobe: "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"On the tenth day of every month, I have to go over to pay my respects."
"Did the Queen Mother say anything?"
"of course not."
"You are dishonest."
Xu Zhihuai blinked with an innocent look on his face: "Your Highness has wronged me."
Zhu Xuxing sighed: "Things after the election have always been my eldest sister's idea. I never said a word, and I never promised a word."
Xu Zhihuai nodded slightly: "Your Highness does not need to explain, I understand."
"No, Huai'er."
Zhu Xuxing, under the influence of alcohol, pulled her shoulders and said seriously: "Listen to me, when I named you the imperial concubine, I gave the eldest sister enough face. Whatever the eldest sister wants to do, I will tell you. It’s clear, what a selection, what a rookie! I won’t keep any of them, how they walked in through Wenchangmen, then how they walked out! Huai’er, you believe me.”
His eyes were burning and his tone was excited.
Xu Zhihuai nodded repeatedly: "I believe it."
Because of his excitement and blood rushing to his brain, Zhu Suxing became drunk even faster.
She took care of him to sleep, and then went to see her sleeping daughter. She was holding the cloth cat doll, her little mouth pouting slightly, and Jinhua was sleeping outside, looking peaceful.
Everyone fell asleep, leaving her alone and awake.
The palace maid who was keeping watch at night saw her pouring tea alone and hurriedly ran over, but she stopped her and said: "Shh, keep your voice down. I don't need you to serve me. Go to bed."
Xu Zhihuai poured a cup of warm tea, got up and went to the courtyard, sat on the swing that Zhu Suxing had built for his daughter, and swayed gently.
She got the promise she wanted and the peace of mind that His Highness gave her.
Soon, Zhu Weizhen drew up a list of ten people, all of whom were ladies from famous families with aristocratic backgrounds.
Zhu Weizhen personally gave the list to the Empress Dowager for review. The Empress Dowager was dazzled and asked her to read a few names, which sounded familiar.
"Of course the person you choose is not wrong, but the emperor may not appreciate it."
Zhu Weizhen smiled and said: "The emperor is a sensible person. It concerns the overall situation. He will not be willful."
The Queen Mother nodded: "Yes, we can't let Concubine Rong get her wish."
Zhu Weizhen prepared the chessboard as always, and took advantage of the opportunity to chat with his brother to put the list in the most conspicuous position. Zhu Xuxing did not even look at it, and raised his hand to remove the list from the chessboard.
Zhu Weizhen frowned: "The emperor doesn't give me face so much?"
"Sister, let's play chess and talk. This is a warm and cozy way of doing things at home. Why do you need to embarrass me with something like this?"
"The emperor's heir is related to the life of the court. If the emperor does not establish a queen, where will the prince be? Without a prince, the ministers will have the intention of rebellion."
There is a white stone under the star Zhu Xuan: "I know all these truths. I have only been on the throne for two months, and now is not the time to fill the harem."
"When will that be? Does the Emperor want to wait for Concubine Rong to give birth to a prince?"
Zhu Xuxing sighed deeply, threw back the chess piece in his hand, and said helplessly: "Sister, you know how important Huai'er is to me."
"Aren't heirs important to the Emperor?"
Zhu Xuxing frowned: "I already have An'er."
Zhu Weizhen was slightly surprised and chuckled: "What did the emperor say? An'er? Can our Princess Le'an also be the crown prince?"
Zhu Xuxing immediately asked, "Why not?"
Zhu Weizhen lost his smile after hearing this: "Your Majesty, please don't joke. Isn't this something that can be joked about?"
"An'er is my daughter and the emperor's heir."
Zhu Xuxing's tone was calm, and Zhu Weizhen laughed dumbly.
"I will be the eldest daughter. Although An'er's biological mother is a noble concubine, she is indeed my eldest daughter."
Zhu Weizhen shook his head in anger, changed from his usual calmness, and his breathing was messy: "This is impossible, absolutely impossible."
Zhu Xuxing said: "Eldest sister, do you still remember? When eldest sister was a child, everyone praised her for being smart, wise, and heroic. As a daughter, she has the courage and talent not to lose to men. The eldest sister was once the father's wife. The apple of my eye, I have heard my father lament more than once, if the eldest sister is the prince, the crown prince position must be yours."
Zhu Weizhen's pupils trembled when he heard this, and he asked in disbelief: "So, the emperor wants An'er to be the crown prince? Do you want to fight for me?"
She stood up suddenly, placed her hands heavily on the chessboard, and said in a firm tone: "Absolutely not. Once the emperor violates the rules of his ancestors and causes opposition from the ministers, the world will inevitably be in chaos."
