Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1253 The Emperor is the Most Beloved of My Heart

The misty water vapor blurred Nangong Xuanyu's deep eyebrows and softened the emperor's cold lines.

At this moment, he is not the ruler of the world, but just an ordinary man who cares for the person beside him.

Shen Zhinian was in a daze the whole time, letting the hands that ruled the country and reviewed memorials wash him clumsily but with great patience.

After washing and drying, Nangong Xuanyu carefully wrapped Shen Zhinian in a dry soft blanket and carried her back to the bed which was already covered with clean bedding.

From beginning to end, no palace maid was asked to do the job.

He lifted the quilt and lay back down beside Shen Zhinian, holding her in his arms again.

Shen Zhinian seemed to sense the source of heat and consciously moved closer, breathing evenly and deeply, sleeping more soundly.

Nangong Xuanyu looked down at her peaceful sleeping face, gently brushed her slightly swollen red lips with his fingertips, and then closed his eyes contentedly.

……

The main hall of Changchun Palace is brightly lit and warm.

Concubine Zhuang sat upright on the chair, her face still showing a gentle and compassionate smile.

She generously instructed Ruoji: "I am celebrating my promotion, and it is also New Year. Everyone in Changchun Palace is celebrating together. I will reward everyone with a year's salary!"

Upon hearing this, the palace maids and eunuchs serving in the palace were overjoyed. They knelt down one after another and kowtowed in gratitude, their voices resounding: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

This is a year's salary! The palace maids serving in Changchun Palace were all overjoyed.

Concubine Zhuang nodded slightly and waved gracefully.

He immediately understood what was meant and led the palace servants who had been generously rewarded and were filled with gratitude, and quietly retreated, carefully closing the door of the inner hall.

The heavy palace door blocked out the sounds from outside, and only Concubine Zhuang and Ruoli were left in the inner room.

Her flawless mask of gentleness seemed to falter for a moment. Concubine Zhuang paused as she twirled her Buddhist beads, a suppressed darkness flickering deep in her eyes.

Ruoli, who had been holding back her words, immediately stepped forward, her face showing undisguised indignation: "My Lady, this servant is really holding back for you!"

"Look at that one in Zhongcui Palace. She just relied on her good fortune to give birth to the Fourth Prince, and happened to play a role in bringing down the Liu family. She climbed to the position of Imperial Noble Consort, surpassing you! Why?!"

Imperial Concubine Zhuang didn't even raise her eyelids. Her voice was flat, and no emotion could be discerned: "This is His Majesty's will. Thunder, lightning, rain, and dew are all His Majesty's grace. How can you have any say in this?"

Although she was scolding Ruoli, there was no harshness in her tone.

Ruoli became even more anxious, her voice filled with genuine anxiety: "Your Majesty! The Imperial Noble Consort is a co-consort, and is clearly the future Empress!"

"If she really secures that position, will there still be room for our Changchun Palace in the harem?"

"What are you going to do?"

Hearing the words "future empress," Concubine Zhuang's fingers, twisting her Buddhist beads, suddenly tightened. But she quickly regained her composure, a hint of icy coldness curling up at the corners of her lips.

"Future Queen?"

Concubine Zhuang raised her eyes to look at Ruoli, her gaze chillingly calm. "The Crown Prince is still the future emperor, but history books are filled with countless books. How many Crown Princes have you seen ascend to the throne smoothly?"

"The title of crown prince may seem noble and dignified, but in reality, it's like walking on thin ice, with every step being filled with fear. So many eyes are watching, so many open and hidden arrows are waiting..."

"The same applies to the position of crown prince."

Concubine Zhuang leaned back slightly, leaning against the soft pillow, her tone very calm, "Until the last moment, who can say for sure that the Phoenix Throne will definitely be hers?"

"The world is still uncertain, everything... is possible!"

Ruoli stared at Concubine Zhuang in a daze, shocked by the deep calmness and implicit sharpness in her words.

The anxiety in her heart surprisingly subsided a lot. Her eyes lit up and she quickly agreed, "Your Majesty is right! It was this servant who was short-sighted."

"Your family is distinguished, and your Excellency the Grand Tutor is the Imperial Preceptor, deeply respected by His Majesty! You are also known for your virtue, with a compassionate heart and kindness towards the palace ladies."

"This position of empress... rightfully belongs to you, Your Majesty! The one in Zhongcui Palace is only temporarily proud!"

Upon hearing this, Concubine Zhuang did not respond, but lowered her eyes again, her gaze falling on the string of warm Bodhi beads on her wrist, which she slowly twisted one by one.

Until the end, who knows who will win in the end?

She, Zhuang Yumian, never fights a battle without preparation.

The silence in the inner room lasted for a moment.

Ruoli looked at Concubine Zhuang's profile, hesitated for a moment, and couldn't help but ask the question that had been pent up for a long time: "Your Majesty..."

There was a hint of confusion in her voice: "I remember you said before that you would take advantage of the New Year's Eve palace banquet when His Majesty is in a good mood to beg His Majesty to posthumously confer the title of Prince on the eldest prince."

"Why...why have you never mentioned it?"

When mentioning the child who died young, whom almost no one dared to mention in front of her, Concubine Zhuang's fingers, which were twisting the Buddhist beads, suddenly paused.

She slowly raised her eyes, and a layer of deep sorrow and sadness clearly appeared in her compassionate eyes.

This is the deepest pain a mother can feel.

Even though many years had passed and she had long since learned to cover it up with a perfect mask, every time the eldest prince was mentioned, Concubine Zhuang still felt heartbroken...

She was silent for a moment, her voice choked with a barely perceptible sob. "The prince is the apple of my eye. I wish to secure a posthumous honor for him, so that even in the afterlife he can enjoy the dignity of a prince and not suffer any injustice."

Imperial Concubine Zhuang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging grief. Her eyes became calm and rational again, even with a hint of cold calculation: "But His Majesty has just restored my status as Liang Fei and promoted me to Imperial Concubine. His grace is extremely great."

"The Zhuang Mansion is flourishing, and my father has returned to the court. His Majesty has been treating me with exceptional kindness."

Her gaze was cast towards the dark night outside the window, and her tone became extremely sober, even revealing a hint of self-mockery: "If I were to bring up the matter of posthumous honors at this moment, what would Your Majesty think?"

"He would think that I am spoiled and greedy, relying on my father and a little old friendship to never be satisfied."

"The emperor's favor is unpredictable. I can give it to you today and take it away tomorrow."

"Too much is as bad as too little. I understand this principle."

Concubine Zhuang turned back to look at Ruoli, her eyes returning to their usual deepness. "This matter cannot be rushed. We need to find a more appropriate time and proceed slowly. Right now... is definitely not a good opportunity."

Ruoli watched the sadness that flashed in Concubine Zhuang's eyes, then quickly concealed it, and then listened to her calm analysis. The confusion in her heart instantly disappeared. Instead, she was filled with deep awe and understanding.

She quickly lowered her head: "This servant is stupid, but Your Majesty is thoughtful."

"It's because I'm anxious."