Read Novel Full Chapter 1675: Meeting
Chapter 1675: Chapter 1675: Meeting
Yuanyuan was a bit emotional, no matter when, parents always remember everything about their children.
"Father, don’t worry about me, life here is quite good."
Su Wanshan nodded, seeing his daughter’s state, he knew it wasn’t bad.
The Emperor was furious in court a while ago, and of course, Su Wanshan was willing not to have any more court selections in the future.
This way, his daughter could live a bit easier.
"It’s good that you can adapt, Your Highness."
"Father, how are you and Su Xing?"
"Your Highness, there’s no need to worry about us. Everything is quite well. Su Xing has opened two shops now."
Yuanyuan sighed, "It’s my fault for holding back Su Xing."
"No, his aspirations don’t lie here. If he wanted to, he could have gained favor, but he chooses not to."
Yuanyuan knew that Su Xing didn’t want to make things difficult for her.
"Your Highness, I have submitted my resignation to the Emperor, but he didn’t agree, I may have to go to the frontier again."
Yuanyuan furrowed her brow. "Father, that place isn’t good. You don’t need to die on the battlefield; I just wish you a peaceful life."
Having experienced so much, I now know that a lifetime of mediocrity is also happiness.
Su Wanshan shook his head, "It’s okay. I feel more at ease there, I’m not suited for this place.
I don’t like this kind of life, Su Xing stays here, and he can look after you."
Yuanyuan felt warm inside, knowing both father and son now prioritized her.
"Father, do you plan to be alone for your whole life? If you’re going to the border, take someone with you. Su Xing and I can’t be by your side, we’re all grown up now, and we hope someone is there to accompany you."
This wasn’t something a daughter should say. But within the family, it was just the three of them, and only she could voice it.
"I have no such thoughts, having you two is enough."
Yuanyuan shook her head, "Father, you should take someone with you, it might take three to five years to return from there, having someone with you will put us at ease."
Su Wanshan said nothing, having grown accustomed to freedom, he didn’t claim deep feelings for his past wife.
To ease his children’s worries, marrying someone wouldn’t matter, but would anyone be willing to follow him to the border?
Su Wanshan wanted to spend more time with his daughter, having much to advise, but ultimately gave up, knowing it wasn’t good to linger too long.
Yuanyuan saw Su Wanshan off, feeling downhearted, thinking how nice it would be if the whole family could live a simple life at the border?
Now Su Xing must stay, returning to Jiaoyang Palace, Yuanyuan was not in good spirits, the sign being her silence.
In fact, she often maintained silence anyway.
Cui Shanggong, who always stayed by the Noble Consort’s side, understood the situation. She knew the master was upset due to family matters.
"Your Highness, you can order the appointment of a lady from a prestigious family."
Yuanyuan shook her head, "That’s not good. It might result in an unhappy marriage, even though many proposed to my father before.
There probably still are offers. Let him choose for himself."
Cui Shanggong sighed internally, having never seen a family quite like the Su Family. Yet, wise people like them always lived long.
With few people in the palace, even the slightest breeze would be known, everyone knew the Noble Consort’s family visited, and two others were moved, especially the former Consort De, now Zhaoyi, who was eager to meet her family.
Though they bribed palace staff, the news couldn’t spread, as the Emperor particularly detested it.
The concubines’ families observed the rash man’s actions and also entreated the Emperor.
Waiting anxiously, yet even after five days, there was no movement.
Now she was truly anxious. Despite disliking that hypocritical woman, she still needed her favor.
The Empress didn’t care about this. She could summon her family as per her decree, but the two were anxious.
The distinction between a rightful wife and a concubine was now quite evident.
The one in Jiaoyang Palace was truly too honest, her activities confined to reading indoors and rarely strolling in the courtyard.
Her excessive honesty often led one to forget her presence.
Celebrating the New Year, the Emperor made an exception to visit the harem, dining with one wife, three concubines, and four children.
They were divided into two tables, with Yuanyuan seated with the two concubines. Even the Noble Consort served as a servant, not entitled to dine with the master.
This was Yuanyuan’s first time seeing the three Princes and a Princess.
The Princes didn’t resemble the Emperor much, but the little Princess turned out quite pretty.
Yuanyuan felt puzzled; weren’t the Emperor’s surroundings portrayed as full of beauties in dramas? Counting her among the four women, they could only be described as ordinary, easily mistaken for peasant women if dressed in plain clothes.
Tan Shaoting only picked at some dishes before putting down his chopsticks.
Yuanyuan twitched the corner of her mouth—it was a waste of such a good meal.
Everyone else stopped eating.
Tan Shaoting had inadvertently seen Yuanyuan’s expression, his eyes momentarily smiling—did she want to eat?
"Continue eating. I’m full."
Even so, no one dared to eat. Oh well, they’d go back to eat dumplings, hot and hearty, not worse than this.
The Eldest Prince, also the Empress’s son, was eleven years old, and should be enduring his rebellious phase, showing dissatisfaction on his face.
Yuanyuan wondered how the Empress, with her cunning, could raise such a son? Would someone like him ever become Emperor? Wouldn’t that lead to national ruin?
The other two young ones revealed no distinct traits, albeit probably better than this one.
Since everyone was done, the Emperor said nothing, simply turned and left.
Everyone paid their respects. Yuanyuan bowed to the Empress before returning to Jiaoyang Palace.
An hour later, there were unexpected rewards.
Yuanyuan grinned at the sight of the gold and silver, who wouldn’t want more of their possessions?
As for the jewelry, she didn’t bother to look, instructing Cui Shanggong to store them directly.
On the first day of the new year, paying respects to the Empress was mandatory.
At the moment Yuanyuan knelt, the Empress suddenly felt dizzy, her head aching.
Once Yuanyuan rose, the sensation vanished.
Frowning, the Empress thought something was amiss.
The other two also kowtowed to the Empress, and had to do so to the Noble Consort as well.
Everyone received rewards, and of course, Yuanyuan did too, each getting a silver coin.
No way would she give them something good.
Cui Shanggong advised twice, yet the Noble Consort remained resolute, leaving no choice but to proceed.
The Empress constantly observed Yuanyuan, feeling the previous occurrence was highly unusual.
Not keeping them for too long, the dizziness and headache intensified as Yuanyuan bowed again.
The Empress felt as if she wasn’t worthy of Yuanyuan’s bow.
Why such a feeling? Something was off.
Was there something different about Yuanyuan?
Ancient people were quite superstitious, instantly conjuring up thoughts.
The Empress felt it was affronting and embarrassing.
Why would this object not kowtow to her? She is the nation’s mother.