Xiao Bing froze when she heard this.
“No. Why would Chu Ning curse Your Majesty behind your back?”
“You simply do not know. Yesterday, he cursed Us here and called Us a foolish ruler.”
“Ah??”
Xiao Bing grew even more confused, but she immediately explained, “He did not curse Your Majesty. This servant only asked Chu Ning about his attitude toward Your Majesty.”
Ye Qinglian gave a cold snort.
“Do We need to know what attitude he has toward Us? The reason We keep him now is simply so that after the royal heirs are born, they will have someone to accompany them. That is his purpose. No matter what he thinks of Us behind Our back, it changes nothing!”
“Uh… This servant feels that Your Majesty may be thinking too badly of Chu Ning. He is not actually that kind of person.”
Ye Qinglian looked at her expressionlessly. “What kind of person someone is cannot be judged by a single day, nor by a single word or action. How many people have you met that you dare judge he is not that kind of person? You have only known him for one day.”
Xiao Bing thought for a moment and decided not to say anything else. Because of Her Majesty’s status, her sense of self-protection was far too strong…
Unless Her Majesty changed her view on her own, no matter what others said or showed her, it would basically be useless.
However, just as Xiao Bing was about to leave, Ye Qinglian still spoke faintly.
“What did he say today?”
Xiao Bing smiled when she heard this.
Her Majesty still cared quite a bit about Chu Ning’s attitude…
“Chu Ning said he actually does not have any sincerity toward Your Majesty…”
Ye Qinglian’s expression did not change, but her heart sank. Her emotions grew somewhat complicated.
“Heh! So what? Does that mean We have sincerity toward him?”
“For some unknown reason, this person barged into the secret chamber where We were in seclusion. Only then did everything afterward happen. How could anyone in the world develop any sincerity toward someone because of such a thing?”
“As We said before, We simply do not want the children to be born without a father. That is all…”
There was actually no need for her to say so much, but the competitiveness in her heart made her unable to hold it back.
Why was it that just as her heart had stirred slightly because of Chu Ning’s actions today, he could say something like having no sincerity?
Clearly, she was the one who had suffered a loss, and Chu Ning was also the one who had broken all of this…
She clenched her fists tightly. After saying those words, her expression became even more complicated.
Xiao Bing had followed Ye Qinglian for so many years, so she saw through it at a glance.
With Her Majesty’s personality, it was impossible for her to develop normally with Chu Ning. That was why Xiao Bing had encouraged Chu Ning to take the initiative!
Look at this. The two of them already had children. If their relationship became better, would the children not be happier when they were born?
Xiao Bing smiled and said, “But Chu Ning also said that since it was their first meeting, even if he and Your Majesty have royal heirs now, having no sincerity is actually the proper thing.”
“Heh! If that is the case, why must he be so self-sentimental? Does We lack one cook so badly?”
If Xiao Bing continued speaking, Ye Qinglian would truly lose control. She had never faced such a thing before, and there was an indescribable tearing feeling in her heart.
So yesterday and this morning had all been fake? He had not placed even the slightest thought on her?
Seeing this, Xiao Bing continued, “But Chu Ning also said that the relationship between him and Your Majesty now is more like a kind of responsibility.”
“Just like the people in court who are granted noble titles or appointed as ministers, doing things for fame and profit. Just like when Xiao Bing entered the palace back then to serve Your Majesty, it was also for better treatment…”
“He also said that so-called sincerity is false if spoken too easily. True sincerity is born through constant time together and understanding. Right now, what he has toward Your Majesty is responsibility and commitment. He wants to take the initiative to shoulder all of this and do everything within his ability.”
Ye Qinglian froze slightly.
She roughly understood.
Now, the court cared for Great Qian and truly wanted to see this Empire develop.
And Xiao Bing also sincerely thought for her sake.
Everything was constantly changing, and Chu Ning’s view of her would also gradually change. In the same way, would hers change too?
Those words seemed more reliable than any claim of sincerity…
Ye Qinglian’s face suddenly reddened, and she abruptly turned away.
“We are the supreme ruler, bearing the Heavenly Dao above and responding to the will of the people below. Why would We need Chu Ning to take responsibility for anything?”
“Go back and tell Chu Ning to stay quietly in his own little corner. Tell him not to keep making strange things, and he is not allowed to say such words again!”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Then this servant will leave…”
Would Xiao Bing say it?
Obviously not.
Her Majesty had only said that out of embarrassment because those words moved her heart.
Xiao Bing understood this Empress very well. She was hard on the outside but soft within. She cared deeply about the people and things around her, though she looked fierce on the surface.
So Xiao Bing would absolutely not say it! She was still hoping to get more meals out of this!
Inside Bright Virtue Hall, after Xiao Bing left, Ye Qinglian abruptly clenched her fists.
“Pah! Do We need you to take responsibility? You took Our body and even made Us carry children. Does that mean We need you to take responsibility? Dream on!”
“You are only the children’s father. That is all!” Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
As she said this, her flushed face gradually calmed down.
How could she dispel the scattered, troublesome thoughts in her heart?
Only by handling state affairs could she avoid distraction.
But as she worked, she kept losing focus…
Xiao Bing should not have said those words. In the future, she could not let Xiao Bing say them again!
Yet in truth, there was still some happiness in her heart.
At least, although that man had nothing, he was willing to take responsibility…
At noon.
With a creak, the door opened.
Ye Qinglian had already returned to normal and was frantically handling memorials.
At minimum, there were 2,000 memorials a day. If she could not finish them, she could not rest. She held herself to extremely strict standards.
“Xiao Bing, is it lunch?”
“Put it down first. We will eat later.”
She would handle another 200 memorials first, then find a moment to finish the meal and continue working. Right now, her mind was troubled, and she was considering matters regarding the border…
With a soft thud, the meal tray was placed on the table. In the hall where only the sound of writing could be heard, it sounded especially sharp.
Ye Qinglian did not pay attention and remained fully focused.
Suddenly, she felt someone pat her shoulder.
A pair of chopsticks was placed beside her mouth, holding a piece of pastry.
Ye Qinglian frowned slightly, but still ate it in one bite.
“We said We would eat later. There is no need to do this…”
However, the pastry melted as soon as it entered her mouth. It was extremely appetizing. Ye Qinglian, who had been hungry all morning, smacked her lips.
“Today’s cook passed the test. Reward him with some silver later. Another piece.”
The chopsticks came over again. After finishing one memorial, she had the attention to eat another bite.
Just like that, one bite followed another.
“Strange. Why does today’s food taste exceptionally good…”
Unable to resist her craving, Ye Qinglian put down the memorial in her hand and suddenly stood up.
“Xiao Bing, today’s cook…”
She suddenly froze, then retreated three steps in fright, her eyes widening as she stared at Chu Ning in front of her.
And in Chu Ning’s hand was a pair of chopsticks!
“Why are you here? Were you not Xiao Bing?”
She had eaten for a full hour and still had not noticed that the person beside her was Chu Ning!
“Hehe. The food is good, right? I made it especially.”
Chu Ning smiled as he looked at Ye Qinglian before him. “So, Qinglian, were you praising me just now?”
Ye Qinglian’s expression turned unfriendly, and she said coldly, “We have already told you several times that you are not allowed to leave the palace where you live. Even if you go to Heavenly Tranquility Palace, Xiao Bing must accompany you. Otherwise, if someone discovers you, would that not expose everything?”
Chu Ning froze when he heard this, then sighed.
“So, in front of you, I am someone who cannot be shown in public…”
“What a waste of my heartfelt intentions. Since that is the case, I absolutely will not leave the palace again in the future.”
After saying this, Chu Ning turned to leave.
Ye Qinglian was furious and grabbed Chu Ning at once.
“What We mean is that if you leave the palace and are discovered, it will bring trouble upon you. Do you not understand that men are not allowed to enter and exit the rear palace freely?”
“You will feel suffocated if you stay inside the palace all the time, and even if you go out, Xiao Bing must take you with her. Besides, as Our future royal consort, what is there about you that cannot be shown in public?”
“So, Qinglian, you really do not despise me?”
Ye Qinglian felt deeply speechless.
“We already brought you back to the palace. What is there to despise?”
Chu Ning chuckled when he heard this. It had all been an act.
“It is fine. No one discovered me. I was very discreet. I understand the seriousness of the matter better than you do!”
Ye Qinglian seemed almost angered into laughter. She looked at Chu Ning coldly and said, “No one discovered you? Do you think We would believe that?”
“Then how about a bet? If no one truly discovered me, you agree to one condition of mine?”
“Fine!”
Ye Qinglian directly issued an order.
“Where are the hidden guards? Come see Us at once!”
From the main hall to Bright Virtue Hall, this entire section of the palace was monitored by hidden guards. They were stronger and more concealed than the Dragon Guards.
In the Empire, only she and Xiao Bing knew of these people’s existence.
Ye Qinglian casually cast a barrier technique to conceal Chu Ning’s figure, and a woman in black instantly appeared inside the hall.
Chu Ning was also stunned when he saw her. There were actually hidden watchers arranged here?
He had not noticed…
“Greetings, Your Majesty! May I ask why Your Majesty has summoned me?”
Ye Qinglian sneered and said, “Today, aside from Xiao Bing, who else came to Bright Virtue Hall?”
The woman immediately reported, “Aside from her, no one else!”
Ye Qinglian instantly drew her sword.
“Nonsense! Are you saying someone could slip in right under your eyes?”
What kind of joke was this? Chu Ning was standing right here. He was merely hidden by her.
Aside from coming over from the main hall, where else could he have come from? Bright Virtue Hall was watched extremely closely by the hidden guards.
The woman instantly panicked and hurriedly knelt. “Your Majesty, we truly did not discover anyone entering. We have all performed our duties with complete loyalty. Not even a fly could have flown in. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may summon the other hidden guards. I truly have not deceived you!”
At that moment, Ye Qinglian’s face was filled with astonishment.
They had not discovered Chu Ning’s traces?
Had Chu Ning flown over? Even if he had flown over, they should have discovered him!
Besides, he had clearly come through the front door.
At that moment, Chu Ning’s lips carried a faint smile.
It was still the same sentence.
You all see me as frogs at the bottom of a well raising your heads to look at the moon. If I conceal my figure, how could you possibly discover me?
Ye Qinglian looked at Chu Ning and happened to see his smug expression.
The hidden guards were absolutely loyal to her. They could not possibly have been bribed.
So how exactly had this fellow entered?
“Forget it. Withdraw. This matter must not happen again!”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!”
The woman immediately withdrew, and at that moment, Chu Ning also gave a light cough.
“Well then, Your Majesty. An emperor’s word cannot be taken back…”
“You agreed to my condition, so you should keep your word, right?”
Ye Qinglian instantly became vigilant.
This man had deliberately set a trap for her!
She slowly raised the sword and pointed it at Chu Ning, smiling coldly.
“Oh? What do you mean, an emperor’s word cannot be taken back? Did We say anything?”
Chu Ning looked grief-stricken.
“Qinglian, you cannot be like this. I even called you Your Majesty. Surely you do not have to go this far!”
Ye Qinglian calmly sheathed her sword, her face expressionless.
“Should you not call Us that?”
“I am your future husband. If I call you Your Majesty, what will the children think is wrong in the future?”
Chu Ning chuckled and pulled Ye Qinglian to sit down.
“No matter how busy you are, you have to eat first. After you finish eating, you can continue working. I will clean up later.”
“Tch…”
“Do not touch Us. We can walk by Ourself.”
“What does it matter? In the future, will we not sleep under the same quilt anyway? Is it not good to get familiar earlier?”
Ye Qinglian instantly glared at him, her face flushed red.
“Vulgar! This is the palace, and We are still the Emperor of the Great Qian Empire!”
Chu Ning looked puzzled.
“But are you not also my future wife?”
Ye Qinglian suddenly froze.
Right. This fellow had no shame and did not care about the status of the palace or their identities.
She would just ignore him!
He still wanted to sleep in the same bed as her? Dream on!
As soon as she sat down, Chu Ning handed over the Dragon Marrow Jade Treasure Soup.
“Your Majesty, please have your meal!”
Seeing this, Ye Qinglian’s expression improved slightly.
“If you have not eaten, sit down and eat together.”