Chapter 1408 - 1373: A Life Off Course 20_2
Chapter 1408: Chapter 1373: A Life Off Course 20_2
"What are you doing?"
Mr. Wei quickly asked.
Xiao Yuan explained a few sentences: "It’s to find my wife’s grandparents’ remains and give them a proper burial, something my father-in-law has always been concerned about. This time when we returned, he specifically reminded us several times. Additionally, we need to move the grave of Aunt Bai."
Mr. Wei sighed: "That’s the right thing to do."
Only after Xiao Yuan and Mr. Wei finished discussing the matter did they return to their rooms.
When he returned to the room, he saw Anning holding a letter.
"Where did the letter come from?"
Xiao Yuan sat down and asked.
Anning handed him the letter.
After reading it, Xiao Yuan said: "Your Majesty is making plans for Noble Princess Consort Chu, wanting to provide her with some assurance."
Anning nodded: "I understand."
She snuggled into Xiao Yuan’s arms and shifted to a more comfortable position: "Actually, there’s nothing wrong with Noble Princess Consort Chu’s health. She can have children, but she doesn’t want to."
Anning knew this in her heart, Xiao Yuan knew it too, and Bai En certainly understood it very well.
When Emperor Jianyuan stayed several nights in Noble Princess Consort Chu’s palace but favored a palace maid of rather plain appearance, whose physique suggested she would be good for childbearing, he found a secluded place to have a good cry.
That day, Emperor Jianyuan again stayed in Yuxian Palace.
It was still that palace maid serving the Emperor.
Noble Princess Consort Chu took this opportunity to secretly meet Bai En.
Being able to speak with Noble Princess Consort Chu alone, Bai En felt particularly conflicted: "Why do you put yourself through this? Having a child would be good for you."
Noble Princess Consort Chu smiled slightly, but her eyes were filled with tears: "I don’t want to have someone else’s child. Previously, with the Miao Family... I couldn’t resist, but now I can make my own decisions. I just don’t want to have a child for anyone other than you, especially since we already have Ningning. She is enough for me."
Bai En shook his head: "It’s different. If you have your own Prince, you’ll have some support in the future. Previously, we only thought of revenge, not caring what the future holds. But now it’s different. We have Ningning, we have to plan for her."
Noble Princess Consort Chu wiped away her tears: "Precisely because I have to plan for Ningning, I won’t have more children. If I have another child, I can’t be sure I would treat him well, or if it would dilute my love for Ningning. Previously, I left, and Ningning endured over a decade of suffering in the Miao Family. I wasn’t a qualified mother. Now, I can’t let down Ningning anymore."
She dried her tears and smiled at Bai En: "This way is good too. Without my own child, I can move freely and strive without attachments in this deep palace."
Bai En knew he couldn’t persuade her, so he stopped trying: "What do you intend to do with that palace maid?"
Noble Princess Consort Chu laughed: "I won’t drive her to leave her child. She too has no choice. It would be selfish of me to take her life... In the past, I didn’t care about the blood on my hands, but now I must accumulate blessings for Ningning."
Bai En nodded: "Alright, together we will accumulate blessings for Ningning."
After saying this, Bai En quickly composed himself and left.
Noble Princess Consort Chu leaned against the couch after Bai En left, her expression indifferent, her lips curved in a complex smile.
Since Emperor Jianyuan favored another woman, he did not dare to stay overnight in Noble Consort Chu’s room.
Having been with him for so many years, Noble Princess Consort Chu never saw him right after he favored another woman; she would usually wait three to five days. If during those days he didn’t favor other women, she would see him; otherwise, she would definitely cause a fuss with him.
Emperor Jianyuan left Yuxian Palace and returned to Qianyuan Palace, washed up, and climbed onto the couch.
Just as he was about to sleep, he heard Bai En’s soft voice from outside the tent: "Your Majesty, the Empress has come."
Scared, Emperor Jianyuan quickly got up: "Why has the Empress come? Could something have happened?"
"Your Majesty, do you wish to see the Empress?"
Bai En asked again.
"Yes, yes, quickly let her in."
Emperor Jianyuan slipped on his shoes, threw on a robe, and came out of the inner chamber.
Noble Princess Consort Chu arrived with two little palace maids, and when she saw Emperor Jianyuan, she waved to let them leave.
Emperor Jianyuan glanced at Bai En, who also quickly withdrew.
Emperor Jianyuan was truly frightened by Noble Princess Consort Chu’s appearance.
Noble Princess Consort Chu had her hair disheveled, wore a white inner garment, and had thrown on a hastily draped verdant cloak.
She wrapped herself tightly in the cloak, and looking down, she was barefoot, having walked over without shoes. Her feet were somewhat dirty, with small wounds on them, likely from stepping on something on the way.
Noble Princess Consort Chu had always been someone who paid great attention to her appearance.
Whenever she met Emperor Jianyuan, she was always meticulously dressed and beautiful, but today, she had run over without a care in the world.
"What’s going on?"
Emperor Jianyuan went over, scooped Noble Princess Consort Chu up, gently placed her on the couch, and then squatted down to ask softly: "Who has wronged you?"
"Your Majesty."
Noble Princess Consort Chu was silent for a moment, then spoke mournfully, hugging Emperor Jianyuan and sobbing.
Emperor Jianyuan was distraught and heartbroken to see her cry like this.
"What’s the matter? If you’ve been wronged, tell me, and I’ll make it right."
Noble Princess Consort Chu shook her head: "No, I haven’t been wronged. I just... Your Majesty, please don’t favor others in my palace. I truly don’t care if there’s a Prince. As long as we are together, I won’t care about others’ opinions. Let us live happily as a loving couple, and when the day comes for you to go, I... As for after I’m gone, whether the new Emperor throws out my remains or burns them, I don’t care. While I’m alive, I can accompany Your Majesty. Your majesty indulges my whims; I’ve enjoyed all the blessings I can, acted as I pleased, and I won’t worry about future floods."
"Chuchu."
Emperor Jianyuan sat on the couch holding Noble Princess Consort Chu: "I won’t favor other women anymore. Besides you, I won’t go to anyone else’s palace. You’re right; while we’re alive, let’s live happily without worrying about the future. Anyway, as long as I’m alive, I’ll protect you and let you live as you wish, without suffering any grievance."
Noble Princess Consort Chu nodded: "I can’t bear for Your Majesty to be troubled, and I’m not trying to make things difficult. Since you’ve promised not to visit other sisters, you must stay true to your word."
Emperor Jianyuan laughed, lightly tapping Noble Princess Consort Chu’s nose: "Look at how jealous you are. I’m thinking of you, hoping you’ll have a Prince by your side, so... but since you don’t want to, never mind. After all, I’ve favored her for a while; let’s see if she’s fortunate enough. If she is, maybe she’s already pregnant."