I've Laid My Cards on the Table

The Central Palace was grand and imposing, with an extraordinary aura.

However, the decorations inside were clearly not befitting the exterior; they were very simple and plain.

This palace had already taken shape during the expansion in Emperor Yi's era, the father of Di Xin. As for the arrangements inside, they were the work of Empress Jiang.

As Di Xin stepped into the palace, he couldn't help but sigh at Empress Jiang's character. At the very least, as the mistress of the harem, to be this thrifty, this woman could absolutely be called virtuous and good.

"Your subject greets the Great King!"

A singing greeting entered, and the dignified Empress Jiang, along with over a dozen palace maids, hurried over to welcome him.

"Empress, rise!"

Di Xin's gaze lingered on the Empress's face for three seconds. He nodded with a smile and gently helped the Empress up.

Playing Di Xin, I need to act the part.

In his memory, he hadn't set foot here for half a month. The reason might be that he was too familiar with it, making him hesitant to act.

But for him, a fake who had transmigrated here, it was still incredibly novel.

He just couldn't show it.

Empress Jiang didn't stand on ceremony. She responded and rose, a faint trace of sadness inadvertently showing in her eyes.

This scene was caught by Di Xin, and he immediately connected it to the events of the day.

"Empress, today I enfeoffed Su Daji in Xianqing Hall..."

It was indeed improper to bypass the Empress regarding this matter, so he lowered his stance, wanting to offer a few explanations.

"Your subject already knows of this matter. The Great King is the ruler of all under heaven; he can enfeoff whomever he wishes. Your subject has no objections." Empress Jiang dismissed the accompanying palace maids and replied softly.

Di Xin knew that a woman's heart was like a needle at the bottom of the sea; what was said might not be what was thought.

But he carefully observed her expression. The Empress's expression was calm, her eyes clear, and she seemed genuinely unconcerned.

Sigh, has the love between my left and right hands died like this?

Di Xin couldn't help but sigh inwardly. A wife who didn't get jealous was definitely a queen who didn't love him.

One could imagine that it wasn't a problem that developed overnight. Perhaps the Empress's family had known about their situation long ago. That's why after the Empress died unjustly, the Jiang family raised the banner of rebellion in Eastern Lu.

He really had to put some thought into dealing with this Empress Jiang. Setting aside her character, her influence on the Shang Dynasty's destiny alone could not be ignored.

"Heh heh, whether the Empress minds or not, I was going to tell you anyway. Since it's not about this matter, does the Empress wish to see me for something more important?"

Di Xin asked kindly. His forbidding the Empress from seeking him out was actually for her protection.

The vixen Daji could possess Daji's body, and she could also replace any other concubine. For Daji to be content and not have such thoughts, she had to feel that she was the most favored, and possessing her own body was better than possessing someone else's.

This is so difficult!

Emotionally, Di Xin couldn't accept it, but from a strategic perspective, he had to continue to play along with Daji.

Now, he had to maintain his relationship with Empress Jiang without letting Daji notice.

Di Xin needed to find this balance point. After all, his father-in-law, Marquis of Dong Jiang Hengchu, was in charge of the two hundred states of Eastern Lu, the leader of the eight hundred lords. That place absolutely could not be in chaos.

And he didn't dislike Empress Jiang.

Empress Jiang forced a smile. "The Great King has just entered into a new marriage, and your subject should not have disturbed you. However, there are rumors that the Great King actually openly asked his court officials to offer medicinal supplements in Xianqing Hall and even allowed them to fight amongst themselves, resulting in a death. How could such an absurd event happen to the Great King? Therefore... your subject wishes to ask the Great King to explain it personally."

Di Xin immediately understood. The "rumors" the Empress mentioned were just an excuse. It was definitely Yin Jiao who had been here, and Empress Jiang knew the details so precisely.

"Explain it personally?"

A complex smile appeared on Di Xin's face as he glanced around.

"Yes, your subject does not believe the Great King would be so absurd." Empress Jiang nodded heavily.

"Very well, I will comply with the Empress..."

Thump...

As Di Xin spoke, a pair of strong arms unexpectedly embraced Empress Jiang. His large mouth pressed onto her cherry lips without any room for refusal, making a smacking sound.

"Great King... you?"

The Empress hastily pushed Di Xin away and looked around. Fortunately, no one was nearby, which avoided embarrassment.

The matter of the Great King and Empress openly flirting had never happened before. If it got out, what would become of the royal family's dignity?

But... he actually teased me?

In her panic, the Empress felt an indescribable sensation.

"Heh heh, there's no one here. The Empress asked me to explain personally, and now I've kissed you, so I'll start explaining..."

Di Xin laughed shamelessly. This Empress was too traditional; she was afraid of people seeing such a small matter?

If she knew about the bold scenes in the island nations' adult films in later generations, where people were watched freely, what would she think?

"Great King, this is absurd! You must not do this again!"

The Empress lightly chided him, a blush already coloring her fair neck. Her heart was pounding like a startled deer.

Why is the Great King acting so indecent?

But this feeling, tsk tsk...

"I'll lay my cards on the table, those rumors weren't rumors at all, they were true."

While the Empress was still stunned, Di Xin regained his usual imposing demeanor.

"But, Great King, you are the Great King..."

The Empress stepped forward, adopting a tone of earnest persuasion.

Di Xin waved his hand dismissively. "Is there anything wrong with taking tonics? Does the Empress wish for this King to be weak like a little puppy? And is there anything wrong with court officials fighting each other? Are you pleading for Fei Zhong?"

"No... Your concubine did not mean that!"

Empress Jiang felt she could no longer keep up with the Great King's train of thought.

"Since that's not what you meant, let's put this matter to rest. Empress, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but you should pay more attention to your appearance. Look at this, tied up so tightly?"

As Di Xin spoke, his "salty pig hand" reached out. The shape there would later be known as an "airport."

It wasn't that there was nothing there, but it had been flattened by something called a chest binder.

"Great King..."

Empress Jiang's face turned ashen with fear. How could this be?

Was he going to defile the inner palace in broad daylight?

Di Xin knew when to stop and didn't actually touch her, withdrawing his hand in time. He just wanted to give the Empress a feeling, to let her know he was still interested in her.

Everything would come slowly!

He couldn't stay here for long. If he lingered too long, Daji would mistakenly believe the Empress was still favored, and that could put Empress Jiang in danger.

And that vixen Daji couldn't be killed for the time being.

"Alright, since the matter is settled, this King is returning to the palace!" With that, he left without regard for Empress Jiang's reaction, heading straight out.

"I heard the Great King hasn't held court in a long time, neglecting state affairs, and the court officials are complaining. The Great King should prioritize the nation's affairs!"

Empress Jiang, thinking King Zhou was displeased with her, didn't bother to explain and hurriedly chased after him to offer her advice.

"I know, I know!"

Di Xin merely waved his hand, replying perfunctorily, and was already out of the Central Palace.

Empress Jiang stood frozen in the palace, her worries greater than ever.

The Great King had been much better to her, but why did he seem even more absurd?

This was definitely not a good thing for the Shang Dynasty!