Chu Ning, You Did That on Purpose, Didn't You?

"Your Majesty, what happened? Why did Mister Chu leave? He hasn't even finished his meal!"

"Eat your food. Don't ask so many questions."

Ye Qinglian's tone was cool, a complicated look flickering in her eyes.

What did he mean by that? He'd exposed her true feelings, then left. Was he trying to avoid her?

Or had she seen through him?

But why did saying that make her feel so empty inside, as if something had suddenly gone missing from her life?

Ye Qinglian scoffed inwardly.

Chu Ning had only been in the palace for three days, counting today. He'd been so attentive, so he must have had some ulterior motive.

If it wasn't power or wealth, what else could it be?

Was he after her, so he could get his hands on the throne?

The Ye family's dynasty had been passed down through generations. It was the only thing the Former Emperor had left in her hands, and she could never give it away. That was her bottom line. As for anything else, Chu Ning could have whatever he wanted.

And yet he had to play this game, trying to make her chase him. Did he think she couldn't see through it?

But right now, she had no appetite.

"Xiao Bing, you can finish the rest. I'm not hungry. I'm going to rest."

Xiao Bing was even more confused.

It was one thing for Mister Chu not to eat, but why wasn't Her Majesty eating either?

She hadn't even finished this bowl. Didn't Her Majesty love this dish more than any other?

Xiao Bing could clearly tell that Ye Qinglian was in a bad mood, so she didn't dare say anything more.

"Then I'll clear this away first."

"Mm."

Lying in bed, Ye Qinglian tossed and turned, unable to stop thinking about the change in Chu Ning's expression earlier.

He really did seem like someone who loved to share. He'd talked at length about the Jiajing era of Great Ming, a dynasty she'd never heard of. As for Chu Ning's hometown, wasn't it Great Gan? Where else could it be?

There were only the Five Great Dynasties on the Tianxuan Continent, each occupying vast territory. Every dynasty had its own name. She had studied history extensively and was widely learned, yet she'd never heard of such a dynasty—or of any of the methods Chu Ning had described.

His methods for centralizing imperial power were far too sophisticated for an ordinary person to come up with.

If Chu Ning knew nothing of these things and was just an ordinary man, Ye Qinglian wouldn't have thought much of it. But this was the only dynasty she had. She could never hand it over to someone else, and that left her unsure what to do.

Should she deliberately distance herself from him and grow cold, even stop cooking for him from now on?

So what if she stopped? So what if she treated him coldly? He was only the Father of the Child. He could stay in the Inner Palace and help her raise the baby, doing his duty. That was all!

She didn't need anyone else to care for her. She could still do just fine on her own!

Ye Qinglian kept trying to convince herself, but she couldn't help feeling troubled...

She was the ruler of an entire nation, a peak cultivator. Why was such a small matter making her thoughts spin in circles?

She fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Ye Qinglian opened her eyes.

She'd slept terribly. There were too many things she had to worry about: implementing the dynasty's new political system, the day's memorials, and Chu Ning.

That damned man had insisted on saying those things yesterday. Didn't he know that the Inner Palace wasn't allowed to interfere in government affairs?

She had no intention of building an Inner Palace, and one Emperor Consort was enough, but even he couldn't interfere!

There had been far too many cases of the Inner Palace meddling in government and throwing a country into chaos. She couldn't even count them all. She intended to become the greatest ruler of her age, unify the Tianxuan Continent, and build a supreme dynasty. She couldn't let something like that happen!

Thinking this, she still couldn't resist extending her spiritual sense to see what Chu Ning was doing.

Sleeping.

Just as she'd expected. He wasn't even doing what he'd promised her in the first place.

She really had been overthinking it. She'd thought Chu Ning was an exceptionally responsible man, genuinely thinking of her. Now that his lies had been exposed, he was too ashamed to face her...

"Xiao Bing, help me get dressed."

The young woman hurried in through the door.

"Your Majesty, the Chancellor sent word. The new political system you introduced was mostly set up yesterday, and they plan to begin testing it today. Since Your Majesty intends to focus on self-cultivation, the memorials will immediately be handled according to your plan, by the Six Ministries and the cabinet. Once they've been processed, they'll be sent to Your Majesty. They intend to try it for a few days so you can see how well it works."

"Tell Old Qiu I approve. Proceed as planned."

Xiao Bing smiled brightly. "Then Your Majesty will have more time now. You can take Mister Chu out and show him around. I was thinking that though Your Majesty is the ruler of Great Gan, now that you're pregnant, you shouldn't be so distant from Mister Chu. If something troubles the Dragon Prince in the future, it might affect..."

Ye Qinglian gave a cold laugh. "Why should I go around with him? As long as nobody discovers him, he can go wherever he likes. I'm busy with state affairs and have no time!"

"But right now..."

"Xiao Bing, there are some things you're not allowed to say."

Ye Qinglian's eyes were cold. She was clearly in a bad mood.

Hearing that, the young woman said no more.

So something really had gone wrong...

She'd spent half the night thinking about it. What sort of trouble had those two gotten into now?

She'd ask Mister Chu later...

She was only trying to help their relationship, sob. Mister Chu might seem a little unreliable, but she felt he was actually quite dependable...

For Her Majesty's happiness, and for the sake of her own good food!

After getting dressed, Xiao Bing hurried out.

"Mister Chu made breakfast this morning and asked me to bring it over."

Ye Qinglian frowned slightly, puzzled. "Wasn't he asleep? When did he make breakfast?"

Xiao Bing smiled. "He's been making it before dawn these past few days, just like before. But today Mister Chu said he was too tired, so he went to rest first. According to the rules, it's my turn to bring it."

Ye Qinglian glanced sideways as Xiao Bing opened the lids one by one.

Except for her favorite, Dragon Marrow Jade Precious Soup, every dish was new. Not a single one was repeated!

He really had kept his promise...

But looking at the table full of food, she felt awful knowing Chu Ning wasn't there.

Thinking of what she'd told herself earlier, Ye Qinglian's gaze turned complicated.

Had she really misjudged Chu Ning?

"Your Majesty, please eat."

"Mm."

After breakfast, she went to Mingde Hall.

Three days after the new reign began, the Chancellor had established a cabinet and implemented the new political system. Orders had been sent to officials and government offices throughout the realm to carry out the reforms, including the Examination Law, a promotion system, and a new evaluation system for officials.

But why were there no memorials?

That was right—the memorials went first to the Six Ministries, then to the new cabinet. All that remained was a list sent over by Chancellor Qiu Zun.

It concerned the appointments in the Six Ministries.

Qiu Zun had served as chancellor under two dynasties. He was dependable and loyal to the throne, committed to serving the country. The personnel list he submitted for the Six Ministries and the new cabinet included some of his own people, as well as capable officials from the court. He hadn't played favorites.

He'd added a note: "The new law will take time to show results. I respectfully ask Your Majesty to allow it time to work. It would be unwise to speak of abandoning it too soon."

In other words, the new law would need time to take effect, and she shouldn't let the current situation make her give up on it too quickly.

Ye Qinglian understood, of course. Any new law needed time to settle in. At first, when government matters were mishandled, she would punish those responsible, review the memorial herself, then send it back to the cabinet. Once the system was working, things would become much easier.

But for now, she seemed to have nothing to do.

Ye Qinglian had always been diligent in handling government affairs, and she could already see the effect of the new system.

If the officials in court really could carry it out with integrity, she'd have more time to cultivate, work on herself, and care for the child.

Ye Qinglian lowered her gaze. She felt a little unaccustomed to it, but still waited in the hall for new memorials to arrive. In the meantime, she began cultivating.

By noon, she gradually came back to herself.

Judging by the time, Chu Ning should be coming over to bring her food.

"Your Majesty, Xiao Bing has brought you lunch."

The young woman entered with the meal and set it down. Ye Qinglian's expression remained blank.

"Heh. So you've finally remembered that you're the one who should be bringing the food?"

Xiao Bing gave an awkward smile. "Mister Chu never gave me the chance before. I couldn't exactly offend him."

"And now you can?"

Xiao Bing shook her head.

"Mister Chu said that matters of state and family must be kept separate. Mingde Hall is the center of Great Gan, and its position is sensitive. If he comes and goes as he pleases, people may gossip, or someone with ill intentions might accuse him of interfering in government. So he's following Your Majesty's orders and won't set foot inside without permission..."

Ye Qinglian pressed her lips together and clenched her fists.

Fine. If he didn't come, he didn't come. At least she wouldn't have to listen to any of that nonsense, and she could enjoy some peace and quiet!

So now he remembered to follow her orders? Why hadn't he listened before—why choose the moment she was most troubled to do it...

Chu Ning, you did that on purpose. You definitely did...