Tang Zhuyun was enraged by his laughter. "Can't I be jealous? You better explain yourself! You scoundrel!"
My wife's jealousy only makes things worse!
Emperor Wen lifted her up, sat down himself, and then pressed her onto his lap. "I was afraid you'd overthink it, scare yourself, and worry about others. It's not a big deal, I just wanted to wait until things were settled before telling you."
Tang Zhuyun twisted and struggled. "Tell me properly, don't give me these nonsense."
Stop touching her so much; she's not very strong-willed, and she knows her own limitations.
Emperor Wen laughed loudly and buried his face in front of her.
Tang Zhuyun smacked him on the head. "Speak!"
After laughing, Emperor Wen said, "It's nothing. It's just that some people don't like me and think I'm not fit to be emperor."
"You're not worthy, but he is?" Tang Zhuyun spat. "Who?"
Looking through Emperor Wen's brothers, it seems there aren't many left.
Oh, and there's also Prince of Yong.
However, Emperor Wen made an exception for him.
Because this Prince of Yong was actually an incompetent ruler.
Although he used to stand on the side of the Crown Prince, he was just a clown; later, when Qingzhou was handed over to Song Jingyang, he was forced to surrender.
Keeping such a useless person around also shows Emperor Wen's magnanimity towards his brother.
Could Prince of Yong really do such a thing?
Obviously not.
He spent his days embracing his concubines, indulging in pleasure, and when he got drunk, he thought he was more awesome than those reckless brothers.
"You don't know me. I didn't expect it either..."
In other words, Emperor Wen has now investigated everything thoroughly?
That's good.
Tang Zhuyun didn't ask any further questions, after all, there had always been quite a few people who opposed Emperor Wen.
The late emperor has passed away, but he still has many supporters.
Many people believe that Emperor Wen's ascension to the throne was a flawed process; others believe that the previous emperor was angered to death by Emperor Wen.
That's infuriating.
Without them, would the late emperor have lived so much longer?
"What does this have to do with Hanxiang looking for you?"
"Someone kidnapped Hanxiang's mother and is threatening her."
"Threaten Hanxiang? Threaten her with what? It can't be an assassination attempt on us, can it?"
Emperor Wen laughed and said, "Think again, think in an unconventional way."
Tang Zhuyun: "... I'm such a serious person, I can't think of that."
What's wrong with this guy? We're talking about serious business, but he's not serious at all.
"They've concluded that you're my curse, and I can't endure the three-year mourning period."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
It's impossible to truly endure for three years.
Life is short, why should loving couples be expected to abstain from intimacy for three years?
It's all just a vanity project, devoid of humanity.
"Then what?"
"They want to Hanxiang you a fertility drug, they want you to get pregnant."
If news of her pregnancy during the mourning period got out, it would be a huge blow to Emperor Wen's reputation.
Perhaps some people will use this as a pretext to act perversely and do heinous things.
Hanxiang told Emperor Wen about this and asked him for help.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Tang Zhuyun thought about it and still felt a little uncomfortable.
Yes, her abilities naturally couldn't compare to Emperor Wen's; but the Hanxiang came to see Emperor Wen on her own always made her feel uneasy.
Do you know why Nanxing dared to give her to you?
"Hmm?" She really had never thought about this question before. "Wasn't it because she thought Hanxiang was a promising talent that she chose her?"
"Nanxing's previous name was Vermilion Bird, and he was one of the Xiao Family's four top-tier bodyguards."
Tang Zhuyun nodded.
She knew all of this.
"Hanxiang is Black Tortoise's daughter. And Black Tortoise died protecting me," Emperor Wen said.
He never mentioned it to Tang Zhuyun, because he knew that such a scene would be extremely moving for her.
--She had an extraordinary sense of awe and inner conflict regarding life and death.
"Before Hanxiang, I sent people to take care of her," Emperor Wen said. "Hanxiang's mother was also from the Xiao Family. Later, she escaped with my maternal grandmother and several other women."
Tang Zhuyun did know that Emperor Wen had previously taken care of his maternal grandmother.
"So there's nothing wrong with Hanxiang. Strictly speaking, she's my junior."
"Oh."
Tang Zhuyun didn't say anything more.
She believed Emperor Wen; he truly thought so.
Emperor Wen never treated those who had served him unfairly.
But what was Hanxiang thinking?
Let's wait and see.
Tang Zhuyun made a mental note of this.
"Now you know who's behind this, don't let your guard down. How come you, as emperor, seem so unpopular?" Tang Zhuyun said disdainfully.
Everyone has to come out and point fingers.
"It doesn't matter who the emperor is; sooner or later, those who only know how to talk will be sent back home to grow sweet potatoes," Emperor Wen said.
Not yet.
Becoming emperor is only the first step; being a good emperor is the most important thing.
He still needs the support of the old guys.
But that doesn't mean he can tolerate someone reaching out to Tang Zhuyun.
After Tang Zhuyun returned home, she kept the matter to herself, but she naturally didn't hide it from Xiu'er.
Xiu'er immediately said, "Your Majesty, we don't need her."
"Um?"
In fact, Tang Zhuyun also had this idea.
But she wondered if she was being overly sensitive.
Moreover, her father had risked his life for Emperor Wen; if she wasn't dealt with properly, it would discourage people.
Ultimately, a woman who makes another woman feel uncomfortable should be taken seriously.
"It's normal for the Emperor to be thinking of you; but if she doesn't tell you but tells the Emperor, is that also for your sake? I don't believe it!" Xiu'er said.
Tang Zhuyun remained silent for a moment.
Xiu'er continued, "The Emperor treats her as a junior, but she doesn't necessarily feel the same way."
"Didn't you like Hanxiang before?" Tang Zhuyun asked.
"No," Xiu'er said. "I thought she was quite nice before, quiet and hardworking, but Your Majesty, after you told me about this, I felt uneasy; I felt that we couldn't keep her."
Putting myself in her shoes, if I were in that situation, of course I would tell the Empress first!
Moreover, would the Empress really fall for something like drugging?
The reason I initially chose Hanxiang was because she was skilled in martial arts and a good maidservant.
However, if this ability were used against Tang Zhuyun, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Your Highness," Xiu'er had already come up with a plan for Tang Zhuyun, "She hasn't done anything wrong, so we won't send her away; but she's not young anymore, so let's not hold her back and just find her a good husband to marry."
Having a son-in-law live with his wife's family is also acceptable.
Even if I don't keep her by my side, making proper arrangements for her is the best I can do for her.
As the Empress, Tang Zhuyun had countless people eager to serve her; however, if anyone made her even slightly uncomfortable, she would be wary and keep them at a distance to avoid causing trouble.
If in the end they are just being petty, then giving her a good marriage and a generous dowry would be a way of making amends, wouldn't it?
"Your Majesty, you don't need to worry about this. I'll handle it," Xiu'er said.
"No need, I can do it myself." Tang Zhuyun's gaze was calm.