Chunjia sat upright and did not speak for a long time.
He was speechless.
After a long time, the emperor said in a deep voice: "You... that's all. I only want to ask you one question now."
Yun Fenghuang said in a leisurely tone: "Your Majesty, please speak."
Chunjia closed her eyes: "If you had never entered the palace but married Qi Jiulu, do you also think that you deserve all the good things he did to you?"
"Your Majesty." Yun Fenghuang laughed when she heard this, with a rather mocking expression. She remembered her ignorance when she first entered the palace. After hearing the emperor's promise, she really said what she thought, so that later on Had to tell more lies to excuse him.
So I started trying to find ways to subsidize my parents' family, I had regrets about my daughter's rights, and...
At that time, I had one idea after another, but I was really scared.
She was afraid that his jealousy would give rise to a grudge and he would no longer favor her. What would she do
I'm afraid that he will always be thinking about her. When she was young and beautiful, the emperor might not think too much about her, but after a few years, her beauty will fade away, or maybe there will be someone new in the palace who is more beautiful than her. Beauty is more likely to cause trouble, and if the emperor falls in love with someone else, all the things she once did unscrupulously will become her talisman.
Afraid that he would believe it and kill Qi Jiulu in private...
This fear made her subconsciously restrain herself over the long years and make countless disguises.
After many years, the emperor once again mentioned the name that once stood between them. Yun Fenghuang, who was ready to meet anything, became calm, "Your Majesty, Qi Jiulu's origin, or in the eyes of you or any famous family in the Imperial Capital, It's nothing here. But in the north, the Qi family is still very prestigious. Don't you think that such a family would cultivate their eldest son so shallowly that they would like an unruly, unfilial and disloyal person? , A girl who has nothing outstanding except for her beauty?"
She said calmly, "Your Majesty should know that back then in the Northland, I was a role model for all ladies."
Chunjia muttered, "That's just the reputation your father-in-law gave you."
"But at least I can bear this evaluation on the scene." Yun Fenghuang did not feel ashamed at all, "And ordinary people may not understand such a handwriting, but who in the wealthy family would not know it? The head of the Qi family is also willing to recognize my concubine. My talents, appearance, and conduct... But what do you think of my talents, appearance, and conduct, Your Majesty?"
"..." The emperor was silent for a moment, but felt a little relieved, "So are you pretending to be in front of Qi Jiulu?"
Yun Fenghuang said calmly: "Otherwise, even if he was young and ignorant at the time, and the head of the Qi family was not stupid, how could he tolerate the unscrupulous selection of women in the tomb? Children are obsessed with the authorities, especially when they are young. As long as they like it, they will often ignore it. It's okay to ignore it. But no one who has ever been a parent is confused. Who doesn't want other people's children to be either virtuous and virtuous, or honest and reliable. In short, they want their own blood to take full advantage. That's it. A good match."
The head of the Qi family knew that she was not as virtuous and self-denying as the outside world rumored, but he really didn't know that what she wanted most was to hold Qi Jiulu in the palm of her hand and obey her words, otherwise she would regret the marriage if nothing happened to Xie Fenghuan.
After all, the family wanted to choose from thousands of choices for their son. They just wanted to find a virtuous and fertile daughter-in-law to help the son revitalize the family in the future. They did not want to cultivate a filial husband and son-in-law for the Xie family's daughter!
When Yun Fenghuang was a boy, he might still have complaints, unwillingness and dissatisfaction, but now that he has a daughter-in-law, he can understand this feeling.
There is definitely a difference between her choosing a concubine for King Qin and teaching Zhao Qing.
The more virtuous Princess Qin is, the better. Zhaoqing is more domineering and reassuring.
Regardless of whether it is for political purposes or for the sake of the children themselves, which parent does not hope that the one who takes advantage will always be his own blood
Chunjia sighed softly and said, "You've been pretending for so many years... aren't you tired?"
Yun Fenghuang couldn't help but laugh and asked: "Your Majesty has been taking care of everything since he took office, aren't you tired?"
Without waiting for the emperor to answer, she continued, "Your Majesty is definitely not tired. Even in these years, your Majesty has been less and less in the harem. After all, this world is yours, and you have worked hard for your own inheritance. What's the point of feeling uncomfortable when it's your job?"
"Especially because of your hard work, the country is flourishing and your ambitions are being realized day by day, so you won't feel tired anymore, right?"
She leaned back and said leisurely, "Actually, I am the same. Although my pretense requires a lot of effort, the effect is also very good! When I was still the daughter of a squire, Qi Jiulu was the only one I could come into contact with. The best candidate for husband-in-law was looked at by many girls in the North. They were my sisters, who were about the same age, and there were quite a few who coveted it. But in the end, this candidate still fell into my hands. ! Not only that, there were many people at that time who hated me and wished that I was not loved by Qi Jiulu, it would be better if I was despised by Qi Jiulu."
"However, I and his childhood sweetheart, except for being ignored a few times by him at first, have been taken care of by him meticulously since then!"
"Even when the engagement was broken off, he would rather abandon his family than choose a concubine."
"After entering the palace, your Majesty, isn't it the same?"
"At first, you wanted to put me to death, but later, even if the empress dowager, your loving mother, was angry, you still wanted to protect me."
"Although this sense of accomplishment cannot be compared with His Majesty's control of thousands of miles of rivers and mountains, in today's world, among many women, it is still enough to be proud of, isn't it?"
Yun Fenghuang said slowly, "I feel very happy and fulfilled, not tired at all."
Not only am I not tired, but even now that I have failed, looking back, I feel that my life was not in vain.
If you say you’re tired, you’re just saying sour grapes if you can’t eat them!
After all, if there is no reward for pretending and you feel like a clown, then it will be tiring.
People like her have gained countless benefits, and even one or two records will be recorded in future history books. What's the point of being tired
How many people can only dream of not having her status and treatment.
Chunjia looked at her for a long time and then said: "So, you didn't go with Qi Jiulu back then because you felt that his status and power were not as powerful as mine, and what he could give you was not enough?"
"It's not all..." Yun Fenghuang pondered for a moment and said, "Actually..."
"That is to say, most of the reasons are due to his lack of status and power?" Chunjia interrupted her and nodded, "To put it bluntly, is it because you follow the trend?"
Yun Fenghuang thought for a moment and said in surprise: "Even so, does your Majesty still want to be angry with me? I remember that when I was young and ignorant, I seemed to have told you that if you fail to take charge, I will not be able to rely on you. You are young and beautiful, and you want to find a supporter...? I have never said that I am pure and powerful, right?"
Chunjia looked at her calmly and reminded softly: "You may have thought about this many times in private, but you have never told me."
"..." Yun Fenghuang was silent for a while, then whispered, "I'm actually just talking."
"So, you said a few days ago that if I go, you will be with me, is it just a talk?" Chunjia picked up the tea and took a sip. The two of them had been talking for so long, and the tea in front of him was already long. It was quite cold, but the emperor didn't mind. He even felt that he needed a cup of ice-cold herbal tea at this moment to extinguish some of the anger in his heart.
Otherwise, he really wants to roll up his sleeves and give Yun Fenghuang a beating himself.
Yun Fenghuang reacted very quickly this time: "Of course not, I have never suffered any grievances in my life, and I don't want to suffer any grievances. All these years, I have just made a living in your hands. The prince is just a junior, why?! "
"Really?" The emperor was noncommittal, raised his head and thought for a while, then said, "This time, various families have joined forces to impeach you. The evidence is overwhelming and the attack is fierce. What do you think I should do?"
Yun Fenghuang smiled and said: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, how can I use my concubine to show my shame in such a matter? Besides, I am wearing a sinful body, how can I be qualified to point fingers?"
The emperor looked at her with an incomprehensible expression: "Now you feel like you are guilty? Didn't you just say that you were right?"
"Of course I feel that I am right, but whether it is Your Majesty or the ministers, including the concubines, emperors and heirs, few people think that I am right." Yun Fenghuang said calmly, "That's why I said so. , at least it seems that I am more respectful."
"Do you still care about respect?" Chunjia said in a mocking tone, "If you only have a little respect in your heart..."
He shook his head and said nothing, and stood up slowly, "We have been together for more than ten years. I originally thought that we knew each other well, but today we know that you are not you, and I am not me... We have already changed beyond recognition!"
The emperor said nothing more, turned around and left.
He seemed to stagger when he left the palace door, but who knows? Maybe he was walking too fast
Yun Fenghuang thought casually, she didn't send him off, she just poured herself another cup of tea, sipping it lightly, one sip after another.
Finally, he gently put the empty tea bowl back on the table and called the waiter: "Serve me to change my clothes."
Seeing the Qing people going to get the most luxurious box of jewelry, he shook his head and said, "Bring over some lighter ones. Those won't be of much use in the future."
Qingren was surprised: "Empress?"