The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 223 - 222: The Best Thing

The new emperor didn’t attend the early morning court session.

This is the first time such a situation has happened.

At this critical juncture, logically speaking, unless the emperor is dull and incompetent, he wouldn’t neglect the affairs of the court.

Court officials speculate that it must be due to the emperor’s ill health; hence, he did something absurd for the first time.

Others might not know the new emperor’s whereabouts, but the Empress Dowager knows he’s not in the palace at all.

It was previously agreed to bring Mingzhu into the palace to nurture her pregnancy, but now Mingzhu hasn’t appeared, and the emperor has also disappeared.

There’s no need to think; it’s evident that the two are together.

Either something happened to Mingzhu.

Or... he has some other intentions!

As someone who has experienced this, the Empress Dowager can understand her son’s feelings.

He holds power, standing at the peak of authority. How could he tolerate that the woman he loves doesn’t belong to him?

Yet, in one’s lifetime, it’s not just about love and romance.

Since one seeks power, one can’t afford to be foolish!

Just as she was about to send someone to investigate the emperor’s whereabouts, a palace attendant announced, "Empress Dowager, the emperor is here."

Upon hearing this, a bright figure draped in imperial yellow strode in.

"Your son greets Mother Empress."

The Empress Dowager fixed her gaze on his face, which showed no difference from usual.

She raised her hand, signaling the palace attendants inside to withdraw.

She reprimanded coldly, "Why aren’t you attending court? Do you want the officials to impeach you?"

The new emperor remained unchanged in expression, "Your son won’t delay important matters. Today’s visit is to inform you of something; please don’t let it slip."

The Empress Dowager’s eyelids twitched, sensing something was amiss.

"Is it related to Mingzhu?"

"Yes."

Her gaze became probing as she looked at the new emperor, "Did you do something foolish?"

The new emperor pursed his lips, saying nothing.

He wasn’t sure whether it counted as foolishness.

At that moment, Mingzhu was trembling in fear, as if trapped in a nightmare.

But he also had to admit that he harbored selfish motives.

The new emperor remained silent, causing a pang of worry in the Empress Dowager’s heart.

In urgency, she said, "Hurry up and clarify!"

"Mingzhu has lost a segment of her memory."

The Empress Dowager’s eyes turned tense from confusion, "How could she lose her memory for no reason? Did something happen?"

The new emperor nodded, "She was kidnapped by rebels and got injured."

He succinctly explained the situation, "Xiao Feiyun’s death cannot be announced for the time being; when needed, it may be used to deceive the rebels."

Knowing the details of General Ji’s death, the Empress Dowager harbors deep hatred towards the rebels, wishing she could grind their bones to ashes.

Through gritted teeth, she said, "Death is too lenient for him!"

The Empress Dowager’s emotions were somewhat agitated.

The new emperor was puzzled, aware that Mother Empress liked Mingzhu, yet her reaction seemed excessive.

He spun the Jade Ring without delving deeper into the underlying reasons.

"Mingzhu’s kidnapping must not be leaked. If anyone from the Duke Mansion inquires, just say she’s in your palace; the turmoil outside hasn’t settled, so she can’t leave the palace."

"Your son knows you dislike being disturbed and has already ordered not to let any Xie Family members enter the palace gates."

The injured gold was also brought to the Empress Dowager’s palace.

Having her there helps to conceal a bit.

The Empress Dowager realized the situation and stared straight at the new emperor’s eyes, "Are you planning to hide her?"

The new emperor didn’t answer.

He himself didn’t know how the road ahead should be walked.

If he still wants Mingzhu, here’s a perfect opportunity.

He could find a way for her to fake her death and then enter the palace under a new identity.

For him, this wouldn’t be a difficult task.

But he’s afraid that should Mingzhu one day regain her memory, she would come to hate him.

Moreover, he shares many years of brotherly friendship with Ah Zhen; reaching that step means completely breaking ties.

Not to mention at present, he still needs Ah Zhen to help stabilize the empire.

Even without warfare, he couldn’t decisively wield a knife against Ah Zhen’s back.

Tied together by interests, but the years of affection were genuine.

Seeing the new emperor’s inner turmoil, the Empress Dowager knew he truly had his sights set on Mingzhu.

She coldly reminded him, "Don’t be foolish; Xie Yunzhen won’t let go."

The new emperor is well aware of Xie Yunzhen’s temperament.

Even if someone presented Mingzhu’s "death" to him, he wouldn’t believe it or rest with the matter.

Pressing against his forehead, "In any case, don’t let anything slip."

The Empress Dowager, exasperated, said, "There are no walls in the world so impermeable to wind."

"Then keep it hidden for as long as possible."

As long as he hasn’t made a decision, Mingzhu cannot be exposed to the world again.

The Empress Dowager earnestly advised, "If you really like her, come next year’s selection, choose a few beauties who resemble her, and let them enter the palace, rather than dishearten the meritorious officials."

All the reasoning made sense to the new emperor.

He also thought about not disturbing Mingzhu and Ah Zhen’s lives.

Perhaps it was the inherent flaws within him that were acting up; seeing the opportunity, he couldn’t let go.

The Empress Dowager closely observed her son’s demeanor, finally offering a reminder, "The Empress has your flesh and blood; bringing Mingzhu into the palace, how should they coexist?"

"Mingzhu wouldn’t threaten her Empress position."

The affairs of the front and rear palaces are deeply connected; provided Mrs. Wei doesn’t step out of line, he wouldn’t dethrone the Empress.

The Empress Dowager scoffed coldly, "If you could disregard everything and place the Empress seat in front of Mingzhu, then I might say you truly love Mingzhu; not long after the situation stabilizes, I would support you in being a bit capricious for once."

"But in reality, it isn’t so; since you can allow her to be wronged and to be overshadowed by another woman, it proves you don’t love her that much."

"Perhaps it’s her beauty and gentle temperament, or maybe because her husband is Xie Yunzhen, who could stir emotions in such a cold-hearted man; she must possess exceptional qualities... all these reasons piqued your interest in her."

"In the vast realm, women who are both talented and beautiful are countless; today you’re interested in Mingzhu, tomorrow you might be interested in Li Mingzhu."

"There’s inherently little love involved, so why shake a prosperous empire for the sake of a woman?"

The Empress Dowager has always believed that if one truly loves a woman, one would certainly offer her the best things.

The Empress position, along with the emperor’s affection, can coexist.

Since this couldn’t be done, then earnestly pursue interests without always being entangled in love.

Love and affection are fleeting; since it isn’t imperative to have her, why cause such a commotion?

The more the new emperor listened, the grimmer his expression became.

There was also a trace of subtly noticeable embarrassment, quickly flashing through his deep eyes. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

After a moment of silence, he suddenly laughed.

"You’re right; to love someone means to offer them the best, once the situation is settled, I’ll make her Empress, what do you say?"

The Empress Dowager was slightly stunned, "You’re crazy!"

The new emperor hadn’t gone mad, "You spoke repeatedly on behalf of her, so why are you unwilling when she is to become Empress?"

Regarding this son, the Crown Prince has always been reassuring.

Unexpectedly upon encountering Mingzhu, he seemed possessed, increasingly losing his steadiness.

Secretly thinking, could it be that Ji Family members are fated to harm their mother and child?

Otherwise, when Yinli first met Mingzhu, she was already married, so how did she still stir the boy’s heart?

"Don’t even think about it!"

For now, the new emperor was merely speaking in jest.

Should Mrs. Wei remain faultless, he wouldn’t dethrone the Empress without reason.