Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 128 Don't Forget Your Original Intention

The Empress Dowager took the initiative to suggest resigning, and how could Zhao Xingjin, as her son, refuse?

Instead of using the young empress, it's exhausting for the elderly mother. If it's just for a short time, it's understandable. The empress dowager, as the mother-in-law, is supposed to be teaching her daughter-in-law how to do things, but if it goes on for a long time, it's neither pleasant nor good-looking.

Or it might make people think that the emperor is unfilial, that the emperor and empress are not on good terms, or that the empress dowager and empress are not on good terms.

So, even without the Empress Dowager saying it, Zhao Xingjin was planning to have the Empress take back the reins of power in about half a month; it's just a bit earlier than expected.

He could tell that the Fourth Prince's outburst today had truly exhausted the Empress Dowager.

This also provided an opportunity for conversation.

Furthermore, Consort Zhuang brought the Fourth Prince back to Yanqing Palace, thus ending the confinement, which had only lasted a few days anyway.

Now that Consort Zhuang has come out, and Consort Sun's pregnancy is stable, it wouldn't be good to continue to leave the Empress without real power.

"Your Majesty, you have truly worked hard these past few days. It is your unfilial son who failed to notice your exhaustion sooner. In that case, let the Empress take charge," Zhao Xingjin said gently.

"Your Majesty need not blame yourself. It is only natural that you are too busy with affairs of state to attend to such trivial matters in the harem." The Empress Dowager waved her hand gently.

After pausing, he suddenly changed the subject.

"However, I am thinking that there are many things to do at the end of the year. This year, the Western Chi Kingdom has sent envoys, which will make things even more complicated. The Empress also has to take care of two children, which is probably too tiring for her. I think we should find someone to share the burden with her."

At this point, the Empress Dowager's gaze fell on Xie Jiu, who was standing next to Zhao Xingjin.

Although Xie Jiu kept his eyes slightly lowered and did not meet the Empress Dowager's gaze, he had already keenly sensed her gaze and his heart stirred.

Sure enough, the next moment the Empress Dowager said in a deep voice, "In my opinion, Consort Xie is quite good. She is thoughtful, considerate, and intelligent."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xingjin's eyes flickered slightly before he made a suggestion.

"I think Consort Wei is also a suitable candidate. She is cautious and disciplined. Why not let her work with Consort Xie? They are both young and can learn a thing or two while helping the Empress with palace affairs. The Empress can also teach and guide them."

"Consort Wei is too strong-willed. It would be better to be more tactful in the palace. Someone like Consort Xie, who knows when to advance and retreat, would be better. I'm afraid she's not suitable," the Empress Dowager said.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Xingjin replied with a sentence.

“It is precisely because Consort Wei lacks experience in managing subordinates that she should take this opportunity to learn. In addition, I am also thinking that Consort Xie has just recovered from her illness and should not overwork herself. With Consort Wei by her side, she can share some of the burden.”

After saying that, he turned to the person next to him and gave instructions.

"Yang Zhian, go to Weiyang Palace tomorrow and inform the Empress."

Once these words were spoken, it meant the decision was made, and even if the Empress Dowager was somewhat dissatisfied, she could not object further.

She gave Xie Jiu a meaningful look, then said, "Consort Xie, you should wait outside the palace. I have something to discuss with the Emperor privately."

"Yes." Xie Jiu remained quiet and respectful.

She obediently withdrew.

After she left, only the Empress Dowager and her son Zhao Xingjin remained in the hall.

Zhao Xingjin spoke first, "Does Mother have any words of advice for her son?"

"It's nothing serious, I just wanted to remind the Emperor not to forget the original intention of bringing Xie into the palace. The Emperor is now too fond of her. With her around, the other concubines in the harem are just decorations. It's true that even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. I'm afraid the Emperor might really fall for Xie."

The Empress Dowager's expression was serious, and her voice conveyed a sense of emphasis.

It's no wonder the Empress Dowager was suspicious. She was a woman too, and having been through her youth, she could tell whether a man truly liked her or was just pretending, especially since this man was the son she had raised herself from childhood.

During this period, it was clear that Consort Chen was favored, but Zhao Xingjin's attitude towards her seemed to be acting, as if he were teasing a plaything.

Although Consort Liu seemed to receive less favor than Consort Chen, the Empress Dowager felt that Zhao Xingjin's feelings for Consort Liu were more genuine.

Compared to Xie Jiu, these two have to take a backseat.

During Xie Jiu's recovery, Zhao Xingjin, despite having a new concubine by his side, frequently visited her, keeping her company and talking to her, sometimes for half a day at a time. If he weren't genuinely comfortable and willing to be with Xie Jiu, he wouldn't need to expend so much time and energy cultivating a favored concubine.

At this moment, Zhao Xingjin listened to the Empress Dowager's words, his phoenix eyes lowered, revealing an unreadable emotion.

He said in a deep voice, "Mother, rest assured, I know what I'm doing. I'm just trying to make the act more convincing, so I can at least fool myself."

Upon hearing this reply, the Empress Dowager breathed a slight sigh of relief and nodded slightly.

"Just be mindful of your own actions and don't let your feelings for your children ruin important matters."

"Your son understands." Zhao Xingjin stood up. "It's getting late, Mother, please rest. Your son takes his leave."

As I emerged from the palace, I saw a slender figure gazing up at the night sky in the courtyard.

The night sky was clear, and the bright moonlight shone down like a luminous veil, draping over the woman's shoulders. Because of this faint silvery glow, she became hazy and dreamlike. A gentle breeze blew by, and the woman's hair and clothes danced lightly, fluttering like butterflies.

It seemed that the woman was no ordinary person, and was about to ride the breeze to the moon.

"Let's go."

Zhao Xingjin stepped forward and took Xie Jiu's hand.

He didn't know why he did it, but at that moment, he felt a sense of peace in doing so.

Feeling the warmth from his palm, Xie Jiu was slightly taken aback.

She was bored and lost in thought, daydreaming.

However, she naturally didn't pull her hand away and let Zhao Xingjin lead her away.

He wondered what the Empress Dowager had said to him, and suddenly he felt a surge of irritation.

The two returned to Chengming Hall, and after their initial burst of energy wore off, they were incredibly sleepy.

Xie Jiu was too lazy to think about anything more, so she crawled into bed and went to sleep.

Zhao Xingjin had something on his mind and couldn't sleep for a while.

Finding that the person next to him was already asleep, he felt a little resentful and started rubbing and kneading Xie Jiu's body, touching his hands and pinching his waist, secretly trying to wake him up.

Xie Jiu was extremely sleepy, and now that he was being disturbed from sleeping, his temper flared up instantly.

He immediately slapped the mischievous hand on his waist.

Zhao Xingjin was stunned when he was hit, but then his temper flared up. He thought to himself, "I haven't even slept yet, but you're sleeping soundly."

Feeling resentful, he grabbed the person, rolled over, and pinned them down.

Then, Xie Jiu was abruptly shaken awake. Her sweet dream was disturbed, and she was angry. Without thinking, she opened her mouth and bit Zhao Xingjin's shoulder.

"presumptuous!"

Zhao Xingjin's eyes darkened, he gave a low rebuke, and exerted even more force.

The next day, when Xie Jiu helped her get dressed, she noticed that the tooth mark she had bitten was still faintly visible.

So I couldn't resist reaching out and touching it.

Zhao Xingjin glanced at her, "You still dare to lay a hand on me?"

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong!" Xie Jiu looked up at him and saw that his face was cold, so she tiptoed and lightly pecked him on the cheek. "Your Majesty, please don't be angry, I was scared."

These little actions made Zhao Xingjin's heart itch, and he almost couldn't maintain his serious expression.

He cleared his throat lightly before saying, "Alright, I still have to go to court. Let's have our meal."

Xie Jiu smiled and agreed, then had breakfast with the person and saw them off. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief and prepare to tidy up before heading to Weiyang Palace to pay her respects.