Chapter 757: Chapter 752, Chapter 753: Emperor Yong’an’s Deepening Misunderstandings and His Arrangements for the Newly Appointed Advanced Scholars
After listening to the eunuch’s words, Emperor Yong’an’s head suddenly cleared up considerably. Initially, he was somewhat drunk from drinking so much, but now, the drunkenness had completely gone.
Chen Mo had the eunuch relay these words, and it was evident that he knew about what he previously had said to the Empress.
Emperor Yong’an broke out in a cold sweat. He understood that Chen Mo’s words were definitely not an expression of loyalty, but a warning.
If he were truly loyal, he wouldn’t have said those words.
At this moment, Emperor Yong’an’s mood was very uneasy. Since Chen Mo knew what he had said, what would he do to him next?
He’s certainly not going to be "kind and pleasant" to me anymore.
He thought of those dynasties in history where the rulers were weak and the ministers strong, where some monarchs had died in mysterious drowning, or died suddenly under strange circumstances.
And then he thought of the death of Wang Chufeng, King of Nanping County.
Chen Mo would definitely not be content to remain in a subordinate position. When he seeks to advance further, he’ll certainly make a move against him.
Emperor Yong’an’s heart became very uneasy, as he guessed who might have told Chen Mo about those words.
Was it Chen Mo’s spy arranged in his bedroom, or the Empress?
Emperor Yong’an’s expression turned gloomy. However, the urgent task at hand should be to go apologize to the Empress.
If the Empress has an affair with Chen Mo, the way he treated her just now, and if she complains to Chen Mo, he would definitely suffer.
Thinking of this made Emperor Yong’an feel extremely suffocated, clearly feeling that those two adulterers were having an affair, but he instead had to go apologize.
"Someone, come here." Emperor Yong’an called out.
"Your Majesty."
"To the Empress’s bedroom."
...
Empress’s Bedroom.
Empress Zhao hurried back to her bedroom, originally intending to just change her clothes and go back to taking care of Emperor Yong’an.
But the ginseng soup spilled on her, leaving a lingering smell and sticky feeling that made Empress Zhao very uncomfortable.
So she had the palace maid prepare hot water and took a bath.
By the time Emperor Yong’an arrived, Empress Zhao had just finished bathing, wore her palace skirt, and was grooming and dressing up at the vanity table.
Hearing that His Majesty had arrived, Empress Zhao quickly stood up to greet him.
"Your Majesty, why are you here? I thought you were drunk?" Empress Zhao greeted Emperor Yong’an with a bow.
"I’m much better now, and I have something to say to the Empress." Emperor Yong’an glanced at the surrounding palace maids and eunuchs, and said in a deep voice: "You all may leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Emperor Yong’an followed Empress Zhao towards the inner hall of the bedroom.
"Empress, I was indeed drunk earlier, and treated you like that. Please don’t take it to heart; reflecting on it now, I regret it. The Empress treats me so well, yet I treat you like this." Emperor Yong’an, suppressing the suffocation in his heart, grasped Empress Zhao’s hand and said softly.
Upon hearing this, Empress Zhao’s delicate body trembled, feeling a bit emotional.
Indeed, His Majesty was drunk; that’s why he treated her that way.
His Majesty is still the same as before.
Now that he has sobered up, he immediately came to explain to her.
His Majesty still cares for her.
It’s all King Wei’s fault, all King Wei’s fault. If it weren’t for King Wei, His Majesty wouldn’t have drowned his sorrows in alcohol.
Empress Zhao sniffed delicately and said softly, "Your Majesty, what are you talking about? This subject is your Empress, and I know you were drunk earlier. How could I blame Your Majesty?"
"I’m very glad the Empress can understand me."
Saying this, Emperor Yong’an had arrived at the inner hall, and immediately spotted the Python Robe placed on the nearby table.
And this Python Robe was clearly Chen Mo’s.
Emperor Yong’an’s eyelids twitched, and his grasp on Empress Zhao’s hand tightened a bit.
Empress Zhao naturally felt it, followed Emperor Yong’an’s gaze, her expression changed slightly, and immediately began to explain to Emperor Yong’an.
She said that her garments were stained by the ginseng soup, and was coincidentally seen by King Wei, who then took off his Python Robe to cover her for modesty’s sake.
Moreover, given the situation, she had no way to refuse and just wanted to leave quickly.
Emperor Yong’an inhaled deeply, released Empress Zhao’s hand, walked to a chair, and sat down. His expression remained unchanged, yet he felt an icy chill in his heart.
As for what Empress Zhao had just said, Emperor Yong’an treated it all as excuses.
At this moment, Emperor Yong’an believed that everything he said about Chen Mo in his bedroom was Empress Zhao complaining to Chen Mo.
And the words Chen Mo had spoken to him contained both a warning and a message telling him to treat Empress Zhao better.
Otherwise, how could these events occur so coincidentally?
He had just finished speaking, and then Chen Mo knew.
Furthermore, Empress Zhao had Chen Mo’s Python Robe here.
Clearly, after leaving his bedroom, the Empress went to see Chen Mo.
"Your Majesty, what I said is true, you must believe me." Seeing Emperor Yong’an silent, Empress Zhao thought he did not believe her, and her expression became somewhat anxious.
Emperor Yong’an wanted to strangle Empress Zhao in his heart; having an affair with Chen Mo behind him would be enough, yet she still wanted to act righteously towards him. But he dared not, not even daring to shout at Empress Zhao; instead, he had to force himself to smile and say, "Empress, don’t overthink. Of course, I believe the Empress."
Empress Zhao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Emperor Yong’an’s expression remained calm, but his hand, withdrawn into the sleeve of his Dragon Robe, was tightly clenched, with fists trembling slightly.
Looking at Empress Zhao, he recalled her pet name and said, "Yu Shu, you are right, King Wei works tirelessly for the country, salvaging a crumbling world, and is a pillar of the Great Song. Alcohol is truly a harmful thing; I would speculate so about King Wei under its influence."
Evidently, Emperor Yong’an wanted to use Empress Zhao to tell Chen Mo that he realized his mistake.
"It’s good that Your Majesty thinks this way." Empress Zhao dared not guarantee whether her bedroom had Chen Mo’s spies, so she could only follow Emperor Yong’an’s cue.
