CHAPTER 268: CHAPTER 268: SLANDERING ME LIKE THIS?

The time returns to after Meng Yao left the palace—

Noble Consort An sat in the palace for a while and then went to find Emperor Jing.

"So, was Madam Zhao satisfied with the banquet this time?" Emperor Jing impatiently asked Noble Consort An, "Was she happy or not?"

Noble Consort An thought for a moment and then replied, "I suppose she was satisfied?"

There was good food and drink, and no neglect.

She was accompanied in conversation the whole time.

No one made her feel left out.

"That’s good, that’s good. If she’s happy, maybe she’ll change her mind!" Emperor Jing said.

"A woman’s heart doesn’t get soothed that quickly, Your Majesty. Such matters shouldn’t be rushed," Noble Consort An said, "You need to be attentive, patient, and coax her gently."

"You’re right," Emperor Jing nodded, "You did well with this matter; I’ve noted it."

"Sister Meng is a good person, and I don’t wish for her to be wronged," said Noble Consort An.

"So, the Meng family has caught your eye?" Emperor Jing was somewhat curious. After all, this favored concubine of his was never known for having a good temperament, and most people couldn’t catch her interest.

"Perhaps it’s destiny. From the first glance, I just felt like being friends with Sister Meng," Noble Consort An said.

She very much wanted to persuade Emperor Jing that if in the end, Sister Meng wasn’t willing to enter the palace, not to force her.

But she restrained herself, or rather, she didn’t dare.

Though she was a favored concubine, she had always strictly adhered to her duties. Even if she were ostentatious and domineering, she never crossed the line. She knew what Emperor Jing wanted and didn’t want.

And it was precisely because of this that she could remain unmatched in the harem.

"From now on, you can often invite her into the palace," said Emperor Jing.

Noble Consort An replied with acknowledgment, curtsied, and took her leave.

After Noble Consort An left, Emperor Jing asked Shuangxi, "Do you think that the Meng family, after returning, will change her mind? After all, she had the chance to attend because she was Madam Ting. Changle even introduced her to so many people! She shouldn’t continue to be difficult and cause trouble, right?"

"Well, they say a woman’s heart is a needle at the bottom of the sea, hard to say," Shuangxi replied.

"Why don’t you bring Zhao Ting into the palace, and I’ll ask him directly?" Emperor Jing said.

"Yes."

——

"General Zhao, was Madam Zhao in a good mood after returning from the palace?" Shuangxi asked Zhao Ting on the way to the palace.

Zhao Ting glanced at Shuangxi with a meaningful look, making Shuangxi feel rather perplexed. Had he said something wrong?

"She was quite happy."

So happy that she almost broke his shoulder with a stick.

"His Majesty was worried that Madam Zhao wasn’t happy," Shuangxi said.

Zhao Ting’s eyes darkened. He truly hadn’t expected Emperor Jing to be this sort of person.

Soon, Zhao Ting was brought into the Imperial Study Room.

"Your Majesty, I have important matters to discuss with you," Zhao Ting got straight to the point, looking very serious.

Zhao Ting’s seriousness made Emperor Jing also serious. He waved to Shuangxi, who immediately led the attendants out.

"Is it about the Heaven and Earth Sect?" Emperor Jing asked Zhao Ting.

Zhao Ting stood up from the wheelchair and walked step by step towards Emperor Jing.

"Your body seems much better!" Emperor Jing was somewhat pleased, "Imperial Physician Li even said you were beyond help; it seems his medical skills were lacking. Tell me, which miracle physician cured you?"

See if they could be brought into the Imperial Hospital.

"Your Majesty, I have always been loyal to you without the slightest disloyalty," Zhao Ting said, looking straight into Emperor Jing’s eyes, word by word.

Emperor Jing deeply agreed, "Of course, I know in my heart."

"So, is this how Your Majesty treats loyal subjects?" Zhao Ting’s eyes reddened. When he was a prince, his life was ended with a cup of poisoned wine, and even then, he didn’t hate him this much.

Moreover, becoming Zhao Ting, he had thought of being a good subject and assisting him well.

"What’s wrong?" Emperor Jing was a bit confused.

"In the world, there are endless beauties. As long as Your Majesty says the word, countless beauties would come forward eagerly. Even so, is it still not enough for Your Majesty?"

Emperor Jing’s eyelid twitched, "Zhao Ting, what do you mean by this? Do you want me to be a foolish emperor who only loves beauties and not the country? Having so many women around, do you want to tire me to death? Every day I can barely deal with endless state affairs, where do I have the mind to cope with women?"

The little free time he had was spent worrying about Zhao Ting and the Meng family issue.

For his trusted aide, was it easy for him?

What kind of emperor ends up worrying about his official’s family matters like this?

No, before he worried because Zhao Ting was nearing death, and he couldn’t bear to see him die with regrets, so he tried to help cheer up Meng Yao.

Now, Zhao Ting seemed a bit weak, but there was no sign of death at all.

So, could he stop worrying?

Emperor Jing patted Zhao Ting on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "I’ve done all I can, you should know what to do next! You’re the official I value the most. This small matter, you’re sure to handle well, without disappointing me, right?"

Even in front of him, Emperor Jing was so shameless.

It was clear how vile his intentions were.

"You’re dreaming!" Zhao Ting’s eyes widened in rage.

The fierce look startled Emperor Jing.

"Zhao Ting, what’s this madness? Dreaming? What am I dreaming about?" Emperor Jing said in displeasure, "What, have you changed your mind so soon? Did you not want to coax her? Just days ago, you were practically wanting to live and die in front of me, insisting on Meng Yao! And now, you change your tune? They say women are fickle, but you, a man, are just as bad."

There’s something off about this conversation?

"Ah Ting, there are no outsiders in the Imperial Study Room, let me tell you frankly, Meng Yao bore you children and endured considerable hardship. If she acts up, causes a fuss, it’s her right! You should accept it!" Emperor Jing said earnestly, "Put aside your pride and ego as a man and coax her well! After all, when you close the doors to coax her, no one else sees it, and no one will laugh at you."

Zhao Ting was even more puzzled.

"Your Majesty, do you mean I should live well with the Meng family?" Zhao Ting asked, unsure.

Emperor Jing nodded, "Yes, unless you don’t want to live well with her?"

"You’re not asking Meng Yao to enter the palace anymore?" Zhao Ting asked again.

"Yes, why wouldn’t she come in? Changle mentioned that your spouse seems agreeable, so she should often call her to the palace to talk," Emperor Jing said.

"So, it wasn’t Your Majesty who summoned Meng Yao into the palace? It was the Noble Consort who called her?" Zhao Ting asked.

Emperor Jing finally sensed something amiss, "What do you mean by this?"

"Meng Yao went back and told me that Your Majesty wanted to keep her in the palace." Zhao Ting said this while watching Emperor Jing’s face without blinking, not missing any change in his expression.

Emperor Jing looked bewildered, "What? Me keeping her in the palace? What’s wrong with me? Keeping her in the palace! No, Zhao Ting, I kindly asked Changle to organize a banquet, invited Meng into the palace, and had Changle help make her happy, and she repays me like this?"