Chapter 37: Bound to the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 37: Cannon Fodder Little Imperial Consort (37)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

Wei Jingyi's complex state of mind, put plainly, Xiao Yanchen could not understand.

Especially since the Wei Family was not exactly a family that accumulated good deeds; not to mention their daily bullying of men and women and all manner of evil deeds, they did not even treat Wei Jingyi and Xiao Heng's mother and son with wholehearted effort.

Pity that even so, Wei Jingyi was still willing to give up the Empress's throne to secure the family's future.

Tsk tsk, it must be said, Xiao Yanchen was still quite vexed upon learning this result.

Actually, what Xiao Yanchen wanted was the Empress's true understanding and for her to stand with him in action to support him.

After all, they, the imperial couple, were one body. At the same time, they had a child; even considering the legitimate son Xiao Heng, the Empress could not give up the Empress Position.

But Xiao Yanchen truly underestimated this era's influence of family on women, or Xiao Yanchen overestimated the role of the Empress Position and offspring for women.

In short, Xiao Yanchen lost the bet, and now, riding a tiger and unable to dismount, he could only hold the stalemate.

Wei Jingyi still held unrealistic expectations for the family outside the palace and was not resigned to the Emperor; otherwise she could not have made such inexplicable moves that made people suspect her brain had taken on water.

It was just that Shen Yao, seated at the lower place, did not know the previous conversation between the Emperor and Empress; otherwise Shen Yao would definitely give the Empress a good lesson—a brain that doesn't work well is an illness, it needs curing.

What time was it now? Not caring for her own little family, but instead turning around to bail out her burdening natal family—was she not afraid that everything she did would ultimately be in vain?

One must know that people find it very hard to change certain habits they are accustomed to, unless that habit threatens their life and has once brought them fatal danger.

The Wei Family? The Wei Family had the Empress and her son pegged; it was impossible for them to change.

This year's Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet concluded perfectly under the Emperor and Empress's pretense.

During this period, it was not that no one jumped out to cause trouble.

Especially those Imperial Clan Relatives (specifically referring to the few Cheap Nephews left behind by the Emperor); when toasting, one was more respectful than the next, and the auspicious words spoken were one more choking than the next.

Shen Yao watched Xiao Yanchen smile without smiling, thinking that those who always said the Royal Family had no family affection could come observe the scene—where was there no family affection? Everyone wanted to kill each other, their tacit understanding of mutual destruction was simply maxed out, worthy of being called hearts in tacit understanding.

"Imperial Concubine Xi Niangniang, the Emperor requests your presence."

Shen Yao, accompanied by Qiu Yue, had just come out from the great hall behind and had not walked far when she heard a voice drift out from the darkness.

It was Wei Zhu.

Shen Yao turned her head, smiling and nodding at the hurrying Wei Zhu, "Eunuch Wei."

Wei Zhu bowed his body, a duster draped over his arm, his expression respectful and proper, "Niangniang, this way please."

Following the direction Wei Zhu's finger pointed, Shen Yao stepped forward first and left.

From Taihe Palace to Taiji Hall, walking took no more than the time to finish a cup of tea.

Xiao Yanchen stood at the doorway of Taiji Hall wearing imperial robes he had not yet removed.

Seeing Shen Yao enter the door, he chuckled lightly and reached out to enfold Shen Yao, who was about to perform a salute and ask after his well-being.

"It's not early; we need to leave the palace as soon as possible."

Saying this in a low voice, Xiao Yanchen patted Shen Yao's shoulder again.

They needed to first change out of these clothes on their bodies, and then they could take a carriage to leave the Imperial Palace.

Shen Yao assented, then followed Qiu Yue, who was behind her, through the door.

The clothes were neatly folded on the bedchamber couch; Shen Yao spread her arms, facing a copper mirror as tall as a person, and instructed Qiu Yue that she did not need to accompany her out this time, "With the Emperor present, this palace's safety can be guaranteed."

"It's Weiyang Palace that I'm not at ease about, leaving a few children to rest alone."

"Qiu Yue, you stay behind and guard Weiyang Palace; this palace will return at the latest tomorrow."

Xiao Yanchen was busy with affairs and could not stay outside the palace for too long; also, fortunately today was the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, so there was no morning court tomorrow, otherwise Xiao Yanchen would have to bring her back tonight.

Hearing this, Qiu Yue assented in a flash; at the same time, after tidying her master's clothes, she also left a purse filled with scattered silver.

Qiu Yue was a house-born servant of the Shen Family, but Qiu Yue had also lived outside when she was young.

Qiu Yue knew what the situation outside was like, so when facing her master leaving the palace, she would make some preparations within her ability in advance.

A purse full of scattered silver like this was to make it convenient for her master to buy things.

Otherwise, holding large-denomination banknotes or gold, considering the monetary scale outside the palace, it would be very hard to spend.

Shen Yao nodded in satisfaction, "You are thoughtful."

Shen Yao, changed into ordinary attire, though not as magnificent and resplendent as before, still had an aura and charm that drew attention.

Going out again with Qiu Yue, Shen Yao saw Xiao Yanchen dressed in common attire.

To be honest, setting aside that imperial filter, Xiao Yanchen was still a handsome person whose looks were very impressive.

Time only took away Xiao Yanchen's immaturity and did not let him acquire worldly agedness; even his overly mature appearance made Xiao Yanchen seem more charming.

Holding a folding fan in his hand, Xiao Yanchen seemed like that kind of carefree swordsman; although he had no weapon in his hand, he would still make people unable to help but look at him.

"Your Majesty."

"Yao'er, we should set out."

Xiao Yanchen reached out and took Shen Yao's wrist; the two followed Wei Zhu, who had already changed into disguise, and set off.

The carriage prepared long ago waited at the palace gate; seeing Xiao Yanchen go out, those guards hurriedly saluted and asked after his well-being.

"Leave the palace quickly; it's not suitable to delay."

This outing was something Xiao Yanchen deliberately kept hidden from others.

Xiao Yanchen also worried that word would leak, and the court officials would submit various memorials criticizing him.

Urging the coachman driving the carriage, Xiao Yanchen turned to face Shen Yao beside him, "Are you curious about the scenery outside the palace?"

Shen Yao nodded without courtesy, "Subject, before leaving the secluded quarters, I always lived on the estate and rarely saw the liveliness outside the palace."

This body of Shen Yao's, before Shen Yao formally took over, had always lived very miserably.

Xiao Yanchen knew about this too, after all Shen Yao carried great weight in his heart, so Xiao Yanchen could not possibly fail to arrange someone to investigate.

As a result, once the investigation ended, Xiao Yanchen pitied and cared for Shen Yao all the more, while Shen Yao had no idea there was such a batch.

A flash of heartache crossed his eyes, Xiao Yanchen gripped Shen Yao's palm, "This time going out, we can take a good look."

Under his governance, the whole Jingcheng was livelier than when the Retired Emperor was on the throne.

Xiao Yanchen felt some satisfaction in his heart, because all of this stemmed from his efforts.

"Alright, Your Majesty will accompany this subject."

Shen Yao smiled, resting her head on Xiao Yanchen's shoulder.

The carriage continued on its journey; inside the carriage it was not calm, but both of them were very relaxed, quite a kind of carefree contentment.

Sigh

This was the life he had most wanted in his youth, a loving and harmonious marriage, abundant and blessed offspring.

Leaving the Imperial Palace and coming to the nearest Jingcheng street took about two quarters of an hour.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of a tall mansion.

Outside the door was Wei Zhu's voice, saying they had arrived.

Arrived?!

Shen Yao pushed aside the window beside her, sticking her head out to look.

Chun Prince's Mansion.

Four large characters hung on a signboard not far away; Shen Yao suddenly thought that before Xiao Yanchen ascended the throne, he had been invested as the Chun Prince.

Not a Commandery Prince, because at that time Xiao Yanchen did not receive the Emperor's favor.

The Emperor only granted investiture to the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince; everyone else was a Commandery Prince, and some were worse off, merely Princes without any investiture.

Later, the situation changed suddenly, Xiao Yanchen directly surpassed everyone else to ascend the throne as Emperor, moving into the Imperial Palace to live, while the Chun Prince's Mansion outside the palace has been preserved to this day.

"Yao'er"

After getting down, Xiao Yanchen lifted the carriage curtain and reached his hand toward Shen Yao.

Shen Yao did not hesitate, extending her hand before getting down from the carriage.

"This is the mansion I lived in during my early years; let's go outside to take a look first, and we'll rest here tonight."

Saying a word quietly to Shen Yao, he followed Xiao Yanchen in summoning Wei Zhu, "Have someone tidy up the main house in the front courtyard properly, then send someone to follow beside us, no need to deliberately approach."

Coming out to play, Xiao Yanchen did not want anyone to spoil their mood.

After giving Wei Zhu a word, Xiao Yanchen took Shen Yao's hand with a backhand grip and left quickly.

Seeing Xiao Yanchen's extremely carefree and confident stride, Shen Yao suddenly smiled.

Indeed, he had been cooped up in the palace for too long; properly coming out to relax, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

"What are you laughing at?"

Even without turning around, Xiao Yanchen could still sense Shen Yao's good mood.

Of course, Xiao Yanchen's mood was also very good; since leaving the palace, his mindset had been rare and relaxed.

As if the shackles that usually weighed on his body had all been opened.

Although after returning to the palace the shackles still existed, outside, rather than in that square iron cage, Xiao Yanchen was still Xiao Yanchen, not the Yuanhe Emperor who had held great power for several years since ascending the throne.

Shen Yao tilted her head slightly, revealing her beautiful eyes flashing with light, "This subject is happy; it has been a long time since I have been as happy as today."

From the moment she came into this body, Shen Yao felt a stone weighing on her heart.

Even after being in the palace for many years, Shen Yao had climbed all the way from Imperial Consort to Noble Consort.

But this stone in Shen Yao's heart still showed no sign of moving.

Now that she had left the palace, even though the surroundings were dark small alleys and nameless city walls, Shen Yao felt that stone loosening.

It turned out that what she longed for in her bones was still freedom.

Yes, even if she pretended to fit into this environment, it could not change her nature.

Shen Yao had always been carefree and willful.

"In the future, I will take you out."

Xiao Yanchen stopped his steps, turned around, and looked at Shen Yao without glancing aside.

His tone was very serious; Shen Yao could tell that what the other person said was true.

She nodded heavily and then shook her head, "Yao Niang does not like coming out; Yao Niang just likes the feeling of coming out with you," — nonsense.

When it was time to lie, she still had to lie; Shen Yao had not forgotten her persona and positioning.

At all times, she could not let emotion dominate reason; she was Shen Yao, and more, she was a Tasker; completing the mission was her survival goal.

Because of Shen Yao's words, the light bursting from Xiao Yanchen's eyes was scorching hot.

He placed both hands on Shen Yao's shoulders, word by word, "Yao Niang, I will not let you down."

"This subject believes in Your Majesty."

Whether true or false, Shen Yao felt that at least at this moment, the words Xiao Yanchen spoke were sincere.

But whether Xiao Yanchen would change this idea in the future, Shen Yao did not know.

But even if he changed, it didn't matter; as long as the other person said it, she would listen; even if it was fake, listening and being happy was not bad.

Shen Yao's purpose was clear; she counted on her son's life, not on a man's life.

After the two of them confessed their feelings to each other, when they walked out of the small alley and came to a bustling Long Street, Shen Yao looked up and just saw fireworks constantly bursting in the sky in the distance.

Not as many types as in Modern Times, but after flashing, they still left behind their unique charm.

The two of them stood in the Original Place admiring for a while, then stepped forward to merge into the lively human world before their eyes.

Calls of vendors, greetings, rubbing fists and palms.

Shen Yao held her plump Purse and very generously opened the mode of buying buying buying.

In response, Xiao Yanchen, shocked, joined in as well.

The joy of buying, buying, buying could be experienced just by watching, especially after Xiao Yanchen spent money, it felt even more refreshing.

The two of them began to buy from one end to the other with tacit understanding; whether food or drink, as long as they saw it, there was no opportunity for it not to end up in their possession.

Before they had reached the end of this lively long street, news that they were tycoons had already spread until everyone knew.

Along the road, various peddlers would stare at Shen Yao and Xiao Yanchen — no other meaning, just sharing in the good fortune and patronizing their stalls too.

Shen Yao, Xiao Yanchen: ……Fine, small problem～

The purse of silver pieces Shen Yao brought was completely spent by the two of them buying, buying, buying.

Spending it all wasn't the end; Xiao Yanchen, still unsatisfied, broke open the gold he had brought.

Fortunately the gold wasn't large, just a thin piece; when paying, part of it was even torn off, otherwise just taking it out would have been enough to shock people.

Where did this God of Wealth come from? Goodness, even handing over gold is done without the slightest hesitation.

"Your Majesty, we should return to rest a bit."

Shen Yao, carrying the pretty flower lantern she had just bought, looked up at Xiao Yanchen and acted spoiled.

Xiao Yanchen held even more things, basically all the food Shen Yao had bought.

The boulevard was crowded with people coming and going; minding her reputation, Shen Yao only drank a bowl of ice-cold sour plum soup and did not use other food.

These things packed to take away were all what Shen Yao planned to taste one by one after returning to the mansion.

Although the refinement certainly cannot compare to those imperial chefs in the palace's Imperial Kitchen, the flavors are definitely different from the palace's; occasionally tasting something fresh is quite nice.

"Not continue strolling a bit?"

The two people stood at this moment in a corner beside the long street; behind them was a long moat.

In the moat, pretty lotus lanterns flickered with light in the water.

Shen Yao's eyes brightened, "Your Majesty, let's go release flower lanterns."

Currently there are no outsiders beside them, so Shen Yao calling him directly is no big problem.

But by the time they go to the flower lanterns there will be many people, and she should change her address to 'Lord Husband'.

Xiao Yanchen raised an eyebrow, "Let's go."

The two went one after another to the place selling flower lanterns; that side even provided pen and ink service, they could write various words on the lanterns and then send them into the moat, hoping for divine protection.

Shen Yao expressed great interest in this feudal superstition; she picked up the hairbrush and wrote what she wanted to write, not forgetting at the end to flatter Xiao Yanchen a bit more.

Mm, regarding how great the determination to maintain her persona is, before the task world ends, Shen Yao will not waver.

Xiao Yanchen also wrote a few sentences; Shen Yao didn't see, guessing they were probably all words praying for the state foundation.

After all he is the Emperor; his breadth of mind is certainly larger than a petty woman like her who only knows romantic love.