Chapter 1842

Emperor Yuanding was very irritable, his face livid.

"What does Your Majesty want me to do?" Empress Chen simply brought the issue into the open. She lowered her eyes, thinking that it is said that mountains and rivers are easy to change, but nature is hard to change; this saying does not deceive people.

The Emperor was as impatient as ever, unable to control his anger whenever he encountered something.

Having been Emperor for so many years, his temper hadn't improved, and occasionally it was even worse.

She took a sip of tea to steady her mind; there was still a hard battle to fight later.

"I hope the Hou Fu can clearly state their position and support my stance. Does the Empress understand now?"

Emperor Yuanding's tone was not good, clearly warning Empress Chen not to play dumb. Otherwise, he had plenty of ways to retaliate.

Empress Chen faced Emperor Yuanding calmly, "Your Majesty, please examine this: I cannot make decisions for the Hou Fu; I can only do my best to persuade them. Whether it can be done, I cannot guarantee. If the matter is not accomplished, I request Your Majesty to be lenient."

Emperor Yuanding nodded with satisfaction; this was the posture an Empress should have.

He said very magnanimously, "Empress, rest assured, I am not a narrow-minded person. As long as you have done your best, no matter how the matter turns out, I will not blame you."

Empress Chen dared not believe these words, but she also could not afford not to.

She chuckled, making an excited appearance, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding. I will write to my father immediately."

"Don't forget about Marquis Pingjiang. I hope the nobles and military generals can all be loyal to the country and share my worries."

"I understand!" Empress Chen agreed fully, stabilizing the Emperor first.

"It's just that... doing things requires investment in financial and material resources in all aspects, these..."

Only wanting support without giving benefits; she didn't mention it, and the Emperor didn't state his position. How could one be an Emperor like this?

Did he really think that an Emperor's golden words were law, and that with one sentence, the world would follow?

Keep dreaming!

Empress Chen almost couldn't help rolling her eyes to show respect!

Emperor Yuanding realized, "Rest assured! After the matter is accomplished, I will surely have heavy rewards."

He didn't say what the heavy rewards were, being even stingier than the late Emperor.

Empress Chen felt powerless, "Your Majesty, relying solely on my letter, I fear it will be difficult to move my father and grandfather. Can Your Majesty give a definite word?"

Emperor Yuanding's face sank instantly, "Empress, we are husband and wife, one body. You share my worries; do you have to be so calculating?"

"It is not that I want to be calculating, but my father and grandfather, relying solely on a letter, will not listen to me."

"What does the Empress want?" Emperor Yuanding asked with a straight face.

"It is not what I want, but what Your Majesty can give." Empress Chen opened the skylight to speak clearly. If she didn't say it, the other party would keep playing dumb.

At least take the initiative to draw a big pie, promise high official positions and generous salaries, or other tangible benefits. It doesn't matter if they can't be fulfilled; at least there must be an attitude.

Looking at the Emperor again, he didn't even have the basic attitude of winning people's hearts. Empress Chen was very disgusted, muttering in her heart that it was fortunate Xie Changling had no intention of rebelling, otherwise this throne would not be stable.

Emperor Yuanding was so angry that his fingers were trembling, and he said through gritted teeth, "I will appoint Song Qiyu as Crown Prince, how about that?"

Empress Chen shook her head, "Why does Your Majesty have to use these words to test me? I don't want it!"

"Does the Empress really have no thoughts about the position of Crown Prince?"

"Of course I have thoughts! But not now. Your Majesty is in the prime of life, so there is no need to rush. Moreover, the prince is young and is at the time to study and learn knowledge, so I have no other thoughts for now."

"The Empress is indeed reasonable!" Emperor Yuanding's mood improved a bit; as long as she didn't force him to appoint Song Qiyu as Crown Prince, everything else was negotiable. He also clearly informed the Empress of this attitude, letting her mediate.

Empress Chen smiled in understanding; she knew the Emperor would only make empty promises.

He refused to give the position of Crown Prince to the eldest prince; could it be that he wanted to appoint another prince? Did he want to depose her, or did he want to harm the eldest prince?

She sneered inwardly, becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the Emperor.

She wore a smile on her face, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my utmost to facilitate this matter."

"As long as it is accomplished, I will not be stingy with heavy rewards for the Hou Fu afterwards!"

Empress Chen bowed slightly to show submission!

Emperor Yuanding was happy and had lunch with Empress Chen.

Empress Dowager Sun learned that the Emperor and Empress were dining together and was very unhappy, "The Empress is indeed capable, able to coax the Emperor into being all smiles with just a few words. As a dignified Empress, doing the things of a concubine, it is shameful and not self-respecting at all!"

Palace servants:...

They all lowered their heads and didn't dare to make a sound, let alone respond.

Empress Dowager Sun was the Emperor's biological mother, so she could scold her daughter-in-law as she pleased. They were servants serving people; how could they dare to echo her? If it reached the Empress's ears, it wouldn't be long before they disappeared from the harem.

If the Empress wanted to deal with someone, Empress Dowager Sun couldn't stop her either.

In terms of schemes and means, Empress Dowager Sun was far behind the Empress.

Empress Dowager Sun was able to survive until the late Emperor passed away and smoothly become Empress Dowager, all thanks to the late Emperor's conscience.

Empress Chen promised the Emperor, and she would do it.

That day, she wrote to her father Chen Guanfu and also to her grandfather Marquis Pingjiang.

To put the Emperor at ease, she even showed the letters to the Emperor, and only after receiving the Emperor's approval did she send them out.

The temporary palace was close to the capital.

The next day, Chen Guanfu received Empress Chen's letter.

The one who delivered the letter was a eunuch serving in the Empress's palace, surnamed Cao, Eunuch Cao.

Eunuch Cao told Chen Guanfu, "Yesterday, His Majesty and the Empress had a long talk in the water pavilion of the temporary palace, and then had lunch together. During this time, His Majesty was angry many times, and the Empress pacified him well. The Empress asked this servant to tell you, my lord, that this matter is entirely up to you, and you need not worry about her situation."

Chen Guanfu understood in his heart, "Xie Xiang is pressing step by step; is the Emperor unable to hold on?"

"His Majesty has not been idle either, having already dealt with quite a few court officials. Xie Xiang is also forced to do so." Eunuch Cao lowered his eyes and said in a low voice.

Chen Guanfu raised his eyebrows slightly, "Looking at it this way, both sides are fighting fiercely. No wonder the Emperor would lower his face, hoping to get the help of the Hou Fu. You go back and tell the Empress that I will consider this matter carefully, and I will report to His Majesty when necessary. She need not worry!"

"Understood!"

"Eunuch Cao has traveled hard; stay in the Hou Fu for one night, and tomorrow I will arrange for someone to send you back to the temporary palace."

"I dare not! This servant has a residence in the city."

"That's fine! Someone, send Eunuch Cao out of the mansion and serve him well! Arrange proper personnel to wait at Eunuch Cao's residence early tomorrow morning to send Eunuch Cao back to the temporary palace to report."

The steward accepted the order, personally sent Eunuch Cao out of the Hou Fu, and presented some silver.

Chen Guanfu held Empress Chen's letter and checked it repeatedly. He took out a miscellaneous book and, according to the secret code, outlined the keywords one by one, finally concluding: The Saint cannot be trusted, be vigilant!

He laughed!

He laughed in anger!

Emperor Yuanding really didn't know how to conduct himself, even guarding against the person beside his pillow.

Wanting to use the Hou Fu but not wanting to pay the cost; how could there be such a good thing in the world? When Xie Changling and the others chose him to be Emperor, they really didn't know if this decision was right or wrong.

Of course, Prince Ning might not be better than Emperor Yuanding.

The sons born to the late Emperor were all mediocre; he didn't know whether to cry or laugh.