Looking at Tai'an from the full moon

The next day, after the morning court session, all officials dispersed.

Originally, the ministers had objections to Concubine Yun's regency, but in the past six months, Concubine Yun has indeed governed Tai'an in an orderly manner, and those talkative ministers have now "obeyed Concubine Yun's words."

"Your Highness Prince Qing!"

It was Kido, who was ordered to stop Prince Qing who was about to leave with other ministers.

"Mr. Kido."

Xiao Zuoqing didn't know what Emperor Mingren had done, and he was still quite respectful to Mu Dai, after all, he was someone close to his father.

"Noble Concubine Yun ordered me to invite His Royal Highness Prince Qing, saying that there is something important to discuss. Please move to the South Study."

"it is good."

Prince Qing agreed without any hesitation. Since Concubine Yun became regent, the two of them have united. Concubine Yun told Prince Qing that Xiao Zuochen did not want to be the emperor, and was afraid that the ministers would think that Concubine Yun's regent meant that Prince Yun would ascend the throne, so he stayed in Wangyan City to avoid suspicion.

Of course, this is what Prince Qing was thinking. He didn't know why his father suddenly fell ill, nor did he know why his father asked Concubine Yun to be the regent. But fortunately, Concubine Yun was allied with him, and Xiao Zuochen had said before that he didn't want to be the emperor, and he had never fought for it, which made Xiao Zuoqing feel much more at ease.

As for the Third Prince, no one knows where he has gone into hiding now. The Queen is under house arrest by Concubine Yun, and the Seventh Prince is still young, so the Queen's lineage can't see through any of the disturbances at all.

When I arrived at the Southern Study, Concubine Yun was reviewing today's memorials.

"The royal concubine."

Concubine Yun raised her eyes and saw Xiao Zuoqing behind Mu Dai.

"You go down first."

Concubine Yun signaled Mu Dai to leave first, and Mu Dai obediently walked out of the study and closed the door. Xiao Zuoqing watched Mu Dai leave and close the door, with a puzzled expression.

"Does the noble concubine have anything important to discuss with the prince?"

Concubine Yun took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and spoke after a long time.

"It's nothing important. I've just been so overwhelmed by official duties lately that I don't know who to talk to. After thinking it over, I realize that you're my only ally in this palace."

"Does the concubine want to have a heart-to-heart talk with the prince?"

Xiao Zuoqing's face instantly took on an unprecedented frivolity, and the look he gave Concubine Yun was somewhat provocative, totally unlike his usual respectful and upright demeanor.

"Hmph~ You can't pretend anymore. Recently, there are some things that I can't figure out, and I want to ask you again. After all, if the throne is given to you in the future, I will always need a guarantee."

Concubine Yun put down the brush in her hand and leaned back in her chair. Xiao Zuoqing also had a smile on his face and sat down on a chair to the side.

"Since the noble concubine wants to talk to me again, that's great. I also have some questions for you."

Concubine Yun nodded.

"You know how I have treated you since I became regent. I said that the throne will be yours in the future, and I have also shown my sincerity."

When Xiao Zuoqing heard that Concubine Yun was going to talk about the throne, he relaxed even more, and the smile on his face became even more intense, even a little... mocking.

"Does the imperial concubine's sincerity mean keeping her own son away from Tai'an City?"

Concubine Yun didn't expect Prince Qing to answer her in this way, and she couldn't help but look a little angry.

"You should know that I did this so that you can take over the throne with peace of mind!"

Xiao Zuoqing crossed his legs and no longer concealed the mocking expression on his face.

"You are joking, Concubine. If you want to give me the throne, I should be the regent now, right?"

"you!"

"Don't be angry, Concubine. I actually believe what you said. After all, we have been working together very well during this period of time. People outside think that we are the real 'loving mother and filial son'."

Concubine Yun, who was originally a little angry, couldn't help but smile when she heard Prince Qing mention "a loving mother and a filial son".

"Why, you and Concubine Xian are not considered a loving mother and a filial son?"

Xiao Zuoqing glanced at Concubine Yun and snorted.

"Isn't the Imperial Concubine the one who knows this best? Although my father was defeated by you, what he said is very true. The most important thing for a person is to see the situation clearly. When the Queen used the throne as a bargaining chip to help my father ascend the throne, my father told me that only what you want is worth cherishing, and those who hinder your progress are not worth mentioning.

If my mother had the ability to help my father ascend to the throne, why would he dislike her? There are many ways a woman can help a man, including wealth, power, fame, and strategy, but she has none of them. Moreover, when she wanted to divorce, she tried to take me with her, but I sent someone to inform my father so that she stayed. "

"So you are to Concubine Xian..."

Concubine Yun asked tentatively. Xiao Zuoqing was about to take a sip of tea, but his movements paused.

"Your Highness, there is no need to test me. I only have one mother, so I will naturally recognize her."

"But you still lied to her, causing her to suffer in this palace for more than twenty years."

"This is her fate. After all, she cannot hinder my ascension to the throne. Otherwise, she will be a worthless person in my father's eyes."

Hearing Prince Qing say this, Concubine Yun showed a satisfied smile on her face. Xiao Zuoqing noticed her expression and asked with his head tilted.

"So Xiao Zuochen is the insignificant person in Concubine Yun's heart?"

As soon as Xiao Zuochen was mentioned, Concubine Yun's face instantly turned ugly again. Xiao Zuoqing didn't know what kind of grudges there were between them that made Concubine Yun not care about even her own son.

"Don't talk nonsense! It's just that Chen'er doesn't like the boring life in the palace."

Concubine Yun didn't want to mention anything about Xiao Zuochen anymore and waved her hand.

"I'm tired, you go first."

Xiao Zuoqing raised his eyebrows. Concubine Yun called him here, saying that she had something to ask him, but he just mentioned Xiao Zuochen a few times and Concubine Yun wanted to send him away. This... forget it.

"Okay, then I'll leave first."

When they were about to reach the door, Xiao Zuoqing turned around and said to Concubine Yun.

"I heard that the imperial physician came to check father's pulse yesterday and said that there was nothing wrong with his body, but his consciousness was confused. Do you think that father's body can survive this year?"

Although it was a question, Xiao Zuoqing pulled the corner of his mouth to reveal a sly smile and left. Concubine Yun was left staring at the direction he left with her teeth clenched.

Who gave him the courage? A useless prince with no power dared to challenge her!

Concubine Yun couldn't understand. Just because she was a little more friendly to him, did he think he was easy to control? What a joke. Did he really think that she was just a woman who knew martial arts?

But in fact, the reason why Xiao Zuoqing was not afraid of Concubine Yun was not because he knew nothing.

He didn't know why Emperor Mingren opened the altar.

He didn't know why Emperor Mingren suddenly became aware of Chaos but the imperial physician couldn't find any problems.

He didn't know why Concubine Yun hated Xiao Zuochen and even refused to let him return to Tai'an City.

He didn't know why Concubine Yun could tolerate the Queen but not the Third Prince.

But he knew that Concubine Yun's subordinates were all Xiao Zuochen's former guards, and that guard had been with Xiao Zuochen for nearly ten years. Even if he was Concubine Yun's man before, he had developed feelings for Xiao Zuochen over the years. If Concubine Yun really wanted to kill all of them, he would bring Xiao Zuochen back. Although he had not contacted Xiao Zuochen, he knew where he was. But he did not want to contact Xiao Zuochen unless it was absolutely necessary.