After I traveled through the book, I fought back in the Hou Mansion

Chapter 491

Emperor Yuanzhen saw the Sixth Prince's performance and a hint of disappointment flashed through his mind, but that was all.

He knew in his heart that he owed the Sixth Prince a great deal. Not only had his mother died young, but he also had no maternal family to rely on, making him the most vulnerable to bullying in the harem.

If he had not deliberately distanced himself from the Sixth Prince over the years to protect him from disaster, and secretly instructed people to make proper arrangements and take good care of him, the child might not have been able to grow up safely in this cannibalistic palace.

It’s just that I couldn’t explain this painstaking effort before, but now that I think about it, there’s no need to say it out loud anymore.

Luo Shuiyao had no idea what Emperor Yuanzhen was thinking, so she simply replied respectfully, "It was I who lost my composure just now. I hope Your Highness the Sixth Prince will forgive me."

When the Sixth Prince heard her words, he remembered that his father had clearly overheard his angry words, and for a moment he feared that Emperor Yuanzhen would be furious. He ignored his fear and quickly defended himself, "I was only joking just now, and I didn't blame Miss Luo."

How could Emperor Yuanzhen not see his concerns? He smiled heartily, and the hint of disappointment that had just faded quietly. The child was timid and cowardly, and it wasn't his fault. After all, he was still young. Now that he looked kind and benevolent, he could be a good ruler who would maintain the status quo.

Moreover, he had left Luo Shuiyao here and secretly sent someone to lure the Sixth Prince here, intending to let the two of them spend more time together. Although he had already made plans in his mind, if the two of them had really incompatible personalities, it would be easy for them to have dirty dealings in the future, so he still had to be a little concerned.

Now it seems that the Sixth Prince is quite happy with Miss Luo, so he feels relieved.

"Forget it, I am not a stingy person, how could I blame you."

Emperor Yuanzhen then said, "I have something to discuss with Miss Luo. My son, you should go back first."

The Sixth Prince was slightly startled, and then he realized who Luo Shuiyao had been talking about as "the one waiting for". Thinking of what he had just said, his little face suddenly turned red.

Emperor Yuanzhen did not look at him again, but strode forward and motioned Luo Shuiyao to follow.

The Sixth Prince looked at Emperor Yuanzhen's departing back, pursed his lips, a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes, and then he turned and left.

When she was brought into Fengzhao Palace earlier, Luo Shuiyao hadn't been able to look around much because there was no one to greet her. Now, she was led all the way to the inner hall. She scanned the furnishings inside, the screens, the vases, each one clearly of exceptional quality. Although the palace had been uninhabited for a long time, it was spotlessly clean, clearly maintained daily.

Luo Shuiyao quietly glanced at Emperor Yuanzhen's back, thinking to herself: No wonder, after the previous empress passed away, even though Emperor Yuanzhen favored her as a concubine, he never appointed another empress. I didn't expect this emperor to be such a romantic. But then she thought, even if he showed his affection, didn't he still have three harems and six courtyards?

But no matter how she felt in her heart, she did not show it on her face.

When she saw Emperor Yuanzhen come forward and take a seat, and saw that he did not tell her where to sit, Luo Shuiyao had no choice but to stand obediently in the hall, with her eyes lowered and her posture respectful.

The hall was silent for a moment. The man at the top looked at her quietly. Although he was not strong, his presence was very strong.

Luo Shuiyao couldn't guess why Emperor Yuanzhen was looking for her, and her fingers hidden in her sleeves gradually clenched the fabric of her clothes.

After a long silence, Emperor Yuanzhen suddenly chuckled and slowly asked, "How old is Miss Luo this year?"

Luo Shuiyao was stunned for a moment, unable to react for a moment, and then she replied woodenly: "Your Majesty, I just turned fifteen."

After hearing this, Emperor Yuanzhen simply replied, "Well, that's just right."

Luo Shuiyao didn't understand what he meant by "just right", and seeing that he was still talking, she just stood there quietly, waiting for what to say next.

Sure enough, after a brief pause, Emperor Yuanzhen spoke again, his voice calm yet carrying an unmistakable weight: "Ever since the late Empress passed away, the position of Empress in the Great Zhou Dynasty has been vacant. Miss Luo, who do you think is worthy of the position of successor?"

"This..." Luo Shuiyao could not hide her surprise and forgot to conceal her expression. She looked up at Emperor Yuanzhen in confusion.

She quickly pondered: What does His Majesty mean by this? Could it be that the succession to the throne still requires her to recommend him? As soon as the thought occurred to her, she secretly shook her head and denied it - absolutely impossible.

Considering the recent situation in the capital: the eldest prince and the third prince have lost their qualifications for the throne, the second prince was born with a disease, and even if Emperor Yuanzhen was interested, the ministers would never agree; no one has ever mentioned the fifth princess, and the remaining four princesses have been weak since birth and have been in seclusion all year round. Only the sixth prince... But this prince today clearly still has the childishness of a teenager, how can he be capable of such a heavy responsibility?

Luo Shuiyao's heart was beating like a drum as her thoughts raced through her. A bold thought struck her mind - could it be that His Majesty was planning to make her the successor?

"No, it's impossible." She subconsciously denied it in her heart.

Even though Emperor Yuanzhen was already old, the title of "Mother of a Nation" was still a prestigious title, and after a hundred years, she would be firmly established as the Empress Dowager. With such an honor, if word got out, countless noble families would be willing to send their daughters to the palace. Why did they choose a helpless orphan like her?

Emperor Yuanzhen seemed to see what she was thinking, and said quietly, "What I mean is just as you think."

These words were like thunder exploding in Luo Shuiyao's ears, making her dizzy and tinnitus-filled, and she uncontrollably took a step back.

But being disrespectful in front of the palace was a serious crime, so he forced himself to steady himself and stand still, his mind racing as he tried to find a way to deal with the situation.

Emperor Yuanzhen seemed to have no intention of keeping her in suspense. He leaned back lazily, his expression unable to hide his fatigue.

Seeing this, Eunuch Su quickly pulled out a cushion to place behind him. He then spoke again, his tone calm and composed, "Perhaps you're wondering why I chose you. But in my opinion, you're the most suitable candidate."

The more nervous Luo Shuiyao became, the calmer she became. After the shock, she quickly calmed down, though the shock was too much, and a thin layer of sweat had already broken out on her back. Her gaze swept across Emperor Yuanzhen's slightly exhausted expression, and she calmed herself down before softly replying, "Could it be because of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion?"

She was an orphan, and if there was anything that could attract the attention of the emperor, it was only her identity as the goddaughter of the Right Prime Minister. Apart from that, she really couldn't understand why she had the honor to be chosen by His Majesty to be the successor to the throne.

Emperor Yuanzhen nodded with a smile, then shook his head gently. Facing Luo Shuiyao's puzzled gaze, he slowly said, "It's because of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, but it's not just the Right Prime Minister's Mansion."

Before Luo Shuiyao could ask further, he continued, "I've met you several times, and although you've acted extremely respectful, there's none of the fear in your eyes that most people have when they see me. You appear submissive, but in reality you have your own opinions, and such courage is rare. The fact that you've thrived in business in the capital despite being an orphan proves that you're both brave and resourceful."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious. "Besides, besides the loyalty and bravery of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, the Marquis' Mansion is your natural ally. I'm sure you can see that my time is running out. I have few children, and now the only one who can inherit the throne is the Sixth Prince."

Although she could see Emperor Yuanzhen's honesty, this straightforwardness still made Luo Shuiyao's heart, which had just calmed down, jump again.

She calmed herself down and replied softly, "Your Majesty is the Supreme Lord, and you are blessed by heaven. Good things will happen to you..."

"I know my body best. Miss Luo, there is no need to say these comforting words." Emperor Yuanzhen interrupted Luo Shuiyao's polite words. His tone was flat, but it revealed a clarity that brooked no room for questioning.