Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

At this moment, five of the ten fingers on her hands were wrapped in white cloth, which made her look particularly eye-catching.

"Your Majesty." Zhang Tianai whispered softly, holding the unfinished purse tightly in her hand, wanting to hide it but also revealing it, and lowered her head shyly.

"What do you mean? Why is your hand in such a state?" Murong Shuo's voice was a little anxious. He grabbed her wrist without saying anything. His eyes were filled with the bandages wrapped around her.

Zhang Tianai wanted to say something but stopped herself. There seemed to be thousands of words between her lips and teeth, but they turned into silent sighs.

Seeing this, Murong Shuo simply removed the layers of cover himself, only to see that the fingertips were red and swollen and covered with scars. His heart suddenly tightened and his feelings of pain were beyond words.

"Why are you doing this?" His words were filled with blame, but more of a puzzlement. "Why would you hurt yourself like this just for a mere wallet?"

Zhang Tianai lowered her eyes again, her voice as soft as a mosquito: "I just wanted to personally embroider a purse for Your Majesty as a token of my appreciation."

"Why do I need you to sacrifice so much?" Murong Shuo's tone was a little more stern, but more distressed. "Look up and look at me!"

Zhang Tianai slowly raised her head, but she didn't dare to look him in the eye, and just gently lowered her eyes to the ground.

"Do I really need this stitch of your needle and thread?" he asked, with complex emotions flashing in his eyes.

Zhang Tianai felt a warm feeling in her heart, but also a little aggrieved. She wanted to explain, but she saw that he had already gently held the injured finger to his lips and gently soothed it.

"Does it still hurt? Is this better?" His words were like a gentle spring breeze, making Zhang Tianai's cheeks blush instantly. She wanted to pull her hand back, but she was greedy for this rare warmth.

"No, it doesn't hurt anymore." She responded softly, tears glistening in her eyes, but also with a smile.

Murong Shuo released her hand and carefully examined the red and swollen fingertips, frowning: "You still need to apply medicine. Last time, the palm of your hand was injured, and this time it's your fingers. How could you be so careless?"

After saying this, he seemed to be about to call someone over, but Zhang Tianai quickly stopped him, hiding her hands behind her back and forcing a smile, "It's really okay, it will be fine in a few days. But does Your Majesty like this purse?"

Murong Shuo's eyes were once again drawn to the purse. The ink bamboo was vigorous and the background was calm. Although the embroidery was not top-notch, it was full of affection. He nodded gently: "Yes, I accept it."

At this moment, the dispute in the hall turned into silent warmth, and the two hearts inadvertently came closer.

When did she quietly weave this purse?

"Your Majesty, I haven't used needlework for a long time. I'm afraid that my skills are not so good now that I suddenly picked it up. I hope Your Majesty won't dislike me." There was a subtle hint of inferiority and self-denial in Zhang Tianai's words.

In fact, she had never intended to embroider the purse in a complicated and gorgeous way.

How can half a day be enough to create a masterpiece? Wouldn't it be better to keep it simple, with a few bamboos, to create a pure and elegant work?

Seeing that he didn't look unhappy, she felt relieved, but added: "If the emperor is not satisfied with this purse, you can do whatever you want with it."

"Treat it as you please? How do you know what I feel? Just based on your kindness, I will wear it." After Murong Shuo finished speaking, he gently put the purse into his arms.

Zhang Tianai felt relieved upon hearing this, and lowered her eyes, "Your Majesty, I am gradually recovering. Could I cook for you again or pray for you in front of the Buddha?"

"You—" Murong Shuo wanted to laugh, but his expression changed slightly because of her subsequent words. He suddenly pulled her close and looked directly into her eyes. "What on earth are you planning?"

"What am I planning?" Zhang Tianai was startled by his pull, and when she met his serious eyes, she couldn't help but become serious too.

"Just say what you think." Murong Shuo urged again.

Zhang Tianai shook her head gently, her voice as thin as a thread: "Your Majesty, I don't think too much about it."

Upon hearing this, Murong Shuo loosened his grip and instead pressed her shoulders: "Don't mention what happened that day again!"

Zhang Tianai's eyes were slightly red as she bravely met his gaze. "Your Majesty, this trip is just a short one to pray for blessings. You will eventually return to the Forbidden City. The Empress and the Imperial Concubine are both virtuous people. They are a match made in heaven for Your Majesty. I am just an insignificant person. What can I do?"

The implication is helplessness and self-pity about the future.

"Are you jealous?" Murong Shuo directly tore through the gauze.

Zhang Tianai quickly denied it, shaking her head like a rattle: "I dare not!"

"In that case, there's no need to say more!" Murong Shuo's tone revealed a hint of displeasure.

"I only wish that everything remains the same as before, and the past will be blown away by the wind. I am willing to continue to cook soup for the emperor and serve him wholeheartedly, and atone for my own sins at the same time. The emperor, too, should forget the past, okay?" Zhang Tianai's words were full of prayers and pleadings.

"My time with the Emperor felt profoundly fulfilled, and my heart was filled with an indescribable satisfaction."

Zhang Tianai's face was filled with a complex emotion of satisfaction and humility, and her voice was soft and submissive.

"Satisfied? You actually hope that time can go back and return to the past?" Murong Shuo's voice revealed uncontrollable anger. He couldn't believe that this woman still had such unrealistic fantasies.

"Your thoughts are as disorganized as weeds!" he scolded. Why did she always mention the irreversible past?

"Go back to the past? That's nothing but a mirage, something neither you nor I can touch." There was a hint of helplessness and determination in Murong Shuo's words.

Zhang Tianai hesitated to speak, her eyes reddened. Just as she was about to speak, Murong Shuo interrupted her coldly: "Stop talking about things that can't be achieved!"

"Our paths are destined not to run parallel for long." Zhang Tianai sighed softly, his words revealing a bit of helplessness and determination.

"Do you still want to follow me into the palace?" Murong Shuo's eyes suddenly became sharp and stared at her closely.

"Your Majesty, how dare I have such improper thoughts? I absolutely dare not do that." Zhang Tianai hurriedly denied, with a hint of panic and uneasiness in her tone.

"No need to say more." Murong Shuo interrupted her, his tone revealing an unquestionable majesty. "You and I both know it very well. How can I bring you back to the palace? Under what pretext? In what capacity?"

Zhang Tianai lowered her head, her voice choked with sobs: "I know my limits and have never had any inappropriate thoughts."

Seeing this, Murong Shuo wanted to say something but stopped himself. Finally, he waved his hand, turned around and left, leaving Zhang Tianai alone to face the loneliness in the room.

She slowly wiped away her tears, suppressed her grief, and walked out of the room.

Eunuch An and Chunmei were waiting outside, their faces full of concern.

She forced a smile, reassuring them that she was fine, and then sent Chunmei away.

Back in the room, Zhang Tianai forced herself to remain calm and told Chunmei, "Pack up and move back to the backyard."

She wiped away the tears from her eyes again, trying to look stronger.

Chunmei looked puzzled. "Miss, did you and the Emperor... have an argument? I could tell His Majesty was in a bad mood when he left, and your eyes were red."

"It's just some trivial matters. There's no harm in arguing about it." Zhang Tianai responded lightly.

"But that's the emperor..." Chunmei was still puzzled and asked, "Also, why did the girl move back to the back yard?"

"Silly girl, this is not a place to stay for long. Now that I'm fine, I should return to my position. Besides, if we give each other some space, perhaps the emperor will be able to think more clearly about our relationship." Zhang Tianai explained.

After hearing this, Chunmei still had some doubts, but she also felt that what the girl said made sense, so she stopped asking questions and began to prepare for the move.

Zhang Tianai's lips curled up into a sly smile: "Let him do whatever he wants. I ask for a lot, and I have already revealed my true feelings. Only in this way can I get what I want."

Chunmei was secretly surprised when she heard this, but she didn't show it at all. But now the young lady knew everything.

Zhang Tianai took Chunmei's hand and sorted out the trivial matters in the house together. Then he hurried out, leaving behind an unfinished conversation and returned.

As she stepped into the courtyard, several glances met in surprise, as if they were surprised by her return.

She chuckled. This was her home, so why should she be surprised that she returned?

His eyes glanced at Chunmei, who understood and quickly explained, "The young lady is in good health and will return home naturally. The emperor is here too."

Zhang Tianai responded with a smile, praising Chunmei's cleverness.

Upon seeing this, everyone in the courtyard changed their tone and greeted the former Crown Princess in a lukewarm tone, with a hidden meaning in their words.

Zhang Tianai ignored him and walked into her own boudoir. She and Chunmei looked around carefully. After meeting each other after a long time, they couldn't help but feel nostalgic.

She guessed that the people in the courtyard must have gone to inform Liu Ma and others.

Deciding to rest for a while, she ordered Chunmei to wait outside and ignore anyone who came to visit, especially Aunt Liu and her group, for fear that they would cause trouble again.

Chunmei nodded in agreement and retreated out the door.

When Nanny Liu and others learned that the former Crown Princess Zhang had returned, they wanted to meet her, but were turned away on the grounds that she was resting.

They were filled with resentment and hurled insults, "What a big air!"

At the same time, Murong Shuo left the temple in a rage and rode away on his horse. When his anger subsided a little, he returned, only to find out that the woman had returned to the backyard with someone.

He cursed in his heart, just go back, but it made him even more annoyed, so he simply stopped asking.

Eunuch An was standing by, and although he didn't know what the specific dispute between the Emperor and Miss Zhang was about, he could feel the unpleasant atmosphere between the two.

He thought to himself that if he could resolve this issue and make His Majesty smile, it would be a good thing.

So he followed His Majesty's footsteps and went to pray in front of the Buddha statue.

As the sun was setting, Murong Shuo stared out the window, wanting to find the woman but stopping himself.

As night falls quietly, gazing at the Buddha statue seems to be the only companion.

Eunuch An watched the sky darken and thought to himself, His Majesty has neither eaten nor set foot anywhere else, and this silence has an unusual atmosphere.

Until late at night, when it was time to rest, His Majesty still had no intention of going to bed. This persistence was puzzling.

Could it be that Your Majesty has decided to stop walking on the moon to look for beauties tonight and instead visit the gentle and lovely Miss Zhang?

This sudden change quietly broke the previous routine and made people imagine a lot.