Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

"Your Majesty, you actually brought Miss Zhang here. Could it be that you intend for her to stay here permanently?"

He had originally thought, "His Majesty would return to the Forbidden City with Miss Zhang in triumph." He had never expected the reality to be quite different.

He was stunned and opened his lips slightly, but he didn't dare to ask more questions. He just called softly, "Your Majesty."

Murong Shuo's gaze shifted from the woman he was talking to to him, as if asking what she meant.

At this moment, Eunuch An mustered up a bit of courage, but still couldn't hide his uneasiness: "Your Majesty, regarding Miss Zhang...are you going to let her stay here?"

He glanced at Zhang Tianai cautiously, his voice shrill and low, as if he was asking for her.

Zhang Tianai's heart was also in turmoil, and he was speculating secretly.

Although she did not expect to enter the palace immediately, His Majesty's previous actions did make her fantasize.

Now, she was even more reluctant to step into the palace during this turmoil.

Chunmei heard this and felt relieved. She was glad that the emperor did not take Miss Zhang away immediately, but she was worried about Zhang Tianai's mood.

She looked solemn, fearing that Zhang Tianai would feel disappointed because she could not enter the palace immediately.

Zhang Tianai caught Chunmei's unique worry and smiled faintly to comfort her.

Then she turned to Murong Shuo and found that he was still staring at her, silent.

She decided to take the initiative to break the delicate atmosphere: "I will go in immediately."

After saying that, she gently pulled Chunmei up and was about to walk into the inner room.

However, just as she was about to take a step, a force gently pulled her wrist.

She turned around and saw Murong Shuo walking up to her and holding her hand again.

"Your Majesty?" She was puzzled. Hadn't he allowed her in just now? Why did he suddenly change his mind?

Murong Shuo's voice was low and firm: "I need to return to the palace now." The implication seemed that there were still some unfinished matters that needed to be discussed or arranged with her.

Zhang Tianai heard this, but did not say anything more, just followed his steps obediently.

"I have urgent business to attend to, and I know it as well as I do. Therefore, I must leave immediately. But please rest assured, I will return to visit you as soon as I am done with this matter."

"You must rest and recuperate. Do not act rashly until your injuries are healed. This place is quiet and undisturbed, perfect for recuperation."

Murong Shuo stared at her, his eyes passing over her slightly messy clothes, but he couldn't help but be attracted by her figure - the straight chest line and slender waist were even more graceful under the swaying firelight, which had never been so clear in the previous dimness.

He pursed his thin lips, with the thought of asking her to tidy up her clothes, but also a tender feeling of wanting to cover up for her.

Zhang Tianai nodded meekly in agreement: "Yes, Your Majesty." She was as obedient as ever and did what he said.

Seeing her like this, Murong Shuo naturally straightened her clothes. His fingers trembled slightly, but he finally restrained his inner impulse and took out a cloak and gently draped it over her shoulders.

Zhang Tianai looked up at him, her eyes full of understanding.

Upon seeing this, Eunuch An and the others no longer tried to understand the deeper meaning of His Majesty's actions. They only obeyed His Majesty's will, secretly speculating in their hearts without saying anything.

Murong Shuo glanced at Zhang Tianai and Chunmei, and Chunmei also glanced at him. Then he quietly retreated to the side with his guards, turned around and left, giving the two of them some space.

Chunmei and Zhang Tianai exchanged glances, both understanding each other.

Murong Shuo secretly praised their tact, while Zhang Tianai couldn't help but ask, "Who owns this quiet house?"

She speculated that this might have been placed privately by the emperor, but she didn't know its specific origin or when it was built.

This house is not far from Weiyuan Marquis Mansion, hidden deep in the alley. It is quiet and seldom visited by people.

"Mine." Murong Shuo answered briefly, not wanting to say more.

Zhang Tianai's eyes flashed with complex emotions when she heard this, and then she earnestly and caringly warned: "Your Majesty, please be careful on your journey. No matter what happens, I will wait here for good news. I hope everything is well."

Murong Shuo finally couldn't hide his tenderness and reached out to touch the back of her hand. Zhang Tianai's heart trembled, and Chunmei watched silently from the side.

Then, Murong Shuo turned to Eunuch An and quickly made arrangements: "Leave the guards and the imperial physician behind, and send more people to guard this place."

After saying this, he looked at Zhang Tianai deeply again, then turned and left.

Eunuch An agreed without even glancing back, then summoned the guards and selected a few to stay behind to guard.

"I have my own arrangements." Murong Shuo turned to Zhang Tianai and spoke gently.

Zhang Tianai knew that the mansion might be deserted, so she smiled gently: "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. I have Chunmei, which is enough for me."

Chunmei nodded, secretly delighted in her heart. It was a blessing to have someone to accompany and serve her.

"This book is prepared for you." Murong Shuo changed the subject and added.

Zhang Tianai and Chunmei both understood what he meant and smiled at each other.

Eunuch An also agreed: "Your Majesty is wise and has long had this intention to recruit more staff for Miss Zhang."

Murong Shuo glanced at Eunuch An, feeling slightly annoyed at him for talking too much and seeming to be taking credit for it, but he did not blame him.

Zhang Tianai raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and couldn't help laughing, but he didn't laugh out loud.

Seeing this, Eunuch An tactfully shut his mouth.

Murong Shuo patted Zhang Tianai's shoulder, motioning her to go in, and he was about to leave.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell." Zhang Tianai's eyes moved, and she took light steps and stood side by side with Chunmei.

"No need, you settle down first." Murong Shuo insisted on letting her go first, and he would not feel at ease until he saw her enter with his own eyes.

Zhang Tianai wanted to say something but stopped herself. Looking at his back, she knew that he had important matters to attend to, so she stopped trying to keep him.

Eunuch An said goodbye softly, "Miss Zhang, we'll meet again."

Zhang Tianai responded gently and walked into the house. Looking back, she saw Murong Shuo had already mounted his horse, followed closely by Eunuch An. The group walked farther and farther away until they disappeared from sight.

The tranquility inside the house is in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle outside.

It was already late at night, and before Zhang Tianai could appreciate the scenery carefully, he was led to the main room in the back house.

The interior is spacious and luxurious, a stark contrast to the simple residence of the past.

Zhang Tianai stroked the chair gently, feeling deeply moved. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed such luxury, but he did not feel the slightest bit of rejection in his heart. After all, who doesn't yearn for comfort and ease?

Chunmei looked around and was also satisfied: "Miss, this place is very nice."

"Let's just settle down for the time being." Zhang Tianai sighed softly. From the temple to the capital, although he had not entered the palace, he had taken a step forward.

Chunmei responded, "Yes, now that the emperor has left, we can stay here with peace of mind."

"I am still worried in my heart, afraid that Your Majesty will take you into the palace. What kind of disaster will that bring?" Chunmei opened her red lips slightly, her words full of caution.

"You are worried about this? Isn't it an honor to enter the palace?" Zhang Tianai asked back, with a hint of confusion in her tone.

Chunmei hesitated to speak, but finally mustered up the courage to say, "It's because everyone knows your name, and I'm afraid it will cause trouble."

"Then just say it's not me, what's the difficulty?" Zhang Tianai smiled indifferently and responded again.

Afterwards, she instructed Chunmei to prepare water and get ready for rest. At the same time, she did not forget to mention the need to pray for the capital. Although she knew that it was difficult for her own strength to reverse the damage caused by the natural disaster, the self-blame in her heart surged like a tide.

Chunmei mistakenly thought that Zhang Tianai still wanted to pray for the Queen Mother, and reminded her: "This is not a Buddhist holy place, and there are no Buddha statues to worship, and..."

"The capital has suffered such a disaster, and I feel uneasy. Praying is just to seek peace of mind." Zhang Tianai explained softly, his eyes full of worry.

Chunmei suddenly realized that the girl was concerned about the people in the capital and had compassion for them.

"I wonder if the mansion was also affected by the earthquake?" Zhang Tianai frowned and asked again.

Chunmei comforted him, "Don't worry, young lady. You will know the details tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianai nodded silently and said nothing more.

After Murong Shuo left with Eunuch An, he did not rush back to the palace. Instead, he first inspected the capital. Seeing that the city guards had been dispatched to maintain order, he returned to the palace with peace of mind.

As I stepped into the palace, the scene inside was not as chaotic as I had expected, but the bright lights reflected an unusual tension.

Murong Shuo immediately ordered Eunuch An to dispatch personnel to investigate the situation, while he himself headed in a specific direction. Eunuch An hurriedly called for his attendants to follow closely behind him.

Soon, the news came, and Murong Shuo quickly grasped the latest developments in the palace and the capital, and secretly planned a response strategy in his mind.