It's over! After eloping, I was caught by my cold husband and taken back to his room

Someone waited until the carriage had passed, then approached a passing colleague and whispered, "Why does it seem to me...that attendant just now looks a bit like the Seventh Prince?"

"Really? I didn't look closely, but you saw it right, didn't you?"

"I didn't see it clearly, but it looks a bit like it."

"Don't tell me... these days, potatoes and sweet potatoes have been collected in large quantities, and Concubine Cen has been reinstated and moved into the palace. Maybe the Seventh Prince will really come back."

"Isn't it? They said the things were handed over by the Fifth Prince, but the Fifth Prince didn't have much to reward, so he asked for mercy from Concubine Cen..."

"Initially, the Seventh Prince was merely demoted. Recently, I heard that the Imperial Guards and the Supreme Court Justices are investigating a secret palace scandal. Perhaps... they're trying to overturn the Seventh Prince's case."

"Oh, that's true."

"I think this palace is going to be in chaos."

"The eldest prince has also been investigated. He has always been at odds with the seventh and fifth princes... Tsk... maybe the seventh prince has really returned."

"Let's not talk too much. We're not in a position to get involved in this mess."

"That's what I said, but if the Seventh Prince really has returned, we still have to make a choice and take sides."

"I still think the eldest and second princes are more reliable. They were born into different families and have always been with the palace. Even if the seventh prince returns, it will still be different."

"I don't agree. If the Seventh Prince can come back from this situation and has made some achievements, who knows?"

"That's right...birth is the least important thing in the palace."

"Really? The only thing that matters is who wins. Who cares about birth?"

"We haven't thought about it that much... Let's see what the adults above us think. Let's not express our opinions yet."

"Yes, yes, yes. Let's go. There's a teahouse in the east of the city where the Prime Minister often goes. Let's go have a cup of tea and breakfast and have a good chat."

"Okay, let's go. Maybe we can run into the Prime Minister..."

The voices of the officials were getting farther and farther away, and Lu Huaiyang's carriage was getting closer and closer to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

As he walked along and looked at the familiar red walls and tiles, Lu Huaiyang felt surprisingly calm.

When he left, he knew that he would come back sooner or later.

He also knew that when he came back, things would be different.

After seven years, I came back again and looked at the imperial palace which had not changed much but was still majestic and solemn. I felt surprisingly calm.

He prepared himself well.

But the greatest confidence in his heart was actually given to him by Ye Nanyue.

When had he ever thought of such a possibility?

I had no choice but to marry her, and I was willing to do so after she saved my life.

But now, he would never have thought that his greatest confidence came from that woman.

When the carriage was about to reach the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, it slowed down.

When the carriage stopped at the gate of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, Lu Huaiyang was the first to get off.

After getting off the carriage, he said to the eunuch who was leading the way, "Please take the people to unload all the things. I will go to see the emperor first."

Seeing Lu Huaiyang being so polite, the eunuch was somewhat flattered: "I will take His Highness in first, and then unload the things."

This carriage cannot enter the Hall of Mental Cultivation and can only be parked in front of the shop in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Lu Huaiyang nodded. The door was heavily guarded by guards. After the eunuch gave him the token, Lu Huaiyang went in with them.

At the entrance of the inner hall, Eunuch Su and two young eunuchs were standing waiting.

Seeing Lu Huaiyang coming, he hurriedly took three or two steps forward in surprise and excitement and greeted him: "Your Highness is here, His Majesty is waiting inside."

Lu Huaiyang walked towards the inner hall door.

By this time the sky was completely bright and the sun was out.

The sun shone on Lu Huaiyang, who was wearing only an extremely simple cotton gown.

But he stood straight, with a calm posture, and walked forward steadily.

Eunuch Su was in a trance for a moment, as if he saw the high-spirited Seventh Prince from a few years ago coming back again.

Eunuch Su immediately collected his thoughts and put on a flattering smile: "Your Highness, please."

When Eunuch Su came over, Lu Huaiyang glanced at Eunuch Su's hands and took out two handkerchief-wrapped vanishing creams from his sleeves: "My wife specifically asked me to give these to Eunuch Su."

Eunuch Su recognized the shape immediately and took it with surprise: "Princess, you are so thoughtful and still think of me. I don't deserve it."

That’s what I said, but the thing is already in my hands.

You know, even if Eunuch Su had money, he couldn't buy such a good thing.

During this period, my hands have gotten much better, and all the eunuchs below are envious.

When serving the emperor, there is no need to be so cautious, and people feel much more relaxed.

Seeing Eunuch Su like this, Lu Huaiyang couldn't help but chuckle, nodded, and said, "It's okay, take it, she gave it to you sincerely."

"Then the slave will be disrespectful."

Eunuch Su took it and led Lu Huaiyang into the house.

Inside the room, the emperor sat there waiting.

Next to her, Concubine Cen was also half-sitting on a small round stool waiting, glancing outside uneasily from time to time.

Seeing her like this, the emperor couldn't help but laugh and said soothingly: "Don't worry, if there is any noise outside, people will come."

The smile between Concubine Cen's eyebrows and eyes was full of indescribable tenderness. She smiled and nodded to the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for laughing. I am a little anxious."

The emperor nodded and sighed: "Come to think of it, Huaiyang hasn't returned to the palace for seven years."

At this point, Concubine Cen was stunned for a moment, her eyes turned red, she lowered her eyes, and tears fell.

Her tearful eyes looked quite pitiful and heartbreaking.

Concubine Cen still has her charm, but she is a little older.

Working in the laundry room these years has made me look quite haggard.

Although the beauty is old, her foundation is still there.

Just looking at it like this, one can't help but feel pity.

The emperor felt a little distressed and could not help but sigh. He said to Concubine Cen, "Concubine Cen, don't be sad. I am sorry for you and your son. I didn't protect you well..."

Look at the wound on Concubine Cen's hand, her fatigue and old age, which cannot be concealed by today's gorgeous clothes.

The emperor couldn't help but think of how this woman had worked hard to serve him when she was a hostage with him in the enemy country.

To make his life easier, I took on a lot of laundry, stayed up late at night, and took on embroidery to earn more money...

But over the years, he protected them in name only and stayed away from her, fearing that she would be bullied even more.

But even with his negligence, he still failed to protect her.

The emperor suddenly felt a little regretful.

He is the emperor. If he wants to protect her... why would she suffer?

After all, it was just because those people fabricated rumors that he had a grudge in his heart and doubted Concubine Cen's chastity.

Now that I think about it, I really deserve to die.

How could such a smart son not be his offspring? How could he not be his child?

Concubine Cen lowered her head and wiped away her tears, knowing that she only needed to gain sympathy and could not let the emperor truly admit his mistake.