Seizing the throne, abolishing the adopted son, the imperial concubine rose to prominence

"The Empress Dowager said that according to Young Eunuch Qin's words, it would be beneficial for the Queen Dowager's health if Zheng'er stayed with her more often."

Gu Youning seemed unaware of the emperor's displeasure. He sat down beside the emperor and spoke slowly.

That's what he said again! As if the Queen Mother's illness was inextricably linked to Zheng'er.

The emperor had heard a lot of such words in the court and the harem in the past few days, and his brows unconsciously became cold.

"But what did I say wrong?"

Gu Youning sensed the emperor's cold and stern aura, and a look of confusion and uneasiness unconsciously appeared on his face.

"Father..."

Xiao Yunzheng also looked up in the emperor's arms and called out cautiously.

"It's alright. I'll accompany you to the front hall after breakfast."

"I obey the emperor."

Gu Youning lowered his eyes and responded softly, but his heart was cold.

The emperor indeed still took the queen's reputation into consideration.

With Cao Zhong busying around making arrangements, the imperial meal was delivered to Jing'an Residence in less than a quarter of an hour.

Xiao Yunzheng gave his father face by drinking a bowl of steamed yogurt with sugar and eating two crystal shrimp dumplings. It certainly couldn't be compared with his usual appetite, but the emperor still felt a sense of accomplishment after feeding him, and felt that his son was close to him.

Gu Youning, on the other hand, only ate half of a bowl of silverfish porridge, which went from boiling hot to slightly cold.

"Look at you, you're not even as good as Zheng'er at eating."

The emperor signaled Cao Zhong to serve a bowl of Tremella and lotus seed soup and place it in front of Gu Youning.

"I have no appetite."

Gu Youning did not give face to the emperor like his son did. He looked at the still warm Tremella and lotus seed soup in front of him with lack of interest.

The emperor subconsciously frowned, but when he saw the dark circles under the woman's eyes and her haggard features, and the guilt in his heart, he turned around and said softly to his son beside him, "Zheng'er, go play in the inner room first. Father and mother have something to say."

"Then please hurry up, Father and Mother. Zheng'er also wants to talk to you."

"You can only tell this to Father."

Xiao Yunzheng tiptoed and whispered something in his father's ear, then reluctantly followed Xian Yin in, looking back every few steps.

After his son left, the emperor glanced at Cao Zhong again.

Cao Zhong understood and left with the palace servants in the room.

When only two people were left in the outer room, the emperor reached out and picked up the bowl of Tremella and Lotus Seed Soup, scooped a spoonful and brought it to Gu Youning's mouth. He coughed lightly and lowered his voice even more: "I heard that Ning'er hasn't had a proper meal since yesterday. How can this be allowed?"

Gu Youning still didn't turn his head, but stared blankly at the cold silverfish porridge in front of him.

She hadn't done her makeup yet today. Her dark black hair was gently tied up with a jade hairpin. Her snow-white and translucent skin without any makeup made the dark circles under her eyes even more eye-catching. She exuded a depressed and desolate aura.

To be honest, if it were a normal day, the emperor might not have such patience even if he valued Gu Youning. But today he already felt guilty, and the lively and beautiful woman in front of him looked so haggard, even a heart of stone would soften.

"what happened?"

The emperor put down the bowl and took Gu Youning's hand.

Gu Youning then raised his head, and his pair of red eyes scared the emperor.

"But who wronged you?"

The emperor's face suddenly darkened. He even thought that since he had not sent the person here in person this time, those palace servants were fawning on the powerful and bullying the mother and son.

After all, the rumors in this palace are really spreading.

"No, I just feel very uncomfortable."

Gu Youning quickly lowered his eyes and even turned away to prevent the emperor from seeing his red eyes.

The mother and son were both equally attuned to the fact that they were trying to hide something, and the emperor's tone unconsciously took on the coaxing tone he had used on his son just now: "Ning'er, if you feel uncomfortable, you can't tell others, but you can tell me."

Seeing that Gu Youning still didn't turn around, the emperor exerted a little force on his hands and pulled him onto his lap.

"Is it for Zheng'er?"

Gu Youning raised her red eyes and looked at the emperor, then turned around and hugged the emperor: "I feel sorry for Zheng'er. He has lost his appetite and sleep since he came to Ci'an Palace, but I dare not tell others."

The person in his arms was trembling, and his whole body showed fragility and helplessness. The emperor's heart was filled with pain.

"I……"

The emperor was speechless for a moment.

The people in the palace were talking about Ning'er and her son. No matter how much he felt pity for them, he could not issue an order to let them return to Changchun Palace.

Even though he didn't care about the reputation and gossip, Zheng'er was still so young and must not be branded as unfilial to his grandmother.

The emperor gently hugged the person in his arms for a while, then spoke calmly: "I know I have wronged you and Zheng'er this time, but..."

Before the emperor could finish his words, the woman covered his mouth with her hand. "The night before yesterday, it was I who agreed to come to Ci'an Palace with the Empress and Zheng'er. Your Majesty, this has nothing to do with it."

Looking at the woman's clear and doubtful eyes, the emperor could no longer utter those well-reasoned explanations.

He wanted to explain that he had no choice but to do so, and that he was even thinking about the future of them and their child, but the woman in his arms never blamed him for being so uncomfortable, so there was naturally no room for explanation.

Yes, Ning'er is simple, but not stupid. If the Queen had not repeatedly mentioned her reputation the night before, Ning'er would not have stepped forward to agree.

"Ning'er, don't worry. As long as you and Zheng'er stay in Ci'an Palace, I will make time to come and see you every day. With me by his side, Zheng'er might be happier."

The emperor didn't want to care too much at the moment. His Ning'er had given so much for him. So what if he pampered and cared for her more in front of others? Could those aristocratic families of the previous dynasty really control his harem?

"Zheng'er has always been close to the Emperor. Today, it was only thanks to the Emperor's coaxing that he ate some food."

Gu Youning was very happy to hear this and his eyebrows curved unconsciously.

The emperor naturally felt more pity for her as he watched. Ning'er was obviously a woman who was very easy to satisfy and had no greed, but the rumors were spread so excessively.

"Now that you're in a better mood, are you willing to use more?"

The emperor held the woman in his arms, reached out to take the bowl of Tremella soup from the table, and was about to feed her with his own hands.

"Your Majesty, I can do it myself."

Gu Youning said with a slightly red face.

"I don't believe it. I have to feed Ning'er the drink myself before I can feel at ease."

The emperor had never served anyone since he was a child. Even when he was tending to the empress dowager's illness, he stood by and watched the palace servants serve her. So he felt a little embarrassed when feeding the person just now, and now he wanted to tease the woman.