I fulfilled the female supporting role's wish and I succeeded

The emperor frowned. He sighed deeply, his mind racing. The Nian family was at its peak of power, and Nian Shilan was deeply loved by the people. If he dealt with her hastily, it would probably cause a stir in the court and the country. What worried him even more was Nian Gengyao, the great general fighting on the front lines. If he learned that something had happened to Nian Shilan, it would undoubtedly affect the morale of the army. The emperor closed his eyes, as if he saw the demoralized soldiers on the battlefield, and the war that might be lost because of it. His heart was filled with contradictions and struggles. He wanted to punish the lawbreakers, but he didn't want to lose the big picture because of the small one. In the end, for the sake of the overall situation, he had to deal with her leniently.

The Emperor shook his head slightly, his tone gentle but firm: "Huan'er, I understand your intentions, but this matter has far-reaching implications, and I cannot agree to it lightly."

Zhen Huan's eyes were filled with tears, and her voice was choked with sobs: "Your Majesty, I only want justice for our child. Can't you even grant me such a small favor?"

Zhen Huan, however, refused to give in. She stepped forward and grabbed the emperor's sleeve: "Your Majesty, please reconsider..."

The emperor frowned, his tone tinged with displeasure. "I said I'd consider it, so why are you still pestering me? Don't you even believe what I say?"

He gently broke free from Zhen Huan's hand and turned to walk towards the door: "I still have memorials to review, you should rest well."

After saying this, the emperor strode away, leaving Zhen Huan standing there alone, tears silently streaming down her face.

The Emperor strode out of the Suiyu Pavilion with a gloomy expression. Su Peisheng followed cautiously behind him, whispering, "Your Majesty, where are we going next?"

The emperor stopped and pondered for a moment, a trace of fatigue flashing in his eyes: "Let's go to Jingyang Palace."

Su Peisheng immediately understood and turned around and ordered: "Get the sedan chair and go to Jingyang Palace!"

With the orderly footsteps of the sedan bearers, the emperor's sedan slowly moved towards the Jingyang Palace. Su Peisheng followed beside the sedan, silently praying in his heart: I hope that the Imperial Concubine Shu can comfort His Majesty.

As night fell, palace lanterns began to light up one after another. The imperial sedan passed through the quiet palace avenues, and the outline of Jingyang Palace gradually became clear. Su Peisheng noticed that the emperor leaned forward slightly in the sedan, as if eager to seek comfort. He could not help but quicken his pace, hoping to reach his destination as soon as possible.

As the emperor reached the gate of Jingyang Palace, he heard An Lingrong's gentle voice coming from inside. She was softly coaxing the Sixth Prince Hongxi, singing a melodious Jiangnan tune:

"The boat is rowing, rowing deep into the lotus flowers..."

An Lingrong's singing voice was soft and beautiful, accompanied by the child's giggles, and the whole palace was filled with a warm and sweet atmosphere. The emperor stood outside the door and involuntarily slowed down his pace, quietly listening to this touching mother-child harmony.

He took a deep breath, and his tense expression gradually relaxed. The boredom and fatigue he had just felt seemed to vanish, replaced by a surge of warmth from deep within his heart.

The emperor gently pushed open the palace door, and what came into view was the heartwarming scene of An Lingrong holding Hongxi on a soft couch. In the candlelight, the faces of both mother and son were shimmering with a soft glow.

An Lingrong looked up and saw the emperor coming in. She immediately stood up from the couch, still holding Hongxi in her arms. She bowed deeply to the emperor and said, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."

The emperor stepped forward quickly and lifted An Lingrong's shoulders with both hands: "Rong'er, there's no need to be so polite." His eyes fell gently on An Lingrong and Hongxi, and a smile appeared unconsciously at the corners of his mouth.

An Lingrong raised her head, her eyes gleaming with surprise. "Why is Your Majesty here? I was disrespectful just now."

The emperor shook his head slightly, his tone filled with a hint of amusement: "I heard Rong'er singing, her voice is so beautiful. Is that a Jiangnan tune?"

An Lingrong blushed slightly and replied in a low voice, "Yes, I learned it when I was a child in Jiangnan."

The emperor reached out and stroked Hongxi's little face, smiling and said, "No wonder Hongxi likes it so much. Rong'er, sing it again for me."

The flickering candlelight illuminated the faces of the three people. An Lingrong, holding Hongxi in her arms, gently sat back on the couch and began to sing slowly.

As the night deepened and the candlelight flickered, the Emperor and An Lingrong slept together, a warm and peaceful atmosphere enveloping the entire bedroom.

The morning light was dim, and sunlight streamed through the window lattice onto the bed. The emperor slowly opened his eyes, and what came into view was An Lingrong's peaceful sleeping face. Her long eyelashes cast a shadow under her eyes, and her rosy lips were slightly tilted, and her breathing was even and long.

The Emperor couldn't help but reach out his hand and gently stroke An Lingrong's smooth cheek. His eyes were filled with tenderness and love, and a warm current surged in his heart.

"Rong'er..." the emperor murmured softly, with a hint of doting in his voice.

The Emperor gazed at An Lingrong's sleeping face, his mind racing. Within this inner palace, he suddenly realized that perhaps An Lingrong was the only person who truly cared about him wholeheartedly. She had never sought any benefits for the family, nor had she ever asked for anything for herself.

Recalling Zhen Huan's plot to harm An Lingrong, the Emperor felt a pang of guilt. An Lingrong, with her intelligence, must have noticed it long ago, yet she never mentioned it. This tolerance and forbearance warmed the Emperor's heart.

What moved him even more was that despite all the hurt she had experienced, An Lingrong was still willing to fight against Zhen Huan for the dragon fetus and Concubine Hua.

The emperor sighed softly and secretly made up his mind that Rong'er was kind and he must treat An Lingrong better in the future.

Her devotion and sincerity were worthy of his love and care. In this palace full of calculations, An Lingrong's purity and sincerity were like a clear spring, nourishing his tired soul.

Su Peisheng tiptoed to the bedside, leaned over and whispered, "Your Majesty, it's getting late, you should get up."

The Emperor slowly opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on An Lingrong's sleeping face. He stood up gently, moving cautiously, fearing to disturb the beauty beside him.

The Emperor put on his court robes and walked over to Su Peisheng. He turned his head and glanced at An Lingrong, who was still sleeping soundly, his eyes full of tenderness. The Emperor lowered his voice and told Su Peisheng, "Be quiet and let Concubine Shu sleep a little longer."

Su Peisheng nodded respectfully and quietly opened the door for the emperor. The emperor took one last look at An Lingrong before stepping out of the bedroom and gently closing the door.

After the emperor left court, he walked slowly along the palace corridor. He stopped, turned, and said to Su Peisheng behind him, "Go to the private storehouse and pick out some beautiful jewelry and send it to Concubine Shu at Jingyang Palace."

Su Peisheng bowed his head respectfully and replied, "Yes, I will do it right away."

A hint of tenderness flashed in the emperor's eyes, and he added gently, "Pick the most exquisite ones. Rong'er likes jadeite, so choose more emerald green ones."

A hint of surprise flashed across Su Peisheng's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and replied respectfully, "I've made note of this and will definitely select the best one to send to you."