Resisting the Wind and Splendor

Consort Rui knelt before the Emperor and gently tugged at the hem of his robe.

Looking up at him with a hint of sorrow, she said, "Your Majesty, I did do it for Jin'er, but was I really wrong?"

"Jin'er is a prince of a kingdom, how could his harem only have one person? But Ali is confused and insists on having only one person. As a man, Jin'er is also helpless about the affairs of the harem, just like Your Majesty..."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "Your Majesty, you are helpless regarding the affairs of the harem. You are well aware of everything. Your Majesty has never betrayed the Empress's affection for you. But Your Majesty is first and foremost the ruler of the country, and then our husband. You have to balance the various forces, and you have never been able to do so against your will."

"Even if the Emperor wanted to be a devoted lover, the whole country would not allow it. The Emperor is not heartless; he is only doing this for the sake of the people."

"We women of the harem know we shouldn't hope for the Emperor's exclusive favor, yet we can't help but love his magnificence. What can we do? The Emperor doesn't belong to the Empress alone; he belongs to us all too. How can Ali allow Jin'er to be her husband alone?"

"Jin'er has feelings for Ali. We've known and supported each other for so many years, and Jin'er has always remembered them. Ali's willful decision to break off the engagement has caused Jin'er immense pain. As his mother, I can't bear to see this! Your Majesty!"

An Delu brought the emperor a cup of warm tea.

The Emperor, however, merely looked at the tear stains on Consort Rui's face, and his agitated heart gradually calmed down.

Some words may sound awkward or uncomfortable to a third party, but they can deeply move the person hearing them.

Who says that kings are necessarily heartless? Who knows their helplessness and desperation?

Consort Rui's words immediately softened the Emperor's heart.

Men are always particularly good at understanding other men. He suddenly realized that Chu Yueli was indeed being unreasonable in this matter.

If Jin'er becomes the emperor in the future, she still wants to have only herself in the harem.

"Alright, I had a couple too many drinks tonight, and I was a little impulsive just now." The Emperor finally reached out and personally helped Consort Rui up.

Consort Rui wiped away her tears, concealing the hatred in her eyes. When she looked at the Emperor again, all she saw was sorrow.

"Your Majesty, what I did was indeed excessive, but it was for the sake of our royal family."

Seeing the Emperor raise an eyebrow and stare at her, Consort Rui continued, "Your Majesty should have heard about General Chu's health problems."

The Emperor remained silent; this was the greatest disgrace the Duke's family had ever suffered.

Consort Rui continued, "I have heard that a man who has lost his health will be unable to do heavy work or exert his strength in the future. If that is true, the 100,000 Chu family soldiers of the Duke's mansion will be useless if they remain in General Chu's hands."

The emperor remained silent, his expression somber.

Consort Rui, observing the situation, added, "If Ali and Jin'er get married, His Majesty can still have General Chu bring 100,000 soldiers to be incorporated into Jin'er's command. In this way, the 100,000 troops of the Duke's mansion will still be under the control of the royal family."

"But if Ali really breaks off her engagement with Jin'er, then the Emperor's princes will not dare to marry Ali. If the Emperor insists on taking back the Duke's army, it will inevitably cause controversy. If Ali marries a prince in a border city, and General Chu has no children in the future, he will probably go to the border city with his younger sister. Then, wouldn't those 100,000 troops fall into the hands of one of the princes?"

The emperor frowned.

After breaking off her engagement with Prince Jin, it was indeed not appropriate for her to marry another prince. Staying in the capital, she feared she would not find a good future.

Marrying a prince was truly the best outcome for Ali after her annulment of the engagement.

So, this marriage can't be called off?