Resisting the Wind and Splendor

So, this is where the contradiction lies.

The emperor desires this woman, but if he were to actually take her, his reputation would be damaged.

How could the emperor bear to ruin his reputation for a woman?

"But the Emperor has made his affection for Lady Qing so obvious; of course he wants to have her."

This is beyond doubt.

Granny Lan was thinking about something else entirely; "I'm afraid even if the Emperor gets the person, he won't really reward them."

"what do you mean……"

"So what if she's had her fun? She's just fulfilled the Emperor's wish. As for what will happen to Lady Qing, that's her own business. Your Majesty only needs to make the Emperor happy. At worst, Lady Qing might take her own life because she can't bear the humiliation. Does the Emperor care about a few women dying?"

“Granny…” The Empress looked at her, her heart filled with conflict.

This seems to have gone too far.

But if she helps the emperor fulfill his wish, will he really come to Qiankun Palace to see her often in the future?

Perhaps, the fourteenth prince still has hope?

……

Huo Qing didn't expect that she would see Consort Yu coming towards her not long after leaving the Empress's Qiankun Palace.

"Senior Sister." Huo Qing quickly went to greet her. "Senior Sister, why have you come here?"

"I wasn't looking for you, I was just strolling around nearby." Consort Yu looked up and saw the Fourteenth Prince standing at the entrance of Qiankun Palace, watching them.

She gestured to Huo Qing, who then realized that the Fourteenth Prince had followed her out.

She immediately waved.

The fourteenth prince's eyes lit up as he strode over: "Master, Consort Yu... Consort Yu."

"You've become the Fourteenth Prince's teacher?" Consort Yu knew that Huo Qing had come here today to teach the Fourteenth Prince riding and archery.

However, it seems that Huo Qing has not been bullied at all, and her relationship with the Fourteenth Prince seems to be quite good.

Huo Qing smiled and said, "The Fourteenth Prince is intelligent and a good child, but..."

"There are many people and many opinions in the palace, so some things should not be said carelessly," Consort Yu reminded her.

Huo Qing pursed her lips, and as expected, she remained silent.

She looked down at the Fourteenth Prince: "What's wrong? Did Her Majesty the Empress order you to come out and find me?"

Although she liked the child quite a bit, there was no need for the Empress to invite her back for a bath, a change of clothes, or a formal apprenticeship banquet.

She didn't like that place at all.

The fourteenth prince shook his head and said, "I came to see my master off. Master, will you... will you still come to teach me archery in the future? I... I also want to learn to ride a horse with you."

"I..." Huo Qing didn't know whether she should agree or not.

He was a palace man, a prince, and his every move was controlled by the empress. He had no freedom at all and could not see her whenever he wanted.

"Fourteenth Prince," Consort Yu said on Huo Qing's behalf when she saw her dilemma, "If fate allows, your master will definitely come looking for you again."

Although the fourteenth prince was young, he had grown up in the palace and understood some things, but he could not hide his disappointment.

Huo Qing was soft-hearted after all. Seeing his disappointed look, she couldn't help but say, "As long as there's a chance, I'll teach you archery, and I'll also teach you horseback riding!"

"Really!" The light in the Fourteenth Prince's eyes lit up again in an instant.

"Really." Huo Qing held up her little finger, bent down and smiled at him, "Let's pinky swear, I'm not lying to you!"