Having transmigrated into a book, who would still want to be a secondary wife?

"She broke off the engagement, and you still admire her?"

The Empress looked incredulous. In her opinion, the Prince of Chu should have known that there was no possibility between him and Song Ruozhen when he learned about the annulment of the engagement. Who would have thought that he would admire her because of her annulment?

"Mother, does she know that there is a pit of fire ahead and still jump into it? Is that what she should do?"

Most people lack this courage, especially young women. In my opinion, her courage in defying societal norms and pulling back from the brink after realizing she had entrusted herself to the wrong person is admirable.

"She's just breaking off the engagement, it's not a big deal, why should Mother take it to heart?"

The Empress stared at Chu Junting in silence for a long while, then frowned and said, "Let's not talk about her annulment of the engagement for now; she's not young anymore."

“Your subject happens to be older than her,” Chu Junting said.

Queen: "..."

"Have you ever thought about it? She was promised to Lin Zhiyue before. What is Lin Zhiyue's identity, and what is your identity?"

"You're chasing after a woman Lin Zhiyue doesn't want. What will people think of you if word gets out?"

"Let people think what they want. The most important thing is to live a happy and carefree life. The opinions of others are just fleeting clouds, so why care?"

Chu Junting saw things clearly. He was a reincarnation, and in his previous life he didn't care about such empty titles, so there was no need to say more in this life.

"Lin Zhiyue picked up a sesame seed but lost a watermelon; he was blind, and his current predicament is his retribution."

Seeing Chu Junting's extremely firm attitude, as if he had made up his mind about Song Ruozhen, the Empress couldn't help but ask, "Do you like her that much?"

"I like her." Chu Junting nodded. "In all these years, I have never liked any other girl. She is the only one."

"This is just the beginning; perhaps you'll soon fall for another girl..."

Before the Empress could finish speaking, Chu Junting said, "No."

"How could it not be? When I married your father, he said I was his favorite girl. But look at all the concubines in the harem now."

Aside from the first and fifteenth of the month when your father comes, at other times…

"Mother, you and Grandmother have both said that I am not like Father."

The Empress paused, recalling what the Empress Dowager had said: the Prince of Chu was delaying his marriage because his personality was more like the late Emperor than the Emperor himself.

"Your subject will not like any other girl."

Chu Junting repeated, "Over the years, I have seen all the hardships in Mother's heart and know how difficult it has been for you."

Perhaps that's why I don't want my future wife to suffer the same hardships.

In his previous life, he might not have been able to give this answer with certainty.

Having experienced his previous life, he was absolutely certain that meeting Song Ruozhen in this life was destiny.

After years of emotional emptiness, he finally found his soulmate after his rebirth, which made him understand the meaning of being reborn.

The empress's hands trembled slightly, her eyes were bloodshot, and she couldn't utter the words she wanted to say.

Jun Ting has always been sensible.

He had always performed exceptionally well since childhood, bringing her honor and securing her position as Empress, yet he had never spoken these words to her before.

Thinking of the grievances she had suffered over the years, she felt an indescribable pang of sorrow.

"Mother, I have never asked you for anything before. Now I only ask you to grant my request."

Chu Junting knelt down, his tone more sincere than ever before.

“She has had a very difficult time these past few years. Now that the engagement has been called off, there are quite a few people who are mocking and ridiculing her. The Song family is going through a turbulent time, and General Song’s life or death is uncertain. I want to protect her.”

Whether she wants to be with me or not, I beg Your Majesty not to put pressure on her.

The Empress felt even more heartbroken upon hearing this.

The emperor was not a man of lasting affection, but he never expected that she would give birth to such a devoted lover. He thought she was pathetic and wished he could kick her.

"Never mind, I can't be bothered with it. You can go back now."

The Empress waved her hand, deciding that out of sight, out of mind; all he did was come to annoy her!

As soon as Chu Junting came out, he saw Chu Yungui and Chu Muyao looking at him with admiration. The two blinked their starry eyes, their worship overflowing.

"Third brother, you are truly a brave warrior!"

Chu Muyao looked at him with admiration. She knew it wouldn't be easy for her to get past her mother, but she hadn't expected her third brother to come out so quickly.

I couldn't hear what was said before, but I heard the last sentence: "The Empress Dowager said she was too lazy to care, so isn't that enough?"

"Third brother, what exactly did you say to Mother?"

Chu Yungui was full of admiration. "Teach me quickly, so I can learn from you if I encounter this situation in the future."

“You don’t need it,” Chu Junting said.

Chu Yungui: "???"

Why do I inexplicably feel like I'm being disliked?

Chu Muyao immediately understood, "Fifth brother, you are different from third brother, you probably don't have this problem."

Chu Yungui: "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."

……

Song Ruozhen accompanied the Empress Dowager to Cining Palace.

"Try them. I loved eating these fruits and pastries when I was young. Which one do you like? Take some back with you later."

Song Ruozhen was flattered and overwhelmed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"There's no need to be so reserved. Although I am the Empress Dowager, I am not as rigid as the Empress and the others."

These young ladies from noble families in the capital are all so young, yet each one is more rigid and dull than the last. It's better to keep things simple; I think your temperament is quite good.”

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, clearly disliking overly restrictive personalities.

Seeing the Empress Dowager enjoying the fruit, the nanny couldn't help but advise, "Empress Dowager, the imperial physician said you shouldn't eat too many sweets lately."

"I only ate a little bit," the Empress Dowager said, frowning.

"You've already eaten your third piece."

Queen Mother: "..."

Song Ruozhen couldn't help but chuckle. She had heard that people become like children when they get old, and she felt that way about the Empress Dowager.

With her medical skills, she could indeed help the Empress Dowager, but given the current situation, it's not appropriate for her to ask.

Suddenly, she noticed that one of the hairpins on the Empress Dowager's head was missing a pearl, and it didn't seem to have been lost recently, which surprised her.

As if sensing her gaze, the Empress Dowager subconsciously touched the hairpin and said, "When people get old, they start to reminisce. This hairpin was my favorite back then, but unfortunately, one of the beads is missing."

I searched for a long time but couldn't find it, and they didn't want to use other beads.

An old nanny standing nearby sighed, "This was made by the late emperor himself for the Empress Dowager, and she has always cherished it."

"Your Majesty, may I have a look?" Song Ruozhen asked.

The Empress Dowager looked slightly surprised, but handed over the hairpin and chuckled, "I've heard you know metaphysics. Could it be that you can help me calculate it?"

However, Song Ruozhen looked up at the Empress Dowager and replied, "It is permissible."