Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Lingyan understood what the Empress was thinking and wishing, and solemnly promised, "Mother, rest assured, your daughter-in-law understands."

The Empress then softened her tone and said, "Now that you are Princess Rui, it is your responsibility to produce heirs for the Prince's family. You have been married for some time now, so why is there still no sign of pregnancy? Otherwise…"

She originally intended to say that if she hadn't fully recovered, she would bestow several women upon Prince Rui's residence to bear children for the prince.

But considering her son's resolute attitude—that he didn't want any other woman besides her—she stopped talking.

At the same time, she cautiously glanced at her son's face and breathed a sigh of relief when she found that he was not angry.

She didn't want her relationship with her son to become strained again.

Everything else was fine, but when it came to this woman, the two always ended up on bad terms.

Well, the marriage hasn't been going on for long, and they're both young, so they'll have children eventually.

She stopped worrying about it and stopped making arrangements for him.

But she didn't know that the two of them would never have children in their lives.

After the two had listened to a great deal of advice and had their dinner, the sun was already setting when they left the Empress's palace.

The golden afterglow shone on them, casting a warm halo over their figures.

They boarded the carriage to return home.

Lingyan recalled the Empress's awkward attitude towards her, which must have started last year.

It was last summer that Xiao Muyao met her once, then mentioned her to the Empress and even threatened her.

That's what made the Empress start to dislike her from that time on.

She was genuinely curious about what the two had said to cause this reaction.

So she asked.

Xiao Muyao felt there was nothing to hide, so he slowly began to tell the story, accompanied by the sound of the cart wheels.

It was sometime in July last year, and he was sitting on the second floor of a teahouse drinking tea.

But by chance, he caught a glimpse of the love of his life.

So he asked Mu Feng to investigate her identity, but unexpectedly, fate gave him a huge surprise.

She turned out to be his fiancée with whom he was engaged.

Overjoyed, he went to the palace with a beaming smile to tell his mother that he would honor the marriage agreement and would no longer choose other women.

Before he met her, he thought it was common for men to have multiple wives and concubines, and that when choosing a wife, one should choose someone based on their family background and social status.

He felt that this wife should be of some help to him, so he felt that the marriage was of no help to him and made himself forget about it.

When he reached a certain age, he asked his mother to choose a woman who could be of service to him and suitable to be his queen. At that time, his mother was already selecting a suitable woman for him.

But it wasn't until he met her that he realized that when your heart belongs to one person, there is no room for anyone else.

He didn't want to consider social status, family background, or any other advantages anymore. All he knew was that he simply wanted her, and he couldn't live without her in this life.

He didn't want any other women; he only wanted her.

After he told his mother about it.

His mother objected more strongly than ever before and was furious, speaking harshly to him for the first time.

She retorted angrily, "Are you out of your mind? His Majesty has long forgotten about this marriage, and no one will mention it. Marrying her will not bring any benefit or advantage, so why give her the position of principal wife? It would be better to find a woman who can help you. Isn't that what you think too?"

Xiao Muyao shook his head and refused, saying, "But Mother, that was just a ridiculous idea of ​​mine before. I don't think that way anymore. I don't want to weigh any pros and cons. I only want her. I don't want anyone else."

His tone was more resolute than ever before, and his eyes were so firm that no doubt could be uttered.

The empress was terrified and took a step back in shock.

Then, looking at him with a trembling voice, she asked, "So you've already decided on her?"

Xiao Muyao said firmly, "Yes, I have already made up my mind about her."

The Empress closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and forced herself to accept the fact that her son could not live without her.

After a long while, she opened her eyes and asked, "So you've already seen her? That's why you're acting like this?"

Xiao Muyao admitted, "I have met her, she is very well."

When she spoke of her, his expression suddenly softened and became sweet.

The Empress gave up hope.

Judging from the way her son is, he clearly won't abandon her; he can't live without her.

So she took a step back and negotiated with him, saying, "I understand your thoughts, but the position of principal wife cannot be given to her. This position must be held by a woman who can help you. If you really like her, it would be fine to give her the position of concubine or maidservant."

Xiao Muyao was startled.

He immediately objected vehemently, saying, "No, Mother, I love her. I only want her as my wife, and I only want her."

The Empress remained unmoved, indicating that there was no room for negotiation.

Xiao Muyao had no choice but to soften his tone and plead, "Mother, as a man, why should I rely on a woman to sit in that position? What's the point if I can't sit in that position through my own true abilities?"

The Empress's expression remained unchanged.

Xiao Muyao pressed on, saying, "Besides, over the years, everyone in the court, outside the court, and among the common people in the countryside has tacitly agreed that I am the next emperor. This is already a foregone conclusion, and there is no need to do anything more."

Upon hearing this, the Empress spoke with an air of authority: "What everyone else thinks doesn't count. Only what your father thinks counts. Even though everyone has tacitly agreed, as long as your father hasn't made you the Crown Prince, this matter still needs to be considered. Who can truly fathom your father's thoughts and decisions?"

Xiao Muyao remained unquestionable, saying, "But Mother, even so, if I want to compete, I will do so through my own abilities, not by marrying someone."

Then they saw that the Empress still disagreed.

He could only lift his robes and kneel down to beg.

The Empress was astonished to see him kneeling down for that woman.

She was utterly astonished and incredulous.

He took a deep breath to keep himself from fainting.

Her voice trembled as she asked, "Why did you do this?!"

At this moment, Xiao Muyao was completely disregarding everything else. His expression was resolute, and he looked intently at the Empress, pleading, "I beg you, Mother, to grant my request. I have never asked you for anything since I was a child. Now I only ask you for this one thing, and I hope you will grant it."

The queen's heart was trembling.

She looked at her son kneeling and pleading, her heart aching.

He had never asked anyone for anything since he was a child, but now this proud son of heaven was willing to put aside his pride, face and dignity and kneel down to beg her.

Who exactly is this woman that has captivated the prince to such an extent?

She had driven the prince to utter madness. He had gone to such lengths for her; let alone being his principal wife, she was not to be allowed to enter the Prince Rui's residence, not even as a concubine.

Her influence on the prince was far too profound; she had to keep him away from her, otherwise who knew what he might do for her in the future.

The Empress then spoke in an even more authoritative and irrefutable tone: "Your mother has already chosen a princess for you, so you should stop thinking about that woman and focus on preparing for the wedding."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Muyao's heart sank, and he looked at the Empress's expression, which showed no room for negotiation.

I understand that reasoning with them won't work.

So he slowly got up and walked step by step toward the Empress.

Looking at her very seriously, he said, "Mother, I have no other desires in this life but to ask for her. Since you do not agree, I will not fight for the throne. I will take her away from the capital and live our carefree life."

The empress stared at him, speechless and incredulous.

I suspect I heard it wrong.

His expression was serious, and his eyes showed no sign of pretense, which showed that he was serious.

He truly gave up the empire for a woman!

The empress was so angry that her body trembled violently, her heart pounded, and she breathed rapidly.

She said in astonishment and sorrow, "You actually threatened your mother for an outsider, and even compared the throne and the country to her. You actually value her more than the country?"

Xiao Muyao didn't speak, he just quietly looked at her.

The Empress looked at him and saw that he seemed to care about nothing at all.

She knew her son's personality very well.

Since he said that, he must be thinking that way, and he is absolutely capable of doing it.

So we had no choice but to go along with him.

So she closed her eyes, and when she spoke again, her voice was listless.

"Since you are so stubborn, then your mother will grant your wish and will not help you choose other women in the future."

She eventually gave in.

However, it left a thorn in my heart.

A thorn named Lingyan.

Upon hearing his mother's agreement, Xiao Muyao immediately beamed with joy.

He then said excitedly, "Thank you, Mother. However, she is still too young. Let's set the wedding for next year."

Although the Empress was very dissatisfied and unwilling, she still forced a smile and replied, "Whatever you say."