However, the royal family of the Great Qi Kingdom does not want us to have a peaceful life for long.
The Empress, using the blooming peach blossoms in the palace as a pretext, sent someone to invite me to appreciate the flowers. I was helpless; what was meant to come would eventually come. I couldn’t always rely on An Jin to protect me from every storm. It was time to face things. To prevent previous incidents, I had Que’er accompany me into the palace and informed An Jin.
I was not overly worried. An Jin managed to find me in the vast imperial palace and rescue me from the Eastern Palace’s territory, indicating he had special means. Additionally, this palace visit was by the Empress’s decree, which provided some assurance.
The peach blossom forest in the Imperial Garden had just sprouted new buds, with fuzzy flower buds interspersed with touches of peach red. The Empress stood among the peach trees, wearing a golden phoenix robe, proudly holding her head high. Honestly, she did not seem like a mother who would indulge her son to the point of helping him steal another’s wife.
Cao Empress, daughter of Cao Censor, had been married to the current Emperor for over twenty years and bore the Eastern Palace heir and the Seventh Princess. The Cao family was powerful and had produced loyal officials, which was rare. Despite her upbringing as a daughter of loyal officials, the Empress acted in a way that intimidated subjects for personal desires.
I followed her carefully.
“An’s Lady,” she suddenly stopped and glanced at me. “I sympathize with your situation.” Despite her words, there was no compassion in her eyes.
“Sympathize with what?” I momentarily didn’t understand.
“However, sympathy is sympathy. The greatest unfilial act is to have no descendants. An’s Lord’s parents are not young anymore; they wish to enjoy grandchildren. An’s Lord should have his own heirs. My lady, am I right?” The Empress focused on the peach flower stamens.
I nodded. “Your Majesty’s concern for my family affairs is appreciated. I will remember Your Majesty’s admonition and work hard to continue the An family lineage.”
The peach flower stamens before the Empress withered.
