Chu Yihan didnât understand, âIs it that the sleeping quarters are uncomfortable, or the palace maids are not serving well?â
Why does she always prefer to stay at the Marquisâs Manor and not wish to live in the palace?
âNot at all! The palace is great; where else in the world could be better than the imperial palace? Itâs just⦠once Iâm crowned empress, Iâll have to live in the palace for the rest of my life. It wonât be convenient to leave the palace to visit grandpa and sisters, so before the coronation ceremony, I want to stay at home, spend more time with grandpa, and play with sisters.â
Su Yingxue sighed. After all, she was going to be the empress, but she still couldnât let go of her carefree days!
As nice as the palace is, itâs like a golden cage, full of rules and restrictions everywhere.
She couldnât possibly break the palace regulations time and time again, letting Chu Yihan make exceptions for her over and over.
What she spoke of was human nature, and Chu Yihan could understand, but after understanding, he couldnât help but worry, âDo you not want to spend more time with me?â
If she did, how could she bear the thought of him being alone in the palace?
Her and their child, alone outside the palace?
âOf course, I do! Why would you think I donât? We still have many years ahead of us to be together!â Su Yingxue looked up, her eyes filled with stars, shining with innocence and brightness.
This reason convinced Chu Yihan. Yes, they had many years to spend together.
He touched Su Yingxueâs head, âSince you wish it, consider it as staying at the Marquisâs Manor awaiting marriage. I will grant you a grand coronation ceremony to make up for the wedding we didnât have.â
The small face in his palm blossomed into a smile, âThank you, emperor! You truly are a considerate and enlightened ruler!â
An enlightened ruler?
A chill passed through Chu Yihanâs heart; sadly, he only wanted to be her husband.
Chu Yihan returned to the palace, and Su Yingxue stayed at the manor, which frightened Su Qingzhi so much that he thought something had happened between them.
Su Yingxue quickly reassured him, âGrandpa, donât worry. Thereâs nothing wrong between the emperor and me. He promised me that before the coronation ceremony, I could stay at the Marquisâs Manor. Iâm going to cling to you a bit longer!â
She skipped over and coquettishly clung to Su Qingzhiâs arm.
Looking at her like this, Su Qingzhi found it hard to maintain any seriousness and could only respond helplessly, âYou, soon to be the empress, when will you become more dignified? How will you live up to the title of âMother of the Nationâ in the future?â
Su Yingxue pouted, feeling an invisible pressure weighing down on her heart.
After cajoling Su Qingzhi, she soon went to find Qin Wan.
Today, as Su Hao was sent off to war, Su Han did not go to the Thousand-Jiao Pavilion. Qin Wan was gossiping with her when Su Yingxue arrived. Qin Wan promptly knelt down with Su Han, âThis humble wife pays respect to the empress. Long live Your Majesty.â
âGreat aunt, before the coronation ceremony, Iâm not yet the empress, so you neednât be so cautious,â said Su Yingxue, attempting to help her up.
Qin Wan, however, held the rites in high regard, âThat wonât do. The empress must allow us, mother and daughter, to complete our respects.â
Su Yingxue stepped back awkwardly, waiting for their obeisance to end before helping them both up.
Su Han took the opportunity to tease, âIn the future, upon seeing the empress, one must kneel. To save some effort, itâs better to see the empress less often. With Miaoyanâs temperament, she might not be willing to meet the empress even once a year.â
âPah! That sassy young girl isnât old enough yet, but before she runs off with Xiao Yu, Iâll take her into the palace and properly teach her the rules!â Su Yingxue said huffily.
âBefore the empress teaches Miaoyan, perhaps she should teach herself first. This is a heartfelt word from your great aunt: even before the coronation, you should be preparing in the palace. How can you still live in the Marquisâs Manor?â