Chapter 493: Extra 8: Zhaozhao's Matters of the Heart

Chapter 493: Chapter 489: Extra 8: Zhaozhao’s Matters of the Heart

In the end, Empress Chenzhao did not stay the night. She even pushed the Imperial Consort away.

Ever since Xiu Ningchuan had called her by her pet name, the Empress had been acting strangely and started avoiding him.

At first, Xiu Ningchuan thought the Empress was just busy with state affairs and had no time to see him. After all, this had happened before.

But this time was very different.

After nightfall, Empress Chenzhao would summon various officials to her bedchambers to discuss important matters. First, it was Wang Wanbai and Wei Tongyou.

Both of them were women, so when the news reached Xiu Ningchuan, he didn’t think much of it.

Afterward, Empress Chenzhao successively summoned several of her male cousins.

Xiu Ningchuan started to grow uneasy. He would even get distracted while playing Go by himself.

When establishing her Imperial Consort, Empress Chenzhao had made a promise: she would follow the will of the Supreme Emperor and have only one Imperial Consort, with no other consorts.

At first, Xiu Ningchuan thought it was just something she said on a whim. After all, the Empress had a certain reputation. But four years had passed, and she had kept her word.

The Xiu Family had moved into the Imperial City three years before Emperor Wu Su abdicated. When Xiu Ningchuan learned that the new Empress was selecting a husband, he feigned illness and refused to leave his home.

His eldest brother was already married, and his third and fourth brothers were still too young. If the Xiu Family was to submit a portrait for the selection, it could only be him.

When the painter came to their estate, he deliberately gave himself a rash, covering his face in bumps. But the title of Imperial Consort still fell to him.

With a little thought, Xiu Ningchuan understood why. The Empress needed an Imperial Consort exactly like him.

She had relatives like Marshal Wei, Prime Minister Lu, and Master Li at court to support her. But Xiu Ningchuan saw things clearly. Since ancient times, imperial power has always contended with the authority of the prime minister and vied with the power of the civil and military officials.

When one’s own interests were at stake, there were no permanent allies, and even family ties could become weak.

Even the Imperial Consort’s power was in opposition to the Empress’s.

The Xiu Family had some foundation, but it couldn’t compare to the prestige of the centuries-old noble families in Lin’an. Their advantage lay in their clean family background, which meant he wouldn’t be a threat or be able to influence her.

He had been in the palace for so many years, and now they even had a lovely child to bind them together. He had thought they could live out their lives respecting each other like honored guests.

But now, it seemed his heart was the first to fall into disarray.

Thinking back now, Xiu Ningchuan realized the turmoil likely began on their wedding night.

There had been rumors circulating that the Empress controlled her subordinates through seduction.

After meeting Empress Chenzhao just once, Xiu Ningchuan understood what they meant. In terms of sheer beauty, he had never seen anyone more outstanding than the Empress.

She had inherited the best features of her parents, and combined with the noble air that came with power, it was no wonder that many men were willing to fall at her feet.

Recalling their wedding night four years ago, Empress Chenzhao had shown no shyness. Her fingers smoothly undid his clothes, then deftly slipped inside his lapels. Xiu Ningchuan felt the uncomfortable sensation of being a male courtesan.

But after undressing him, the Empress simply rolled to the far side of the bed, took off her outer robe, tossed it onto the floor, and prepared to sleep.

Xiu Ningchuan was stunned.

Empress Chenzhao had been drinking heavily with her guests at the banquet. After removing her robes, she grabbed a worn piece of cloth from under her pillow, clutched it in her hand, and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Deep in a hazy sleep, she felt someone biting her. Just like when she was a child, she buried her face in dissatisfaction and stuck her bottom out.

It was cute when she did it as a child, but now…

The figure before him formed a graceful curve.

‘Very tempting.’

Xiu Ningchuan couldn’t look away. Having entered the palace, he no longer harbored any naive ideas about being aloof and proud.

‘I just don’t know if she’s willing.’

Xiu Ningchuan suddenly remembered those rumors and frowned. ‘No matter how many lovers she’s had, now that we’re married, she should be mine, and not a bit less.’

Only after that night passed did Xiu Ningchuan realize how deeply he had misunderstood her, and he regretted not being more patient and considerate with her the night before.

But the next day, the Empress didn’t show up, even by late night.

Xiu Ningchuan finally sent someone to ask. The attendant from the imperial court reported back that the Little Prince from Prince Yong’s Mansion, Prime Minister Lu’s eldest son, and General Weichi were drinking with the Empress, so she wouldn’t be coming.

One knot in the young couple’s hearts was untied, only for another to be tied not long after.

Back then, Xiu Ningchuan had simply nodded, slept alone, and had a good night’s rest.

But now, Xiu Ningchuan could no longer sleep soundly.