Imperial Consort Yu: "..." I really wanted to just go back, Your Majesty!
Emperor of Xiyun pondered for a moment before adding, "Just demote by one rank. I hope my beloved consort will learn from today’s lesson and never lose her dignity again."
Demoted by one rank? Then she would no longer be an Imperial Consort, but just a Consort!
Originally, she had come to admit her guilt to curry favor with the Emperor of Xiyun, so that he wouldn’t neglect her because of today’s incident during the day. Who would have thought she would be demoted to a Consort?!
Imperial Consort Yu, now demoted to Empress Yu, was furious inside, but she dared not show her anger and still had to express her gratitude respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for such a light punishment. I will certainly learn from today’s lesson."
The Emperor of Xiyun nodded, looking somewhat satisfied.
Empress Yu clenched her teeth tightly.
Thinking that it would take just a word from the Emperor of Xiyun to promote her back to Imperial Consort, Empress Yu immediately suppressed the anger in her heart and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I have another matter to report to you."
"Speak," said the Emperor of Xiyun in an indifferent tone, quite perfunctorily, his gaze still fixed on the words ’Longevity is Boundless.’ He sighed inwardly, What fine penmanship Yi Er has. He truly takes after me.
Empress Yu did not care whether the Emperor of Xiyun was listening or not; since he had allowed her to speak, she would. Even if he hadn’t allowed it, she would certainly have found a way to speak to him anyway.
This was, after all, what she had originally intended to sweet-talk the Emperor of Xiyun about, and she had to speak her mind!
If she managed to handle this matter well, perhaps in a joyous mood, the Emperor of Xiyun might promote her back to Imperial Consort!
Empress Yu said, "The Prince has married into the Princess’s family, and since the Princess is unable to bear a child, adoption is definitely necessary. I think, instead of adopting a farmer’s child to become the Little Prince later on, it would be better to adopt one from the nobility."
Finally, Emperor of Xiyun turned his gaze towards Empress Yu, but he did not speak.
Empress Yu waited for a long time, and seeing that the Emperor of Xiyun had no intention of speaking, she continued, "The Hibiscus Flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming; they have been particularly beautiful these past few days. I would like to hold a flower-viewing event the day after tomorrow and invite the ladies of the nobility to bring their children to enjoy the flowers. I hope Your Majesty will grant your permission."
The Emperor of Xiyun still did not speak.
Empress Yu sneaked a glance at Emperor of Xiyun’s expression and, seeing that he did not seem to be angry, added, "At the flower-viewing event, if the Prince and Princess take a liking to any child, we could adopt that child. When it is time to leave the palace, the Princess and the Prince could return to their hometown with their son. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?"
Emperor of Xiyun finally spoke, but he did not mention the matter of adoption or the child. Instead, he said, "Since my beloved consort wishes to hold a flower-viewing event in the Imperial Garden, I shall grant permission."
Empress Yu immediately rejoiced and said aloud, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gracious permission!"
The Emperor of Xiyun was very fond of his adoptive son Xiao Changyi and had been eager to see Xiao Changyi get married. Now that Xiao Changyi was married, he was looking forward to Xiao Changyi having a son. If the adoption was successful, Emperor of Xiyun would undoubtedly be overjoyed.
If she handled this matter well, even if she were not promoted back to Imperial Consort by then, she would certainly be more favored than the other concubines in Emperor of Xiyun’s eyes!
After Empress Yu left Jun Palace, Eunuch Fu, who had been serving on the side, hesitated for a long time. Despite overstepping his bounds, he finally opened his mouth with caution, "Your Majesty, the Prince has always disliked you meddling in his affairs... Wouldn’t this anger the Prince?"
Emperor of Xiyun was rather calm, "If Yi Er is really angry, I’ll just say it was Empress Yu’s idea. I originally only agreed to the flower-viewing event for Empress Yu, I didn’t promise anything else."