Chapter 1035: Chapter 1033: Decisive Indulgence

Su Yingxue sighed softly, “With such a good husband, how could there be three thousand beauties in the harem?”

In the imperial study, Chu Yihan met Leng Yi and Su Qingzhi, first summoning Su Qingzhi alone. He told Su Qingzhi, “Yingxue rested in my sleeping chambers last night; her body is without serious harm, Old General may rest assured.”

Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on Su Qingzhi’s face, “This old servant knows the emperor cherishes her, it’s just her causing a stir might trouble the emperor, which worries me.”

Chu Yihan was very composed, “My wife and children, to me, how can they be a bother? Instead, it’s the Marquis’s Manor that has been troubled, caring for her and the child for so long. The ceremony to make her empress that I owe her, I will grant it, and I will surely give the Marquis’s Manor its due honor.”

In these times, though busy, he also had not been oblivious to the rumors among the common folk, discussing his delay in bringing Su Yingxue to the palace, discussing the Marquis’s Manor, discussing Su Hao’s private affairs.

He deeply understood between him and Su Yingxue, he still had a knot in his heart he couldn’t let go of, wanting to wait until that knot was untied before restoring peace to the Marquis’s Manor.

But now… he had a child.

This knot became less significant.

The respect that ought to be given to Su Yingxue and the Marquis’s Manor, he would do everything in his power to grant them.

“This old servant thanks the emperor for his grace. Though the emperor’s favor is supreme honor, Yingxue’s temper still needs to be refined,” this was what Su Qingzhi worried about.

In the past, as the Ninth Princess Consort with Chu Yihan doting on her, she was not so dignified and appropriate, a bit capricious and troublesome, but he said nothing.

But now that she was to sit on the empress’s throne, second to one and above ten thousand, the epitome of motherhood for the nation, she could no longer bear such a willful temper.

Chu Yihan gestured dismissively, “No need, now she and the child are of utmost importance, no need for any refining.”

This decisiveness, this indulgent tone.

It actually made it seem like Su Qingzhi, this grandfather, was not so fond of his granddaughter.

Su Qingzhi’s face was awkward.

But conveniently, there was someone to relieve his embarrassment, and he took the opportunity to mention to Chu Yihan, “Emperor, Prime Minister Leng is still waiting outside. He and this old servant are of similar age, having waited a day and night, without food or water; it would be best if the emperor sees him.”

Considering his long-standing service in the same government without challenging him too much, Su Qingzhi gave face and brought it up.

“Hmm.”

Chu Yihan summoned Leng Yi in.

After all, as a seventy-year-old, having stood through the heavy night, without food or water, Leng Yi’s complexion looked poor, and when kneeling, his severe rheumatism flared up, causing him to grimace in pain privately.

“This humble servant greets the emperor and asks the emperor to forgive my lack of strict discipline. That unfilial son of mine, the emperor should punish him severely,” Leng Yi endured the pain in his knees, struggling as he pleaded his case to Chu Yihan.

He knew Chu Yihan traditionally held him in high regard, so he hoped the emperor would not be too harsh on Zhuo Junli.

But Chu Yihan was unexpectedly stern, “Zhuo Junli indeed deserves severe punishment. As a court official, he neglects his duties, lazily handling government affairs, and even toyed with the future empress, reaching his hand into managing my harem. If I don’t sever his head, how am I to assert authority?”

Leng Yi’s heart trembled sharply, “The… emperor, you’re going to kill him? Please, your majesty, show mercy. Although Zhuo Junli has made mistakes, please, on account of this old servant, spare his life.”

“Prime Minister, having served three dynasties, do you not know the crime due when a courtier interferes in harem affairs unbidden? Furthermore, he has spread rumors that I intend to make an empress and set up a harem of three thousand beauties, thus tarnishing my reputation. How could I forgive him?”