Chapter 261: Chapter 261
Outside, the sky had not yet darkened, but the Phoenix Palace had already lit its palace lanterns early.
After the clouds dispersed and rain ceased, An Ning lazily lay sprawled across this person's body, her jade-like fingers occasionally twirling strands of ink-black hair:
"What's wrong? My husband seemed to be in rather poor spirits earlier?"
"She's just a young girl after all, I truly have no particular feelings about it, especially since she actually helped out, didn't she?"
"Now this is much better!" Casually playing with the fingertips of the person beside her, their breaths mingling, An Ning's originally slightly hoarse voice unconsciously carried a hint of pleasure:
"At least with this precedent set, these young ladies can feel more at ease in the future. Otherwise, during every banquet, it's always either pitch-pot or cuju, and at worst, flower appreciation or garden tours - after a while, it truly becomes utterly devoid of novelty!"
If things were somewhat better during her earlier days as Crown Princess, after ascending to the position of Empress, it seemed people were overly afraid of displeasing Her Majesty the Empress. For several years now, surprisingly few in the entire capital had managed to establish reputations for talent.
During usual flower banquets or festival celebrations, traces of literary works or poetry were rarely seen.
But in reality, among so many young maidens in the capital, there were naturally those born with a love for poetry or possessing talent in this area.
Young women in boudoirs had limited opportunities for self-improvement and controlling their own destinies.
Now it was good - almost completely cut off with one stroke. Thanks to this lifetime's small brain, she generally didn't remember unrelated matters, so by the time An Ning realized what was happening, it was already somewhat late.
Earlier, she hadn't failed to propose poetry gatherings during court sessions, but what was the result? The result was that all the seemingly clever young maidens became more mediocre than the last.
Surprisingly, not a single one dared to stand out.
As if afraid of violating some taboo.
Was she really that intimidating?
Biting fiercely into the shoulder of the person beneath her, An Ning's still-flushed face rarely showed some embarrassment and annoyance:
"Yang Er is Yang Er - her nature is like that, but what does that have to do with literary talent? Would I really vent anger indiscriminately?"
"What's bad is one person, not an entire category of people! And poetry is such a beautiful thing - it's not inherently wrong! Even if one doesn't understand it, they can't deny its beauty. Hmph, I'm not that kind of petty person!"
In the bedchamber, the half-person-tall glass palace lantern still glowed, illuminating the increasingly vivid features before her.
As if all the previous mockery, disdain, and various shadows had never left the slightest trace.
Situ Jing's eyes unconsciously grew somewhat warm. Skillfully interlocking her small hand with his fingers, he finally spoke in a hoarse, gentle voice after a moment:
"Let it pass this time. Only A-Ning has such an open heart, but that shouldn't be reason for others to harbor sinister intentions. If anyone dares to direct schemes at you again..."
Understanding his implied meaning, An Ning nodded gently.
She wasn't some easy target. The reason she acted this way now had elements of going with the flow, but most importantly, this person dared to do this probably because she had noticed something earlier.
That's why she dared to risk everything in one throw.
Although there was suspicion of speculating about the superior's intentions, this was essentially An Ning's intention as well.
Actually, if we're talking about the many cunning individuals in the capital, whether any had detected the intentions of those above them - in An Ning's view, there certainly were some.
Why they hesitated to step forward boiled down to one phrase: they didn't dare to gamble.
The joys and angers of those in power were always unpredictable. Often, following the crowd and not standing out was the best approach.
Probably if this young lady hadn't been pushed to a certain extreme, she wouldn't have resorted to such a risky method.
"Alright, let's not talk about these things anymore - they're not important people anyway." Holding the hand beside her, An Ning's tone quickly became cheerful again:
"I just hope future banquets can be more exciting! Those with talent can compete in talent, those who love to play can go play, and those who like gorgeous clothing and accessories can gather together - that would be ideal!"
"Just garden - it needs to be filled with all kinds of different flowers to be truly beautiful..."
"Indeed..." Gazing quietly at the features of the person before him, in the somewhat dim lamplight, Situ Jing soon smiled:
"Thanks to A-Ning's clever ideas, the three-colored lotuses in the Garden of Nurtured Harmony have bloomed exceptionally well this year. Such fine moments and beautiful scenes are rare. After Rui'er's grand wedding next month, why don't we go there early this year for some rest and recuperation?"
Although she was tempted...
But thinking of her son who should still be in the honeymoon phase at that time, even with an iron-hearted mother, An Ning's maternal heart ached for a moment.
Rui'er's Crown Princess had been decided last year - the daughter of Cabinet Minister Xie, a proper young lady from an established family. By kinship, she was related to Mu Yang and considered of the younger generation. Her personality was quite gentle and patient.
"In that case, better to choose someone who knows how to be gentle, considerate, and caring."
When An Ning heard this: "..."
She always felt her son inexplicably had some scummy potential.
But she just thought about it briefly - children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes. As long as they didn't bother her, she wouldn't interfere!
While An Ning was contemplating, the child's father beside her had already spoken: "Although Rui'er is intelligent, his growth environment has been too simple - he hasn't experienced much deception and intrigue. While he's young, it's good for him to get more experience and suffer some setbacks..."
Although this was true, it made so much sense!
After all, not everyone could be like the person before her, whose scheming thoughts were more numerous than holes in honeycomb coal, practically a natural manipulator of power games.
After all, he was the ruler of a nation, a person at the pinnacle of power. Actually, An Ning could see that over the years, the reason this person could decisively delegate authority wasn't just because health issues made overexertion unadvisable - there was another point: confidence.
Confidence that everything was still under control.
Just like back then, confident that even without concubines' relatives by marriage, he could still smoothly hold great power...
Actually, what her beautiful mother had said back then was indeed correct.
Sigh, compared to a certain old fox, Rui'er was still too green - for now, he could only serve as a wave of heartless wage workers.
Meeting this person's smiling eyes, An Ning soon nodded cheerfully:
Heh, what could be bad about going out to have fun!
On the fifth day after the wedding, watching with his own eyes as processions belonging to his parents once again departed from the imperial palace. The next moment:
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, these are the memorials just delivered from the Cabinet..."