Chapter 419: Chapter 419

Recalling the earlier scenes, even until the evening, he couldn't help but sigh and lament to the Empress, who was serving him as he changed clothes.

The Empress's hands paused for a moment as she continued to gently comfort him as usual, yet her mind couldn't help but recall the several generals who had recently been personally replaced by the reigning emperor in court.

Although those few had seemingly received promotions in their positions lately, anyone with eyes could see it was a promotion in name but a demotion in reality; their military authority was far less than before.

If she remembered correctly, these men were previously commanders under the Grand Princess, having followed Her Highness to the border in earlier years and achieved considerable merit.

Of course, thinking this in her heart did not prevent Empress Wang from continuing her gentle consolation.

Having been his pillow companion for over a decade, Empress Wang understood the current emperor's temperament all too well.

Soon, as they were about to retire for the night, the Empress seemed to suddenly remember something. Her perpetually gentle face quickly revealed a slight smile, and while adjusting her hairpiece, she remarked as if casually:

"Speaking of this Changping Earl's Manor, your servant remembers that while reviewing the list of this year's palace maid candidates a few days ago, I happened to notice that the eldest young lady of the Changping Earl's Manor is also among the candidates this year."

She then glanced with a smile at the person beside her:

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Hong instinctively frowned. To be honest, he hadn't really looked at the womenfolk at today's banquet much. The poetry competition was, after all, just a game for young girls; he wouldn't pay it any mind. Thus, at this moment, the emperor simply couldn't recall her.

However, dignified, composed, gracious, proper...

A trace of instinctive displeasure flashed in Shangguan Hong's eyes:

"Let's forget about the Changping Earl's Manor. I am not so unrefined!"

Hearing this, the Empress seemed slightly taken aback for a moment, then quickly smiled again. "It seems your servant was mistaken. Since there is this layer of relationship, it would indeed be somewhat inappropriate for the Eldest Young Lady Zhou to enter the palace..."

After a brief conversation, this pair, the most noble couple in all the land, each retired to rest in the bedchamber.

As for any other activities, naturally, there were none at all. In the darkness, the Empress slightly turned, looking at the emperor who even in sleep instinctively turned his back to her. An inscrutable, somber light unconsciously passed through her eyes.

Watching this scene through the system, An Ning felt the final shoe drop in her heart. It was the system, however, that reacted:

"Ah, this... no wonder Sister Zhou's family was so obscure in her previous life. It seems dignified, gracious, proper... tsk, this emperor really doesn't go for that type!"

If he was this indifferent even to his wife of many years, the empress of a nation, how much more so would he be to an imperial consort like the Eldest Young Lady Zhou?

Hearing this, An Ning just smiled without explaining.

In the imperial family, likes and dislikes, even so-called ethical considerations, are ultimately trivial matters. In fact, the moment the Changping Earl's Manor became entangled with the Grand Princess, even the slightest bit, it was already destined that the Zhou family's daughters would not enter the imperial court again.

The Grand Princess, the Late Emperor's most beloved eldest daughter, held considerable influence both in the military and the court. Since she could help the current emperor ascend the throne before, then in the future, who's to say she wouldn't support another prince?

The imperial family, elder sister and younger brother, without suspicion? Ha!

That statement is truly... something even a dog wouldn't believe!

Playing with the round fan in her hand, An Ning couldn't help but let out a soft, derisive snort.

The clueless system was still sneakily grumbling.

"Tsk, this Changping Earl's Manor is really something. They can't even find out the emperor's preferences clearly, with not a single useful connection in the palace. With this, they still want their young lady to enter the palace!"

What difference is there between this and setting their daughter up for failure?

But now, the daughter won't be set up; the father himself can go "enjoy the blessings." Hehehe...

Thinking of the earlier scene, the system laughed with an especially lewd tone.

At the same time, on the way back, watching their biological father, who was clearly weak in the legs and had to be supported onto the carriage almost the entire way.

Inside the carriage, the three sisters couldn't help but look at each other. After a moment of eerie silence, it was the Third Miss Zhou who spoke first:

Why does he look like he was... ahem...

Could it be he was caught by a lover's husband during a secret rendezvous!

The Third Young Lady couldn't help but think sneakily, even feeling a secret relief in her heart. Thank goodness, thank goodness, Father wasn't bold enough to steal from the current emperor himself.

Fatefully, the Third Miss Zhou suddenly felt a sense of relief that their nine clans had narrowly been preserved. Father, ah! So unrefined!

Unfortunately, before her words could fully land, her mouth was covered by the eldest sister beside her. Inside the carriage, the Eldest Young Lady Zhou looked extremely serious, her slightly widened apricot eyes fixed firmly on the other two:

"Alright, you two younger sisters must remember, this concerns Father's dignity. These words must not be mentioned again in the future."

Opposite her, An Ning nodded solemnly and emphatically.

In short, apart from the secretly heartbroken Father Zhou, the only person in the household who knew some semblance of the truth was the matriarch, Lady Jiang.

Seeing the scattered marks on her husband's body, and being his pillow companion for many years after all, coupled with his recent dramatic rejuvenation in appearance, Lady Jiang, feeling she had guessed something, couldn't help but feel a trace of pity in her heart.

However, several days later, along with the news that the Eldest Young Lady Zhou had failed the selection, came word that the Master, who hadn't been promoted in ten thousand years, had finally received a promotion. Although it was still just a sinecure position, at least it was a promotion. A moment later...

Lady Jiang's eyes instantly lit up, and she immediately ordered briskly:

"Quickly, quickly, notify them to have the embroidery workshop prepare several more sets of clothes for the Master!" She specifically instructed they should be bright and vivid.

At the same time, during the next day's morning court, the moment he clearly saw the person, even the emperor couldn't help but be stunned for an instant:

It's just... suddenly I somewhat believe Imperial Elder Sister truly couldn't restrain herself that day! This Minister Zhou...

Though foolish and mediocre, this... is truly exquisite in appearance!