The deposed empress married a prince, and the dog emperor wept with regret!

Chapter 295 Acting Explosion

Yuwen Wuji's face darkened. What was he going to say?

To say he doesn't understand the relationship between Xie Liwei and his wife? Isn't that contradicting his own image as a devoted lover? He originally wanted to take this opportunity to bestow a woman upon Xie Liwei to sow discord between the two of them, but he didn't expect Song Yaozhu to dare to bring up his relationship with Empress Jingxian.

Just as things were getting awkward, Consort Shu came to see the Emperor, saying she wanted to discuss the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet with him.

As soon as she entered, she heard Song Yaozhu's heartfelt words.

"It is because of Your Majesty's example that Your Highness and I have seen what true love is, which is why we, as husband and wife, are so affectionate. Your Majesty, while having many children is important, a harmonious relationship between husband and wife is even more important. You understand that, don't you?"

Yuwen Wuji: "..."

He doesn't understand! In his view, a woman can be pampered, but she shouldn't be allowed to take him too seriously. Besides, women are easy to replace; if one leaves, another will do.

But he certainly couldn't say it outright, otherwise he would be contradicting himself.

Consort Shu stepped forward and said, "The affection between the Prince and Princess is certainly important, but offspring are also very important. As a member of the royal family, you should enrich the Prince's harem, so that you can set an example for women."

The moment their eyes met, they could both see the murderous intent in each other's eyes.

Consort Shu understood Song Yaozhu and knew how to tear her heart out. In her previous life, as the Empress, she was indeed meant to be a role model for all women, and she often pondered why it was the right way for men to have three wives and four concubines.

Is monogamy not acceptable?

Poor families typically have one husband and one wife who support each other until old age. Why is it that aristocratic families often have multiple wives and concubines?

To put it bluntly, it's all due to men's desires.

She had also discussed implementing a monogamous system with Yuwen Wuji, but Yuwen Wuji sternly objected, saying, "If allowing them to take more concubines can appease people's hearts, why create trouble for ourselves?"

The gist of it is that he doesn't need to support himself by marrying multiple wives, as long as his officials don't cause trouble. More concubines mean more mouths to feed, and to support his family, wouldn't his officials have to work diligently?

Song Yaozhu was speechless. She really didn't understand how she had ever thought that she and he were connected at heart.

Returning to her senses, she looked at Consort Shu and said, "Consort Shu is truly a model of womanhood. Even now, as a mere acting consort of the Phoenix Seal, she has already considered so much for His Majesty. I imagine good news will soon come from the harem. I would like to offer my congratulations to His Majesty on the birth of many children and the blessings of good fortune."

Consort Shu was furious at her words, but she remained calm and said, "The princess should be more magnanimous and virtuous, and should advise the prince to fill his harem more."

"Your Majesty, I do not understand why Consort Shu would try to sow discord between me and the Princess when I have only come to deliver good news!" Xie Li said sternly. "Could it be that Consort Shu is jealous that Your Majesty has loved only my elder sister all these years, and has therefore transferred this resentment onto me?"

Consort Shu was completely taken aback by Xie Liwei's words. What was wrong with a man having three wives and four concubines? She was speaking up for him!

"Consort Shu!" Yuwen Wuji was very displeased because Consort Shu had been humiliated. He felt that she had suddenly lost her mind and was speaking like that, showing no respect for him at all!

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I spoke without thinking and offended the Prince. Please forgive me as well. I had no intention of being jealous of my sister, the Empress. I was just worried about the Prince's lack of children and I was afraid that my sister would resent me for not advising him."

Song Yaozhu: "......"

What a silver tongue! She deserved to die in her past life. She's still alive and well, and she's still talking about herself like this.

"Hmph! I think you're just jealous that my elder sister stole the Emperor's favor, so you can't stand seeing my relationship with the Princess Consort harmonious!" Xie Liwei retorted. "Your Majesty, your feelings for my elder sister are known to me and to everyone in the world. It's only natural to arouse jealousy, and I don't blame Consort Shu. It's just that Consort Shu's jealousy and attempts to sow discord between us should be carefully considered, as she might incur negative karma and suffer the consequences!"

Yuwen Wuji: "..."

No, all that arguing is giving me a terrible headache!

Especially since Yuwen Wuji had recently learned some Taoist arts, he felt he couldn't afford to get entangled in karma because of it. So he sternly said to Consort Shu, "Why are you so unreliable today? Don't you think before you speak?"

Consort Shu bit her lower lip and readily admitted her mistake: "I spoke without thinking, and I am willing to accept punishment."

Yuwen Wuji naturally couldn't really punish her, since her initial intention was to speak up for him.

"You'll be penalized with a month's salary. Think it over carefully!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will reflect on my mistakes and be more careful in my words and actions in the future." Consort Shu thought to herself, "I'll make a note of this."

After arguing for a while, Yuwen Wuji decided to ignore the couple and told them to take their leave.

After the Prince of Xiaoyao and his wife left, Li Wei served Yuwen Wuji his medicine for the day.

"Speak, what do you want with me?"

Consort Shu presented the account book and said, "Your Majesty, this is the account book for this palace banquet. I'm a little unsure about the amount."

Yuwen Wuji glanced at it and realized that the total budget for everything from the banquet utensils and food to the costumes for the song and dance performances was indeed a considerable sum.

He thought for a moment and said, "I approve it. I'll send someone to the Ministry of Revenue to withdraw the money later."

After all, it was his fortieth birthday, and all nations were coming to pay tribute, so he naturally had to show the grandeur of his great nation.

This kind of vanity project is the most expensive, but since it only happens once every few years, my conscience is at peace.

Meanwhile, Song Yaozhu and Xie Liwei left the palace gates and went to Zuixianglou for a meal, hand in hand.

"I'm constantly being controlled by Granny Qin, not allowed to eat this or that. Today I'm going to eat to my heart's content. I want a spicy boiled fish."

Xie Liwei reached out and pinched her cheek, saying, "Then I'll have a steamed oyster."

Song Yaozhu stared at him warily. "Why are you eating this? Don't you dislike it?"

Previously, when Granny Qin insisted on giving him nourishing foods, he was so frightened that he kept backing away.

Xie Liwei sat up straight. "Was what the Princess Consort said to the Emperor today a lie?"

Song Yaozhu was bewildered. Could there be any truth to what was said in an act?

Xie Liwei leaned close to her ear and said, "Didn't you say you would never dare to stop me from having children?"

Song Yaozhu: "......"

"I won't stop you. You can even go find a dog on the street," she said, pretending not to understand.

"Okay, but you're not allowed to hit me tonight."

Song Yaozhu's cheeks burned with embarrassment. She really wanted to kick Xie Liwei a couple of times, but they were outside right now.

That scoundrel of a man is so good at flirting with her now!