Chapter 129 Draft
"What on earth is going on in your mind?" Zhao Shizhu thought this ridiculous inference was absurd. "How could I do such a vicious thing to my wife?"

"What if you never fell in love with me, but had someone else in your heart, and wanted to make room for that person as your legal wife, then would it be possible for you to do this to me?" Su Ci was unyielding.

It is undeniable that the matter of Xiaoyao Soup is a knot in her heart.

"Before I met you, I didn't think I would be attracted to any woman in my life. All I could imagine was what you looked like. I only knew that I liked you very much and wanted to fulfill all your wishes and see you happy." Zhao Shizhu said solemnly, "So it is impossible for what you imagined to happen."

Su Ci felt that what he said was better than singing, but she felt sweet in her heart.

After returning to the palace, Zhao Shizhu had to go to Wei Jing's hometown, mainly to burn incense in front of Wei Jing's grave and then decide whether to move Wei Jing's grave into the mausoleum.

When Su Ci saw Zhao Shizhu looking at her expectantly, she knew that he wanted her to go with him.

But she was pregnant and had abdominal pain before. At this time, she had to stay in the palace to take care of the baby and could not run around anymore.

"Your Majesty, please go. When your Majesty goes on a long journey, there must be someone in charge of the harem." Su Ci wanted to tell Zhao Shizhu about her pregnancy, but was afraid that it would delay his trip.

Furthermore, it was impossible for Zhao Shizhu to be away for too long. He had just ascended the throne as emperor and had to go and come back quickly.

Although Zhao Shizhu was a little disappointed, he did not force it.

He was also worried that Su Ci was in frail health and the long journey would be too tiring, so it would be better for him to go early and come back early.

Zhao Shizhu stayed in the palace for a few days and arranged everything before planning to leave.

Su Ci got up early in the morning and helped him pack some clothes. "Your Majesty, please be careful on the road. How about Qi Xi accompany your Majesty?"

Zhao Shizhu's eyes flickered: "I feel more at ease if he stays in the palace. Don't worry, I will come back as soon as possible."

Su Ci was a wise man, and he instantly understood the deep meaning behind Zhao Shizhu's words: "So your majesty is worried that I will run away? Well, let Qixi stay and monitor me."

"I'm worried that you'll encounter problems in the harem and have no one to discuss with. Qixi is my close attendant. I feel at ease with him around." Zhao Shizhu defended himself.

Su Ci smiled, thus bringing up the topic.

Only after she watched Zhao Shizhu walk away did she feel lost.

When Zhao Shizhu was by her side all day, she got used to it. But when Zhao Shizhu left, she knew what it felt like to be without a close person by her side.

What’s interesting is that just as Zhao Shizhu left the palace, Nanny Ning came to Kunning Palace to find her, saying that Empress Dowager Gao was looking for her.

Su Ci was feeling empty and lonely, so he planned to meet Empress Dowager Gao to see what tricks she was up to.

When Su Ci entered Ci'an Palace and saw Bai Shuang there, she paused.

Yes, Liu Hu was executed, and before Bai Shuang had the chance to punish him, Zhao Shizhu had already left the palace.

Judging from the current situation, Bai Shuang and Queen Mother Gao are planning to join forces to deal with her.

When Empress Dowager Gao saw Su Ci coming, she immediately put on her airs and waited for Su Ci to pay her respects. But Su Ci did not even bow when he saw her, and sat down with the help of Si Xue, acting very arrogant.

Empress Dowager Gao frowned and shouted, "Has no one taught the Queen the rules? Why don't you even greet me when you see me?"

Su Ci smiled slightly: "Don't be upset, Empress Dowager. I am not feeling well. His Majesty specifically told me to take good care of myself before leaving the palace. I came to see the Empress Dowager despite my illness. Please don't be so demanding, Empress Dowager."

In the past, as long as she opened her mouth, the barrage of comments would be very lively, but now it is as quiet as a chicken. She is not used to this change.

She was in a bad mood and turned to look at Bai Shuang who was an eyesore beside her: "Why is Sister Bai hanging out with the Queen Mother?"

Bai Shuang didn't expect Su Ci to point the musket at her, so she replied, "I just came here to pay my respects to the Queen Mother."

"I see. I thought you wanted to climb up the high branch of the Empress Dowager." Su Ci curled his lips with a smile.

Bai Shuang hated this about Su Ci the most. It seemed like nothing could be hidden from Su Ci's eyes. Coupled with Su Ci's annoying mouth, she really wanted to tear Su Ci apart.

"Sister really loves to joke." Bai Shuang forced out a smile with difficulty.

Su Ci pulled the corner of his lips contemptuously: "Who is joking with you?"

Bai Shuang clenched her fists, not understanding why Zhao Shizhu would be attracted to such a Su Ci.

Su's poems were vulgar and arrogant. What was it about them that caught Zhao Shizhu's eye?
She couldn't figure it out, but she was helpless. Who made Su Ci the queen?

Empress Dowager Gao was also annoyed with Su Ci, but Su Ci was the empress. Although the ceremony of her coronation had not yet been held, she had the emperor's protection, so she really couldn't do anything to Su Ci, no matter how rude or annoying Su Ci was.

After the "annoying" Su Ci confronted Bai Shuang, he looked at Empress Dowager Gao and asked, "Your Majesty, just tell me what you want to say. I just came here for a walk. If you don't say anything, I don't have the patience to wait."

Empress Dowager Gao endured for a while before returning to normal, and said seriously: "I called you here to discuss the selection of concubines with you. Since the emperor ascended the throne, there has been no increase in the harem, but there is one less person. The emperor is not young anymore, and he needs someone to expand the royal family. For the sake of the country's destiny, the queen must also shoulder the heavy responsibility. The selection of concubines cannot be delayed, queen, what do you say?"

She felt that the reason why Su Ci was so arrogant and the emperor was fascinated by Su Ci was because no one in the harem was Su Ci's opponent.

When there are more beauties in the harem, the emperor will have more choices and will naturally no longer be confused by Su Ci.

Su Ci thought that Empress Dowager Gao had some new tricks, as it was still the same beauty pageant.

Zhao Shizhu has already said that the selection of concubines only brought disaster to those young and beautiful ladies from noble families. They will become widows after entering the palace. Empress Dowager Gao is simply inhumane.

She glanced at the empty space ahead and found that there was still no comment. She couldn't help feeling sad and she let out a long sigh.

Empress Dowager Gao and Bai Shuang thought they had finally hit Su Ci's sore spot. They looked at each other and suddenly felt that they were fine again.

"I know that you are in favor and don't want to add new people to the harem, but you have to know that as a queen, you must be tolerant. The emperor is young and energetic, how can he have only one woman, the queen?" Empress Dowager Gao said some high-sounding words.

Empress Dowager Gao was about to mock Su Ci a few more times, but Su Ci sighed again: "Your Majesty means well, but His Majesty will never participate in the imperial selection. You'd better not waste your efforts, lest His Majesty dislikes you. Seriously, if you are too idle, you should find something else to do instead of doing these useless things."