Quick Transmigration: The Pregnant Little Fairy is Pampered by the Heirless Boss

Chapter 120 The Substitute Bride 36

It's no wonder Ji Xiaosong is overthinking things. With her influence in the country, it would be very easy for her to know how the Emperor Emeritus and Empress have been traveling abroad all these years.

However, she always believed that the royal family was extremely harmonious both internally and externally, and that something like an internal power struggle was unlikely to happen.

But now that the retired emperor has spoken, and considering that he has been trying to rely on his own power to travel all over the country for years, she has to be more careful.

Although she had some thoughts on them, she didn't show them on her face.

"With Father and Mother back, Qingyun's burden will be greatly reduced."

Ji Xiaosong poured a cup of tea for the Emperor Emeritus and handed it to him.

As soon as she finished speaking, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

Immediately afterwards, Chu Qingyun strode into the hall.

The moment he saw the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager, he strode forward, knelt on both knees, and said in a slightly trembling voice, "Your son greets the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. It has been many months since we last met, and I have missed you day and night."

The Emperor Emeritus quickly stood up, stepped forward to help Chu Qingyun up, patted his shoulders forcefully with both hands, and said with great satisfaction in his eyes: "Qingyun, get up and let your father take a good look at you. You have worked hard all these years to shoulder the heavy responsibility of this country."

The Empress Dowager also stepped forward, took Chu Qingyun's hand, looked him up and down, and said with concern, "You've lost weight and gotten darker. No matter how busy you are with court affairs, you must take care of your health."

Chu Qingyun smiled and nodded: "Your Majesty and Mother are well. I am sorry to have troubled you. I was very anxious when I learned that Your Majesty and Mother had returned to the palace. I came here immediately after finishing my meeting with the Cabinet."

After everyone sat down again, Chu Qingyun recounted in detail to the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager the major and minor affairs of the court over the years, as well as the country's development.

The retired emperor would occasionally offer his insights and suggestions, and Chu Qingyun would listen attentively, nodding repeatedly.

The Empress Dowager watched the father and son discuss state affairs from the side, her face full of gentle smiles. Occasionally, she would chime in with a few words, showing concern for Chu Qingyun's daily life.

During the meal, the Emperor Emeritus took a bite and immediately praised, "This dish is excellent; it tastes quite different from what I ate among the common people."

Chu Qingyun quickly agreed, "Father, you can eat these whenever you want if you stay in the palace. These are all grown by Song'er herself in the palace. Most of the palace is empty, so Song'er has used it as farmland."

"The Empress is virtuous and skillful. She is truly a disciple of an immortal. After eating this dish, I feel as if all the fatigue of the past few days has been swept away."

When the Emperor Emeritus mentioned this, Chu Qingyun looked both ashamed and honored.

"Father, you may not know this, but the reason I can still handle state affairs every day with such energy is entirely due to the supplies provided by Song'er. If nothing unexpected happens, it is not impossible for me to live to be a hundred years old."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's hand trembled, as if some fear had welled up in her heart. However, only Ji Xiaosong noticed this.

Ji Xiaosong smiled apologetically at the Emperor Emeritus, “Father, please don’t listen to his jokes. The vegetables I grow don’t have any miraculous effects. It’s just that the family is harmonious and Qingyun is in good health, so everything feels fine.”

Upon hearing Ji Xiaosong's words, the Emperor Emeritus still wore a smile on his face, but a sharp glint flashed in the depths of his eyes. He gently put down his chopsticks and said meaningfully, "The Empress is too modest. I have personally experienced the wonders of this dish. If it can truly prolong life, it would be a blessing for our royal family."

The Empress Dowager forced a smile, picked up her teacup, and took a small sip, trying to hide her panic. However, her slightly trembling hands betrayed her inner unease.

Ji Xiaosong observed the Empress Dowager's reaction without showing any emotion, her doubts growing stronger. She couldn't help but wonder what secret was hidden behind this that made the Empress Dowager so afraid.

Chu Qingyun, however, was completely unaware of the subtle change in atmosphere. He continued with a proud expression, "Father, Song'er has many more wonders to offer. You will discover them gradually in the future."

As he spoke, he served food to Ji Xiaosong, his eyes filled with love and trust.

At this moment, Chu Yuze, who had been silent until now, suddenly asked the Emperor Emeritus, "Grandfather, do you also want to become an immortal? Do you want to live forever?"

Upon hearing Chu Yuze's question, the Emperor Emeritus was taken aback at first, then his eyes blazed with fervent light as he said without any pretense, "Yuze, of course, your grandfather desires immortality. There are too many splendors in this world that I have not yet enjoyed, and there is also this empire that I wish to see prosper for a long time. If I could become an immortal and possess endless years, how wonderful that would be."

His voice trembled slightly, filled with an eager longing for immortality.

Chu Yuze blinked his big eyes and said in a childish but serious voice, "Grandpa, but immortals all live in very, very far places and can't be with their families. Yuze doesn't want Grandpa to become an immortal. If Grandpa becomes an immortal, no one will play with Yuze and no one will tell Yuze stories."

As she spoke, a look of grievance appeared on her little face, and her eyes reddened slightly.

Chu Qingyun belatedly realized the strange atmosphere. He frowned slightly, looked at Chu Yuze, then at the Emperor Emeritus, his heart filled with doubt.

Ji Xiaosong clenched her fists secretly, realizing that things were getting out of control. She quietly observed everyone, preparing to deal with any unexpected situations.

The Empress Dowager gripped the teacup tightly, her knuckles turning white. She forced a smile, wanting to speak to ease the tension, but for a moment she didn't know where to begin.

"Yuze, your grandfather is just thinking about it; he won't leave you."

Seeing this, the Emperor Emeritus softened and reached out to pat Chu Yuze's head, but the longing in his eyes still did not disappear.

He turned to look at Ji Xiaosong, his eyes filled with inquiry: "Empress, since you are a disciple of immortals, do you know any way to achieve immortality?"

This question caused the atmosphere in the room to freeze instantly, and everyone's eyes were focused on Ji Xiaosong.

Ji Xiaosong's heart tightened, but she quickly regained her composure, bowed gracefully, and slowly began to speak:

“Father, cultivating immortality is no easy task; the difficulties and dangers involved are unimaginable. Although I am fortunate enough to be a disciple of an immortal, I only have a superficial understanding of it and dare not speak presumptuously. Moreover, I have heard that those who forcibly seek immortality often disrupt the delicate balance of heaven and earth, causing great calamities.”

She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping over the crowd in turn. Seeing that everyone was captivated, she continued:

"Once the balance is broken, the world will fall into endless darkness, the weather will be out of control, crops will fail, diseases will run rampant, people will be displaced, and life will be miserable."

At this point, Ji Xiaosong's tone was somber, and her face was full of worry.

"All things in heaven and earth have their own destiny; going against the will of heaven will surely bring divine retribution."

Ji Xiaosong spoke earnestly, “Our dynasty is now peaceful and prosperous, and the people live and work in peace. If we were to bring disaster upon ourselves by pursuing immortality, wouldn’t that be a loss that outweighs the gain?”

Upon hearing this, Chu Qingyun was startled and nodded in agreement. He looked at the Emperor Emeritus and said, "Father, what Song'er said is absolutely right. The stability of the country and the people is of paramount importance. The matter of immortality still needs to be considered carefully."

The Empress Dowager quickly echoed, "Yes, peace and prosperity are true blessings. We must not bring disaster to the country and its people because of momentary greed."

A hint of disappointment flashed in the Emperor Emeritus's eyes, but under the persuasion of the crowd, he could not insist any longer and could only force a smile and say, "The Empress is right. I was rash and did not consider these consequences."

Although he said this on the surface, his desire for immortality grew wildly like weeds and was difficult to eradicate.