无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

Now, he was seeking Lin Zizi because he couldn’t forget Jin Zhuzhu.

He even personally selected Lin Zizi’s biological daughter to be the wife for his most loved son, the Crown Prince.

The Emperor’s preferences, from his youth to his old age, hadn’t changed in the slightest.

The Empress felt bitter and sad deep down in her heart.

She had married the Emperor in her maidenhood, had diligently served in the harem for decades, had aged from a young girl to having white hair, and her eyes had lost their brightness. Yet, she never received a shred of love from the Emperor.

As the Empress, she could not reveal her emotions, so she carefully hid her bitterness, maintaining her dignity and grandeur as the Empress.

Now, everything revolved around the health of the Emperor.

The Empress wiped her tears, reapplied her makeup, and directly issued an Imperial Decree to summon Lin Zizi, the second lady from the Jiang family, to the palace.

Ever since Jiang Ning had returned, Lin Zizi had been in a better state, but being sheltered in the inner courtyard for many years, she still had the innocence and charm of a young girl. When the Imperial Decree arrived, she immediately went to ask Jiang Ruobai why the Empress had suddenly summoned her to the palace.

Jiang Ruobai, being as cunning as a fox and having numerous sources in the court, was immediately aware of the reason behind the Empress’s decree.

How could he want his wife to see the Emperor?

He was a hundred times opposed to it.

His wife was naive and sweet, she could easily be manipulated once she entered the palace.

But, it was an Imperial Decree from the Empress. Even if the Jiang family wielded great power, they were ultimately subjects and couldn’t openly defy the decree.

After hearing Jiang Ruobai’s analysis, Lin Zizi simply laughed, “I thought there was some big problem. It turns out the only reason was to comfort the Emperor so that he could recover more quickly. Isn’t this part of our duty as subjects?”

“A subject’s duty is one thing, but what the Emperor thinks about you is another.” Jiang Ruobai snorted.

Lin Zizi’s smile faded slightly: “Ruobai, in those years when I wasn’t well, you took two concubines, and I didn’t say anything.”

Jiang Ruobai was quick to appease her: “Madam, my intention was not to blame you. I am unhappy with the Empress. There are thousands of beauties in the palace, but she is fixated on you, which seems devious.”

“That’s the Empress, you should show some respect.” Lin Zizi scolded him, holding a set of purple clothes against her body, “What do you think about me wearing this inside the palace?”

“Not good.” Jiang Ruobai shook his head.

“Really? This is a newly made outfit, I haven’t worn it because it’s too grand. Wouldn’t it be perfect for going into the palace?” Lin Zizi looked at herself in the mirror, turning her head from side to side.

Her beauty was incomparable.

Jiang Ruobai was consumed by jealousy, “You well know that the color purple suits you best. Even the Emperor had praised it before. From now on, you shall only wear purple in front of me. I think the turquoise outfit is decent, and classy.”

“I don’t like it, it’s too old-fashioned.”

“How can you call it old-fashioned? It’s dignified, elegant! You’re no longer a young girl, and our Seventh Sister is in the palace, don’t you want her to be proud of you?”

“That… is true.”

“So, this turquoise outfit is best!”

Through his silver-tongued persuasion, Jiang Ruobai succeeded in convincing his naive and sweet wife to put on the turquoise dress.

He personally accompanied Lin Zizi in the carriage to the palace, but was not allowed to meet her. As an outsider, he was not permitted to enter the harem, so he had to rely on his relations to ensure an acquainted eunuch would look after her. He also sent someone to inform Jiang Ning..