Chapter 966 Preference and Exceptions
Changes of dynasties and transformations of power are always the most unpredictable moments.
The death knell from the palace did not surprise the noble families of An Ning. As early as the Suzaku Incident, people with a keen sense of smell had anticipated this day.
It’s just that a new king has come to power and everything is still undecided, so there is no shortage of people who like to watch the fun everywhere.
In a certain noble mansion——
"Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, should the princess be the empress?"
"What nonsense are you talking about! To support the king... No! Your Majesty is not that kind of person!"
"But the princess is of noble birth, so she is more suitable to be the mother of a country!"
"This……"
A certain family's study room——
"According to me, all matters of the Qinwang Palace were previously managed by Concubine Wei, so it's not certain who the queen is."
"Oh, stupid! Don't you see that Gongsun Rong is almost one of the Three Dukes at such a young age? How could His Majesty allow his sister to be a concubine? Moreover, she is His Majesty's original wife."
"Not always."
……
There was no suspense about the new emperor's ascension to the throne, and everyone's attention was on the selection of the queen.
Everyone thought this matter would be delayed for a long time.
The morning sun shines into the Prince Qin’s Palace inch by inch.
A fine horse galloped towards the morning glow, and the guard at the gate was shocked to find that the person on the horse was actually the owner of the palace.
At this time, shouldn't His Majesty be in the palace? !
The guard thought he was too aggressive, so he rubbed his eyes hard and glared over again.
Ugh!
He really is the master of his own house!
The guard quickly knelt on one knee and saluted, "Welcome..."
However, Cheng Xi didn't even look at him and walked straight into the palace.
Shi Li lay on the bed with her eyes closed for half the night. It was impossible for her to fall asleep, and she didn't want to worry the people around her, so she just lay there reluctantly.
After daybreak, he immediately stood up, tidied himself, then opened the door and walked out.
Knowing that Cheng Xi's trip is risk-free is one thing, but worrying about it is another.
The moment she opened the door and saw the handsome young man coming towards her, Shi Li was still stunned. She never expected that Cheng Xi would come back here at such a busy time.
"Lili, I'm here to pick you up and join me."
Cheng Xi walked up to her and held her hand. His temples, wet with frost and dew, sparkled in the sunset glow.
Shi Li looked at him and opened her mouth to say something, but her throat felt dry and she couldn't say anything. She could only nod vigorously.
The two of them didn't stay in the mansion for a long time. Shi Li followed Cheng Xi out directly, and the two of them hurried back to the palace on horseback.
At such an early hour, almost no one saw it in the mansion or on the streets, and no one knew that Cheng Xi had done such an unusual thing just after ascending the throne.
The most pitiful one was the maidservant beside Shi Li. She just went out to get some clean water for Shi Li to wash his face, but when she came back, she was gone. She was so scared that her heart almost jumped out of her chest.
Later, it was the guards at the door who told the truth through layers of messages, otherwise the maid would have wanted to commit suicide out of fear of the crime.
The palace was in mourning.
In fact, not many people are truly sad about the death of the late emperor, but they still have to give him the respect he deserves.
Shi Li followed Cheng Xi to the palace, and together they kept vigil for the late emperor.
This was originally a tough job, but Cheng Xi really didn't want her to work so hard, so he arranged everything in the side room behind the mourning hall.
As long as there is no one in front, Shi Li will go to the back to rest.
Shi Li: ...It feels like I’m guarding a fake spirit.
The late emperor had many concubines, and the mourning hall was always crowded, so Shi Li didn't have the opportunity to talk to Cheng Xi too much. She only glanced at him occasionally, and could sense that something was wrong with him.
She couldn't find a suitable opportunity to ask, so she could only worry secretly.
Not long after, the queen arrived late.
She had not been feeling well recently and had even invited a royal physician yesterday, so no one would complain if she came late.
After crying in front of the coffin, the queen held Shi Li's hand with red eyes.
In front of many of the emperor's concubines, she said with relief and emotion: "Good boy, you have worked hard."
Shi Li: ???
She felt too guilty to be called "hardworking".
But he could only reply: "Please be at ease, mother. I will take care of everything."
The queen nodded, wiped her eyes, and glanced at the many concubines of the previous emperor below.
According to the customs of the previous dynasty, most of them had to be buried alive, so their sadness was the most real.
After a long time, the queen let out a long sigh.
"Originally, we should have been allowed to accompany the late emperor, but the late emperor was merciful and had already told me and Princess Qin that you were not allowed to follow him. You are not blessed to follow the late emperor."
When these words were spoken, everyone in the mourning hall was stunned.
Some smart people immediately looked at Shi Li with bright eyes.