The empress is pregnant, and the emperor's incense continues

In the Meng Mansion, Lord Meng already knew the whole story, and he felt a little resentful of Chen Dingbei's former fickleness, but he also knew that the best outcome for Meng Wen Yao now was to marry Chen Dingbei.

Otherwise, if I married Akashi, I would really become a victim of politics.

He waited all night accompanied by the Marquis of Zhenyuan and his son, but no news came from the palace. Instead, the Marquis of Zhenyuan and his son asked him to get up early and go to the palace together, and the two families asked for the emperor's order to grant the marriage at the same time.

After making excuses several times, it was almost time for the morning court session, so the Marquis of Zhenyuan and his son left.

As soon as Minister Meng returned to his room and told Madam Meng about the situation, he hurried to the palace.

When they arrived at the palace, everyone was surprised that the emperor had not attended the morning court.

This emperor was quite diligent. Even when he was sick he would inform in advance. Now he did not come without any notice. This was truly unprecedented.

Unlike others who were curious, Lady Meng was so anxious that she was sweating all over her forehead. Her daughter entered the palace last night. Did something happen?

While he was daydreaming, the chief eunuch came to announce the decree and all the ministers left.

The father and son of Zhenyuan Marquis squeezed next to Minister Meng and made a final lobbying: "Why don't we ask to see the emperor now and ask for an imperial decree to grant marriage for the two children."

Minister Meng glanced at Chen Dingbei. How could he know him inside out? Even if Meng Wenyao didn't marry Chen Dingbei, she might not necessarily choose someone else who was better than Chen Dingbei.

Thinking of his daughter's unknown condition, he gritted his teeth, stamped his feet and nodded, "Okay."

After discussing it, the two men immediately walked through the departing courtiers and headed towards the steward.

The chief eunuch was searching for Minister Meng in the crowd. When he saw Minister Meng squeeze over, he hurried down the steps and said with a smile, "Minister Meng is polite. The emperor invites you."

"What?" Minister Meng's mind went blank for a moment.

He looked back at the Marquis of Zhenyuan and asked the chief eunuch, "Didn't you invite the Marquis of Zhenyuan?"

The chief eunuch shook his head, and Minister Meng's face turned pale.

The emperor must have invited him for Meng Wen Yao. He only wanted to stay for one night and be sent out of the palace early. The emperor kept him alone, so something must have happened.

Considering that Mingshi has been living in the palace and the Queen is trying to bring Mingshi and Meng Wenyao together, Minister Meng knows that this is probably related to Mingshi even if he uses his toes to think.

The emperor only invited him and not Marquis Zhenyuan. He knew that once he went in, the marriage between Meng Wenyao and Chen Dingbei would be almost over.

After looking at Chen Dingbei again and thinking about Mingshi, whom he had accidentally met, Minister Meng felt like crying.

He went up to grab Chen Dingbei and whispered, "Maybe it was a misunderstanding last night. Wen Yao would never do anything that is not in line with etiquette. Come in with me, and I will ask the emperor to grant you a marriage."

This was almost a request, asking Chen Dingbei not to give up Meng Wen Yao and rescue her from Mingshi.

He understood that the Queen would definitely not let Mingshi force Meng Wen Yao directly. At most, she would be teased a little, and her chastity would definitely remain.

As long as Chen Dingbei and Meng Wenyao's love is as strong as gold, this little thing is actually nothing compared to the lifelong love between husband and wife.

Unfortunately, Chen Dingbei hesitated. He also understood that perhaps Mingshi had taken advantage of Meng Wenyao. It would be a lie to say that he didn't care. He couldn't accept it for the time being.

He turned his head to look at Zhenyuan Hou, only to see that Zhenyuan Hou's brows were tightly knitted together. After a long while, he said, "Son, this matter can be big or small. No matter what you choose, your father will support you."

Both father and son understood that Mingshi might not be the future emperor, and it was not impossible to offend him. The problem was the possible loss of Meng Wenyao's reputation, and to what extent Chen Dingbei cared.

Just as several people were mumbling and struggling, the chief eunuch could not wait any longer. He pulled Minister Meng and said, "Sir, come back if you have anything to say. The emperor is still waiting."

Minister Meng was about to be dragged away by the chief eunuch. He turned back and looked at Chen Dingbei pleadingly, his eyes slightly red: "Nephew, if you can help, my Meng family will remember your great kindness."

Even until Minister Meng was dragged out of the hall, Chen Dingbei was still hesitating...

After stumbling all the way to the side hall, Minister Meng knelt down and kowtowed as soon as he saw the emperor: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. My daughter has behaved badly. Please let me take my daughter home and discipline her well."

He couldn't let Meng Wen Yao marry Ming Shi at all costs. The Meng family must not get involved in the royal succession struggle, otherwise the ancestral foundation would be gone.

The emperor looked at the emotional Minister Meng and didn't understand why this minister, who was usually gentle and polite, was so rude today.

He asked tentatively, "My dear, how do you know that your daughter has done something wrong?"

Didn't do anything?

Minister Meng looked up in confusion. Could it be that he was overthinking and the emperor was not looking for him because of Meng Wen Yao?

The expression on his face changed back and forth, and he finally asked, "Then the emperor summoned me, is it about the court affairs?"

"That's not the case either." The emperor said decisively.

"I will tell you the truth, lest you scare yourself to death by guessing blindly. Come, please take a seat."

The emperor's courtesy made Minister Meng unsure for a moment what was going on. As the eunuchs and palace maids filed out, Minister Meng leaned forward, sitting only half of the chair, ready to listen to the emperor's orders at any time.

Seeing Minister Meng's expression as if he was facing a great enemy, the Emperor didn't know what to say for a moment. Should I say that I slept with your daughter, but I don't want everyone to know, so I secretly hide her in my golden house first?

Would Minister Meng think that he didn't want to take responsibility, or would he mistakenly believe that he was in love with the queen and didn't want to embarrass her?

If it was made clear directly that Meng Wen Yao could not be rewarded, it would be to give the queen room to maneuver and see how many people would be implicated.

In that case, wouldn't such a confidential matter have to be told to Minister Meng?

Minister Meng has always been neutral in the court and is not considered one of the emperor's confidants. The emperor was at a loss as to how to tell Minister Meng the truth.

At this moment, Meng Wenyao woke up slowly. She got out of bed vaguely, looked at the unfamiliar environment, and whispered, "Is anyone there?"

When Minister Meng heard these words suddenly, he thought he was hallucinating. How could Meng Wen Yao be in there? This is the emperor's bedroom.

He glanced at the emperor blankly and was about to go in to find Meng Wen Yao, but he saw that the emperor was faster than him. He took a step into the inner room and closed the door with a snap.

"Why are you up? You must be exhausted last night. Sleep a little longer."

"No, Your Majesty, I want to go home."

"Be good and listen to me. Go back to sleep for a while. I have summoned your father to come over."

The intermittent words reached Minister Meng's ears. How could he not know what had happened? It turned out that Meng Wenyao did not have anything with Mingshi, but was...

He smiled bitterly and shook his head. He had no choice but to get involved in this royal turmoil.

They spent some time whispering in the inner room. When the emperor came out again, he saw Minister Meng sitting down on the chair, drinking tea leisurely.