The husband who forced her to marry her couldn't keep her warm, and she didn't want him to

After the morning court session, Emperor Jianming asked Jiang Nansheng to stay and talk to him alone.

At dawn, golden sunlight poured in through the palace windows with carved beams and painted buildings.

Emperor Jianming sat in a soft halo, his bright yellow dragon robe shining in the sun.

"This conversation has nothing to do with the government affairs of the previous dynasty. There is no need to be polite, Minister Jiang." Zhao Yu raised his hand slightly and motioned Jiang Nansheng to stand up.

In more than six months, the black hair on Zhao Yu's head was about one finger long, quietly hidden under the wing-fan crown.

There was a hint of majesty in his otherworldly temperament, and his eyes were no longer as clear as when he first met her.

Jiang Nansheng slowly withdrew his hand, straightened his back, and at the Emperor Jianming's signal, sat down in the chair beside him.

On the table between the two people was an unfinished chess game.

The black and white chess pieces were arranged in an interlaced pattern, seemingly fighting each other, but there was no clear winner or loser.

The eunuch Huang Tong, who was standing by, seemed to be hesitant to speak, but when he saw that His Majesty did not even glance at him, he stood beside him and spoke up to remind him:

"Your Majesty, the Empress has sent someone to ask... The Empress is still waiting for you to go and pay respects to the Empress Dowager."

Emperor Jianming frowned slightly, picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip, and whispered, "Didn't you see that Jiang Aiqing is here? Go to the Cining Palace to pay respects, she can go by herself!"

Huang Tong bent down and promised in a low voice: "Yes, I will have someone pass the message to Kunning Palace right away."

It was only a month after the wedding of the Emperor and Empress that Emperor Jianming softened his attitude and agreed to establish the Empress on the third day.

The Imperial Astronomical Observatory explored the stars at night and found that the Purple Star was shining brightly and located in the center of the sky, symbolizing the prosperity of the emperor. At this time, there was a female star echoing with the Purple Star, which was a sign of the empress.

It indicates that the new queen will work with Your Majesty to bring prosperity to the country and bring blessings to all the people.

He even calculated that twenty days later would be the best and most auspicious time of the year to establish a queen.

At this time, Emperor Jianming had the cabinet and the Empress Dowager discussing the most suitable candidate for the Empress.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Jianming finally chose a noble lady who surprised all the officials to be the empress.

She is the granddaughter of Grand Secretary Yang, only fourteen years old and has not yet reached the age of marriage.

Empress Yang had a cute face, pretty appearance and innocent personality.

But he is a very thin-skinned person who likes to cry when things happen. He also has a bit of a preachy nature like Academician Yang.

It has been more than a month since the Emperor and Empress got married, but His Majesty has yet to consummate the marriage with the Empress in Kunning Palace.

The emperor's excuse was that the queen was still young and it would not be too late to wait until she reached the age of marriage. However, this made Queen Yang and the Yang family behind her a laughing stock in Shengjing.

After the palace maids left, Emperor Jianming looked at Jiang Nansheng, who was drinking tea beside him, and said:

"Qing Aiqing, you were already past the age of twenty when you got married. Did the Duke and his wife force you to get married using the excuse of having children like the old ministers in the court?"

Jiang Nansheng put down the teacup in his hand, looked at Emperor Jianming, and said frankly: "I am in love with my wife, and my parents did not force me."

The frown on Emperor Jianming's brows eased a little, "Before I returned to the palace, I heard that the Duke and his wife were deeply in love.

I believe that Jiang Aiqing, who grew up in such a family, would be well versed in the ways of husband and wife getting along, and understand the importance of husband and wife unity to the family and even the court."

Jiang Nansheng stood up and bowed, saying, "Following my parents' example and upholding loyalty and respect is what I have been taught since I was young. I will keep it in mind."

Seeing the corner of the bright yellow palace dress appearing at the palace gate, Emperor Jianming frowned a little more, "Lord Jiang has such a family background, he is a model for the court and the harem to learn from...

I heard that today is the Duke's wife's 50th birthday. Do you mind if I go and experience the harmonious atmosphere of the Duke Ding's Mansion?"

...

Thinking of the conversation he had just had with Emperor Jianming, Master Jiang Wu opened his eyes, picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip of tea.

"Fifth Master, is what the Emperor said today hinting at something for you?" He You asked in a low voice.

Fifth Master Jiang said calmly, "This year is my mother's 50th birthday. This is no secret in Shengjing City. If His Majesty condescends to come that day, Duke Dingguo's Mansion will ensure safety."

The Duke was a founding hero who helped Emperor Taizu conquer the country.

The Jiang family is the maternal family of Concubine Shu in the palace and the maternal grandfather of the eldest princess.

Besides, Jiang Nansheng once saved the emperor.

To the former court and the harem, the closer the emperor was to the Jiang family, the more benevolent and generous he appeared.

……

In the blink of an eye, it was the Duke's wife's fiftieth birthday.

Master Jiang Wu had to go to court early in the morning. Gu Jinchu sat on the edge of the kang and raised his hand to help him tie the leather belt around his waist.

Master Jiang Wu turned around, picked up the five-beam crown on the table, took her hand and walked slowly towards the door in sync with her steps.

When they reached the Chuihua Gate, he whispered to Gu Jinchu, "It will be very lively at home today. After greeting mother, spend more time with mother-in-law. We haven't seen each other for a while."

Gu Jinchu nodded. She and her mother were in poor health, so they would not join the other female relatives in the fun.

In the previous life, when Madam Jiang celebrated her 50th birthday, dignitaries from all over Shengjing City came to congratulate her.

Before the banquet began, rewards from the palace came in continuously like flowing water.

The eunuch's voice was almost hoarse, and the palace maids holding gifts came in one after another. The long line of palace maids stood in the banquet area, and there was no end in sight.

Although the person sitting on the dragon throne now is not the second prince of the previous life, it is believed that the current emperor will never treat the Duke Dingguo's Mansion lightly.

Master Jiang Wu took Gu Jinchu's hand, and like every time before going to court, he placed her tender white hand in his large palm and rubbed and kneaded it.

When they were about to part, he said, "The emperor may come to celebrate your birthday today."

Since the Fifth Master said that the Emperor might come, it means he was certain about it and that's why he said it.

Gu Jinchu's beautiful eyes widened with surprise, her expression full of surprise, "Will my eldest sister come to celebrate my birthday with me?"

If the Concubine Shu from the palace came back, Madam Jiang’s birthday banquet would be perfect.

She must be very happy in her heart!

In the eyes of others, the emperor came to the palace to celebrate his mother's birthday, and what he cared about was how much glory he could bring to the family.

But what Jin Chu was thinking in his heart was whether his eldest sister could come back to see his mother on this special day.

Master Jiang Wu smiled, raised his hand and gently stroked Jin Chu's fair cheek, and said softly: "The eldest sister's status as the Concubine Dowager is special, and mother also understands it."

After hearing what he said, the joy on Gu Jinchu's face was replaced by disappointment, which meant that he would not come back...

After seeing off Mr. Jiang Wu, Gu Jinchu returned to the inner room, sat in front of the dressing mirror, and began to put on her makeup with the help of her maid.

She was wearing a violet double-breasted gown, which set off her bright and delicate facial features, making her look elegant and generous.

The jeweled headpiece on her bun adds to her sense of dignity and poise.

If it weren't for Madam Jiang's birthday party, Gu Jinchu wouldn't have dressed so formally for a long time.

When she brought her servants to Minghui Hall, as soon as she stepped into the door, she could hear the lively sounds inside.

Many people came to Duke Dingguo's Mansion today to celebrate Old Madam Jiang's birthday, and those who were invited to the west room were naturally some clan relatives or in-laws.

Gu Jinchu's grandmother and mother were sitting on the big kang by the window, and Old Madam Jiang was talking to them.