Reborn to marry, she no longer wants to be the young master's mother

Deep in the magnificent palace with carved beams and painted buildings, Empress Xie Chaochao was sitting in a warm and elegant side hall. Outside the window, the autumn was strong, and a few rays of sunlight shone through the gauze curtains, sprinkling on the jade-like ground. She was wearing a gorgeous dress with gold and phoenix embroidery, but she could not hide the faint sadness and homesickness between her brows. At this moment, a plate of steaming and fragrant osmanthus cake was gently placed on the table in front of her by the maid. It was made by her long-lost mother. Every bite contained the taste of home, warm and familiar.

Empress Xie Chaochao gently picked up a piece of exquisite pastry, with delicate osmanthus petals inlaid in between, like stars. She slowly put it into her mouth. At that moment, it seemed that all the troubles melted away with the sweetness. Her eyes were moistened involuntarily, and crystal tears trembled gently on her eyelashes. She whispered softly: "It's great to have relatives around." Although the voice was soft, it was full of nostalgia for the warm times in the past and cherishment of the happiness in front of her.

Emperor Chu Heng, who was sitting next to her, was wearing a dragon robe, and his majesty was accompanied by a bit of tenderness. He noticed the tears in the queen's eyes, and an indescribable pity welled up in his heart. He gently patted the back of Xie Chaochao's hand to comfort her, and then turned his eyes to the side, where a gentle and dignified woman was sitting. It was his mother, Madam Chu. Chu Heng smiled and asked in a gentle and respectful voice: "Mother, why did you come here suddenly? You have been exhausted from the journey, and I am really worried about your health."

Upon hearing this, Madam Chu's face lit up with a loving smile, her eyes sparkling with deep love for her son and daughter-in-law. She gently stroked the delicate teacup in her hand and said slowly, "I heard that the palace has been busy with affairs recently, and you two are both exhausted physically and mentally. How can I, as a mother, feel at ease? I specially made some of Chao Chao's favorite sweet-scented osmanthus cakes, and I also wanted to come and see you. Even if it's just a moment of reunion, it can make you feel a little more relaxed."

The palace was filled with the warmth of home and family affection. The aroma of sweet-scented osmanthus cake and the occasional sweet-scented osmanthus fragrance from the window intertwined to form a touching picture. Empress Xie Chaochao and Emperor Chu Heng smiled at each other, with deep gratitude for their mother and a firm belief in facing the storm together and walking hand in hand in the future. Deep in the palace, they seemed to have temporarily forgotten the power struggle and the trivialities of the world, and only wished that the time at this moment could stay forever, so that this rare family affection and peace would always warm each other's hearts.

Madam Chu's eyebrows were tightly knitted, and there seemed to be flames dancing in her eyes. She glared fiercely at Emperor Chu Heng who was sitting on the dragon throne. Her voice was filled with undeniable majesty and a barely perceptible tremor: "Son, are you crazy? Your wife is pregnant now. As a mother, can't I come to see her? She is my daughter-in-law, the hope and pride of our Chu family in the future!"

Her words were like a sudden cold wind in spring, with a biting chill that shook the entire magnificent hall. Mrs. Chu's figure was particularly tall under the candlelight in the hall. Her eyes showed both reproach for her son and deep concern and love for her daughter-in-law.

Chu Heng sat on the high dragon throne, his heart tightened at the sight of his mother's sharp gaze. He wanted to stop his mother from visiting him with the power of the emperor, but he seemed powerless in the face of this deep maternal love. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his heart, but there was still a hint of helplessness in his voice: "Mother, I didn't mean to stop you, but there are so many rules in this palace, I'm afraid you'll be tired..."

Upon hearing this, Madam Chu sneered. In that smile, there was both deep love for her son and dissatisfaction with his overly cautious behavior: "Rules? Humph, my Chu family has been fighting on the battlefield for generations. When have we ever been afraid of those red tapes? I will naturally take good care of my son's wife. How can I neglect it because of a few rules?"

As she spoke, Madam Chu started walking towards the inner hall, her steps firm and powerful, as if no obstacle could stop her from moving forward. Her figure stretched out in the candlelight, and every step seemed to tell of a mother's endless care and protection for her children.

Chu Heng looked at his mother's back as she walked away, feeling mixed emotions. He knew that no matter what position he held or how much power he possessed, in his mother's eyes, he was always the child who needed care. And this motherly love was his strongest backing and warmest harbor in this treacherous struggle for imperial power.

At this moment, soft laughter came from the inner hall. It was a heartwarming scene of Madam Chu talking with her daughter-in-law. It seemed that even the air was filled with a warm atmosphere called "home".

Deep in the magnificent palace, Empress Xie Chaochao sat on a carved pearwood chair, her eyes flashing with gentleness and cunningness, quietly watching the warm and slightly humorous scene in front of her. Emperor Chu Heng, wearing a dragon robe, was dignified with a bit of casualness, and was talking to his mother, Madam Chu, with intimacy and teasing, as if the years had forgotten the power struggles and red tape inside and outside the palace walls at this moment, leaving only the purest laughter and warmth between family members.

Chu Heng stroked his short beard lightly, with a playful smile on his lips, teasing Mrs. Chu about the interesting things she experienced when she was young, causing Mrs. Chu's cheeks to blush slightly. She responded with a bit of sweetness in her scolding. The conversation between the two was like a spring breeze, warming the entire palace. When Queen Xie Chaochao saw this scene, the joy in her heart gushed out like a spring. She couldn't help but laugh out loud. The laughter was crisp and pleasant, like the most beautiful music in spring, echoing in every corner of the palace.

However, just when this rare joy reached its peak, Xie Chaochao's laughter suddenly stopped, replaced by a few light coughs. Although the sound was subtle, it was enough to make everyone present feel nervous. Chu Heng's smile froze instantly, and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes. He quickly turned around and locked his eyes on the queen, his eagerness and concern were beyond words. Mrs. Chu's expression changed drastically, her hands twisted the handkerchief unconsciously, her eyes full of anxiety and uneasiness, as if those coughs were the cold winter wind, ruthlessly penetrating the warmth in the palace and reaching the softest part of people's hearts.

"Chao Chao, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Chu Heng's voice was low and gentle, with unquestionable concern. He strode towards the queen with a look of pity in his eyes. The queen shook her head gently, indicating that she was fine, but her slightly trembling hands still revealed her inner weakness and anxiety. At this moment, the atmosphere in the palace became subtle and tense. There seemed to be an invisible pressure in the air, which made people hold their breath involuntarily, fearing that any sound would break this delicate balance.