The Empress Chu narrowed her phoenix eyes and finally suppressed her anger.
She slowly approached Concubine An. The latter didn't understand her intention and didn't like her getting close, so she immediately moved aside.
Unexpectedly, the Empress Chu sat down naturally, looking at Emperor Chu and whispering softly, "Your Majesty, you've been unconscious. I've been so worried."
The Empress Chu gently wiped her face. She truly seemed heart - broken. "But the court can't be without a leader for a single day. So I made a decision on my own and recalled Prince Heyao. As your legitimate son and the second prince of the Chu Dynasty, he should serve and take care of you by your side and relieve your worries. When Your Majesty wakes up, I'll plead guilty for making the decision without permission!"
Thanks to Concubine An's words just now, she managed to recall Chu Heyao by turning the situation to her advantage.
Three months should be enough for Emperor Chu to calm down his anger towards Chu Heyao.
Chu Heyao was coming back on the pretext of rushing back from afar to serve the sick emperor. Even if Emperor Chu got angry when he woke up, he wouldn't blame his filial piety.
The Empress Chu hid the smile in her eyes. No one noticed that at this moment, she had no affection or respect for Emperor Chu at all.
It seemed that since the day when the teacup hit her face.
The superficial affection between the Empress Chu and Emperor Chu had completely shattered.
Concubine An stood behind the Empress Chu, her face turning an ugly shade of green.
She never expected that the Empress Chu would have the audacity to make plans for Chu Heyao who was far away in Xiaoshan!
Her sharp fingernails dug deeply into the bed curtain. She glared at the back of the Empress Chu, gnashing her teeth: After all, she had been the empress for several years and managed thousands of people in the harem. Her mind was really sharp.
Concubine An had been expecting that with Emperor Chu unconscious, the second prince Chu Heyao far away in Xiaoshan, and the decline of the Empress Chu's maternal family.
She could secretly ask her father, Lord An, to stir up the court and bypass the unconscious Emperor Chu to make Chu Heye the crown prince.
By the time Emperor Chu woke up, it would be too late to change the established situation.
Of course, the "waking" and "not waking" of Emperor Chu also mattered when necessary.
Unexpectedly, the Empress Chu seemed to have anticipated it early.
Once she recalled the second prince Chu Heyao, the stubborn old officials in the court would use the excuse of establishing the eldest and the legitimate.
By then, Lord An's faction might not be able to compete with those stubborn old officials!
After all, Chu Heye was only an illegitimate son!
No matter how useless and out of favor Chu Heyao was, he was still a legitimate son.
Concubine An's eyes darkened. It seemed that Chu Heyao must not be allowed to come back.
"The Empress really has good plans," Concubine An hid the coldness in her eyes and deliberately let out a light snort. "She actually wants to go against His Majesty's order and recall the second prince who should be training in Xiaoshan!"
The Empress Chu gently twirled the brocade quilt and smoothed it carefully. She didn't even glance at Concubine An.
"His Majesty is unconscious. As a legitimate son, how can he not come back when he knows?"
Her phoenix eyes suddenly lifted. "If only the third prince serves His Majesty when he's sick, once it spreads, won't the whole world laugh at Heyao for being unfilial? Sister An is also Heyao's elder. Naturally, you don't want him to be condemned by the world!"
How could she not wish for that!
Concubine An curled her lips slightly. She actually wished that Chu Heyao would be laughed at by the whole world.
However, although she was on bad terms with the Empress Chu, she couldn't judge the prince without permission.
She just let out a light laugh. "The Empress is right. The second prince really should come back. It's just that Xiaoshan is a long way from here. It'll be really hard for the second prince to make such a long and tiring journey."
Xiaoshan was very far from the capital. Even if one traveled day and night without eating or resting, it would still take twenty - four hours.
Moreover, the Empress Chu had just decided to send someone to recall Chu Heyao.
Another twenty - four hours would be added.
Who knew what would happen during this period?
Concubine An's gaze quietly swept over Qiuju.
The latter carefully looked around. Seeing that no one was paying attention, she quietly backed out.
The Empress Chu didn't seem to notice her little move. "To relieve His Majesty's worries, Heyao should endure some hardships. This is his responsibility as a legitimate son."
She kept referring to him as the legitimate son and occasionally glanced at the silent Chu Heye.
The latter was already afraid of her and shrank his head, not daring to look up.
The Empress Chu sneered contemptuously, openly mocking the status of Concubine An and Chu Heye.
No matter how favored the noble concubine was, she was still a concubine.
No matter how noble the prince was, he was still an illegitimate son.
Concubine An wasn't stupid. She naturally understood what the Empress Chu meant. She clenched her fists and then suddenly relaxed them.
"The legitimate son does bear heavy responsibilities. I hope the second prince can live up to this responsibility and not disappoint His Majesty."
She let out a light laugh. "Otherwise, when His Majesty wakes up, he'll be disappointed with the second prince again and punish him to stay in Xiaoshan for a long time."
If Emperor Chu wasn't disappointed, why would Chu Heyao have been sent to the harsh Xiaoshan and not recalled for so long?
It seemed that he had deliberately forgotten this legitimate son.
The Empress Chu's expression froze. Her hand that had been gently patting the quilt stopped. She maintained the superficial affection for Emperor Chu only to a certain extent.
"Heyao is sensible. Naturally, he won't fail to live up to His Majesty's and my high expectations."
She stood up with a smile. "But during the days when Heyao hasn't returned, I'll have to trouble Sister An to serve His Majesty here."
With this light sentence, she handed over the task of taking care of Emperor Chu entirely to Concubine An.
Concubine An's face darkened. She only wanted to do some superficial things, such as feeding the medicine, tucking in the quilt, and wiping the face.
But the Empress Chu wanted her to stay with Emperor Chu day and night.
But she usually loved to maintain her appearance and paid great attention to health preservation. She would go to bed at the fifth watch.
How could she stay with Emperor Chu all night?
Moreover, there wasn't only one noble concubine in the harem!
"Does the Empress mean that she doesn't plan to take care of His Majesty personally?"
Concubine An gently twirled a strand of hair and sneered. "I thought the Empress and His Majesty were a young couple with deep affection that moved heaven and earth. I didn't expect that His Majesty is only in a short - term coma, but the Empress would already shirk her responsibility."
The Empress Chu lifted her lips and didn't show any weakness. "As the empress, at this critical moment, I need to manage the harem and silence the gossips. Not a single word about His Majesty's coma can be leaked."
She continued slowly. "Sister An is usually the most idle and the most favored by His Majesty. I thought you would surely be willing to accompany His Majesty day and night, so I specially gave this good task to you."
After all, she had managed the harem for many years. Her speaking skills were also very shrewd.
She praised on the surface but criticized secretly.
Concubine An had always been favored by Emperor Chu but had no real power.
The Empress Chu took this opportunity to vent her anger usually and mocked Concubine An as just a favored empty shell.
She also cleverly used her words in front of everyone to make Concubine An guard Emperor Chu day and night.
If Concubine An refused, when Emperor Chu woke up and knew everything, he would be disappointed in her and give her less favor.
But if Concubine An agreed, she would feel aggrieved for being arranged by the Empress Chu.
The Empress Chu's eyes were filled with smiles. She seemed to be certain that Concubine An would finally agree.
"Naturally, I'm willing! Serving His Majesty is my duty."
"Thank you, Sister An. When His Majesty wakes up, I'll surely tell His Majesty about your considerate and hard work."
Concubine An bit her lip and agreed. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Looking up and seeing the dazzling smile on the Empress Chu's lips, hatred welled up in her heart.
If Chu Heyao couldn't return safely in two days.
She would like to see if the Empress Chu would still be so arrogant as she was now!