To confirm a rather silly question, the emperor, who was still wide - awake for the moment, decided to take matters into his own hands.
He gently turned Su Wan'er's body around and then lowered his head to kiss her lips. Of course, in order not to wake her up, he just let their lips touch. If Su Wan'er was just pretending to sleep, she would surely wake up immediately and push him away... Well, this woman was really exhausted and fast asleep.
He let out a soft sigh, tightened his embrace, and then fell asleep too.
The next day, Su Wan'er was summoned by the empress dowager.
She had just taken her seat when the empress dowager began to inquire, "My child, do you have feelings for the daughter of the Su family?"
Su Wan'er still shook her head. After all, she wasn't Si Junlin, so it was hard to tell whether she liked someone or not. But there was one thing Su Wan'er was certain of: the atmosphere between the two of them was much better than before.
"Why then...?" The empress dowager looked utterly confused.
Su Wan'er explained, "After all, the eldest son of the Su family is still in the capital. Even if it's just for show, it's better than letting him know that his sister is having a hard time in the palace. The other day, I went to the Su family with the queen and found that the Su family dotes on this daughter very much. If I can make her obedient to me, the Su family will be firmly in my grasp."
Su Wan'er looked calm on the surface, but inside she was bitterly smiling.
Throughout history, she was probably the first person to scheme against herself. This damned soul - swapping...
The empress dowager didn't say a word, as if she were pondering the possibility of Su Wan'er's words.
Finally, she still wanted to make sure, "Are you really going to do this? And you won't regret it?"
"There's nothing to regret. This palace is, after all, my territory. She won't be able to stir up much trouble." Su Wan'er said very firmly.
Seeing Su Wan'er's determined look, the empress dowager didn't pursue the matter further.
She just told Si Junlin to be more careful with Su Wan'er. No matter what the reason or excuse, it was always better to be cautious.
When Su Wan'er returned, she only needed to tell Si Junlin the result of this matter.
To Su Wan'er's great surprise, Si Junlin was very calm after hearing it and didn't make any comments.
"Don't you... have anything to say?" Su Wan'er hesitated before speaking.
Si Junlin gave her a faint look and said with a bit of amusement, "What do you want me to say? Well, okay, I'll be on guard against you?"
Looking at Si Junlin's mischievous look, Su Wan'er suddenly remembered that Si Junlin was only twenty - seven years old. He was in the prime of his youth, full of vigor. However, this youthful aura was usually hidden behind words like "steady" and "reserved", so people thought that Si Junlin was either in his twilight years or close to fifty.
"Pfft!" Su Wan'er couldn't help laughing. The awkward atmosphere between the two because of the empress dowager's words instantly thawed.
Although Su Wan'er wasn't sure if Si Junlin really trusted her, the current atmosphere was quite nice. Before their souls swapped back, let her briefly indulge in this beautiful illusion.
Finally, it was time to send the eldest son of the Su family back to the border.
Early in the morning, Su Wan'er led the imperial guards and waited at the gate.
Su Linshan led his guards and slowly set off from the Su mansion. He planned to rush there early to join his father and grandfather in guarding the border. He never thought that the emperor would come out in person to see him off.
From afar, seeing the person standing at the city gate, he was so shocked that he quickly dismounted.
Su Wan'er walked forward slowly and helped him up, "General Su, there's no need for such formalities. This journey to the border is a long one. Please take good care of yourself. Your Su family is the pillar of our country. I hope General Su can convey my greetings when you go. I'll leave the affairs in the northern border to the Su family."
Su Linshan quickly agreed.
This was something that all military officials envied. When you went on an expedition and the emperor came to see you off in person, it meant that the emperor valued you and was willing to come down to see you off.
After watching Su Linshan leave, Su Wan'er got into the imperial carriage to return to the palace.
Si Junlin saw her dejected look, reached out his hand and pulled her into his arms, and said to her, "Wan'er, if you don't want your elder brother to go to the battlefield, I can have someone replace your Su family."
He had some self - interested motives for doing this, but there were also fair reasons.
According to the laws set by the late emperor, all soldiers who had served on the border for twenty years could apply to retire when new recruits were enlisted. The Su family had been generals for generations, guarding the northern border. Even the youngest son of the Su family, who had gone there the latest, had already served for six years. If the people of the Su family were willing to hand over their military power, they could still enjoy the status and monthly salary of a great general, and they could also avoid being suspected by the emperor. It was a win - win situation.
All of this only needed a letter from the head of the Su family. Si Junlin thought that Su Wan'er should agree.
However, after hearing Si Junlin's words, Su Wan'er refused, "It's impossible. My grandfather and father will never agree."
Si Junlin couldn't understand at all, "Why? Do the people of your Su family like military power so much that they would rather be suspected by the royal family than live a quiet and comfortable life?"
"No, the people of our Su family are not reluctant to let go of military power." Su Wan'er felt a faint pain in her heart. She originally thought that Si Junlin could trust their Su family, but who would have thought that he still didn't believe them.
At this moment, Su Wan'er only felt extremely tired.
Si Junlin caught her words and continued to press on relentlessly, "Okay, if you say it's not, then tell me, why is your Su family so persistent in holding on to military power?"
"That's... that's because..." It was because their Su family wanted to repay the founding emperor for his kindness and were willing to guard the Si family's country for generations.
But would he believe such a thing if she said it?
Judging from his expression, he definitely wouldn't believe her.
Since he wouldn't believe her, why should she say it?
"Because of what? Why don't you continue?" A sneer flashed in Si Junlin's eyes. They talked so grandly, but in fact, they just couldn't bear to let go of military power.
Did they still expect him to trust them with such thoughts? It was simply a dream.
They each had their own thoughts, and the atmosphere in the carriage fell into complete silence.
This mood lasted until the carriage returned to the palace. Because they had to deal with memorials, Su Wan'er and Si Junlin had to return to the same palace, but the atmosphere between them was so tense that even the passing maids could feel it.
The news that the emperor and the queen were in conflict spread through the palace at an extremely fast speed.