However, judging from the current situation, cooperating with her didn't seem to do any harm to herself...
After much thought, Concubine Xi finally made her decision. "Fine. Since you've invited me so sincerely, I'll cooperate with you. We'll compete fairly for the position of the empress after we get rid of the current one."
Just like this, two concubines who had once been highly favored and then fallen out of grace reached a common goal at this moment.
Su Wan'er left on time the next day. After all these days, she had already gotten used to the time of the morning court.
Before leaving, however, she specifically told Qing Cao to take good care of Si Jun Lin. Then she turned around and left for the morning court.
When Su Wan'er returned, Si Jun Lin had just woken up. Su Wan'er then asked someone to prepare the morning meal.
Just as Su Wan'er was about to start eating, the Minister of the Supreme Court of Judicature came to report. He said that they had found out who had tried to assassinate the emperor.
Su Wan'er glanced at Si Jun Lin.
Si Jun Lin said in a "virtuous and gentle" manner, "Since Your Majesty has something to attend to, please go ahead. I can take good care of myself here."
For some reason, when Su Wan'er heard Si Jun Lin's words, the image of Si Jun Lin's true form kept popping up in her mind. A chill ran through her body, spreading from the depths of her heart to every limb.
Shivering violently, Su Wan'er snapped out of her daydream. She coughed lightly to cover up her embarrassment. "Tell the Minister of the Supreme Court of Judicature to wait in the imperial study. I'll go there later."
"Yes." Fang Xi answered and went down to instruct the little eunuch to entertain the minister.
Su Wan'er stood up and reached out her hand to Si Jun Lin. "Empress, this matter is somehow related to you. Come and listen with me?"
"The imperial physician said I shouldn't move around casually." Si Jun Lin pretended to look weak.
Su Wan'er let out a soft scoff. How could she not know that Si Jun Lin was just getting back at her for not being able to go out these days? But... was it really appropriate for an emperor to be so petty and play tricks?
Sighing helplessly in her heart, Su Wan'er forced a kind smile. "Empress, that was before. Now most of the remaining poison in your body has been cleared. Moving around more will help your body recover. I think the imperial physician will agree, right?"
When she said the last sentence, Su Wan'er looked at the imperial physician beside her.
The imperial physician immediately understood. "Yes. I examined the empress's body yesterday. The remaining poison in the empress's body, along with the poison from yesterday, has all been cleared. To help the empress recover as soon as possible, I suggest that the empress move around more. This will speed up the empress's recovery."
Su Wan'er looked at Si Jun Lin calmly, as if saying, "Now you have nothing to say, right?"
Si Jun Lin just wanted to take a little revenge on Su Wan'er. Now that the imperial physician had said so, he had nothing more to say.
Supported by Qing Cao, he slowly stood up and bowed weakly to Su Wan'er. "Since the imperial physician has said so, I can't very well decline Your Majesty's invitation. I'll go with Your Majesty."
Su Wan'er let out a soft "tsk". To show the loving relationship between the emperor and the empress, she stepped forward and took over the "important task" of supporting the empress from Qing Cao.
Qing Cao followed behind. For some reason, she felt that the backs of the two of them looked extremely harmonious in the morning light.
She couldn't help but cover her lips with her hand to suppress the excitement in her heart.
Had her master finally turned things around? It was really a cause for celebration...
Unaware of what the palace servants were thinking, Si Jun Lin was feeling extremely comfortable at the moment. Maybe it was because Su Wan'er was by his side, or maybe it was the long - awaited morning light. Maybe it was both...
The Minister of the Supreme Court of Judicature was waiting in the imperial study. In fact, he didn't want to come so early. But last night, the constables had caught a suspicious - looking person who seemed to be a southern border warlock. To relieve the emperor's worry, he decided to come and report first.
However, when he heard, "His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress are coming," he spat out all the tea in his mouth onto the floor.
Wasn't it said that the emperor didn't like the empress? Why were they coming together?
The minister thought he was having an auditory hallucination.
But when he looked towards the door, he felt that his understanding of things had been refreshed.
Although he could hardly believe what he saw, out of courtesy, he still bowed respectfully to Su Wan'er and Si Jun Lin. "Your humble servant pays homage to Your Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress."
"Rise," Su Wan'er said calmly. Every movement of hers exuded the majesty of a king.
Si Jun Lin was quite satisfied with what he saw. At least in this regard, Su Wan'er didn't embarrass him.
The minister waited until Su Wan'er and Si Jun Lin were seated before he stood up and walked to the imperial desk.
To avoid upsetting Si Jun Lin, Su Wan'er still calmly asked, "Minister Li, you didn't attend the morning court but came here at this time. What's the matter?"
The minister bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, the constables were patrolling the city yesterday and found a suspicious - looking person. He has now been arrested and is in the prison. Please make a decision, Your Majesty."
Su Wan'er frowned. "You came to report to me just because you caught a suspicious - looking person?"
Scolded by Su Wan'er, the minister broke out in a cold sweat on his back. "Yes, no, no. I just wanted to come and report to Your Majesty to put Your Majesty's mind at ease."
However, Su Wan'er's frown didn't relax at all because of his words. "How on earth do you of the Supreme Court of Judicature handle things? You just arrested someone because he looked a bit suspicious? Do you just take human lives so lightly?"
The minister quickly kowtowed. "Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
Seeing that the intimidation was enough, Su Wan'er softened her tone a little and said to the minister, "Minister Li, I know you were just anxious to put my mind at ease this time. I'll let it go this once, but don't let it happen again."
The minister quickly replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness."
Su Wan'er got up from behind the imperial desk and walked straight up to the minister. She helped the minister up herself. "Since you've caught a suspicious person, I have to go and take a look."
"But he's a southern border warlock..." The minister hesitated. If something happened to the emperor, he would never be able to atone for his crime.
"It's okay. I'll just take a look from afar. I won't get too close. No matter how powerful that southern border warlock is, he can't do anything to me," Su Wan'er said.
The minister had no choice but to agree.
While the palace servants were making preparations, Su Wan'er turned to Si Jun Lin. "Well, are you reassured now, my empress?"
Si Jun Lin nodded helplessly. "Yes, it's very good."