To prevent Su Wan'er from misunderstanding him, Si Junlin quickly explained, "This happened several years ago. I thought at that time that since there were so many concubines in the harem, one more or one less didn't matter, so I casually promised."
He didn't even realize that his words had taken on a somewhat "cautious" tone. "If you think this is inappropriate, I'll have someone tell her to change the condition?"
"No need," Su Wan'er refused Si Junlin's offer. He was the emperor of a country, and his words were as good as gold. How could he just change them? What about his imperial dignity?
If this matter were spread by those with ulterior motives, would anyone still believe the decrees he issued in the future?
Although this matter and what Si Junlin said really disgusted her, Su Wan'er still chose to prioritize the overall situation.
Just as Si Junlin said, in the harem, one more or one less person didn't really matter. Moreover, Hua Xixi was taking her sister's place. In terms of quantity, the number of concubines in the harem hadn't decreased at all.
"Are you really sure it's not necessary?" Si Junlin asked again, still a bit worried.
"Really. There's no need to let you gain a bad reputation for breaking your promise over such a small matter. Otherwise, how will you gain the trust of the people in the future?" Su Wan'er simply voiced her innermost thoughts.
After hearing this, Si Junlin felt a warm feeling in his heart. What Su Wan'er said sounded like she cared about him.
This woman still cared about him. Otherwise, why would she think about him?
If Su Wan'er had known what he was thinking, she would surely have been both amused and exasperated.
Some people were just too self - centered. When Su Wan'er said this, she was thinking about the way to govern the country that General Su had taught her. It really had nothing to do with this emperor.
Si Junlin didn't know this, and Su Wan'er didn't know what he was thinking. So, they somehow had a wonderful misunderstanding.
Regardless of the current situation, after Su Wan'er had settled all the matters, she said to Si Junlin, "If there are no more issues, I'll start taking action tomorrow."
"Okay, go ahead. I've been planning for so many years. It's time to implement it," Si Junlin nodded in agreement.
After getting Si Junlin's approval, Su Wan'er turned around and was about to leave.
"Wait. Where are you going?" Si Junlin quickly grabbed the sleeve of Su Wan'er's robe.
Now that they knew that their souls would swap if their skins touched, Si Junlin didn't dare to hold Su Wan'er's wrist directly. He could only hold her sleeve to stop her.
Su Wan'er turned around, looking puzzled. "I'm going back to the imperial study to make arrangements. Without thorough preparations, what if something unexpected happens?"
Si Junlin said to her, "If you really want to make thorough preparations, it's right for you to stay here. I've experienced more about court affairs than you have."
"Are you sure you'll help me?" Su Wan'er looked at him with a strange expression.
Si Junlin nodded. "Of course. Not to mention that we're partners, just the fact that we're husband and wife means I'll naturally help you with your matters."
Now he finally knew what kind of image he had in Su Wan'er's heart.
It was heart - wrenching, extremely so.
Su Wan'er looked at him for a long time. Finally, she sighed. "Okay, I'll stay. You can help me plan."
After dinner, Su Wan'er and Si Junlin sat at the desk. They discussed the matter of the Hua family for a long time, covering any potential omissions and how to handle the situation if the plan failed.
At this time, the atmosphere between them became very harmonious. Without realizing it, Su Wan'er found it easier and easier to call Si Junlin "A Lin", and Si Junlin could call Su Wan'er "Wan'er" without hesitation.
"Yawn!" Seeing that the plan was almost in place, Su Wan'er yawned and was about to go to rest.
Si Junlin personally fetched well water for Su Wan'er and even washed her hands for her.
Surprise flashed in Su Wan'er's eyes. She was not only surprised that Si Junlin would wash her hands himself but also that he knew how to do such a thing.
Si Junlin calmly dried his hands and said in a calm tone, "Qingcao said that in order to take better care of the little prince in the future, I should learn how to serve people in advance."
God knew that his ears were already bright red at this moment. It was just that the candlelight was too dim and he was facing Su Wan'er, so she didn't notice. If she had, he didn't know how he could face her in the future.
After hearing his words, Su Wan'er's face also flushed slightly. She silently cursed Qingcao in her heart, "This girl, why does she always make arrangements for her master without permission? She and Si Junlin weren't even close yet, and she was already thinking about having a child."
"You can just decline her suggestions in the future," Su Wan'er rubbed her temples and said with a bit of a headache.
Just thinking that Su Wan'er didn't want to have a child with him made Si Junlin feel inexplicably irritated. The good mood from their harmonious time together just now was completely gone.
"You really don't want to have my child?" Si Junlin asked as if seeking confirmation.
Seeing his somewhat hurt expression, and thinking that he had just given her advice, Su Wan'er didn't want to be too direct. So, she changed her tone and said to Si Junlin in what she thought was a more euphemistic way, "It's not that I don't want to. It's just that you have so many concubines in the harem. It's hardly my turn to give birth to a prince for you. Just like Concubine Mei before. As long as you say a word, there are plenty of concubines willing to give birth to a prince for you."
Si Junlin fell silent. He didn't know why he wasn't satisfied with the current situation of getting along with Su Wan'er. He seemed to want a child with her even more... When did this thought come about? He didn't know himself. This thought was like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, emerging inadvertently.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Su Wan'er thought he understood and didn't say anything more. She walked around Si Junlin and went to the couch to rest.
Si Junlin took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down. He needed to think carefully about why he insisted on having a child with Su Wan'er. Was it for the succession to the throne? There were plenty of concubines in the harem willing to give birth to a prince for him. He didn't need Su Wan'er for that. But... what on earth was the reason?
He tossed and turned in bed for a long time and didn't fall into a drowsy sleep until dawn.
When Su Wan'er got up, she saw that Si Junlin was still sleeping. So, she quietly left the imperial chamber.