"What on earth are you up to?" the Empress Dowager asked, puzzled.
"I heard that the Queen is good at cooking, so I've invited her to discuss what dishes would be suitable for Your Majesty," Su Wan'er replied calmly.
The Empress Dowager scrutinized her thoroughly but found nothing amiss. Moreover, she had always had complete faith in her son and thus didn't harbor any suspicions at this moment.
"It's good that you have such good intentions, but if word gets out among the palace servants, your dignity will be undermined," the Empress Dowager said, still deeply worried.
Su Wan'er waved her hand dismissively. "Your Majesty, you're wrong. While a dignified emperor is indeed commendable, he may seem unapproachable to the common people. Being more amiable might yield different results."
After a brief pause, as if in recollection, she continued, "Didn't Father earn the love and respect of the people precisely because of his approachability?"
The Empress Dowager heaved a sigh and said to her son, "You're right. Your father's approachability enabled him to govern the country for twenty years without chaos. However, such an approach was a rare exception. You have no idea how much criticism he faced when he first adopted this approach."
"Your son is aware of this and is prepared to face the criticism," Su Wan'er said, bowing respectfully.
Her eyes were filled with determination. Looking into her eyes, the Empress Dowager suddenly had an inexplicable feeling that her son could achieve great things.
The Empress Dowager reached out and patted her son's shoulder. Then she rose and walked over to the bookshelf. After rummaging around for a while, she returned with a sealed letter in her hand.
"What's this?" Su Wan'er asked, puzzled.
The Empress Dowager handed the letter to Su Wan'er and said, "This is a letter your father left for you. It contains all his methods of governing the country. I originally thought you wouldn't need it based on your current governing style. But since you've decided to adopt your father's approach, I'll give it to you."
Su Wan'er bowed respectfully as a sign of respect for the late emperor.
Taking the letter, Su Wan'er didn't dare to open it. After bidding a hasty farewell to the Empress Dowager, she headed straight for the Queen's palace.
At this moment, Si Junlin was sparring with Master Zhang. Su Wan'er wasn't in a hurry and simply stood outside the pavilion, watching quietly.
Qingcao came over with a tray of tea and saw Su Wan'er. She was about to curtsy when Su Wan'er raised her hand to stop her.
Su Wan'er also made a shushing gesture, signaling her not to make a sound.
The sparring in the pavilion lasted for three quarters of an hour before it finally ended.
Si Junlin turned around and saw the person sitting quietly by the pavilion, watching their match.
"Your Majesty, why have you come?" Si Junlin stepped forward and asked. He knew that Su Wan'er had just been summoned to the Empress Dowager's palace.
Su Wan'er shrugged. "I wanted to come. Is there anything wrong with that?"
Well, this was something he often said. Si Junlin thought to himself silently.
Master Zhang also came over at this time. He bowed respectfully to Su Wan'er and said, "Your humble subject pays homage to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"
Su Wan'er nodded in acknowledgement. "Master Zhang, you've worked hard. I have something to discuss with the Queen. Could you please leave for now?"
"Not at all, not at all. Your humble subject takes his leave," Master Zhang said and left in a hurry.
Su Wan'er motioned for the surrounding maids to leave as well.
Finally, only she and Si Junlin were left in the pavilion.
"Speak. What do you want to talk to me about? Is it related to this letter?" Si Junlin asked, nodding at her hand.
Su Wan'er nodded. "Yes, that's why I'm here. The Empress Dowager said this was left for you by the late emperor. Take a look for yourself." With that, Su Wan'er handed the letter to Si Junlin.
Si Junlin was slightly taken aback. "You mean you got this letter from the Empress Dowager? What did you say to her?"
He knew his mother's character. She wouldn't easily take out something unless there was something extraordinary. Moreover, this was a relic left by his father.
She cherished everything left by his father and wouldn't easily show it to others.
Su Wan'er briefly recounted their conversation. Si Junlin frowned slightly after listening.
Su Wan'er thought he was blaming her for making the decision without consulting him, so she explained, "It's not my fault. You should know that if you had been more careful, I wouldn't have had to use such an excuse."
Seeing her trying so hard to defend herself, Si Junlin couldn't help but laugh. "So, it's my fault then?"
"Isn't it?" Su Wan'er glared at him.
"Yes, yes, yes," Si Junlin said helplessly. "It's all my fault. But if you hadn't dragged me into the water back then, do you think we would be in this situation?"
"If that hadn't happened, the Hua family's fate today might have been the same as that of the Su family," Su Wan'er's mood suddenly turned gloomy.
This made Si Junlin realize that he might have touched on a sensitive topic.
"No, I would never have dealt with the Su family in the same way I dealt with the Hua family," he said. Although he had been planning to deal with the Su family for a long time, it would only make the situation more awkward if he said it now.
How could Su Wan'er not understand his thoughts? But since he didn't say it, she didn't expose him either. "Then this humble concubine would like to thank Your Majesty... the Queen first." When she said the last two words, Su Wan'er deliberately moved closer to him, her eyes filled with a threat.
Si Junlin shook his head helplessly and pulled Su Wan'er into his arms. "I was wrong."
Su Wan'er looked at him in confusion. "I said, A Lin, are you okay?"
Why did she feel that Si Junlin was acting so strangely today?
Si Junlin didn't say a word. He just held Su Wan'er tightly, wishing they could stay like this forever.
"Hey!" While he was willing, Su Wan'er wasn't. This was a palace corridor. Although the maids and eunuchs had already stayed far away, what if someone suddenly turned around?
She would have to spend more time explaining things then.
The Empress Dowager might believe her lies once, but what about multiple times? She wasn't sure that she could always avoid revealing any flaws.
The Empress Dowager was so shrewd. If she revealed any flaws, the Empress Dowager would definitely notice...
Seeing that Si Junlin refused to let go, Su Wan'er couldn't bear it any longer. She reached out and tried to pry his fingers open forcefully.
Si Junlin winced in pain and had no choice but to let go of her.
"You woman..." How unromantic.