He fell into his own memories, "That year, during the selection of imperial consorts, I actually didn't have many requirements for women. Everything was left to the Empress and the Empress Dowager. At that time, I felt that what the Empress Dowager said was right: as long as they could be gentle and stable, and multiply the royal lineage, nothing else mattered."
It was at this time that Song Chaoyu learned about the events of the imperial consort selection back then.
The Emperor had no particular interest in the selection, but he still had to appear for the final palace examination.
In fact, the Empress Dowager did not like Li Nishu at the time. After all, her appearance was too charming and enchanting, which did not fit the Empress Dowager's idea of a gentle and virtuous woman.
However, Li Nishu was able to reach the final palace examination because her appearance was indeed too outstanding.
During the palace examination, Li Nishu did not want to enter the palace as a consort either.
She didn't even dress up too deliberately, yet the Emperor's eyes were immediately drawn to Li Nishu standing among the many candidates!
To this day, the Emperor could still recall the scene: "Among all the candidates that year, I saw her at a glance. It wasn't because of her appearance. When I saw her, she was even squatting on the ground with her head bowed, not looking up at me."
Thinking of Li Nishu back then, the Emperor's lips even curved into a slight smile. "At that time, after I finished my work, I arrived at the palace examination venue early. At that time, most of the candidates had not yet arrived. But she was already there. She was bowing her head, squatting in a corner, and didn't see me."
The Emperor walked down from his seat and approached a pot of double-petaled pink-purple peach blossoms placed in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. He gently reached out and stroked the branches and leaves of the peach blossoms. "Only when I got closer did I realize she was looking at the pot of peach blossoms on the ground."
"That pot of peach blossoms was almost withered, and she seemed to be thinking about how to save it."
"I walked up and asked her, 'Why save it? There are plenty of such peach blossoms in the palace, and we can just bring another pot.' "
At this point, the Emperor's eyes were filled with extreme tenderness. "She said, 'It's not easy for these flowers to survive in the palace. Since they can be saved, why give up? Human lives are also like this.' "
The Emperor sighed, "No one has ever said such things to me. She is different. The way she was so serious was truly beautiful, so beautiful."
Therefore, that day, although the Empress Dowager did not favor Li Nishu, the Emperor kept her.
For the next twenty-eight years, they were never separated.
Everyone said that Li Nishu was the Emperor's most favored consort.
At this moment, the Emperor looked at Song Chaoyu. Although he didn't want to, he seemed to have no choice but to admit, "I love her. Perhaps more than you imagine! I never thought she would leave me. In all these years in the palace, she never acted arrogantly due to my favor. She even made the Empress Dowager have to admit that she was a good Noble Consort."
The Emperor rubbed his hands, his eyes filled with a hint of helplessness as he looked at Song Chaoyu, "Princess Chang, can you tell me why she left me? Perhaps I was angry with her because of past events, but don't ordinary couples also get angry and quarrel?"
Song Chaoyu did not expect the Emperor's love for Consort Li to be so deep.
But some things, perhaps no one could control.
She could only sigh, "Since Father Emperor had feelings for Mother Consort, why did he send His Highness away back then? Did Father Emperor not consider Mother Consort's sadness?"
Song Chaoyu also knew where their problem lay.
She suddenly asked the Emperor, "After Mother Consort entered the palace, did she tell Father Emperor about her and Tan Ye?"
Song Chaoyu believed that Consort Li also had the Emperor in her heart.
The Emperor nodded, "She was very frank. On the second night of their intimacy, she told me. She said she didn't want me to hear about it from others one day and misunderstand that she still had feelings for that person from the Tan family. I liked her sincerity, so over the years, I have never doubted her because of these matters."
Song Chaoyu sighed again, "So she was sincere to Father Emperor, and did Father Emperor also treat Mother Consort with sincerity because of this?"
The Emperor was stunned for a moment, clearly not.
So it was only now that he seemed to understand why Consort Li had not told him about the matter of Mu Changxi's replacement back then.
Song Chaoyu saw a flicker of regret in the Emperor's eyes.
He looked somewhat helpless, like a child who had made a mistake.
He looked up at Song Chaoyu, "I understand now. But she has already left me, what should I do?"
What could Song Chaoyu tell him to do?
She knew that Consort Li was strong and resilient. The estrangement over the years was probably not something that could be resolved with a few words.
She shook her head, "The person who tied the knot must untie it."
The Emperor suddenly looked at Song Chaoyu, "Now, I'm afraid she will only be willing to listen to you. Princess, can you help me persuade Consort Li? I want... for her to be my Noble Consort again!"
Ask for her help?
Song Chaoyu did not expect the Emperor to ask her to help with this!
In fact, she had some reservations in her heart.
"What, you have concerns?"
The Emperor saw Song Chaoyu's hesitation.
Song Chaoyu thought for a moment and honestly said, "Actually, these days, this concubine has been very uneasy. Knowing that Your Majesty is bothered by being deceived, we have also prepared to leave the capital with His Highness. Father Emperor... do you still trust us?"
"Leave the capital?"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's eyes widened in shock, and then he gave a bitter smile. "Even you all think that I will punish Prince Chang and Consort Li?"
Song Chaoyu remained silent, and the Emperor's head drooped. "Yes, perhaps in everyone's eyes, I would definitely do that! But I can't do it anymore!"
He looked outside. "The current court situation is already completely controlled by the Crown Prince. Even if he wanted me to abdicate now, I would have no power to resist. I am angry, but I can only be angry."
The Emperor was so powerless, and seemed to have accepted this powerlessness.
But Song Chaoyu did not sympathize with him.
She stood up and said earnestly to the Emperor, "The knot between you and Mother Consort can only be untied by yourself. However, I can feel that Mother Consort has you in her heart. In fact, women's emotions are like this. As long as she still has you in her heart, you can always have a few words with her. So Father Emperor, this concubine cannot help you, but you can help yourself."
The Emperor was stunned for a moment, and then quickly understood Song Chaoyu's meaning.
He smiled and nodded, "You are right. You are a rare person of insight, no wonder Chang'er is so inseparable from you. Enough, I understand. And thank you for coming to say these words to me today."
Song Chaoyu knew that she had said all she needed to say.
So she got up to leave, "Since that is the case, this concubine will take her leave. I wish Father Emperor can win back Mother Consort soon."
Song Chaoyu turned, but heard the Emperor say, "Go back and tell Prince Chang to do his duty as Prince Chang. His legs are fine, and I... am also very happy."