bookrebus Chapter 269 Freedom, the only thing he can't give her
Chapter 269 Freedom, the only thing he can't give her
Inside the magnificent palace, Li Zhen sat on the dragon throne, looking down at Xu Jiaoran below.
Seeing the worry in her face, he felt a tightness in his heart, thinking that he had indeed neglected her these days, so he called over some of her old close friends, hoping that they could help her relieve her worries.
Two of Xu Jiaoran's former friends came into the palace together, one was Gao Yuanyuan and the other was Su Qingqing. Su Qingqing also brought her sister Su Wan'er.
The Su family is now of great use in the court. Su Wan'er was able to enter the palace today with a mission, and she dressed up very beautifully.
If the Su family can produce a concubine, then the Su family's future career will surely reach a higher level.
However, when Xu Jiaoran learned that her two good friends were coming, she was still in a bad mood and instead avoided them.
When Li Zhen found out about it, he specially arranged a banquet and invited all his friends to get together in order to persuade her to feel better.
During the banquet in the palace, Xu Jiaoran was still in a gloomy mood. She was like a lotus flower blown by the cold wind. Although she was surrounded by beautiful things, she could not hide the faint sadness in her heart.
There were thousands of emotions flowing in her eyes, not because she was troubled by many worries, but because she cherished the tacit understanding and friendship between old friends infinitely.
With Xu Jiaoran’s current identity, she feels ashamed to see her old friends.
However, her former friends did not persuade her, nor were they dissatisfied with her remarrying. Instead, they advised her to be happier.
Xu Jiaoran was absent-minded, and she did not respond to her friend's advice. After all, being forced to stay in this deep palace, what could be worth being happy about?
How can she be happy when she has no relatives, no friends, no lover, and no children?
Xu Jiaoran just kept drinking.
Li Zhen was sitting not far away, but seeing that she was still unhappy, and not in great pain, he just followed her and drank silently.
The most eye-catching person at the banquet was Su Wan'er. She was like a dancing butterfly, smart and charming. Her eyes wandered over Emperor Li Zhen, seeming to be somewhat provocative. Li Zhen had long been unhappy about this, but seeing that Xu Jiaoran did not make it clear, he did not get angry on the spot.
However, as time went by, Li Zhen's patience gradually wore out. The anger in his heart was like a fire in the dark night, which could be ignited at any time. Finally, when Su Wan'er approached him in a coquettish manner and whispered softly, he could no longer suppress his anger.
He stood up, his tone cold and stern: "Su Wan'er, do you think my palace is a place for you to be frivolous?"
Su Wan'er obviously had not expected Li Zhen to react like this, and her face turned pale instantly. However, she did not choose to retreat or admit her mistake, but responded in an almost provocative tone: "Your Majesty, Wan'er did not mean it..."
"Unintentional? You are trying to seduce me, but you are also unintentional?" Li Zhen looked down upon this woman who threw herself at him.
How could this person be Xu Jiaoran's friend?
Xu Jiaoran felt nervous when she saw this. She knew Li Zhen's temper and personality. If he continued, something unpleasant might happen. So she quickly stepped forward and gently pulled Li Zhen's sleeve: "Your Majesty, calm down. Wan'er did it unintentionally."
Her voice was soft and gentle, as if it had magic power to calm Li Zhen's anger. However, it was not because of the power of her words, but because of the kindness and friendship in her heart. She didn't want this palace banquet that was caused by her to become deserted and depressing because of a small misunderstanding.
A trace of surprise and doubt flashed across Li Zhen's eyes. He looked at Xu Jiaoran's bright eyes, and his heart could not help but ripple.
Now there is a woman who is blatantly seducing her, but she remains indifferent and even advises herself to let the woman go.
She just asked him to disband the harem. He thought she was worried about him and made him jealous. However, when he thought about it carefully today, this reason could not be explained. He was afraid that her heart would not be moved by him at all. He was angry, but he could do nothing.
He sat down slowly and did not pursue the matter any further.
This small family dinner ended in a bad mood. Before leaving, Su Qingqing felt very sorry to Xu Jiaoran.
"Jiao Ran, I didn't know my cousin would be like this. Don't take it to heart. I won't bring anyone into the palace from now on!"
Xu Jiaoran said indifferently: "It doesn't matter. I don't care about Li Zhen anyway. How many women he wants has nothing to do with me."
When Su Qingqing heard this, she sighed a little in her heart.
Gao Yuanyuan held Xu Jiaoran's hand and persuaded her, "Jiaoran, you have always been the most outstanding among the three of us. You have always been gentle and docile, and you are the best choice for the Crown Princess. You can also be a good queen in the future. But now it has come to this, and it is fate. I know you are not having a good time, but no matter how hard your life is, you must take care of yourself."
"I know." Xu Jiaoran didn't want to make her friend worry too much.
"If there is anything, just call us and talk to us!" Su Qingqing advised.
After the two left, Xu Jiaoran sighed.
However, this incident caused quite a stir in the palace. Some people began to discuss that Xu Jiaoran was protecting Su Wan'er. But more people saw Xu Jiaoran's kindness and generosity, and their impression of the queen changed.
When the court officials learned about this, they suddenly thought that perhaps the queen had changed, so could the harem choose new concubines?
Then some court officials began to advise that for Li Zhen's sake, a concubine should be selected to produce an imperial heir.
When Li Zhen heard this advice, he thought of Xu Jiaoran's coldness these days and felt annoyed.
In the Qinzheng Palace, Li Zhen finished talking about state affairs with Qi Shuo. Seeing Qi Shuo in such a hurry to go home, Li Zhen became curious and asked Qi Shuo, "I heard that your wife didn't like you before and even divorced you, but you two reconciled. How did you make her like you?"
Li Zhen looked deep in his eyes, wanting to solve this problem that had been puzzling him for a long time.
Qi Shuo pondered for a moment, and his steady voice gradually uttered, "I treat her sincerely, so naturally I also win her heart." Although the concise answer was stated lightly, endless sincerity and emotion were revealed in this plain narration.
Li Zhen frowned slightly, as if he couldn't understand. Although he really loved Xu Jiaoran, he couldn't win her heart back. This made him a little confused, "Is that all?"
He asked, with a hint of confusion and reluctance in his tone.
Even though he was so good to Xu Jiaoran, she still ignored him.
Qi Shuo shook his head slightly, his lips curled up slightly, as if he was recalling something beautiful. "True sincerity is not just words, but also actions."
He said slowly, "Give the other person what they want most, not just what you think is good."
True love is not a one-sided effort, but a meeting of the hearts of both parties. It requires understanding the other person's heart, knowing what she really needs, and then satisfying it wholeheartedly.
Li Zhen fell into deep thought. Qi Shuo's words were like a key that unlocked the doubts in his heart. He suddenly remembered the expectation and desire in Xu Jiaoran's bright eyes. He always thought that he gave her the best, but he never really understood what she really wanted.
However, what Xu Jiaoran wanted most was freedom.
This is the only thing Li Zhen can't afford!
Once Xu Jiaoran is free, she will abandon me and stay away from me.
Li Zhen would not allow such an outcome, so Xu Jiaoran could only stay by his side.