Chapter 151: What Is There to Worry About?

"Your Majesty, this is the ginseng soup I brewed for you. It restores the pulse, secures desertion, invigorates the spleen, benefits the lungs, calms the mind, and enhances wisdom. Please drink it and then go rest!"

Fu Yan walked over and handed a bowl of ginseng soup to Li Zhen. In the eyes of both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, she was not only gentle, considerate, understanding, virtuous, and wise, but she also possessed the dignified bearing and demeanor of a true mother of the nation.

In the past, Fu Yan certainly did not have such a personality, and of course, she still did not truly possess it now; she had simply grown cleverer, learning the arts of camouflage and flattery. If a person like her were truly to ascend to the position of Empress, it would truly be a misfortune for the imperial court, the state, and the common people.

However, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, like everyone else, were currently blinded by Fu Yan's superficial facade—much like towering beams that collapse in an instant, or flowers in a mirror and the moon in the water, appearing as illusions without a conscious heart. But the day would eventually come when Fu Yan could no longer keep up the act.

"Noble Lady Fu is most thoughtful. My sleep has indeed been somewhat poor of late."

Emperor Li Zhen accepted the ginseng soup from Fu Yan and drank it down in one breath. The temperature of the soup was just right, and Li Zhen drained it in a single gulp, feeling inwardly that Fu Yan was indeed very attentive.

"Your Majesty tends to affairs of state with great diligence, and you must take care of your imperial health. Although the Empress Dowager assists within the Inner Palace, there are times when she appears truly exhausted."

Though Fu Yan spoke with a show of tender consideration, she was in fact probing for information. Her subtext was that the inner court lacked an Empress to preside over it, leaving the Empress Dowager to handle every matter personally. To tell the truth, it was quite exhausting work, especially since the Empress Dowager was advancing in years.

"What Noble Lady Fu says is true. The Li Dynasty has yet to appoint an Empress, leaving all the trivial affairs of the inner court to be personally managed by the Empress Dowager, who is already troubled enough over the matters concerning the Prince of Rui."

Emperor Li Zhen indeed concurred with Fu Yan's words. Given the Empress Dowager's age, it should have been a time for her to enjoy her golden years surrounded by grandchildren, but she was currently distressed by the lack of a suitable candidate to govern the inner palace and serve as a model of virtue for the realm.

Presently, the Emperor was also quietly observing Fu Yan's conduct, yet he could not rush the decision of who would become Empress; such matters required time. The Emperor was not so muddle-headed as to lose his sound judgment merely through indulgence in female charms.

"How could she be troubled? It is said that His Highness the Prince of Rui is very filial, and that he handles official duties and public affairs admirably, is that not so?"

Fu Yan felt a trace of surprise. In the eyes of outsiders, Li Rui's character and conduct were quite commendable—aside from being utterly cold and merciless toward her.

"It is precisely his lifelong marriage affairs that cause worry. The Prince of Rui is no longer young, yet he remains entirely alone, unwilling even to take a concubine for the time being."

Emperor Li Zhen revealed a side of genuine brotherly affection. This was hardly surprising, as Li Zhen and Li瑞 were full brothers, and their bond was naturally much closer than that between the Emperor and other princes.

The Emperor did not have many siblings, and among them, only the Prince of Rui remained single—though this was due to the passing of his former Princess Consort.

"Perhaps the Prince of Rui already has someone special in his heart!" Fu Yan said with a hint of bitterness in her heart, though her tone and expression betrayed nothing.

"How could that be? He has always maintained that he would only discuss marriage after the period of mourning and ritual observance comes to an end. In truth, that is just his way of refusing."

Upon hearing Fu Yan's "guess," Emperor Li Zhen immediately dismissed the notion. If Li Rui had someone special in mind, Li Zhen would have granted a marriage decree immediately; besides, there was nothing to conceal in such a matter.

"Then Your Majesty could simply issue an imperial decree granting him a marriage. Would that not suffice?"

It was easy for Fu Yan to suggest this, but she failed to consider Li Rui's stubborn stance. Emperor Li Zhen was well aware of his younger brother's stubborn and unyielding temper—he always insisted on waiting until the end of the mourning period, a circumstance of which Fu Yan was simply unaware.