The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 157

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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157.

I trusted Empress Trisha quite a bit.

Especially when it came to dealing with the Emperor.

But even so, there was something I wanted to ask.

“Does Your Majesty the Empress know how much the Late Empress cherished His Majesty the Emperor?”

Even during the height of Scaletti Zamotti’s power, she had dressed as a maid to help Casian, so all the more so.

At my words, Empress Trisha let out a deep sigh.

“If I didn’t know, how could I claim to be of royal birth?”

Empress Trisha continued her story while crisply biting into the fruit she had personally peeled today as well.

“Originally, His Majesty the Emperor had sworn several times before marrying the Late Empress that he would never take any concubines.”

This was information I hadn’t known.

While I was puzzled, Empress Trisha shrugged her shoulders as if it was nothing to hide.

“The Riarden Ducal Family was greatly opposed, but His Majesty the Emperor pleaded so many times, and the Late Empress said she would trust him, so they gave permission.”

This was more expanded information than what I had seen in the past.

Indeed, she wasn’t someone who had endured in the Imperial Palace until now and risen to the position of Empress for nothing.

It meant that while pretending to live quietly in seclusion, she had kept her ears faithfully open.

I also learned that the Emperor was far worse than I had thought.

“But then he brought in Concubine Zamotti, didn’t he?”

“That’s right. But from that time on, Her Majesty the Empress told him several times that while she could understand other people as long as she was the Empire’s Empress, Concubine Zamotti absolutely could not be allowed.”

“He must have used the Temple as an excuse.”

At my words, Empress Trisha nodded with a disgusted expression.

“That the Temple had helped with his ascension so it couldn’t be helped. And also…”

Empress Trisha waved her empty fork as if she really didn’t want to speak of it.

“He said it was unavoidable to protect the Late Empress, so please understand, disgustingly enough.”

For something she had heard secondhand, the details were strangely specific.

“Did the Late Empress tell you this?”

However, Empress Trisha shook her head back and forth.

“She wasn’t that type of person. She simply pitied me when I became Concubine Zamotti’s prey as soon as I entered the palace.”

Empress Trisha explained that the Late Empress had simply chosen and sent a few maids who were well-versed in palace affairs.

They admired the generous and wise Late Empress.

To comfort Empress Trisha who was being bullied by Concubine Zamotti, and to teach her ways to defend herself, they had simply told her stories about the Late Empress.

“Perhaps the Late Empress subtly let me know not to give my heart to His Majesty the Emperor.”

I thought that was quite likely.

Not out of jealousy, but to let her know that to survive in this Imperial Palace where the wildcat Scaletti Zamotti existed, she had to become strong herself.

“Anyway, I know all too well that His Majesty the Emperor repeatedly refused to grant the Late Empress’s requests. From trivial things to quite significant ones.”

“He must have changed his words a lot.”

“It’s His Majesty the Emperor’s specialty. Even so, the Late Empress was always so sincere that it was pitiful how she could do such things.”

Empress Trisha told me that Maribel had rescued the concubines who were bullied whenever the Emperor was away from the palace.

“Yet Concubine Zamotti used to say that the Late Empress was someone with severe jealousy. His Majesty the Emperor would moderately turn a blind eye.”

“Those two really haven’t changed at all from long ago.”

“You mean shifting what bothers them onto others and enduring others’ unavoidable circumstances for their own self-preservation?”

Empress Trisha put down her fork on the plate and looked straight at me.

“Now, having talked this much, can you tell me now? What you’re thinking of doing.”

*

A week later, Empress Trisha casually spoke up when I went to give my work report.

“Your Majesty, I’m thinking of sending the Fourth Prince to the Academy next spring. What do you think?”

It was truly a leisurely afternoon moment.

The Emperor was playing with the white cat Coco using a feathered toy, and Empress Trisha was personally blending tea leaves.

Only I had the appearance of an honest working person, unintentionally creating a sense of discord in that scene.

Meanwhile, the Emperor was so absorbed in watching Coco’s cute meowing punches that he pushed aside both the documents I had brought and the words Empress Trisha had spoken.

At that sight, Empress Trisha clicked her tongue briefly and invited me to sit down.

“His Majesty thinks that because he’s leisurely, you are too. How about Salice Advisor slacking off a bit too? So His Majesty the Emperor’s feet get hot and he starts working.”

“Shall I do that?”

As I agreed and sat in front of Empress Trisha, only then did the Emperor look up with a displeased face.

“Then who will handle the Empire’s urgent matters?”

“Naturally, the person who is the center of the Empire should handle them. That’s His Majesty the Emperor.”

When Empress Trisha casually stated the obvious, the Emperor seemed stung and straightened his posture while handing Coco’s toy to a young servant.

“I have my reasons for doing this, but both the Empress and Salice Advisor are tormenting me too much.”

It’s not like he still had the excuse of needing recovery like before, so how does it make sense to be loafing around in the garden during official work hours?

Even Joel wasn’t playing here today, saying he had etiquette lessons.

‘If His Majesty the Emperor is the most leisurely person in the Imperial Palace, he should be ashamed rather than complaining.’

He’s still at an age where he should be working hard, so why does he act like a retired person?

“Besides, it’s not even that urgent a matter.”

The Emperor grumbled brazenly after checking the document contents.

Of course, I openly presented him with facts regarding that statement.

“Your Majesty, the wind is getting quite cold now. Even if we approve it now, you must understand that it takes time for it to reach those who actually need to prepare for winter.”

“I know, I know. Look at this, Empress. Salice Advisor is this demanding.”

I couldn’t understand why he had a proud expression while saying that.

No, I knew but didn’t want to know.

According to the Emperor’s plan, by next spring Casian would be Crown Prince and he and I would take the center of state affairs, so he was sending signals of support from now.

How shameless indeed.

However, since I needed to make His Majesty the Emperor let his guard down now, I kept my mouth shut.

“The Fourth Prince…”

After reviewing the documents and finishing his signature, the Emperor pressed his seal firmly and handed it to me, then turned his gaze toward Empress Trisha.

“Now that the capital and other administrative organizations have become quite stable, it should be fine. I remember you saying something like that around last year.”

“I’m honored that you remember, Your Majesty.”

At Empress Trisha’s response mixed with subtle dissatisfaction, the Emperor looked at her with displeasure.

Of course, Empress Trisha wasn’t one to be intimidated by such things.

“Thankfully, Salice Advisor told me. That he remembered the Fourth Prince originally wanted to go.”

At those words, the Emperor chuckled and looked at me.

“It’s fortunate that you don’t seem completely thoughtless.”

“Your Majesty, please don’t keep teasing Salice Advisor like that. You know he’s a cautious person.”

“He’s so cautious that sometimes he makes even me feel frustrated.”

That was an unexpected effect, but it was really good.

I had simply chosen to be sparing with words to avoid being caught later.

If I had raised the Emperor’s blood pressure and stress even a little, it was truly a good thing.

The Emperor looked at me with benevolent eyes, then asked Empress Trisha.

“Are you satisfied with that? Hasn’t the situation changed from when you first mentioned it? It would be fine to stay in the Empire and find decent teachers to study with.”

With a trickling sound, Empress Trisha finished blending and poured the brewed tea into the Emperor’s cup while smiling.

“Your Majesty enjoys peace while planning to make the children fight? I really hate that aspect of yours.”

“Empress…”

“Won’t you support the children’s friendship? Even though they’re your own children, don’t you feel sorry?”

Empress Trisha then filled mine and her own cups as well.

Looking at Empress Trisha who was still smiling brightly, the Emperor sighed.

“I simply wanted to give the children fair opportunities. It would be troublesome if there were accusations of favoritism.”

At those ridiculous words, Empress Trisha’s smile grew even wider.

I could almost hear her inner thoughts.

‘Such talk of fairness coming from Your Majesty’s mouth?’

I had similar thoughts.

Receiving both our gazes, the Emperor cleared his throat briefly and lifted his teacup with an awkward expression.

“Do as you and the Fourth Prince wish. It’s a good thing for the Empire to produce excellent scholars. Just looking at Duke Lopez’s daughter, attending the Academy seems to be beneficial…”

The Emperor surrendered as if he could no longer hold out.

Only then did Empress Trisha regain her usual lip angle and placed a dessert in front of the Emperor.

It was like a reward given to a disobedient beast that had finally listened for once.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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