Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Chapter 358 The Empress's Heartfelt Confession

Lingyan had discussed this matter with Xiao Muyao beforehand, and Xiao Muyao had agreed.

That's why he didn't object at this moment and remained very silent.

Although his face showed no emotion, he felt extremely indebted to Yan'er and couldn't help but clench his fists.

This matter has now come to an end.

So the four of them had lunch together in a harmonious atmosphere.

Xiao Muyao then went with Emperor Jingzhao to the imperial study to review memorials.

Lingyan, however, returned to Fengqi Palace with the Empress.

After the two entered the hall, they dismissed all the servants.

After taking her seat, the Empress's emotions, which she had been suppressing, began to resurface.

At this moment, she looked at Ling Yan quietly, her eyes surging with emotions like a tidal wave.

His eyes were filled with love, tenderness, emotion, complexity, and a hint of guilt.

She pursed her lips slightly, as if she was organizing her thoughts.

After a moment, she slowly spoke: "Yan'er, I am filled with many emotions today. Back then, my son actually disobeyed me for the first time because of you, and even put aside his pride as a man to kneel down and beg me to grant his request. In the end, he even threatened me, valuing you more than the Great Zhao Empire. Therefore, even though I had never met you at that time, I already disliked you very much."

The Empress sighed softly and continued, "At that time, I thought you must be a seductive woman who bewitched the Emperor and was of no help to my son. That's why I was so critical of you and felt dissatisfied. I also resented the Emperor's decision in my heart. Why did he have to arrange this marriage for you?"

Then the Empress's gaze became distant, as if recalling the past: "However, as time went by, I gradually began to understand you and realized why you fascinated my son so much. Therefore, my view of you slowly changed, and I began to realize how one-sided and wrong my initial view of you was."

Tears welled in the Empress's eyes, and her voice trembled slightly: "Later, I grew to like you more and more. Your intelligence, your character, your strength, and your actions all made me look at you with new eyes. I liked and recognized you more and more. I realized that you are indeed a good match for my son. No one in the world is worthy of my son except you. Having you is a blessing for the Great Zhao royal family."

"I am completely impressed by you. Today, you put the greater good first and took the blame upon yourself, which moved me deeply. I know you will suffer a lot of injustice in this matter, but you still agreed without hesitation. I am truly very grateful to you."

At this point, the Empress stood up, walked to Lingyan's side, and gently took her hand, saying, "Yan'er, I want to sincerely apologize to you today. I apologize for my previous dislike of you and for my past criticisms and dissatisfaction with you. I hope you can forgive my past mistakes. From now on, I will treat you as my own daughter, cherish you, love you, and protect you."

At this moment, the Empress's eyes were filled with sincerity and expectation. She held Lingyan's hand tightly and waited quietly for her response.

Lingyan listened quietly to the Empress's words without interrupting.

After hearing this, she looked at the Empress, feeling extremely surprised and astonished.

Lingyan had never imagined that she would be so open and close to the Empress.

She never had any expectations of becoming empress.

Moreover, she had always known how much the Empress disliked her, both a year before their marriage and right after their marriage, and that the Empress harbored some prejudice against her.

Lingyan herself didn't care at all.

Do whatever you want, she doesn't care.

Because, in her opinion, even if the Empress disliked her, she had never harmed her.

So she treated her as just a somewhat familiar stranger.

Of course, if she had attacked her back then, she would never have shown mercy or held back just because of Xiao Muyao.

So she always felt that it was good for the two of them to live peacefully and separately.

As time went on, the empress saw her abilities, methods, and skills, and her opinion of her changed somewhat.

At that time, I only felt that she was a good match for my son, and I didn't really like her.

Later on, she gradually revealed more of her abilities, as well as the affairs of the Eighth Princess.

She gradually grew to like and admire her.

In addition to her many achievements after entering the court, the Empress admired and respected her more and more, and thought that her son had a really good eye for talent.

Then came the current issue of Xiao Muyao's inability to have children.

The Empress felt that even if she could never have her own child in this life, she would still remain devoted to Xiao Muyao.

And she was willing to endure such great injustice for him.

He must have done something that most people couldn't do to open his heart to her like that.

Finally, he was willing to put aside his pride and self-esteem, and take the initiative to apologize for his previous thoughts and dislike of her.

Ling Yan was filled with a myriad of thoughts at this moment.

She never expected the Empress to undergo such a change.

She used to be completely indifferent to the Empress's attitude.

But now, the Empress's sincerity touched her.

Lingyan lowered her eyes slightly, trying to organize her thoughts.

After a moment, she raised her head and looked at the Empress gently, saying, "Mother, you don't need to apologize. I have never held the past in my heart. I know that all your actions were for Ayao. You are just a mother who is exhausted for her son. So I accept your apology. Since the past is the past, there is no need to keep holding on to it. Let's look forward from now on."

Lingyan's voice was clear and firm, echoing within the Phoenix Palace.

Hearing Lingyan's response, the Empress felt a surge of emotion.

She held Lingyan's hand tightly, her eyes filled with relief: "Good! Good! Yan'er, thank you for accepting your mother's apology. Now that you have forgiven your mother, we will no longer have any grudges in our hearts, and we will look forward together!"

Ling Yan smiled and nodded upon hearing this.

Then the two looked at each other and smiled.

At this moment, everything from the past seemed to gradually dissipate like wisps of smoke.

Past prejudices and dislikes, those hidden conflicts and barriers, all vanished in this warm smile.

The Empress recalled her past attitudes toward Lingyan and couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

At this moment, Lingyan also let go of her previous indifference.

She saw the Empress's sincerity and change, and felt a greater sense of anticipation for the future.

Their smiles at this moment contain boundless hope for the future.

From now on, they will no longer be two estranged individuals, but rather close family members.

At this moment, a warm and harmonious atmosphere permeated the Phoenix Palace.

Sunlight streamed through the carved windows, bathing the entire palace in a soft glow.

A faint floral fragrance permeated the air, emanating from the blooming flowers in the garden outside the palace.

The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, a peaceful and beautiful scene.