He was already like this, where could he find better?
Moreover, it wasn't entirely Qiao Shan's fault. He was afraid Qiao Shan would get bored and go to the male brothel to find that courtesan again, so he took the initiative to seduce her.
He regretted it deeply for causing the loss of his child because of it.
But the mistake had been made, and blaming Qiao Shan now was of no use.
Thinking of Qiao Shan, he felt troubled. Mother Emperor had beaten her to such a state, how would he be able to interact with her in the future…
Admittedly, Dan Yue felt some resentment towards the Empress. Why hadn't she stood up for him earlier or later, but only now did she appear to seek justice for him.
Seeing that he didn't care himself, the Empress stopped bothering. As one drinks water, one knows its warmth or coldness. Forget it, let him be.
Because Qiao Shan's injuries were too severe, she lay in bed all day. Seeing this, Dan Yue wept tears every day, his dissatisfaction with his mother increasing.
If Dan Qing and his wife had such a situation, his mother would surely not bear to hit Qiao Ci, because she would surely love him by extension.
Qiao Shan also felt wronged, believing the Empress was biased and was only venting her anger on her. Annoyed by Dan Yue's crying, she suppressed her impatience and said to Dan Yue in a coaxing tone, "Yue'er, why is the world so unfair?"
"Wife, does your wound hurt again?" Seeing that Qiao Shan was willing to talk to him proactively, Dan Yue quickly stopped crying and asked with concern.
"No, it just feels emotional. The world is too harsh on men. Do you know? These past few days, in my daze, I had a dream. In the world of my dream, men are superior to women. Men bear half the sky, men possess supreme power, and the throne is passed down from son to son…"
Dan Yue's eyes widened in surprise. "How is that possible? Men have always been delicate. How can they be in power? They would be criticized."
Qiao Shan rolled her eyes subtly, thinking how useless he was, unable to even imagine.
However, on the surface, she gently explained male dominance to him. "If it were like the world in my dream, as the eldest prince, you should be the heir to the Dan Kingdom. You would ascend the Nine Heavens Palace and become the supreme king. No one would dare to look down on you, nor would your wife dare to hit you as she pleases, making you unable to hold your head up in front of everyone…"
Dan Yue was completely captivated by the world Qiao Shan fabricated for him.
Seeing how easily he was fooled, Qiao Shan's lips curled into a triumphant smile.
Little Spoon, who had been watching them, quickly informed Qiao Ci of everything that had happened between Qiao Shan and Dan Yue.
"To make something perish, one must first make it go mad. It seems Qiao Shan will bring about her own demise without me lifting a finger," Qiao Ci narrowed her eyes, enjoying the shoulder massage from Dan Qing.
"Comfortable?"
"Comforty."
Seeing that her host was lost in infatuation, Little Spoon didn't say much. After all, her main mission now was to fall in love, and incidentally, to deal with the scum, which was already great.
A year later, Dan Qing's belly still showed no signs of pregnancy. He worried daily about what could have gone wrong.
Qiao Ci was fine, and his body was also fine, but they just couldn't conceive. Even his elder sister, who had just gotten married not long ago, had a husband who was three months pregnant. Alas, it was truly troublesome.
Su Mo experienced a similar situation in his world.
Could it be that the two of them had no affinity for children?
Dan Qing's eyes dimmed. His belly was truly disappointing…
Seeing Dan Qing looking at his belly with disappointment, Qiao Ci walked over and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Are you a child? Your emotions change so quickly."
Dan Qing rested his head on Qiao Ci's shoulder. "It's just such a regret that I can't have a child for you. Seeing others surrounded by children and grandchildren, while you have none… you must be so sad, my A'ci…"
"I'm not sad, and you shouldn't overthink it. I won't have children for now, but don't worry, there will be opportunities in the future." Qiao Ci looked at him with deep eyes. If he wanted them, it wouldn't be too late when they were truly together.
"Why won't you have children for now, A'ci? Have you been taking contraceptives all this time?" This was the first time Dan Qing had seriously asked her a question.
"I haven't been taking any medication, but there won't be children for now. If there were, it would be very troublesome, both for you and for me." Qiao Ci looked at Dan Qing with gentle eyes. Her offspring were not so easily conceived. He, with his mortal body, could not make her conceive.
Even if he could conceive a child with his male body, he could not bear her bloodline.
"Ah? It would cause trouble for A'ci? Then forget it. After all, having a child is for the continuation of your bloodline." Seeing that Qiao Ci wasn't particularly disappointed, Dan Qing felt relieved.
"Yes, it would be very tricky to have them now. Shall we have them when there's an opportunity in the future?" Qiao Ci, who never thought she would coax a man so gently, rubbed Dan Qing's hair helplessly. But there was no other way, she was completely smitten with him. She doted on him.
To complete her plan, Qiao Shan married dozens of husbands within a year, from all walks of life. Even Lin Ziang, who was already married, was brought back into her household.
Strangely, the eldest prince Dan Yue was not jealous. Instead, he diligently managed the household affairs. He seemed to have become much more sensible overnight, acting as a capable and supportive spouse.
He also frequently returned to the palace to show filial piety to his father, behaving like a devoted son and showing great favor to the Empress.
Even Dan Rong felt that he had become sensible after getting married.
One day, learning that the Empress Mother would spend the night in her husband's sleeping quarters, Dan Yue personally cooked a sumptuous dinner. The Empress, seeing how considerate he had become recently, graciously granted him permission to dine with them.
Dan Yue expressed his gratitude with overwhelming emotion, then sat by his father's side, eating slowly and accompanying him.
After all, a married prince was no longer qualified to dine with the Empress Mother.
With her husband and son present, the usually majestic Empress couldn't help but say a few words:
"These past few years, I have neglected you father and son. Fortunately, your father has always been virtuous and unambitious, never giving me any cause for worry. Now that you are also a husband, you have become insightful and calm, no longer rash. I am very pleased."
After all, he was her own flesh and blood. Even though Dan Yue was not as beloved as Dan Qing, the Empress still wished him happiness.
Dan Yue's father lowered his eyes, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
Having neglected them for so long, what was the use of saying these things now?
Didn't she feel that everything was too late?
Heh.
Perhaps it was due to a few drinks, but the Empress became more sentimental. However, before long, her head began to throb violently.
Shaking her head with a hazy gaze, she looked at the deep eyes of the father and son in front of her. The Empress's alarm bells rang, and she pointed at them, "You, did you poison the food?"
Dan Yue slowly stood up and looked down at the Empress. "Mother Emperor, you are old and should abdicate."