"Your Majesty, you don't need to worry. Hongli is a lucky man, he will be alright!" Hongzhou saw that Lanqin was staring at him because she missed Hongli so much, and that's why his strange feelings disappeared.

Lanqin smiled and said, "Then I'll take your good wishes!" With that, she picked up two pieces of food and placed them in Hongzhou's bowl. "Don't be shy, eat as much as you like. This was cooked by me personally, please try it!" Lanqin felt guilty towards Hongzhou, and this was the only way she could make it up to him.

"Why would I be nervous? Her Majesty treats Hongzhou so well, Hongzhou treats this place like his own home!" Hongzhou picked up a piece of food and put it in his mouth, making an appreciative sound, "Delicious!"

Lanqin was amused by Hongzhou's appearance, "If it's delicious, eat more! If it's not enough, I'll have someone make more!"

Watching the "mother and son" pair from the side, Cui Niang was filled with emotion. If the Empress hadn't given the child to Geng Shi to raise back then, how happy the mother and son would be now!

"By the way, Your Highness, has there been any news from Father Emperor's side recently?" Hongzhou has been worried about the war in the Northwest, but he has been unable to get any news. He thought that Father Emperor might send a letter to Consort Xi.

Lanqin has been waiting for the Fourth Prince to send a letter these past few days, but perhaps because the war is too urgent, he hasn't had time. "I haven't received any news from the Northwest recently!"

The two finished their lunch amidst a mix of pleasantness and worry, and then returned to the main hall to talk.

Lanqin then explained to Hongzhou the purpose of his visit.

“Hongzhou, do you know what kind of person the Fifth Prince is?” Lanqin suddenly asked about the Fifth Prince’s character, which puzzled Hongzhou, but he still answered truthfully. “The Fifth Prince has never liked to participate in court affairs. He is carefree and unrestrained at heart.”

Lanqin continued Hongzhou's words, "I have always thought that the Fifth Prince is that kind of person, but... something very strange happened in the Fifth Prince's backyard."

"Something strange?" Hongzhou asked in surprise.

“Yes! The Fifth Prince and the Fifth Princess Consort have always been on good terms, but they have completely fallen out over a princess! So I want you to investigate this matter!” Lanqin said.

Hongzhou didn't understand why Lanqin wanted him to investigate the Fifth Prince's affairs, but he didn't ask further because of his status. Lanqin, fearing that Hongzhou would become suspicious, said, "Originally, this was the Fifth Prince's family matter, and I shouldn't get involved. However, the Fifth Prince's wife has been coming to me to complain these past few days. I feel sorry for her, so I want to help her."

Hongli then abandoned the idea. "Your Majesty, you can rest assured and leave this matter to me! I often play with my fifth uncle's sons, so I can just get some information out of them!" Hongzhou patted his chest and said, quite confident about the matter.

"Remember, just ask them a few simple questions, and don't ask them directly. After all, it's their family matter, and it's not something to be proud of. I'm afraid it might hurt your relationship," Lanqin advised.

Hongzhou nodded, indicating that he understood, and the two of them were of one mind. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Lanqin, Hongzhou left early because he still had matters to attend to at the Ministry of Revenue.

Lanqin stared blankly at Hongzhou's back, wondering if it was because Hongli had gone to the Northwest that she had been longing to see Hongzhou more and more lately in order to ease her longing for her son.