"Your Highness, the people from the Ministry of Works are probably already asleep by now," Qingsong said cautiously after a moment's thought.

Xu Heming laughed. That brat Xu Qingshi does have good taste.

These stones that were brought back might be unusual. Xu Heming decided to retract his earlier thought; his son was like him, with good judgment.

The reason why their Lanno Kingdom lags behind other countries is simply because their weapons are not as good as theirs, right?

Making weapons requires not only a lot of money, but also a lot of iron.

Both of these are things that their Lanno Kingdom lacks.

If they could find iron ore, it would be a great boon for their Lanno Kingdom, in addition to the gold mines in Heping County.

At this moment, Xu Heming couldn't wait to share this wonderful news with the Emperor.

"Qingsong, have Doctor Zhang give Qingshi and Lord Li a good check-up. Later, have Lord Li stay at Songmo Courtyard. I'm going out for a bit."

After Xu Heming finished speaking, he took a stone and went outside.

Those standing by were somewhat stunned, but only Qingsong, who noticed something amiss with the stones, understood: "Your Highness, they've probably gone to see the Emperor."

Royal Palace

Just as Zhu Jingchen arrived at Consort Wang's palace and was about to rest, Eunuch Liu called out anxiously from outside the hall, "Your Majesty, Prince An requests an audience."

Eunuch Liu was terrified that the Emperor would tell him to get lost.

She also complained in her heart, "Why did Prince An have to come at this hour? The Emperor and Consort Wang must have already retired for the night."

I wonder if calling the Emperor away at this moment will incur the wrath of Consort Wang.

"Tell him to get lost!" Zhu Jingchen had just finished resting when he heard this, and he was somewhat displeased.

"Your Majesty, why is Prince An coming to see you so late? Your Majesty is already busy with countless affairs during the day and is tired enough. Why can't you rest so late?" Consort Wang said somewhat discontentedly, nestled in Zhu Jingchen's arms.

You see, this is the first time the Emperor has come to her palace today. If she doesn't manage to keep him here, who knows how others will laugh at her tomorrow.

Zhu Jingchen was also in a bad mood. After all, he had been busy all day, and now it was already late.

Xu Heming actually came looking for me?

He doesn't have a wife to cherish, so why should I be the same way?

Or is he resenting that I didn't set a wedding date for him sooner?

Thinking of this, Zhu Jingchen could only sit up reluctantly.

"Your Majesty." Consort Wang, who was standing to the side, quickly sat up as well. She wanted to keep Zhu Jingchen, but she also knew that tonight was the first time she had been favored by the Emperor.

She feared she couldn't keep the emperor. Thinking of this, Consort Wang felt aggrieved but dared not say anything more. She could only look at Zhu Jingchen with a pitiful expression.

"You should get some rest! I have some things to take care of." Zhu Jingchen said, then left without looking back.

Wang Guiren was left pounding the bed in anger.

Prince An, she will remember this grudge. You must know that she, the legitimate daughter of the Qingyang Prince Clan, did not grow up to be taken advantage of.

"Tomorrow, have the Imperial Observatory calculate the wedding date between Prince An and Miss Li as soon as possible," Zhu Jingchen instructed Liu Gonggong as soon as he stepped out of the palace.

Otherwise, Zhu Jingchen was truly afraid that if Xu Heming came a few more times, he might not make it.

Although he now has princes, he is the emperor, and it is his duty to continue the royal line.

"Yes!" Eunuch Liu didn't dare to ask the Emperor and simply agreed.

"Didn't Xu Heming go looking for his son today? Now that he's found him, he's coming to cause trouble for me?" Zhu Jingchen asked with some dissatisfaction as he walked.

“Your Majesty, Prince An may have come to apologize. After all, Lord Li did not ask for leave today and did not attend the morning court session. Perhaps he wants to plead with you on his behalf,” Eunuch Liu said after thinking for a moment.

“Li Tianyou has gone to find his son. I am not an unenlightened monarch. Can’t he talk about this tomorrow?” Zhu Jingchen felt that he originally did not hold a grudge against Xu Heming, but now he had to change his mind.