Meanwhile, in Jingyang Palace.
"This child does look quite like Hongshi," the Empress said, holding the young prince whom Shuzhen had brought into the palace.
"Yes, everyone says sons resemble their mothers and daughters resemble their fathers, but this child looks like Prince. That makes me feel less uncomfortable. If I had to face a child who looks like that woman every day, my niece would really have a hard time." Shuzhen glanced at the young prince a few times and said.
The Empress handed the child to the wet nurse beside her and said to Shuzhen, "Put away these thoughts. Now you are Hongshi's principal wife, and no one will mention the child's birth mother. When he grows up, you will be his mother."
Shuzhen nodded and said, "Aunt, this child doesn't have a name yet!"
The Empress took the chilled lily and mung bean soup handed to her by a palace maid, then scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth.
"You mean you want the Emperor to name this child?" After taking three bites, the Empress put the bowl in the hands of a palace maid, wiped her mouth with the moon-white brocade handkerchief from her chest, and said.
“My niece is dreaming, but the Prince also wants the same thing, so he hasn’t named the child yet. Aunt, the Prince is currently working in the Ministry of Revenue. He is working very hard and wants to achieve results to show Father the Emperor.” Shuzhen quickly stood up from her seat and said.
"Then let Hongshi perform well in this imperial examination. The fact that His Majesty allows him to work under the Thirteenth Prince shows that His Majesty values him," the Empress said.
"Aunt, I wonder if Father Emperor would like to see the young prince. After all, the young prince is Father Emperor's first grandson," Shuzhen said, glancing up at the Empress.
"How about I invite His Majesty over today to see the little grandson?" the Empress said with a smirk.
“That’s wonderful. Father Emperor is so busy with state affairs, he should really enjoy the pleasures of family life with his children and grandchildren occasionally,” Shuzhen said.
The Empress nodded and then signaled Lingxiu to go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and invite the Emperor to Jingyang Palace.
However, when Lingxiu returned from her trip to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she brought bad news to the Empress and the Third Prince's wife: the Emperor was not in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Then, Su Peisheng, can you tell me where His Majesty has gone?" the Empress asked in surprise. "Today is a day of rest and recline. His Majesty should be in the Hall of Mental Cultivation reviewing memorials at this hour."
“Your Majesty, I went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and met Eunuch Su. I repeatedly told him that Her Majesty the Empress had invited His Majesty to see the young prince, but Eunuch Su kept making excuses that His Majesty was too busy. I insisted on personally meeting His Majesty to convey Her Majesty the Empress's message, and only then did he realize he could no longer hide it and say that His Majesty was not in the Hall of Mental Cultivation,” Lingxiu said.
"So you went to another palace?" the Empress asked.
“But Your Majesty, wherever the Emperor goes, doesn’t Eunuch Su always accompany him?” Lingxiu said.
“Yes, Su Peisheng didn’t go with him? That means His Majesty was indeed in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but why did he tell you that His Majesty wasn’t there?” the Empress said. “What a eunuch! He doesn’t even respect me.”
So, the Empress once again helped Lingxiu to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress!" Su Peisheng inwardly groaned upon seeing the Empress, but had no choice but to pay his respects.
"I dare not accept such praise. How could I possibly deserve your esteemed presence, Eunuch Su?" the Empress said coldly, glancing at Su Peisheng.
"Your Majesty, you flatter me so much," Su Peisheng immediately bowed and said.
"Where is the Emperor? I wish to see the Emperor," the Empress said coldly.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty is not in the palace at the moment," Su Peisheng had no choice but to say.
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