The next day, Madam Geng, Madam Wu, and Madam Song came to pay their respects to Lanqin. After chatting for a while, Madam Wu and Madam Song got up to take their leave, while Madam Geng hesitated and made an excuse to stay behind.
Seeing the situation clearly, Lanqin said gently, "Sister Geng, is there something you want to say to me?"
Lady Geng forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty has discerning eyes. I do indeed have a request for Your Majesty, concerning Hongzhou..."
Lanqin paused for a moment, then asked, "Hongzhou? What brings you here?"
Lady Geng sighed, looking troubled, "Your Majesty, I... I wish for Hongzhou to be engaged as soon as possible..."
Lanqin was surprised: "Engagement? Hongli's marriage was brought forward. Right now, the Emperor and I are both busy with this matter. Hongzhou is still young. Isn't it unnecessary to rush things?" Lanqin had considered Hongzhou's situation and originally wanted to wait until Hongli's marriage was completed before making any plans. However, she was still a little surprised that Gengshi had brought it up herself today.
Lady Geng was anxious and lowered her head, muttering to herself, "I'm afraid I can't wait any longer... I'm truly uneasy..."
Lanqin pretended to raise her sleeve to drink tea, then subtly glanced at Madam Geng and asked, "Has something happened?"
Madam Geng looked up helplessly at Lanqin, almost bursting into tears: "Your Majesty, to be honest, it's Hongzhou who's bewitched..."
Lanqin was taken aback. She put down her teacup and said worriedly, "Hongzhou? Don't be anxious. Tell me everything... What exactly happened to Hongzhou?"
Lady Geng sobbed and said, "Hongzhou has always been a sensible child and has never caused me any worry. I knew before that he had feelings for Princess Xueying of the Ulanara clan. At that time, Princess Xueying had not yet been betrothed to the Third Prince, so I wanted Hongzhou and Princess Xueying to let things take their natural course..."
Lanqin's heart sank, and a bad premonition crept into her mind.
Madam Geng continued, "But later, somehow, Princess Xueying and the Third Prince got together, and Hongzhou was heartbroken for a long time because of it. As his mother, there was nothing I could do to help, so I could only offer kind words of advice. Hongzhou promised me that he would forget Princess Xueying, so I didn't ask any further questions..."
Lady Geng paused, then said with heartache, "But a few days ago, the Third Prince's marriage was suddenly brought forward, and Hongzhou has become depressed again. He came to pay his respects to me yesterday, and I was truly afraid..."
It was alright if Madam Geng didn't mention Hongzhou, but once she did, Lanqin suddenly remembered the day she personally handed Hongzhou over to Madam Geng. Although Madam Geng had been devoted to Hongzhou all these years and had never mistreated him, as his birth mother, Lanqin couldn't help but feel guilty and ashamed.
Hearing about Hongzhou's words about Xueying now, Lanqin couldn't help but feel saddened. She hadn't even noticed what the child was thinking, and had needlessly hurt three people's feelings...
Lanqin was shocked and said, "Hongzhou has never said these things to me..." Lanqin was even more disappointed.
Lady Geng panicked and tried to kneel down, but Lanqin quickly stopped her. Lady Geng said, "Your Majesty, please don't blame Hongzhou. He... he just didn't want Your Majesty to worry..."
Lanqin shook her head with a wry smile: "I'm angry with myself for not fulfilling my responsibilities to Hongzhou. You did very well! Hongzhou is fortunate to have a mother like you..." Only then did Madam Geng feel at ease and slowly sat down, waiting for Lanqin to speak.
Lanqin thought for a while and comforted Geng Shi, saying, "I understand. I will find an opportunity to discuss it with the Emperor and arrange a marriage for Hongzhou as soon as possible..."
Lady Geng wept with joy, saying gratefully, "Thank you so much, Your Majesty, for granting my request. I am now at ease..."
Lanqin smiled and said, "I should thank you for going to so much trouble for Hongzhou. During this period, I will need you, his mother, to take good care of him..."
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