Before long, Wu Kuzha brought Hongzhou, who was staying in the study, to Rongyi Courtyard. Hongzhou reluctantly stepped into Rongyi Courtyard because he had been afraid to see Dao Gengshi recently, fearing that she might ask him the questions in his heart.
After Hongzhou entered the bedroom, Wukuzashi withdrew, as it was inconvenient for her to remain there at the moment. After Wukuzashi left, Hongzhou asked, "Mother, what is the matter that you summoned me here for?"
"I've heard that you haven't been on duty in the palace recently." Lady Geng gestured for Hongzhou to sit down.
"Yes." Hongzhou didn't hide anything and admitted it directly.
On the way here, Hongzhou had a premonition. Although Wukuzha did not know why Geng had summoned him, Hongzhou knew that Geng was concerned about his recent stay in the mansion.
Hearing Hongzhou's answer with her own ears, Gengshi couldn't help but feel a little sad, so she asked, "Why are you so dejected and unmotivated?"
"I've just been a bit tired lately, and I've also caught a slight cold, so I'd like to rest." Hongzhou certainly didn't dare to voice his true thoughts. Although he already had a certain understanding of what was mentioned in the letter, he simply hadn't dared to ask about it in person.
After all these years, he knew all too well how Lady Geng had treated him. But now there was someone who wasn't Lady Geng's child, but the Empress Dowager's child. How could he face Lady Geng and the Empress Dowager?
"You usually value matters of the court most, so why are you so indulgent?"
"Mother, I..."
"You should rest well these next few days."
Upon hearing Hongzhou's words, Gengshi knew perfectly well that what he said was untrue. Seeing the gloom on Hongzhou's face, Gengshi felt very sorry for him. She understood that Hongzhou had developed a distance from her and was still bothered by the fact that his birth mother was a secondary empress.
Geng was heartbroken. Having raised Hongzhou for so many years, she had long regarded him as her own son.
Although Lady Geng had served in the palace for decades and understood perfectly well that for members of the royal family, power was far more important, and marriage and children were merely a means to consolidate their power, she still found it difficult to sever her feelings for Hongzhou; she was unwilling to lose him.
Thinking of this, Madam Geng dared not break the rules and could only say to Hongzhou, "Then you should rest well these next few days. You may go now."
"Yes, Mother, I will take my leave now." Hongzhou then turned and walked out of Rongyi Courtyard. It was not hard to see that Hongzhou's steps were somewhat heavy at this moment.
"Did Prince He come to serve today?" Hongli asked Chen Zi, who was serving him personally, after he had just finished court.
Chen Zi nodded and said, "Yes, Prince He hasn't come to the Ministry of Revenue for roll call for several days."
"What exactly happened?" Hongli murmured to himself.
"Your Highness, shall we go straight back to the manor?"
"No, I'll go take a look at Prince He's residence instead," Hongli said after a moment's thought.
"Yes." Then Chen Zi called the coachman to go to the Prince He's residence.
Just as Hongzhou returned to his study, he heard the steward announce, "Your Highness, Prince Bao has arrived."
Why is he here?
After hesitating for a moment, Hongzhou instructed the steward, "Bring Prince Bao to this study and prepare tea."
"Yes." Soon after, Hongli arrived at the study under the steward's guidance.
Before Hongzhou could even bow to Hongli, Hongli hurriedly asked, "Hongzhou, what's wrong with you these past few days? Why haven't you been to the palace for so long? Is something troubling you?"
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