Meanwhile, in the Prince He's residence, at Rongyi Courtyard, Zheng...
"Mother, what brings you here today?" Hongzhou asked, looking suspiciously at Madam Geng, who was sitting at the head of the table.
Normally, Hongzhou and Wukuzha would only return to dine with Gengshi during dinner time, but today Gengshi sent someone to invite Hongzhou to Rongyi Courtyard, which was not yet dinner time, making Hongzhou somewhat puzzled.
Madam Geng looked at Hongzhou with a hint of disappointment and sighed softly, saying, "You should have gone to the palace to pay your respects to your father, the Emperor, earlier this Spring Festival."
Seeing that Hongzhou hadn't come to the palace to pay his respects to the Fourth Prince for the past few days, Madam Geng couldn't help but feel anxious, which was why she summoned him today. In the past, Madam Geng wouldn't have been so eager for Hongzhou to come to the palace to pay his respects, but the situation was different now. Soon, Hongli would ascend the throne, and he would be the one in charge. "Now that the Emperor is about to abdicate," she said, "you should try to maintain a good relationship with your father before you abdicate, so that he remembers you. Otherwise, once Hongli ascends the throne, your father will no longer be involved in affairs."
Upon hearing Geng's words, Hongzhou frowned, feeling that Geng was worrying unnecessarily. Hongzhou had always been on good terms with Hongli, and Hongli had treated Hongzhou well. Hongzhou still remembered what Hongli had said to him when they drank together last time. So Hongzhou comforted Geng, saying, "Fourth Brother will not mistreat me. Mother is overthinking it."
Hongzhou's words did not reassure Gengshi. She shook her head and said, "After you come of age, you may still remember things from your childhood. Besides, you will be ruler and subject in the future, so brotherly affection should take a backseat."
As far as Hongzhou was concerned, although Hongli would become the monarch in the future, Hongli would still be his elder brother. Therefore, Hongzhou disagreed with this arrangement, but he couldn't refute Geng Shi. After all, Geng Shi was only trying to do what was best for him, wanting him to live a more comfortable life in the future.
Besides, Mother, he should also go to the palace to pay his respects to Father Emperor and Consort Xi. Father Emperor and Consort Xi have been away for a long time, and he hasn't had the chance to greet them. It's time for him to take this opportunity to go to the palace and see Father Emperor.
"Your subject understands; it was your subject's oversight at the time."
Seeing Hongzhou nod in agreement, Madam Geng's furrowed brows relaxed, and her eyes were filled with joy. "When will we enter the palace?"
Upon hearing Geng's words, Hongzhou asked with some suspicion, "Is Mother also going to the palace?"
Geng nodded slightly upon hearing this, but said nothing more.
Seeing that Lady Geng also wanted to go to the palace to pay her respects to the Fourth Prince, Hongzhou could not refuse. So he said, "Then I will go and ask Lady Wukuzha to prepare some New Year's gifts for Father Emperor and Consort Xi. We will go to the palace tomorrow when everything is ready."
This trip to the palace cannot be taken lightly, as it is the Spring Festival. We must prepare some New Year's gifts to pay our respects to Father Emperor and Consort Xi; otherwise, it would be rather abrupt and not in accordance with etiquette. Moreover, it would be somewhat inappropriate to bring only Mother to the palace to pay our respects.
Upon hearing Hongzhou's words, Madam Geng knew that it couldn't be rushed and that she needed to prepare properly before entering the palace. So she nodded and said, "Alright, go and make your preparations."
"Your subject will take his leave now." With that, Hongzhou rose and left Rongyi Courtyard.
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