Lu Wanning sat beside the queen, her eyes fixed on the latter's every move. The sight of the queen struggling to maintain her smile was so comical that she couldn't help bursting into laughter.
The emperor turned to Lu Wanning. "What's so funny, Zhaoyang?"
Lu Wanning quickly straightened her posture, her eyebrows lowered as she replied, "Forgive my impoliteness, Your Majesty. Just now, seeing Young Master Lang eating, I recalled some funny things about my nephew at home, and I couldn't hold back my laughter."
The emperor glanced at the table of the Prince of Zhennan's Mansion. There he saw Lu Cheng sitting obediently. Although a year older than Young Master Lang, he looked equally adorable. With a smile, the emperor said nothing more.
Of course, Lu Wanning wasn't really reminded of Lu Cheng. She knew exactly why the queen was having trouble keeping her smile. The emperor's previous words had indicated that it was the queen who had prevented Sheng Chenyi's illegitimate children from being born first, and also that he hoped Sheng Chenyi would have children, but preferably daughters instead of sons.
However, the queen was an excellent actress. She had quickly regained her composure and even poured a cup of fruit tea for Lu Wanning. With a kind smile, she said, "Zhaoyang, you've lost so much weight. Your aunt is heartbroken to see you like this. Come, have some more of this fruit tea. It's sour and sweet, good for your appetite."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Queen."
Concubine Qi, seemingly by chance, remarked, "Your Majesty the Queen, I've heard that the Prince of Chen's Mansion has sent many people away these days."
The Prince of Chen's Mansion had once been Sheng Chenyi's residence outside the palace. Although he now lived in the Eastern Palace, he still had his own Prince's Mansion outside. After the deposed crown prince incident, the former Crown Prince's Mansion was renamed the Prince of Chen's Mansion.
Lu Wanning, her head bowed in thought, knew that Concubine Qi was on the queen's side. Their every move was surely a coordinated effort. It seemed they were trying to improve Sheng Chenyi's impression in the emperor's eyes.
Sheng Jinyu, Sheng Jinyu. You're dedicated to the people, but do you know that there are undercurrents surging in the court?
The queen let out a soft sigh. "The Prince of Chen has made mistakes and deserves punishment. The emperor is merciful, but he should also be self - disciplined."
Sheng Chenyi immediately stepped forward and knelt on the ground humbly. "Your Majesty is right. Mother, it was my own decision to dismiss the concubines and servants. How could a person with faults live a luxurious life? Besides, I don't really need so many people to serve me."
Concubine Qi feigned surprise. "You've dismissed all your concubines..."
Although it was the period of mourning, who would dismiss their concubines just for mourning?
Sheng Chenyi quickly explained, "I dismissed the concubines because... these days, as I reflected on my actions, I remembered the teachings of my uncle - in - law, the Prince of Zhennan. I deeply agree that a man should stand upright, especially as a prince. All my thoughts should be for the people of the Great Zhou. Uncle - in - law has only had Aunt in his life. He is the most loyal man."
Lu Hongxi was momentarily stunned but quickly stepped forward to explain. "Your Highness, the Prince of Chen, you are a prince with the responsibility of continuing the royal lineage. You can't be compared to me."
Sheng Chenyi got up and supported him. "I'm a prince, but I'm also a king like you. Mother is right. Before I have a legitimate wife and heir, I really shouldn't take concubines. Now I've reformed."
For some reason, Lu Wanning felt a faint sense of unease. It was fine for Sheng Chenyi to dismiss his concubines. One could say it was out of his great filial piety. But why did he keep bringing up Lu Hongxi?
Her father was almost fifty. For so many years, he had only had the princess consort. Even if he still had the vigor, he probably had no intention of taking other beauties, especially during the period of mourning.
The queen covered her lips with a handkerchief and laughed. "Come now. We're all family. Why be so polite?"
As she spoke, she looked at Lu Wanning with a smiling face.
Lu Wanning was a bit slow - witted. Her mind went blank instantly. What did this mean? The actions of the queen and Sheng Chenyi must have some special intention.
Subconsciously, Lu Wanning looked up at the Wei family. She saw that Mrs. Wei was holding two jade pendants. When Mrs. Wei noticed Lu Wanning's gaze, she put the two pendants together, making them seem like a single one.
The two jade pendants didn't really match. From a distance, one could only see that half of it was a mandarin duck pendant. The other half of the mandarin duck pendant was on Lu Hanchi.
Why did her sister - in - law force these two pendants together?
Was it...
Lu Wanning finally understood, and her whole back went numb. She knew that the queen's actions today must have other intentions.
The queen looked at the emperor with a gentle gaze. "Your Majesty, just now you said it was my fault for not allowing the Prince of Chen to have illegitimate children first. It truly was my mistake. Before, I always thought that the Prince of Chen was your first child, and I always wanted the best girl in the world to be his match. As a result, I ended up delaying things..."
This was far from the truth. Lu Wanning knew the queen's real thoughts. She just didn't want the benefits to go to outsiders. She had wanted to reserve the position of the crown princess for her niece, He Chan, and had been waiting for He Chan to come of age. Unfortunately, He Chan was too willful, so the queen gave up on that idea and started considering the daughters of the Lu and Fu families, which ended up delaying the crown prince.
The emperor didn't comment. "Hmm... We're still in the period of mourning."
Concubine Qi immediately jumped in. "If the queen has someone in mind, she might as well say it. Let the Internal Affairs Office prepare in advance. When the Prince of Chen's mourning period is over, we won't be in such a hurry."
The emperor nodded. "That's right. Queen, most of the noble girls in the capital are here. Who have you taken a fancy to?"
The queen smiled gently. "Your Majesty, I've always been partial. I've always doted on my niece, Ning'er. I've watched her grow up. She used to be a bit reckless and naive, but now she's truly a considerate person. She..."
"Your Majesty."
Lu Wanning's eyes were calm as she got up and walked forward to kneel down. "Your Majesty, just now the queen said that I've lost weight. Since the passing of the Empress Dowager, I've truly had no appetite."
The queen said indifferently, "I understand. I'm just asking the Internal Affairs Office to prepare. You don't need to worry about the rest."
"I, your subject's daughter, am unwilling."
The queen was a bit annoyed and raised her voice. "Ning'er."
Lu Wanning said calmly, "The Empress Dowager once told me that no matter what, others should not interfere in my marriage. Your Majesty, if you force me, am I to have no choice?"
She looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. The tears were not because she was unwilling to marry, but seemed to be a way of mourning the Empress Dowager.
The emperor was touched for a moment. "You're unwilling?"
Lu Wanning nodded. "I like someone when I like them, and I don't when I don't. I'm the princess of the Empress Dowager and also the princess of the emperor. I've been willful since childhood. If I like someone, I'll pursue them whole - heartedly. Why should I care about others' opinions and looks? But since the passing of the Empress Dowager, I've had no other thoughts. Please forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty."
The emperor narrowed his eyes and quietly looked at the young girl below. He remembered that every time he saw her after the passing of the Empress Dowager, she was thin and sad. He also remembered how bright and assertive she used to be, with Fu Rongxuan and A Yu. She really didn't care about others' opinions. But in these two months, she was no longer the same as before.
Perhaps in the whole world, only this young girl could empathize with him and understand his sadness and grief after the Empress Dowager's departure.