Lu Ruoyun gently massaged Lu Empress's shoulders. "Aunt, Yunyun knows you've had a difficult time these past years. Although you are the Empress of a nation, in your husband's heart... Yunyun feels so sorry for you! Similarly, Yunyun is afraid of facing such a fate in the future! If you force my cousin to be with me at this time, even if my cousin yields, in the future, between my cousin and me, it will be just like between you and your husband."
Lu Empress's body stiffened. Yes, she had lived through many painful years.
Emperor Chongwen's heart belonged to Consort An. Apart from maintaining her dignity as Empress, he gave her nothing else.
She appeared glorious, but only she knew her true state.
Lu Empress patted Lu Ruoyun's hand on her shoulder. "Yunyun, Aunt will not let you walk the same path as Aunt."
Therefore, Su Qingyue must die.
Her death absolutely could not be linked to the Lu family or Lu Ruoyun. It could only be linked to her.
"Yunyun, you go back and rest. Aunt has something to attend to," Lu Empress said.
After sending Lu Ruoyun away, Lu Empress summoned her confidantes and made detailed arrangements.
Meanwhile, under Gu Sinian's arrangements, Emperor Chongwen met with Su Qingyue.
Su Qingyue was completely unaware of the Lu Empress's and the Lu family's schemes. Upon learning of everything the Second Prince had done to find her, Su Qingyue wept. She had always believed that the Second Prince was allied with the Lu Empress in all this. Now, it seemed she had wronged him. Although she didn't know the Lu Empress's plans, she knew of her ambition. For her sake, the Second Prince had revealed the Lu Empress's ambition to His Majesty in its entirety.
This alone doomed the Second Prince's future prospects for that position.
All of this was for her.
"The Imperial Guards are currently conducting a thorough search, so, Second Prince Consort, you must make some changes," Qi Zhenzhen said. "Please forgive any offense."
Her appearance needed to change, her residence needed to change, and her clothing and daily necessities also needed to change.
"As long as it helps evade the search, anything is fine," Su Qingyue replied.
Qi Zhenzhen brought someone from Luo Wanqing's side, skilled in disguise.
Under his hands, Su Qingyue quickly transformed into a very ordinary-looking person.
Feixu found several maid outfits for her. After changing, Su Qingyue was now a maid in this residence, assigned by Qi Zhenzhen to help Feixu manage the house, making it convenient for Qi Zhenzhen and Gu Sinian to move in later.
Thus, even if the search extended to this residence, no issues would be found.
"Father Emperor, when can your daughter-in-law meet with His Highness? If not, can your daughter-in-law send a message to His Highness?" Su Qingyue asked Emperor Chongwen.
"Now is not the time to meet," Emperor Chongwen said. "Furthermore, do you think that if he learned of your whereabouts, the Second Prince could keep it from his mother? Would the Second Prince be able to resist coming to see you then?"
Having been married for several years, Su Qingyue believed she understood the Second Prince to some extent.
The chances of keeping it a secret from others were relatively high. However, in front of the Lu Empress, it was impossible.
Moreover, if he truly learned where she was, he definitely wouldn't be able to resist.
"It was my daughter-in-law's wishful thinking," Su Qingyue said with some guilt.
"Stay here with peace of mind. Rest assured, Father Emperor promises you that you two will be able to meet soon," Emperor Chongwen said.
These days, Ah Nian had not been idle. He had already grasped some of the Lu family's movements. Now, they just needed to wait for the right moment.