Empress Lu had not expected Emperor Chongwen to ask her that. Her hands tightened and then loosened, her expression remaining calm as she said, "Your Majesty, the harem must not interfere in state affairs. Even the ministers in the court have not reached a consensus, so how can this concubine offer any insight?"
Emperor Chongwen looked deeply at Empress Lu, his gaze complex, making it impossible for her to discern his intentions.
"Empress, am I old?" Emperor Chongwen asked.
"Your Majesty is in the prime of your life, how could you be old?" Empress Lu replied without hesitation.
"Yes, I also feel I am in the prime of my life," Emperor Chongwen said meaningfully.
Empress Lu's heart skipped a beat.
Emperor Chongwen continued, "Therefore, I cannot understand why all these ministers are so eager for me to confirm the Crown Prince. Their anxious demeanor makes me feel as if I don't have many days left to live."
Empress Lu was startled and knelt before Emperor Chongwen again.
This time, Emperor Chongwen did not help her up but continued, "My father-in-law also wants me to establish the second prince as the Crown Prince. Empress, tell me, what are your thoughts?"
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Empress Lu's forehead. "Your Majesty, I am but a woman, and have no thoughts on matters of the court. The second prince is Your Majesty's and my flesh and blood. As a mother, I have only one wish, and that is for the second prince to be safe and prosperous."
"Yes, our child. I also wish for him to be safe and prosperous his entire life," Emperor Chongwen said.
After speaking, Emperor Chongwen went to help Empress Lu up. "Empress, why have you knelt again? Empress, you have not returned home for many years. This time, you should also return home to visit your family. Make arrangements for the dates, and I will accompany you."
Disbelief flickered in Empress Lu's eyes. She had originally thought Emperor Chongwen would accompany Consort An. She had not expected His Majesty to say he would accompany her!
"This concubine thanks Your Majesty," Empress Lu said gratefully.
"This is only proper, Empress. Why are you being so polite?" Emperor Chongwen said.
The Emperor and Empress spoke amicably for a while longer. Emperor Chongwen said he had state affairs to attend to, and Empress Lu, with tact, bowed and took her leave. Upon returning to her palace, she did not delay in writing a secret letter and having it sent out. His Majesty was also leaving the palace, and such news naturally had to be conveyed to her family immediately.
Lu Yuan was also surprised that Emperor Chongwen intended to accompany the Empress on her visit home. In the eyes of the court officials, this was a tremendous honor and a significant signal. The harmony between the Emperor and Empress proved that the second prince held more weight in His Majesty's heart. This could also prompt those who were wavering to make their choices!
"Your Majesty, you are going to the Lu family..." Ji Xiang said with some concern.
"Rest assured, I know what I am doing," Emperor Chongwen said. "I know you fear Lu Yuan might make a move against me. The person who goes that day will not be me!"
Ji Xiang understood; His Majesty had a body double.
"Won't the Empress discover it?"
A mocking smile played on Emperor Chongwen's lips. Her thoughts were so rarely on him these days; how could she possibly discover it? As for his body double, apart from A Le, no one had ever discovered it. Therefore, among all the women in the harem, the only one who truly kept him in her heart was A Le.
Emperor Chongwen did not answer Ji Xiang's question. "Have Ah Nian brought into the palace."
For the sake of caution, some matters still needed to be explained to Ah Nian.
Ji Xiang acknowledged this and retreated with bowed head.
At this moment, Gu Sinian was massaging Qi Zhenzhen's legs. After her pregnancy progressed, Qi Zhenzhen's legs had become somewhat swollen, feeling numb as if they were not her own. Therefore, Gu Sinian would massage them whenever he had free time to make her more comfortable.