Empress Lu, seeing Concubine Song's appearance, was filled with anger. She waved her hand impatiently, "Go back to your palace and stay there. Wait for my notification."
Concubine Song curtsied and replied, "Yes."
After the concubine left, Empress Lu instructed her attendants, "Send more people to keep a close watch on Concubine Song. Also, find out what happened to the First Prince. Don't underestimate him; he's the son of Noble Consort An, and just as troublesome as her."
Empress Lu felt a sense of unease. After some thought, she wrote a letter and sent it to the Duke of Chengen's manor. Firstly, it was about Concubine Song's brother, to keep him firmly in her grasp. Secondly, although Emperor Chongwen had not returned to the palace, his current hiding place needed to be discovered as soon as possible.
As for the Protector Duke's manor, vigilance could not be relaxed.
Gu Changwei might not know that Emperor Chongwen was no longer in the palace, but Gu Sinian certainly would. After all, he had always been highly trusted by Emperor Chongwen.
Therefore, Gu Sinian could not be underestimated.
"Has Su Qingyue been found yet?" Empress Lu rubbed her forehead. Things had not been going smoothly lately; none of these matters had any leads.
The head palace maid replied, "Not yet. All the noble families in the capital have been searched thoroughly, but the Second Prince's Consort's whereabouts remain unknown. Your servant thinks that perhaps the Second Prince's Consort has left the capital? If she hasn't left, then someone must have helped her hide."
Although the imperial guards had searched meticulously, it was not too difficult for any family to hide someone.
"What has the Second Prince been doing these past few days?" Empress Lu asked.
The relationship between mother and son had become strained due to Lu Ruoyun's affair. Under the guise of searching for Su Qingyue, the Second Prince no longer visited the palace daily to pay his respects as he used to.
"The Second Prince is still leading people to search for the Second Prince's Consort. He's lost weight and has started drowning his sorrows in wine!" the head palace maid reported.
Empress Lu's brows furrowed. "A dignified man, acting as if he's dying for a woman, has he no shame? He was born into royalty and has more important matters awaiting him! Now, he's lost sight of what's important! As expected, beauty is a disaster. I knew Su Qingyue was not a simple woman."
"Perhaps the Second Prince is merely worried about the child in the Second Prince's Consort's womb," the head palace maid said soothingly.
"I gave birth to him; do I not know what's in his heart? You don't need to cover for him. If it weren't for me being the Empress and having the Lu family supporting me from behind. Based on his own abilities, it would be a success if he could survive in this palace, let alone aspire to the throne. I plan for him, yet he doesn't take it to heart. I am too disappointed in him." Empress Lu's tone was filled with deep exhaustion.
The head palace maid lowered her head, not daring to speak further.
"Enough, enough. Children are all burdens. The Lu family and I have come this far; there's no turning back now," Empress Lu sighed. "With me and the Lu family supporting him, he will be able to manage once he ascends the throne. Send word to the Second Prince's manor with my oral decree, stating that I am ill and bedridden."
The Second Prince was filial. With this excuse, even if he was unwilling in his heart, he would come to the palace. Moreover, she wasn't entirely lying; she did have a headache at the moment.
Empress Lu underestimated the Second Prince's temper. He took advantage of having drunk some wine and pretended to be completely drunk, babbling incoherently. He even collapsed and lost consciousness in front of the female officials. In such a state, he certainly could not enter the palace. The female officials could only report back to the palace and tell Empress Lu the truth.
It was easy to imagine how furious Empress Lu was.