Emperor Jingming paused for a moment before continuing towards Kunning Palace.
He thought to himself, “Oh well since I’ve already forgotten, there’s not much difference between going early or late. I might as well visit the Empress first.”
Emperor Jingming was quite eager to see how the Empress and Yu Jin would interact during their first meeting after the change in their relationship.
He still remembered when palace servants led him to meet the Empress Dowager years ago – he felt nervous, flustered, yet inexplicably excited and expectant.
He was young then, and his feelings were quite complex. Old Seven was luckier; surely he wouldn’t suffer as much anxiety as the Emperor did back then.
Emperor Jingming strode towards Kunning Palace, encountering Yu Jin halfway there.
“You haven’t gone over yet?” he asked.
Yu Jin bowed respectfully and replied, “Your son is feeling a bit nervous.”
Emperor Jingming laughed, “What are you nervous about?”
To think that Old Seven, at his age, would still get nervous!
Thinking this, the old Emperor felt somewhat comforted.
“I’m unsure how to properly interact with Mother Empress,” Yu Jin candidly admitted.
Emperor Jingming grew even more amused.
He had worried about this too, back then.
As the chosen one, there was always the most to worry about.
Would they be liked? If they did something wrong, would they be sent back and replaced by someone else?
He had even had nightmares where he wasn’t the Empress’s adopted son envied by his brothers, but still that pitiful, helpless child.
It seemed Old Seven was just the same.
Emperor Jingming let out a long sigh and smiled, “With your Mother Empress, you only need to be sincerely filial. Come, let’s go together.”
The Empress, having received word, was already waiting on the stone steps outside the hall.
Emperor Jingming approached with large strides, smiling as he asked, “Why is the Empress waiting outside?”
The Empress glanced at Yu Jin from the corner of her eye and replied, “I was worried Your Majesty might be troubled—”
Emperor Jingming burst into laughter, “The Empress is overthinking. Those ministers are sensible, how could they trouble me?”
The Empress thought to herself, “…His Majesty cares about saving face.”
Pan Hai inwardly remarked, “…His Majesty cares about saving face.”
Yu Jin mused, “…The old man can boast.”
They all remembered how quickly he had fled from the main hall earlier.
Despite these thoughts, Yu Jin’s face remained impassive as he formally bowed to the Empress, “Your son pays his respects to Mother Empress.”
The Empress smiled gently, observing the young man bowing before her.
His features were handsome, his bearing graceful.
From now on, this would be her son – a grown son who faintly resembled Consort Xian.
Far from feeling uncomfortable about this, the Empress found it satisfying.
What did it matter if one could give birth, or share blood ties? If one didn’t cherish their blessings, those blessings would eventually fall to others.
Come to think of it, did Consort Xian even know about this yet?
The Empress was somewhat surprised at how quickly Emperor Jingming had settled the matter.
After the surprise came joy.
Cutting through the chaos swiftly was the best way to avoid potential complications.
The Empress gazed at Yu Jin for quite some time, while Yu Jin maintained his respectful bow.
“Let’s talk inside,” the Empress finally said, her tone gentle.
Once inside, the Emperor and Empress took their seats, while Yu Jin stood obediently before them.
The Empress smiled and said, “Why are you standing? Please, sit.”
A palace maid had already brought a small stool.
Yu Jin glanced at the stool before sitting down properly.
The Empress spoke again, “From now on, we’re mother and son. Jin’er, there’s no need to be so formal.”
Yu Jin nearly fell off the small stool.
How could the Empress call him “Jin’er” so casually, given his age?
Jin’er— Yu Jin couldn’t help but want to shake his head.
Even when he was a baby, no one had called him Jin’er…
Looking at the Empress’s smiling face, Yu Jin finally understood her prowess.
As expected of the Empress, her skill was unmatched by others.