Seeing Yu Jin in a daze, Emperor Jingming coughed lightly to remind him, “Why are you spacing out? Didn’t you hear your Mother Empress speaking?”
After all, this was the eldest son he had chosen for the Empress. If the Empress were to dislike him, where would that leave his face?
“Mother Empress is right. Your son won’t be formal in front of you,” Yu Jin responded.
The Empress smiled, “That’s better. We can’t be distant as family. Later, bring your Princess Consort over. I’ll call Fuqing as well, and we’ll have a meal together.”
“Ahem,” Emperor Jingming suddenly coughed.
The Empress quickly added, “Your Majesty, please join us if you have time.”
Emperor Jingming nodded with dignity, “We’ll see.”
After some casual conversation, marking the official meeting between mother and son, Emperor Jingming left with Yu Jin.
Standing at a crossroads, Emperor Jingming stopped and looked at Yu Jin, “Visit your Mother Empress often to pay your respects. It’s not easy for her either.”
Yu Jin smiled, “Father Emperor, rest assured. Your son will visit frequently.”
“You can go back now. Your wife probably doesn’t know yet.”
“Your son takes his leave.”
Only after Yu Jin had gone did Emperor Jingming head towards Yuquan Palace.
He had hesitated for a moment earlier, considering taking Old Seven to see Consort Xian. But then he thought better of it – the mother and son were already estranged, and now even their familial ties no longer existed. There was no need to complicate matters further.
At this time, Yuquan Palace hadn’t yet received the news.
The announcement of “His Majesty arrives” took Consort Xian by surprise. She hurried out to greet him.
“Your Majesty has come—”
Emperor Jingming nodded, “Let’s go inside.”
Consort Xian was sensitive to cold, so Yuquan Palace was even warmer than Kunning Palace. Emperor Jingming, feeling slightly uncomfortable, frowned a bit.
By his calculations, it was just after the morning court session, usually the time for handling state affairs in the study. Consort Xian couldn’t guess the reason for Emperor Jingming’s visit but dared not ask. So she continued what she had been doing earlier – brewing tea.
The people of Da Zhou didn’t have as complex tea ceremonies as the previous dynasty, but it still required some patience.
Watching Consort Xian gracefully add tea leaves to the boiling water in the teapot, then pour it into a white porcelain bowl before transferring it back to the pot, Emperor Jingming was already growing impatient.
He had never been fond of such processes. No matter how beautifully it was prepared, it was still just a cup of tea. He’d rather spend that time reading a storybook or grooming Jixiang and Shunshun.
“Your Majesty, please have some tea,” Consort Xian offered the freshly brewed tea to Emperor Jingming.
Emperor Jingming accepted it and took a polite sip before setting the white porcelain cup aside. He then spoke, “Did Old Seven come to Yuquan Palace after angering you the other day?”
At the mention of Yu Jin, Consort Xian’s expression immediately darkened.
Come to Yuquan Palace? That beast doesn’t even acknowledge her as his birth mother anymore!
After her fallout with Yu Jin that day, the unfilial son didn’t receive any punishment from the Emperor. Consort Xian was still holding onto that grudge. Seeing Emperor Jingming bring it up, she naturally didn’t want to miss this opportunity to deal with Yu Jin.
Consort Xian sighed lightly, “He hasn’t come. It seems I don’t have such fortune. I dare not hope for Old Seven’s filial piety anymore.”
Emperor Jingming sighed in response, “I know that rascal Old Seven often upsets you.”
Consort Xian’s lips curved into a smile.
Had His Majesty finally come to his senses?
Emperor Jingming patted Consort Xian’s hand, consoling her, “So I’ve had him registered under the Empress’s name. This way, you won’t ruin your health because of that scoundrel.”