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.
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.”