The Second Prince, seeing that Empress Lu refused to answer his question directly, found his initial relief turning into uncertainty. Was he desperately making excuses for his mother because he didn't want her to be that kind of person?
The flicker of hope that had ignited in the Second Prince's heart was extinguished.
"Your son will personally search for her. I have also instructed my people to look for Qingyue," the Second Prince said.
"Do not make a public spectacle of it! A Crown Princess running away from home is hardly a glorious affair! If the censors get wind of it, who knows how they will attack you! Furthermore, you cannot search for her yourself. What time is it now? Your focus must be on matters of state!" Empress Lu stated.
"Does Your Mother mean that finding Qingyue's whereabouts is not a matter of state?" The Second Prince glared at Empress Lu in anger.
"This Palace will send people to look for her," Empress Lu said.
"What will Mother's people do when they find Qingyue? Let your son guess, Mother. Is this another attempt after the first failed? Are you trying to completely get rid of my child and Qingyue?" the Second Prince said, disheartened.
"What nonsense are you spouting? This Palace does not mean that. When Mother's people find Su Qingyue, they will take good care of her," Empress Lu said. "Even if I don't pity Su Qingyue, I still pity my grandson."
How could the Second Prince believe her now? He gave Empress Lu a deep look and left without looking back.
Empress Lu was stunned. She saw deep disappointment in her son's eyes.
Empress Lu felt a headache coming on. She frowned, supporting her forehead with one hand, "What is all this!"
"His Highness the Second Prince likely has a rift with you now, Your Ladyship. What is to be done!" the female official sighed.
"A mother and son cannot hold a grudge overnight. My son will eventually understand my good intentions," Empress Lu said.
However, some people had too much influence.
"You will go to the Duke of Chengen's mansion and deliver this Palace's decree. State that this Palace is unwell and misses my mother and elder sister-in-law, and wishes for them to accompany me to the palace for a chat," Empress Lu ordered.
Although she had already agreed to let Ruoyun be empress in the future, some matters could not be left to their unchecked discretion.
Su Qingyue, her strength failing, collapsed at the back door of a residence.
Qi Zhenzhen, having nothing else to do today, planned to take Erxi and Feixu to her and Gu Sinian's new residence to see what else needed to be purchased. However, before they could leave, someone from the new residence came to report that someone had collapsed at the back door. The person had been brought into the residence, and they needed to ask their master for instructions on how to handle the situation.
Although the new residence was not in as good a location as the Duke's mansion, it was still a gift from His Majesty. It had previously belonged to a high-ranking official, and the surrounding residences were also occupied by officials.
It was not a place where commoners could freely enter and exit.
They needed to see who it was as soon as possible to avoid any trouble.
Soon, Qi Zhenzhen saw the person. At first glance, she looked familiar. Upon closer inspection, Qi Zhenzhen was greatly surprised. Although she had only met her a few times, Qi Zhenzhen remembered that this was the Second Prince's Consort, Su Qingyue.
Why was Su Qingyue wearing the clothes of a servant and collapsing at their doorstep?
Had something happened at the Second Prince's mansion, or had something happened in the palace?
"Erxi, you are fast. Go back and find His Highness the Crown Prince," Qi Zhenzhen calmly ordered. "Feixu, take this and send someone to Bai Cao Tang to invite a physician."
What Qi Zhenzhen gave Feixu was a token specifically given to her by Luo Wanqing. With it, she could meet Luo Wanqing's confidantes at Bai Cao Tang, and the physician invited would naturally be reliable.
"Yes." Feixu curtsied and left with the token.
Not knowing what had happened, Qi Zhenzhen did not dare to rush to the Second Prince's mansion to deliver a message. For now, she had to wait for Su Qingyue to wake up before making further plans.