Emperor Jiahe was very surprised after hearing Gu Sinian's words, "Hasn't the Empress always wished for the second son to have an heir? She's had imperial physicians tend to the second son's wife's health quite a bit these past two years. No one can say for sure if there's been any misunderstanding. The Second Prince's Consort is currently in our residence. What do you think should be done?"
"Let her stay for now and arrange for people to take good care of her. Ah Nian, go investigate what happened. I don't think the second son is the type to harm his wife," Emperor Jiahe said. "Also, keep a close watch. Several groups are looking for the Second Prince's Consort."
"Your Majesty, this is your family matter," Gu Sinian stood still.
Emperor Jiahe glared at him, "I am the sovereign, and my family matters are state affairs! Besides, I would manage it myself if I could, but given the current situation, how can I? This is just a side task for you!"
"Ah Nian, this matter needs to be investigated thoroughly. To be frank, Qingyue is a good person. The child in her womb is Your Majesty's grandchild, and no harm must come to it," Consort An said.
"Aunt, your nephew understands," Gu Sinian replied.
—
Old Madam Lu and Madam Lu both submitted their tokens to enter the palace.
"Your subject greets Her Majesty the Empress," the two bowed to Empress Lu.
On any other day, Empress Lu would have had the palace attendants help them up before they could even bow. But this time, Empress Lu calmly accepted their禮.
"Is Your Majesty feeling unwell?" Madam Lu asked with concern. "The Old Madam hasn't been feeling well these past few days either, but as soon as she heard Your Majesty was also unwell, she couldn't sit still."
Empress Lu looked at Old Madam Lu and saw that her spirit was indeed a bit low. She quickly asked the palace attendants to get a seat for Old Madam Lu, "Mother, why didn't you send someone to inform your daughter if you were feeling unwell? Your daughter could have sent for imperial physicians to examine Mother."
"I'm old, getting on in years, and my body isn't what it used to be," Old Madam Lu said. "Everyone is like this when they reach this age; why would I need to see imperial physicians frequently? Who knows how many people are watching our Lu family. It would be said again that the Lu family is arrogant due to favoritism. Mother doesn't want to cause you trouble with such a minor matter."
Empress Lu sighed, "Mother, I've told you, let the censors say whatever they want; it won't cause your daughter any trouble."
"Rest assured, Mother knows her own health. As for you, you have countless worries in this palace, and Mother cannot enter the palace often. Mother feels guilty towards you. If it weren't for the path your family chose for you back then, you wouldn't have to be so tired," Old Madam Lu said with a sigh. "Mother truly regrets it even in her dreams."
As she spoke, Old Madam Lu began to weep.
Empress Lu quickly comforted her and finally managed to calm her down. However, the momentum that had been building was completely gone. Since they had been summoned to the palace, she still had to ask.
"Mother, daughter asks you, did you give orders to those two wet nurses?" Empress Lu asked.
Old Madam Lu put on a look of bewilderment, "Which two wet nurses?"
"The two wet nurses in the second son's wife's courtyard, the two wet nurses I brought from home. After the second son got married, I assigned those two wet nurses there," Empress Lu said.
"Ah, those two, Mother remembers. But you said, giving orders? If the people are no longer in the Lu manor, what orders could Mother give? What, did they cause trouble?" Old Madam Lu asked.
Madam Lu, standing beside her, immediately knelt, "Your Majesty, it was I who acted on my own initiative to pass messages to those two wet nurses, under your name."
When Empress Lu summoned them, the mother and daughter-in-law had already guessed what it was about. This was also what they had agreed upon: Old Madam Lu would pretend to know nothing, and Madam Lu would take responsibility. She was a mother, and she was concerned for her daughter. Since the Old Madam knew nothing, it would be easier to mediate any issues.