"The Empress Mother has her own decisions," Lu Linlang said coldly.
"Yes..." The Second Prince responded sullenly.
Seeing her son like this, Lu Linlang felt her words had been a bit harsh. She softened her voice, "Look at Consort An; she has always been unrivaled in this palace. Why? Because your Father Emperor dotes on her. Otherwise, how could she contend with the Empress Mother? Qingyue is a clever girl, she certainly won't make things difficult for you. Your cousin is also sensible and well-mannered; if she becomes Empress, she will surely treat Qingyue well. In ancient times, there were E Huang and Nü Ying, right?"
He didn't want any E Huang and Nü Ying, but he dared not say it in front of Lu Linlang.
"Your son will listen to Mother," the Second Prince finally said.
"The Empress Mother knew her son was insightful and knew how to choose," Lu Linlang said, very satisfied.
If a daughter of the Lu family became Empress, then the Lu family could be inextricably linked with imperial power.
Two Empresses from one family – what supreme glory that was!
"Can your son speak to Qingyue himself?" the Second Prince asked.
"Very well," Lu Linlang agreed.
After reviewing the memorials, the Second Prince bowed to Lu Linlang and took his leave.
The Second Prince's mansion was located closest to the Imperial Palace. Normally, the Second Prince felt it was very near. Today, however, the road back to his mansion felt as if it would never end. How could he possibly speak to Qingyue himself?
After leaving the Imperial Palace, the Second Prince finally thought of a plan.
A plan that he felt was a plan.
He did not return to his mansion but took a carriage towards the Lu family.
After paying his respects to his elders, he requested to see his cousin.
The fact that a daughter of the Lu family would become Empress was something the Lu family knew well, so there was no reason why a meeting should not happen.
The Second Prince successfully met his cousin, Lu Ruoyun.
"This humble subject greets the Second Prince," Lu Ruoyun said, her manners impeccable, leaving no room for criticism. The Second Prince thought of Qingyue; Qingyue would also greet him, but compared to his cousin, she was much more casual.
"Cousin, there's no need to be so formal between us," the Second Prince said.
"Please be seated, Cousin. Ruoyun will prepare tea for you," Lu Ruoyun said. "Why have you suddenly come to my residence?"
Looking at the beautiful Lu Ruoyun, the words the Second Prince had planned to say became difficult to utter. He vaguely said, "I suddenly missed grandfather and the others, so I came to visit. Earlier, in the palace, Mother mentioned you; she misses you very much, so I came to see you."
"I miss Auntie too," Lu Ruoyun said.
"Then I will have someone pick you up to the palace another day. You can stay with Mother for a while," the Second Prince said.
"Very well, I will listen to Cousin," Lu Ruoyun replied.
After drinking two cups of tea, the Second Prince knew he couldn't just waste time like this. He clenched his fist and, as if casually, asked, "Several of my sisters are currently selecting imperial consorts. Have Uncle and Auntie chosen a suitable husband for you, Cousin?"
The Second Prince also knew that it was inappropriate for him, an outsider, to ask such a question, but he felt that the breakthrough to this matter lay with Lu Ruoyun, so he could not afford to be too concerned about it.
Lu Ruoyun remained very calm. "Cousin, marriage is a major affair, decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers. How could Ruoyun presume to comment? Father and Mother have always doted on me; they will naturally make perfect arrangements for my marriage."
Lu Ruoyun knew that she was to marry her cousin and become Empress.
She was indeed intelligent. Although the Second Prince had not said anything explicitly, she sensed that he was unwilling to marry her.
Was it that second cousin-in-law? She hadn't expected her second cousin to be such a devoted and affectionate person.