"Understood, I'll take care of it," Qi Zhenzhen said.
"Don't take it lightly. When that kind of person goes mad, they're truly unpredictable," Luo Wanqing said with a serious expression. "No, before I leave, I must see your Emperor. Even though Lu Jingning is no longer part of the Prince's mansion, this matter cannot be let go. She must go to a temple to reflect, and your Emperor must send someone to watch her. If Lu Jingning makes any moves, that Grand Scholar Lu will also be held accountable."
Qi Zhenzhen smiled, "Is this you threatening His Majesty?"
"Don't worry, your Emperor will happily agree," Luo Wanqing said. "You know, if I were to pursue this properly, it wouldn't end so simply. Besides, it's not like I'm causing trouble for your Emperor. As long as it's stated that Grand Scholar Lu will be implicated if Lu Jingning errs in the future, he will surely have Lu Jingning watched very closely. People like that don't care about father-daughter affection; their priority is their official career."
Qi Zhenzhen nodded in agreement, "That's true."
"Are you going to the palace?" Gu Sinian asked.
"Did I just say that casually?" Luo Wanqing shot Gu Sinian a look.
"Jinrong also needs to return to the palace. You can go together," Gu Sinian said.
"Jinrong isn't staying any longer?"
"His Majesty misses her dearly and asked me to convey a message for her to return to the palace as soon as possible," Gu Sinian said.
"She hasn't even stayed for many days!" Qi Zhenzhen sounded a bit puzzled.
"If Jinrong wishes to leave the palace again later, I'll bring her here," Gu Sinian said. His Majesty was currently relying on Jinrong to salvage the situation, otherwise, if his aunt's temper flared up, His Majesty might not be able to handle it.
"Then I'll go tell Jinrong," Qi Zhenzhen said.
"You rest, I'll tell her."
Luo Wanqing pouted, as if she were invisible.
***
Consort An looked at Emperor Chongwen fawning over her with surprise, a little bewildered but also pleased. When they were young, Emperor Chongwen had doted on her just like this.
"Your Majesty, what has gotten into you today?" Consort An asked.
"I've finished reviewing the memorials, and I thought I'd come see you, A Le. So many years have passed in a blink of an eye. The two children you raised are our most cherished. You know my intentions all along!" Emperor Chongwen said.
"Your Majesty, please don't say such things."
"We are in your palace, what's wrong with saying it? I will eventually bring those old aristocratic families into line. Moreover, the eldest son is superior to the second son in every aspect." Emperor Chongwen said, "Your brother is truly unable to discern the situation."
He was the Emperor, and he favored his nephew from the Duke's mansion. Did that not represent something? Yet, he was blind and foolish, disregarding his legal wife and doting on his concubine. Wasn't A Nian better than Gu Siya in every way? He simply refused to see it, repeatedly trying to strip A Nian of his status as heir. Gu Siya, unable to compete fairly, resorted to underhanded tactics. Now, she was associating closely with Li An, and Gu Changwei, in his muddled state, wouldn't go against Gu Siya?
"Perhaps this is a common failing of men; what they cannot obtain is the best. Dong Ningwan left early, and she and Eldest Brother were deeply in love. Her position in Eldest Brother's heart is unshakeable. Therefore, Eldest Brother naturally only has eyes for Gu Siya. In the early years, Gu Siya was willing to follow Eldest Brother, but because Eldest Brother only enjoyed playing with A Nian, he believed it was my influence. Hence, he held hostility towards me and Eldest Brother," Consort An said.