The Second Prince, his face ashen with anger, left without a word.
Empress Lu smashed a set of official kiln white porcelain tea sets, and only then did some of the pent-up frustration dissipate. She then ordered people to keep a close watch on the Second Prince, reporting any movements to her immediately. This was to prevent him from acting rashly and doing anything beyond her expectations!
After giving the orders, Empress Lu calmed herself and, leaning on the arm of her head palace maid, went to find Lu Ruoyun.
Regardless of anything else, it was a young lady's first experience, and as an aunt and future mother-in-law, she ought to show some concern.
Lu Ruoyun sat before the dressing mirror, her eyes filled with sorrow, tears welling up but not yet falling, evoking a pang of sympathy in anyone who saw her.
Her long black hair cascaded down her chest. Lu Ruoyun bit her lip, seemingly unconsciously twisting a strand of her hair.
"Yunyun, why aren't you resting in bed?" Empress Lu's tone was gentle.
Lu Ruoyun quickly stood up and bowed to Empress Lu, "Aunt, why have you come? If you had something to say, you could have sent for me, and I would have come to you."
"Your aunt just came to see you. As a young lady experiencing such matters for the first time, you are naturally shy. In this palace, I am your only elder. How could I not care for you?" Empress Lu took Lu Ruoyun's hand and sat her down. "Are you feeling alright?"
Lu Ruoyun looked shy, "It's a little painful, but I can bear it."
"It will get better with more practice. I'll have someone bring you some ointment later. It will help relieve the discomfort after you use it," Empress Lu said.
Lu Ruoyun nodded, "Thank you, Aunt."
Empress Lu patted Lu Ruoyun's hand as a gesture of comfort.
"Aunt..." Lu Ruoyun hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself.
"Is there anything between an aunt and niece that cannot be said?" Empress Lu asked.
"Second Cousin... I admire Second Cousin. But, seeing Second Cousin's demeanor, I feel that my feelings are wrong... I don't want Second Cousin to suffer. Aunt, please tell me, what should I do?" Lu Ruoyun looked distressed.
"My dear child, rest assured. Your Second Cousin is just having trouble processing things for now. You are so wonderful; how could he not like you?" Empress Lu comforted Lu Ruoyun. "Don't worry, I will give you a satisfactory explanation for this matter as soon as possible."
Lu Ruoyun leaned into Empress Lu's embrace and whispered, "Yunyun thanks Aunt for her affection."
Empress Lu comforted Lu Ruoyun for a while longer, coaxing a smile back onto her young face before she left.
Afterward, she went directly to Emperor Chongwen and requested an imperial decree stating that Su Qingyue was afflicted with a serious illness and was unfit to be a royal wife. In their benevolence, the royal family would not divorce her but demote her to a concubine. The Empress's niece, Lu Ruoyun, being virtuous and proper, was deemed suitable to be the Second Prince's official consort, and thus Lu Ruoyun was bestowed the title of Second Prince's official consort.
"Your Majesty, isn't this decision rather hasty? The Second Prince deeply cherishes the Second Prince Consort. If you do this, the Second Prince will surely resent you, and it will affect your mother-son relationship," Emperor Chongwen said.
He was currently a substitute, and these words were spoken entirely from the perspective of a subordinate considering the best interests of their superior.
Therefore, Empress Lu heard nothing inappropriate in his words.
Empress Lu's expression was dejected, and she said helplessly, "My son and my niece have already consummated their relationship. If I don't give her an explanation, the Lu family will not be satisfied. As for my mother-son relationship with my son..."
Empress Lu sighed deeply. "There are no grudges that last overnight between a mother and son. Even if my son doesn't understand now, he will eventually understand one day. I am doing this for his own good. Moreover, how is my niece inferior to Su Qingyue?"