Song Ci was right, there was indeed soone talking about her, and it was none other than the current Empress Dowager.
Inside the Cining Palace, Empress Dowager Wang was discussing with her son, the Emperor, about the heir she had chosen and their plans for him.
"Aci is broad-minded. Just from how she raised a child like Yunzhi, I trust her abilities. Sending that child to the Pri Minister’s Mansion, I believe, is definitely better than staying in the Uncle’s Mansion; at least the person is alive," Empress Dowager Wang ntioned the Uncle’s Mansion with disdain on her face.
Emperor Chu stroked the yellow jade prayer beads in his hand, resting the other hand on the bed table, and said, "Mother, since you are willing to adopt the heir for uncle’s line, and the child is only six years old, why not bring him to the palace for personal nurturing?"
"I nurture him myself?" Empress Dowager Wang widened her eyes. She hadn’t even brought her grandson close for teaching, how could she teach a stranger’s child, that wouldn’t work.
Besides, she hadn’t raised a child in many years, it was absolutely out of the question.
"You’re also a bit bored at Cining Palace; having a child by your side could relieve your boredom, couldn’t it?"
Empress Dowager Wang pointed to herself, amused: "Emperor, you say I’m bored? Where am I bored? If I want to watch a play, there are people to perform for , if I want to listen to music or watch a dance, aren’t there your concubines to entertain ? Even playing cards, there are plenty to accompany . It’s impossible for to be bored, I don’t feel bored at all."
But if there were a child in the palace, causing noise all day, oh dear, would she not be annoyed to death?
No, it won’t work.
Emperor Chu’s mouth twitched slightly, looking at his mother, a bit speechless.
To be honest, his mother was indeed capable of finding her amusent. Most of his concubines had been summoned by her to perform talents, with different performances each day. If pleased, she would give rewards, making him feel like his harem was actually serving his mother.
But as long as mother was happy, she could do as she pleased, whatever she wanted was fine as long as it made her happy.
"Mother, children can be quite amusing at tis. How would you know if you haven’t raised one yourself? If you nurture him yourself, he’d beco closer to you, wouldn’t he?" Emperor Chu continued to persuade.
Empress Dowager Wang glanced at him sideways: "Why do I feel like you’re shirking the duty onto for Pri Minister Song’s family? You don’t want to send the child over there?"
"Not exactly, actually, Pri Minister Song had ntioned this issue before, probably the Madam told him. Pri Minister Song is thinking, raising the child in the palace, by your side, would make him closer, and safer too. Additionally, I guess he’s concerned about his mother’s health."
Empress Dowager Wang frowned: "Aci’s health, looks fine to ."
"On the surface, it appears so, but internally, so frailty exists," Emperor Chu said cautiously.
Empress Dowager Wang’s expression changed several tis, her fingers pressing the armrest of the phoenix chair slightly tightened, her face no longer light-hearted: "Really?"
Emperor Chu said: "Lu Courtyard confird it, and Mother you should know how hard Aunt Song had it back then, and how much endurance she had."
He no longer referred to her as Madam but changed to a more affectionate term.
Empress Dowager Wang’s eyes reddened: "I know, I absolutely know. Back then, to avoid being a threat to your father Emperor, we were constantly hiding, even lived in caves. Hearing beast roars at night was terrifying, and it was your aunt who carried food and drinks up to us. And during the great drought, with only two sips of water left, even though her lips were cracked from thirst, she shared with us."
Emperor Chu felt deeply moved rembering those years.
"Aci, poor Aci, she was soone with a hard life. She suffered early on, and now when she can finally enjoy life, yet..." Empress Dowager Wang said, started to wipe her tears in sorrow.
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