The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 154: Chapter 154 Never Betray You

Emperor Chu felt like he had shot himself in the foot; everything was fine, so why bring up those unpleasant matters, making his mother cry.

”Mother, please stop crying. Although Lu Courtyard’s diagnosis was indeed that her insides are weak and she needs careful nurturing without exhaustion,” Emperor Chu said, ”you saw her during the Dragon Boat Palace banquet and mentioned that she looked healthy, which means the nurturing has been effective. There’s also a female doctor by her side assisting in her care.”

”What do you know? The elderly, when they reach a certain age, you never know when their time will come. They could fall asleep at night and not wake up the next morning,” Empress Dowager Wang sniffled.

Emperor Chu was at a loss: ”Mother, listen to what you’re saying.”

Thankfully, Madam Song was not present; otherwise, she would have been upset.

Song Ci: She’s definitely not cursing me; I swear on our fragile sisterhood!

Empress Dowager Wang also realized and spat twice, clasped her hands together, and muttered that it was just nonsense spoken by a laywoman, and it didn’t count as the Bodhisattva was out and couldn’t hear it.

”Emperor, I can have the child stay in the side palace of Cining Palace, but I also want him to occasionally study and live at the Prime Minister’s Mansion,” she said.

Emperor Chu froze for a moment: ”Why is this, Mother? If you have chosen this child, he can study at the Imperial Academy with the princes, isn’t that better than studying outside?”

Empress Dowager Wang replied, ”He can study at the Imperial Academy on normal days, but attending lectures at the clan academy of the Prime Minister’s Mansion also has its benefits. At the very least, there’s Prime Minister Song; he was a scholar who topped the imperial examination lists.”

It’s not that she was dismissive, but there were several old scholars in the Imperial Academy, even more old-fashioned than her, who had taught the princes to be so superficial and impractical.

Empress Dowager Wang paused and said, ”I also have personal reasons; I want this child to get along well with the Prime Minister’s Mansion in the future, whether the mansion protects him or he protects the mansion, it would repay Song Ci’s kindness to us in the past.”

Emperor Chu pursed his lips, would this mean tying the future Duke Cheng’en Mansion to the Prime Minister’s Mansion?

”Emperor, if you wish, you can also groom this child, whether as your backup or for the Crown Prince’s circle in the future; I will ensure he remains loyal only to the Emperor.” No matter whether it’s this Emperor or the next one, she would ensure that this child, being adopted, would remain loyal to them. If not, what use would it be, even if they stripped the title of Duke Cheng’en?

Her real family was gone; adoption was merely someone performing rituals during festivals, but such things, as Song Ci mentioned, were very superficial.

Offering incense doesn’t necessarily mean passing it to an heir of the same surname.

”Mother...”

Empress Dowager Wang looked at him, calling his name: ”Jing’er, everyone says that I am blessed with many princes and grandsons, but to me, there’s a distance. In my heart, the one closest and most important is only you.”

Therefore, I swear on my life never to betray you, nor allow my family to betray you!

Emperor Chu was deeply moved, stood up, and knelt before Empress Dowager Wang: ”Mother.”

Empress Dowager Wang patted his head: ”You’re about to become a grandfather yourself, why kneel? Get up quickly.”

Emperor Chu stood up accordingly.

”You’re right, I can’t shirk my own responsibilities. I also want to see my old sisters live longer, so I’ll summon Song Ci to the palace to ask her, what do you think?”

Emperor Chu nodded with a smile: ”Whatever Mother decides is best.”

It’s just an adopted heir, but considering Mother’s intention to tie this child to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, it’s something he could consider.