"Your Majesty, you look troubled and restless. Has something been weighing on your mind lately?" Lu Zhi asked.
"I wouldn't dare trouble Mother Empress with my concerns. They're merely trivial matters from the court," the Emperor said with cupped hands, intending to chat a little before taking the opportunity to leave.
The Empress Dowager's greatest purpose was to stabilize the inner palace and reassure both the court and the people.
A loving mother and filial son greatly helped secure the throne.
If he could not even honor his own mother, who would dare believe in him as Emperor? "Though this old woman does not understand affairs of the court, I understand people. If there are people Your Majesty cannot judge clearly, you may let this old woman take a look," Lu Zhi added.
Uh, was Mother Empress trying to meddle in politics?
No, she was probably just sincerely concerned about him.
If she truly wanted to interfere in politics, she would not have waited until now, much less surrendered control of the court so readily.
She was probably too bored.
After another thought, the Emperor cupped his hands again. "I wouldn't dare trouble Mother Empress. Please enjoy your honored retirement in peace. I have already ordered people to raise the funds for the Buddhist temple."
"The temple is not important. My son should pay more attention to his health, eat more nourishing food, and exercise often. I remember the ancient divine physician Bian Que had a set of Five Animal Play exercises. Have the Imperial Physicians find it someday and present it to my son. Practice it once or twice every day to nourish your spirit." It was Lu Zhi's first time being a mother, and she found it rather interesting.
"Thank you for Mother Empress's concern." The Emperor sighed