The Emperor sent off an attendant. After a while, the man returned.
"Your Majesty, Her Majesty has kept the Imperial Grandson's Consort and the heir apparent to talk," the attendant said with a bow.
"Oh, the Imperial Grandson's Consort came to pay her respects..." The Emperor pondered for a long time, then silently let out a breath.
This should have been an ordinary matter. The Imperial Grandson's Consort paying her respects to the Empress was also a way to pass the time.
The Emperor normally paid no mind to such things.
Yet when he thought of the Imperial Grandson's heir apparent, the image of the Crown Prince shortly after his birth surfaced before his eyes.
"That child looks... very much like the Crown Prince."
In truth, compared with the Imperial Grandson, it was the Imperial Grandson's heir apparent who resembled the Crown Prince more...
Complex emotions welled up within him again—some measure of joy, concern, and even regret...
"Forget it. It's already done. What is there for Us to be sentimental about?"
"She must be even more heartbroken, shouldn't she?"
Today, he seemed perpetually ill at ease, yet he could not find the source of it.
The Emperor's vision blurred again, and a familiar hall vaguely emerged before him... Ah, it was this prince's residence.
Someone seemed to be speaking by his ear, but he could not hear clearly.
"...The heir apparent is with the Princess Consort, saying he wishes to paint a longevity portrait as an offering for His Majesty's birthday."
The heir apparent?
The Emperor fell into a daze.
Ah, yes... After Fu'er was born, Father Emperor had always liked summoning this prince.
Fu'er truly was blessed...
Joy rose in his heart, mixed with an indescribable sorrow.
"Someone, take that Da Shi Kingdom gold watch from this prince's