Cui Zhao'an's gaze kept drifting irresistibly toward Jiang Yourning. The imperial family had buried countless scandals, but she wanted to know more about the child.
It would not do for an imperial descendant to be left wandering among the common folk.
But when she thought about how even the person she trusted most at her side might be compromised, she knew she had to put her own affairs in order first.
Suddenly remembering something, Cui Zhao'an turned her gaze toward the Jiang Family's male guests.
Fortunately, the empress had met Jiang Huai'an, the Minister of Personnel, before.
Her gaze settled on the greedy little child behind the male guests, and Cui Zhao'an could not help shuddering.
From that distance, she could only see half his face, and not very clearly at that, but the child's profile looked remarkably like the emperor's when he was young.
"Your Majesty, what is wrong?"
Noticing that something was amiss with the empress, Nanny Mei followed her gaze.
Having held her position as empress securely for so many years, Cui Zhao'an was no naive innocent.
Her expression immediately returned to normal, and she spoke with a smile.
"I was merely thinking that Duke Zhen has always enjoyed His Majesty's trust. He has worked hard and rendered great service."
Duke Zhen was indeed visible from where the empress sat, so Nanny Mei withdrew her gaze without suspicion.
"Your Majesty need only keep the inner palace peaceful for the emperor. I am sure His Majesty will handle affairs at court."
Gathering her thoughts, the empress finally noticed that her daughter had disappeared again.
Her expression changed at once.
"Where is the princess?"
"Your Majesty, the princess suddenly felt unwell and went to change."
"Fuxiang, find her and bring her back within the time it takes an incense