"Wenhe, do you have a good solution?"
After a moment's silence, Liu Xie turned an inquiring gaze toward Jia Xu, hoping this trusted adviser could step forward with a solution at such a critical moment.
He also made sure to add, "Don't keep things tucked away like before. Say whatever you have to say. With the relationship between us, what reservations could you possibly have?"
Jia Xu prized self-preservation. Often, even when he had a solution, he was unwilling to voice it. Just now, for instance, he had clearly already had an idea, but because he did not want to bear responsibility for making the Son of Heaven break his promise, he had chosen to approach the matter obliquely, refusing to spell it out.
"Your Majesty, this time I truly have no solution."
Helplessness filled Jia Xu's face. He shook his head and sighed. "Breaking your promise will inevitably displease Duke Wen and the Zhen Clan, but making both noble ladies empresses would truly be improper."
"We truly can neither advance nor retreat."
Before, he had deliberately withheld a solution.
Now, he genuinely had no plan to offer.
Liu Xie could only turn to Guo Jia. Seeing that he too remained silent, Liu Xie said with a complicated expression, "This matter... will need further deliberation."
Empress Fu was still alive, so he did not need to worry about whom to make empress in the immediate future. He could take his time finding a solution.
"Your Majesty, it is getting late. You should return and rest first. Your imperial health must come first."
Seeing Liu Xie's exhausted face, Guo Jia could not help urging him-he finally understood how the Son of Heaven had felt when advising him to mind his health.
"You should both head back early too."
Liu Xie nodded,