Liu Xie changed the subject. Truth be told, he was puzzled too. Previously, he had gotten Lü Lingqi pregnant through a moment of carelessness.
Now, although he had made no deliberate effort to prevent it, Zhen Mi had not conceived. All he could say was that pregnancy really was something of a mystery.
"Your Majesty, tonight-"
Zhen Mi mustered her courage, but just as she was about to ask Liu Xie to spend the night in her Qingli Palace, a palace maid entered.
"Your Majesty, urgent military intelligence has arrived from Yi Province. Minister Zhuge, Censor-in-Chief Guo, and Zhongshu Jia request your presence to discuss it."
The attendant palace maid spoke with great respect.
Liu Xie's heart tightened at the mention of urgent military intelligence. He told Zhen Mi and Lü Lingqi, "I will return later."
With that, he hurried out of Ziyun Palace.
Unable to get her words out, Zhen Mi could not help feeling a pang of disappointment. She called back the attendant palace maid, who was about to leave, and instructed her, "Once His Majesty has finished his work, convey a message for me. Tell him I will prepare red bean soup in my palace tonight and await his arrival to enjoy it."
"Yes, Noble Lady."
The attendant palace maid bowed and accepted the order.
Somewhat reassured, Zhen Mi took a gold bead from the scented pouch she carried and placed it on the table. "A reward for you. Take it."
She had always been generous with rewards for servants. This woman was the Son of Heaven's attendant palace maid, and building a closer relationship would make things easier in the future.
Yet the attendant palace maid did not step forward to accept it. She dipped her head slightly and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Noble