Things would be different.
The Queen was, after all, still the Queen. She lost the authority token for an unexplained reason and if the token fell into someone other princess' hand, then the Weiyang Palace would eventually become an isolated place.
The King was not ready to conduct such a ruthless thing without preparations.
The Empress Dowager also noticed the unwillingness on the King's face, but she had made up her mind, so she said, "I am not saying that the Princess should take over the court. Have you forgotten why the authority token was given to me? The Queen is not in good health, so the token was given to me so that I can find someone to share the burden with her. When the Queen recovers, the token can be given back to her."
The Empress Dowager knew her son well. She understood what his weakest point was. He was someone with emotions and affection. He could not simply turn away like a cold-hearted person. So she should not ask him to do something so ruthless without warning. He needed to take steps one by one.
For example, she could just tell him that the token would be given back to the Queen later.
When the King heard the promise, he felt slightly better. He nodded. "Then let's just say that. Please inform Princess Jing about that when you have time."
The Empress Dowager had wanted to turn down this order, but seeing that the King already nodded at what she said, she decided to do something he told her to instead. So she nodded and decided to visit Princess Jing.
When the Empress Dowager was gone, the King stayed on the spot for a long while before walking towards the Weiyang Palace.
He did not hesitate this time. He knocked at the door directly.
When Aunt Nan saw the King at the doorstep, she showed no smile as before. Instead, she bowed quietly and took a step aside.
The Queen was lying on the bed. She had caught a cold because of the blast, so she decided to stay in bed instead.
The King saw the Queen in bed getting up to greet him.
He felt baffled. The Queen never behaved like a stranger in this way before. Now she was being too polite.
"No need. I am here to tell you two things, so just listen to me." The King sat down next to her and said, "First of all, it is almost the New Year and we have many celebratory things. The Empress Dowager and I have thought about promoting Princess Jing to become the Honored Princess instead. Princess Jing has been in the court for many years and it is time for her to get promoted in title around this time."
The King did not notice that he had said so many words just to tell the Queen of the plan.
As he finished speaking, he looked at the Queen.
The Queen showed no expression, but said as she nodded after a long while. "She deserves that."
Then she stayed silent.
That made the King feel uncomfortable again. He had expected that the Queen would be displeased about giving Princess Jing the promotion, because he mentioned this matter in the past, and the Queen never approved of it.
He had been complaining about this disagreement for a long while and felt sorry for Princess Jing. He once promised Princess Jing that he would make it up to her.
Now the promise was actualized, but he did not seem that pleased either. Instead, he had hoped that the Queen would get angry.
However, she did not.
Suddenly, the King felt furious.. He got up all of a sudden and walked to the Queen's bedside.