This act of kindness can’t be simply forgotten or erased by anyone who wishes to do so.
"Is His Majesty here seeking a solution from my place because he found no favor with the Empress Dowager?" she arched an eyebrow and muttered to herself.
"Your Highness, will you... assist His Majesty?" the nanny asked.
"Assist, why wouldn’t I assist?"
Princess Consort Lian laughed, her laughter carried a chilling note.
If His Majesty wishes to save Prince Lin, then she would gladly extend a helping hand. So what?
Sui Zilin has been atop White Blind Mountain for so long, even if he were to be rescued, he’d likely be completely broken, wouldn’t he? What use would such a person be, brought back?
However, if His Majesty wishes for Prince Lin to return, then let him return. How could she possibly mind?
"Prepare my makeup," she instructed the nanny.
Soon enough, His Majesty arrived at Bibo Palace.
After performing her courtesies, Princess Consort Lian was led by the hand into the chamber by His Majesty. She walked a step behind him, her face curling into a cold smirk.
She knew all too well that for years she and His Majesty had been sharing a bed in name only. What’s more, had they ever really shared one? Since the birth of her second son, His Majesty had never spent a night in her Bibo Palace.
"Princess Consort Lian, accompany me in conversation."
As she was led by the hand and seated by His Majesty, Princess Consort Lian softly responded.
"Princess Consort Lian, I notice you have not looked well recently. Have you summoned the imperial physician for a diagnosis?" His Majesty inquired, examining her complexion.
"To reply to Your Majesty, this consort has not been ill, just that this morning the Empress summoned me, necessitating an early rise," Princess Consort Lian replied.
"The Empress summoned you?"
His Majesty furrowed his brow but then relaxed.
Presumably, the Empress summoned her also concerning the matter of Sui Zilin, thinking that since Zimo had been delaying, she wanted to trouble Princess Consort Lian as an outlet for her anger.
This, he felt, was not an issue; after all, Zimo indeed had been too unyielding to advice.
"Did she trouble you? This Empress, truly too outrageous. One of these days, I must teach her a good lesson," he feigned indignation, speaking insincerely to Princess Consort Lian.
"Your Majesty, the Empress did not trouble this consort, but merely wished for this consort to speak on her behalf to Prince Mo. Your Majesty must not be angered," Princess Consort Lian quickly said.
She scoffed inwardly. Would His Majesty really punish the Empress for her sake? That woman was His Majesty’s childhood sweetheart. These were just empty words to her—could she possibly take them seriously?
Even if the Empress did make things difficult for her, wouldn’t His Majesty internally think it deserved?
At the mention of Zimo, His Majesty’s expression soured.
He thought that fortunately, Princess Consort Lian was sensible enough to bring up the matter herself. Otherwise, he truly wouldn’t have known how to start.
"Given your ill health, have you ordered for Mo’er to be summoned to the palace?" he asked.
Princess Consort Lian hesitated for a moment, her gaze awkwardly lifting to His Majesty.
"Your Majesty is aware that Mo’er harbors some grievances against his mother. It has been quite some time since I last saw him. The last occasion was when the Empress Dowager summoned him to the palace."
His Majesty ought to be more informed of Zimo’s whereabouts than she was, right?
Why bother with this charade in front of her when both were well aware of the truth?
"This Mo’er, really too insolent," His Majesty cursed softly.
"Princess Consort Lian, do not be downtrodden. Since Mo’er is unwilling to see you, you are free to leave the palace to meet him. What grudge can there be between mother and child that lasts overnight? Sometimes, things can be resolved by talking it out."