After Luo Lingyi left the teahouse, Chi Hua asked, "Since Young Lady is cooperating with the Crown Princess, why do you still disagree with her raising the little imperial grandson?"
"The little imperial grandson is Yu Xi's only flesh and blood. I will not let him become a tool for anyone's power struggle. Ling Yi sister cannot, and neither can the Mo family. It is safest for him to be cared for and raised by people appointed by the Sage." Yu Mingyue said.
"Then in the future..." Chi Hua trailed off.
"Although Sister Ling Yi and I have reconciled, there is still a rift. The little imperial grandson is still in swaddling clothes. For now, we can only take it one step at a time," Yu Mingyue said, holding her forehead.
If Luo Lingyi truly loved the child, it wouldn't be impossible for her to raise him, as she was Xiao Che's legitimate wife.
The trouble was the Mo family. Although it had been confirmed that Yu Xi's death had nothing to do with Luo Lingyi and their relationship had eased, they had already selected suitable young ladies from the clan and intended to send them into the palace. Their purpose was obvious.
The Sage was critically ill and increasingly suspicious. The priority now was for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne as soon as possible.
Taiji Hall
The Sage felt a tightness in his chest and coughed a few times. Zhang Ying immediately had a eunuch bring a spittoon and served tea for the Sage to rinse his mouth.
"Have there been any military reports from the border?" the Sage asked, breathing heavily.
"Sage, don't you remember the Crown Prince saying at noon that a victory report had arrived from Yumenguan? The Tubo army is retreating steadily and cannot hold on much longer. It is likely that victory reports will also come from the southeast and Jizhou. Sage, please take care of your health first. It is not too late to handle matters when your dragon body has recovered," Zhang Ying comforted him.
The imperial physicians had said that the Sage's illness was caused by excessive worry and invasion of evil cold, and that he needed careful recuperation, otherwise, it might affect his lifespan.
The Sage's spirits were low, but his eyes were still sharp. He waved his hand. He knew his own body. Before he left, he had to sort out all these messes. Che'er was becoming increasingly soft-hearted, which would not do.
"Fetch the military reports from today," Yong An insisted.
Whenever Che'er mentioned Yu Mingjing, he always spoke of how brave and skilled he was, how he had turned the tide. He had to know the situation at Yumenguan.
Seeing Emperor Yong An's insistence, Zhang Ying had no choice but to have a eunuch fetch the reports from the front hall and added two more candles.
The Sage was already frail and could not bear to read for more than half an hour. Just as Zhang Ying was about to remind him, a eunuch announced that Consort Yao sought an audience.
"What does she want?" The Sage was not displeased, but somewhat impatient.
"During the Sage's illness, the consorts in the palace have been very concerned," Zhang Ying said tactfully, offending no one.
The Sage had been preoccupied with state affairs for a long time and had not entered the inner palace, not even the Empress Wang's quarters. The imperial consorts knew that the Sage had no interest in romantic matters and no longer hoped to gain favor through such means.
"Very well, let her in."
Consort Yao appeared to be unadorned, yet every detail was carefully planned. She was adept at guessing the Sage's intentions. She knew that the Sage was critically ill and disliked ostentation, so it was better to be low-key now that she was no longer a noble consort.
She had served the Sage her entire life, and had spent a lifetime observing his moods. These were things she had long been accustomed to.
For the sake of the future, everything she did today was worth it.
"Your humble consort heard that the Sage is ill and is extremely worried. When the Sage used to have a poor appetite, he always favored the soup made by your humble consort," Consort Yao said naturally, as if she had not been demoted to Consort Yao, nor had she ever received cold glances from the palace staff.
She opened the food box and had a palace servant fetch a jade bowl. The Sage did not stop her.
Consort Yao tasted it herself with a spoon, "The temperature is just right. Would the Sage like to try it and see if it still tastes the same as before?"