Chapter 154: Never Betray You

The Emperor felt as though he had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet. Why on earth had he brought up those unpleasant matters, causing his mother to weep so bitterly?

"Mother, please stop crying," the Emperor urged. "Grand Physician Lu merely said that her constitution is weak and requires delicate care without overexertion. You saw her yourself at the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, and you even remarked that she was looking robust. That means she is recovering well, and she has a female physician by her side to help regulate her health."

"What do you know?" Empress Dowager Wang sniffled. "When people reach old age, there's no telling when their time might come. She could go to sleep at night and simply fail to wake up the next morning."

The Emperor was torn between laughter and tears. "Mother, listen to yourself."

Fortunately, Lady Dowager Song was not present; otherwise, she would have been deeply aggrieved.

*Song Ci:* She certainly wasn't cursing me—I swear by our plastic sisterhood!

Empress Dowager Wang realized what she had said, spat lightly twice, brought her hands together in prayer, and muttered that her foolish words as a pious woman should not count, as the Bodhisattva was currently out and couldn't hear her.

"Emperor, I intend to have that boy live in the side hall of the Cining Palace, but I also want him to occasionally study and reside at the Prime Minister's Estate."

The Emperor was slightly taken aback. "Why is that? If Mother has already settled on this child, he could study alongside the imperial princes at the Imperial College. Isn't that much better than studying outside?"

Empress Dowager Wang replied, "He can still study at the Imperial College on regular days, but auditing the clan school at the Prime Minister's Estate will also be beneficial. At the very least, there is the Prime Minister himself—he is a double-ranked imperial scholar and the top scorer of the palace examinations."

It wasn't that she looked down on the Imperial College, but those old pedants there were even more rigid than she was. Look at what they had turned the imperial princes into—they only knew how to put on empty airs and were utterly devoid of practicality.

Empress Dowager Wang paused and continued, "I also have my own selfish motives. I hope this child can forge a good bond with the Prime Minister's Estate in the future. Whether the Prime Minister's Estate protects him or he protects the Prime Minister's Estate, it will repay the kindness that Ah Ci showed us mother and son in the past."

The Emperor pressed his lips together. Was this meant to bind the future Duke of Cheng'en's Estate and the Prime Minister's Estate together?

"Emperor, if you are willing, you can also groom this child, whether as your backup or as part of the Crown Prince's future faction. I will ensure that he is solely loyal to the Emperor." Whether it was the emperor before her or the next emperor, she would make this child who was about to inherit the lineage loyal only to the Emperor. If he failed to do so, what did it matter if the title of Duke of Cheng'en was stripped away?

Her true family was gone. Having an heir to continue the lineage merely meant someone would burn incense and make offerings during festivals, but as Ah Ci had said, such things were terribly hollow.

Incense and offerings did not necessarily have to come from an heir bearing one's own surname.

"Mother..."

Empress Dowager Wang looked at him, calling him by his given name, "Jing'er, everyone says I am blessed with abundant fortune and have many children and grandchildren. But in my heart, they are all somewhat distant. The closest and most important person in my heart is none other than you."

Therefore, I swear on my life that I will never betray you, and I will not allow my maternal family to do so either!

Deeply moved, the Emperor rose and knelt before Empress Dowager Wang. "Mother."

Empress Dowager Wang stroked his head. "You are already at the age of becoming a grandfather; why are you still kneeling? Get up quickly."

The Emperor smoothly stood up.

"What you said is also true. I cannot simply indulge in laziness; I want to see my old sister live a long life as well. How about this? I will summon Ah Ci into the palace and ask for her opinion. What do you think?"

The Emperor smiled and nodded. "Mother may do as you see fit."

After all, he was merely an heir. Since it was his mother's intention to bind this child to the Prime Minister's Estate, it was certainly worth considering.