Why must you keep dwelling on the departed?

"Your son knows he was wrong, but seeing that Your Majesty has been looking so well lately, I am truly relieved."

Li Rui certainly knew how to coax his mother. Having grown up with her temper, he knew that a few sweet words or a preemptive apology would always smooth things over.

"You always know just what to say to please me. Zhen'er has finally filled the inner court somewhat, which has lifted a heavy burden from my heart. Now I am just waiting for some good news to arrive in a few days. If I could become a grandmother once more, that would be perfection itself."

To be honest, the Empress Dowager had been in high spirits lately, and consequently, her complexion had grown visibly better day by day. As the saying goes, when the heart is at ease, all else goes well.

Previously, the inner court had been rather desolate, but this recent round of imperial selections had replenished it, causing the Empress Dowager to begin looking forward to the prospect of becoming a grandmother again. Yet, while she felt more at ease on that front, there was still the other matter. They were both her sons, and of course, she cared for them equally.

"So, when will you bring your mother some good news, Rui'er?"

Just as her face had begun to relax into a smile, the Empress Dowager turned and put on a stern expression once more, questioning Li Rui directly. After all, this was a mother's greatest concern.

"Mother, it is your son's lack of filial piety."

Li Rui knew he could no longer evade these questions. Though he had to face them head-on, he could only offer apologies, daring not make any further promises.

"Since you know it, you must change. Hurry up and settle down—whether it is a Princess Consort or a grandson, I want them both."

The Empress Dowager spoke with deep earnestness. Ever since the founding of the Li Dynasty, the imperial lineage had never been abundant, and the current Emperor, Li Zhen, also had few heirs.

Thus, as Empress Dowager, she was naturally anxious. Yet, in the past, she had never dared to pressure Li Rui too heavily, for deep down, she still harbored a sense of guilt toward him.

"Mother, I wish to wait until the mourning period for the rites has passed before discussing this. You already have the inner court and Your Majesty's heirs to worry about; your son will weigh his own affairs carefully."

As the Empress Dowager had anticipated, Li Rui adopted this very attitude. Others might believe he acted thus entirely for the sake of his deceased Princess Consort and child, but unlike Emperor Li Zhen, she did not entirely buy into Li Rui's excuses.

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager grew anxious. This time, she had no intention of letting Li Rui brush her off. With a mixture of urgency and displeasure, she scoffed:

"Hmph! Weighing them carefully! Such fine words. Worrying over you is only right for me as your mother, and this year I shall certainly bestow a good marriage upon you!"

In speaking thus, the Empress Dowager had two motives: on one hand, to ensure the continuation of the ancestral lineage, and on the other, out of genuine consideration for Li Rui, having once compromised with him in the past and now attempting to persuade him once more with her deep-seated intentions.

"Mother, I will ponder this matter. As soon as the mourning period ends, I will certainly consider it, but for now, my stance remains unchanged."

This time, Li Rui refused to yield even an inch. His past compromise had plunged him into a quagmire, injuring himself and destroying the happiness of others as well.

Now, he had Zhang Xiaolan in his heart, and he had already made solemn vows of the mountains and the seas with her. He would cherish her for the rest of his life, yet the appearance of Zhang Xiaolan could not be revealed to others just yet.

Only he knew the hidden circumstances behind this. If discovered, it was impossible to foresee whether it might spark a chaotic upheaval, so he could not yet speak of having met the one who truly held his heart.

"Rui'er, why must you constantly dwell on the departed? Whether it is for the Princess Consort, the child, or even Lanlan..."

Hearing this, a pang shot through the Empress Dowager's heart. Hoping to persuade Li Zhen—correction, Li Rui—to change his mind, she grew too anxious and inadvertently let slip the name of the past love.

"Mother, I have already told you, I have let go of Lanlan."

Seeing his mother dredge up the past, Li Rui replied, though what the Empress Dowager did not know was that Li Rui's feelings toward Lanlan had fundamentally changed. He was no longer as obsessed or resentful as before, and all of this was thanks to the appearance of Zhang Xiaolan.