CHAPTER 1131: CHAPTER 1129: AH JIU ALREADY HAS SOMEONE IN HIS HEART

After having lunch, Ah Jiu assisted Empress Dowager Mo to the Imperial Garden to take a walk and aid digestion. As the mother and son slowly walked and chatted, a line of palace maids and eunuchs followed at a respectful distance.

"Jiujiu, is it that the people below are not serving attentively? I see that you seem a bit displeased today?" Empress Dowager Mo looked at her son and asked.

Ah Jiu was taken aback and then laughed, "Not at all, the staff in the mansion are all old hands, they serve diligently, and there is nothing that displeases me."

"Yet here you are with a stern face. I thought perhaps someone irritated you, or maybe coming to the palace to share a meal with this old woman has made you uncomfortable?"

Indeed, there was someone who had annoyed him, but it wasn’t in Beiyan. Ah Jiu chuckled, "Royal Mother, please don’t say that. I wish I could dine with you every day. However, there are some inattentive individuals around, but you need not concern yourself. Your health is still fragile; you must take care and refrain from worrying too much."

Ah Jiu assisted her into the Hexagonal Pavilion, which had already been arranged by the palace maids and eunuchs, and they sat down.

Empress Dowager Mo held a bowl of hot tea, smiling, "Now that you’ve returned, what worries could I possibly have? As for matters to fret over, there happens to be one at present."

"Oh?"

With eyes full of tender affection, Empress Dowager Mo said, "The Ministry of Rites is already preparing for your crown ceremony. Once this ceremony is over, you shall be a true adult."

Ah Jiu felt a slight unease, sensing the upcoming conversation might be troubling.

Sure enough, Empress Dowager Mo continued, "Jiujiu, you’ve grown up; it’s time to marry and have children. I have long awaited the day when I could dote on my grandchildren."

Thinking of her little, soft-smelling grandchildren, Empress Dowager Mo’s heart melted into tenderness.

"Royal Mother, why bring this up suddenly?" Ah Jiu forced a smile, "If you so wish, just say the word, and there’ll be plenty of grandchildren before you, delighting you at your knees."

Empress Dowager Mo maintained her smile, albeit less than before, and merely smiled faintly, "Each of them is already grown. Besides, they have their own mothers; why should I interfere and separate mother and child?"

Ah Jiu didn’t quite agree. Considering how much his imperial brother respects Royal Mother, many concubines would be eager to offer their children to her. Not just for upbringing purposes; even accompanying her while reading scriptures or admiring flowers would be beneficial for their future, more so than usual.

"Even if I marry and have children, would Royal Mother still be willing to separate them from their mother?" Ah Jiu thought of Wufu and a child with a blurred face, his expression softening accordingly.

Empress Dowager Mo noticed, yet remained impassive, saying, "When spending a few days with this old lady, you must learn to let go occasionally."

Ah Jiu chuckled lightly.

Empress Dowager Mo continued, "It’s already Early Summer, and the weather will soon heat up. I wish to go to the Traveling Palace to escape the heat, as June’s lotus flowers bloom beautifully. Should Royal Mother issue a decree to invite some noble ladies to accompany?"

Ah Jiu quickly replied, "Royal Mother, I currently have no intention of marrying."

"Nonsense! Men and women both must marry at the appropriate age. You are already at the age of adulthood; other princes were married at fifteen or sixteen. And you, you don’t even have a concubine. How long will you have Royal Mother wait? I wish to hold grandchildren." Empress Dowager Mo feigned displeasure.

"Royal Mother..." Ah Jiu smiled helplessly, wanting to say you already have many grandchildren.

Empress Dowager Mo glanced at him, "Could it be, during those two years in Nanyue, you met someone special?"

Ah Jiu’s body slightly stiffened, as he looked into his mother’s wise eyes—eyes that had already uncovered secrets—and after a long pause, he nodded, "Yes, Royal Mother. Ah Jiu has someone he cherishes."