Chapter 43: There is more to her than meets the eye 2

Meanwhile back at the Empress palace 

Empress Lu sent out all her servants after getting charged from her red ceremonial wide-sleeved gown. The fifth Prince's words at the banquet got on her nerve, she had only pretended to be calm to maintain appearances. The palace servants all left except her maid Xuayi.

Empress Lu walked to the small cupboard by the wall and brought out a rectangular wooden box. It had been a while she had last opened the box but it was still in good condition. She dropped the box on the table and turned the small key in the keyhole under the lid.

With a little 'Click' the lid rose, She opened the box fully. Inside the box was a pair of thick, small newborn sized socks, the socks were placed on soft white and gold blankets. Next to the blankets was a raffle, these were all that was left from her nursery back then.

They were all that was saved after the fire that took away her son from her. Her beautiful little boy wasn't even a month old when he died. Everyone said it was an accident but she never believed that. How is it that only the nursery where the newly conferred crown Prince was kept caught fire?

That was the darkest day of her life, she had only held her son for ten days before he was taken away. She had gotten better these days by the foolish mother and son pair opened up her wounds once more. She could still remember how hard she had fought to rush in and save her little boy but she was held back by the servants.

The Emperor hadn't even bothered to go in to save her boy, he just stood there while her precious child burned to death. Her heart and any soft feelings she ever had for the Emperor burned that night. After She discovered that she was the only one that cared about her son, the Emperor was too hung up on his foolish beliefs.

Empress Lu brought the took out the blanket and brought it up to her nose. She never allowed anyone to touch the blanket so as not to lose her son's newborn scent.

When she entered the palace, her grandaunt who was the Empress dowager back then told her that after many years when the love had run dry, you will have to rely on your children to console you.

She had never understood that statement until that night as she watched her husband stand there, completely indifferent to her pain. That was the moment she swore to protect her children herself and never depend on anyone else to do that for her.

Xuayi took her mistress hands in hers and hugged her tight. The Empress's shoulders shook as she cried, Xuanyi rubbed her back gently. She of all people understood what the Empress was going through. Xuanyi and Empress Lu were very close, they grew up together and she followed the Empress from the Lu family after her marriage.

It hurt her to see her once bubbling mistress reduced to this. Her mistress was kindhearted when she married the Emperor but after years of abuse from the Emperor, she had changed into someone else. She had gotten colder and manipulative that sometimes even surprised her.

Imperial concubine Sheng and the fifth Prince opened up an old wound. The only person that seemed to get her mistress mood up was General Lu but It was too late to call the general over. She could only distract her mistress by talking about something else entirely.

"Your highness, I spoke with Big madam Lu before the banquet started. She informed me that a few families are approaching her to arrange a match between the second young master and their daughters"

The Empress stopped shaking, Xuanyi smiled when she noticed that and passed a handkerchief to the Empress. There were only a few things that could distract her mistress, the Empress pull out of her arms. She dabbed her eye gently "is there anyone good?", She asked.

"Only a few"

Empress Lu bit her lips thoughtfully and replied "the Emperor has already dictated Yingjie's marriage. I can't allow him to do that again, send a message to Elder Princess Long. She has an unmarried granddaughter named Xia Ying. I have met her a few times, she is very smart and kind. She will make a good match for Azhu, inform her to send over her daughter for a visit".

"Yes, the princess is a good match for General Lu. They both care so much for the people, I heard that the princess provides education to the commoner in her hometown".

"Xia Ying was raised by her grandmother the eldest princess so you can imagine that she would be quite an overachiever. Which is why I am pairing her with Azhu, the Eldest princess will protect him when I am not here anymore", Empress Lu said folding the blanket and putting it back into the box.

"Please don't talk like this, your highness. You are still strong, you can protect the Lu family!" Xuanyi cried out quickly.

"I am not going to die any time soon Xuanyi, I am just planning ahead. The Emperor's Paranoia is getting worse, it's only a matter of time before he sees me as a thorn in his side. I am still here because of his old sentiments. I have to plan for the future, I need to ensure that the Lu family would be safe when I am not longer here" She replied shutting the lid of the box and turning the key.

"The crown Prince wouldn't let that happen" 

"Would he have any other choice, I don't place my trust fully on the crown Prince. Even if he calls mother, he is still not my child. There are no blood ties between us, he wouldn't be very loyal to me. He has gotten closer to the Tong family of late, soon he will no longer see me as a mother".

"You have raised him since he was 4 years old, the crown Prince holds you dear to his heart. Nothing and no one would change that fact!"

Empress Lu laughed softly "only time will tell".