Crown Prince Liu Jun strode purposefully toward Moon Rise Palace, the elegant residence of his birth mother. Upon spotting the Crown Prince's approach, the attendant at the gate hurried inside to announce his arrival to Noble Consort Furen Qian Yunyu.
"Niangniang, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived." The maid announced with a respectful bow.
Noble Consort Furen Qian Yunyu's eyes brightened instantly at the news of her son's visit. A graceful smile touched her lips as she signaled for the maid to usher him in.
A moment later, the doors parted, and Liu Jun walked into the opulent hall. As she watched him approach, the Noble Consort felt a surge of maternal pride, her son was not only strikingly handsome but possessed a formidable mastery over his powers that few could rival.
"This son greets Mother Consort." Liu Jun said, offering a polite and disciplined salutation.
Noble Consort Furen Qian Yunyu nodded approvingly. "You have arrived at last." She then turned her gaze toward the surrounding servants. "All of you are dismissed. Do not return until I summon you. Hanlu, you stay."
The maids bowed in unison and retreated from the room, quietly closing the heavy doors behind them. Only Hanlu, her trusted first-rank maid, remained stationed loyally at the Consort's side.
"How has your health been, Mother Consort?" Liu Jun asked, his voice softening with genuine concern.
"Jun-er, we are in private now. There is no need for such formalities, you may simply call me Mother." Noble Consort Furen Qian Yunyu said gently.
"Yes, Mother. Please, tell me, how is your health truly?" Liu Jun pressed.
"It is merely a lingering, ordinary ailment. You mustn't worry yourself over such trifles." Noble Consort Furen Qian Yunyu replied, offering him a reassuring smile.
"Imperial Father would be utterly heartbroken if you were to fall seriously ill, Mother. You are the light of his eyes." Liu Jun remarked.
"Indeed, your father would be quite distressed. I shall be more careful with my recovery." Noble Consort Furen Qian Yunyu nodded, acknowledging her importance in the Emperor's heart.
"In that regard... I find myself quite envious of you, Mother." Liu Jun confessed, letting out a weary sigh.
"Envious?" Noble Consort Furen Qian Yunyu tilted her head slightly, her expression clouding with confusion.
She could not fathom why her powerful son, the future of the empire, would envy her.
"Yes. I envy you because you were able to be with the person you truly love." Liu Jun said, his voice tinged with a bitterness he couldn't quite hide.
"Oh..." A knowing smile spread across Noble Consort Furen Qian Yunyu face.
She understood immediately what was weighing on his heart. "My dear son, in our position, one must always be prepared to sacrifice something precious for the sake of a much greater goal."
Liu Jun fell silent, fully grasping his mother's underlying message. He knew he desperately needed Great General Bai's military support to secure his future. The General was a titan within the kingdom, so powerful, in fact, that even the Emperor's influence seemed pale and fragile by comparison.
He understood the political necessity, yet his heart ached at the thought of Bai Chunhua. She was his true love, the one woman he envisioned spending his entire life with. The thought of potentially losing her to a political marriage with another was a bitter pill to swallow.
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