The Emperor resolved the matter with the Ducal Residence family and was overjoyed, feeling as though a great mountain pressing on him had finally been moved.
For him, it was an urgent matter to name the son born of his beloved woman as the Crown Prince. He had already gleefully drafted the imperial edict, only waiting to announce it at court the next morning.
Yet, unexpectedly, Zijin did not attend the morning court at all.
When someone inquired about it, they discovered that he had already left at dawn.
It was said he had received important news and found traces of the Heavenly Master.
The timing of Zijin's departure was exquisitely calculated, enraging the Emperor to the point he almost fainted from fury.
Returning to Qianqing Palace, the Emperor rambled incessantly, like an ordinary person unable to contain their frustrations.
"He still refuses, doesn't he? He's clearly doing it on purpose. Wan Decheng, what do you think should be done?"
