The Empress Dowager's current state of health is not very good, and with the severity of her morning sickness, she dares not to exert herself too much.
Moreover, if she now returns to the palace, Emperor Jianwu will inevitably notice something amiss.
The Empress Dowager truly dare not take this risk.
After much consideration, she decides not to return.
She thinks it acceptable to lose some support; what is most crucial now, is to nourish her womb.
Once she has given birth, she can return to the palace to regroup and rally her forces.
The Empress Dowager withdraws, yet Emperor Jianwu becomes even more ambitious, swiftly eliminating nearly all of the Empress Dowager's painstakingly cultivated support within the palace.
Anning sits in a rocking chair, basking in the sun.
She hears from Xiao Lu about this affair and cannot help but laugh in praise: "Well done, little Emperor."
Prince Kang has also not been feeling well lately.
