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Forget the emperor, even the people of this realm, who would allow a prince without an heir to become the emperor? If we don’t do this, all our efforts over the years will have been in vain. In any case, we must seek a surrogate, so what difference does it make from whom we borrow seed, right?"

The carriage had already arrived at the Prince Jin Residence’s entrance. Nanny Li got off first, directing the servants to set down a stepping stool, and then helped the gorgeously dressed Empress alight from the carriage.

Since Nanny Li had spoken those words, her heart had never known peace.

All the way there, she pondered over this problem.

To hand over the throne to someone else, especially to Jin Zijin, Xiao Qinqin’s son, was something she was utterly unwilling to do.

Of course, she was even less willing to allow Prince Qin to succeed. If that happened, the vile Sheng Qiaoyue would become Empress Dowager alongside her—could she afford to lose face like that?

Therefore, to ensure that King Jin ascends to the throne, it was imperative that he have an heir.

Just as Gu Youyou had mentioned, it couldn’t be possible that all the women in the Prince Jin Residence were infertile unless the barren one was King Jin himself.

The infertility of King Jin had almost become a fact.

What she could do then was only to cover up this matter.

Whether by threatening the Imperial Physician or resorting to a surrogate, regardless.

Since the matter required surrogacy, choosing the seed from the Ducal Residence was indeed the best option.

After all, King Jin also carried half of the Ducal Residence’s bloodline.

"Mother, Mother, why have you suddenly come? You didn’t send someone to inform your son," said King Jin as he personally went out to receive her.

Unaware that she had entered the Prince Jin Residence, the Empress was still preoccupied with those thoughts, failing to notice the servants bowing to her, until King Jin himself came out to greet her.

"Mother, what’s the matter? Why aren’t you saying anything?"

Nanny Li knew that the Empress was struggling fiercely within her heart and quickly said to King Jin, "Your Highness, please take Her Majesty inside first."

"Empress, let’s go inside and talk; it’s cold outside, be careful not to catch a chill," said Nanny Li, supporting the Empress as they walked toward the house.

Only then did the Empress slowly come back to her senses and looked at King Jin.

"Xiaoran, have everyone withdraw. I have important matters to discuss with you," said the Empress with a serious expression.

Taking the matter seriously, King Jin quickly ordered everyone to leave.

He said, "What’s so urgent that it has you worried, Mother? Your sudden visit early in the morning—those principal consorts and side consorts are probably still asleep. I’ll have someone wake them up to greet you."

Upon hearing King Jin’s words, the Empress’s face darkened instantly, her primary concern forgotten.

"What? They haven’t gotten up yet?"

She had traveled all the way from the Imperial Palace to the Prince Jin Residence—and those daughters-in-law were still too lazy to get up?

"What time is it, and they’re still not up? How do you usually run your household?"

King Jin curled his lips, thinking: If it weren’t for the news of your arrival, I wouldn’t be up either.

Who would have known you’d come this early in the morning?

Of course, he didn’t dare say that out loud. He only said, "They don’t need to attend court, so why get up so early? This isn’t the Imperial Palace; there aren’t so many rules here."

The Empress glanced at the sky, furious, and said, "The sun is about to rise, and your women are lazier than the sun! Go on, get them up, no discipline at all."

With that said, Nanny Li gave the palace maidens beside the Empress a look, and they gradually left the main hall’s entrance.

King Jin’s expression stiffened as he said, "Mother, isn’t this a bit much? If your palace maidens summon them, they might think something serious has happened!"

"A serious matter has indeed occurred," the Empress said irritably. "Xiaoran, haven’t I always taught you that without rules, nothing can be squared? How can you indulge those consorts like this? Tell me, what good are these women if they can’t bear even a single child?"