The Empress Dowager, after being interrupted by Song Ci, seemed slightly less irritated, though her expression still carried a hint of sadness.
Song Ci felt a pang of sympathy for her. The late Emperor's actions were undoubtedly disheartening to the Empress. It's not an exaggeration to say that she was set up. Sending someone to a vassal state should've been the end of it, but secretly issuing such an imperial edict was truly puzzling.
And then there's Prince Min—oh, now it's Prince Min—wasn't playing lord of the land in his own territory enough? Did he return because he has a death wish? Xuzhou was prosperous when it was granted to him, and after nearly twenty years of development, it's even wealthier now.
The fact that Emperor Chu allowed him to return raises questions about whether he has designs on Xuzhou.
