He even looked a bit apologetic.
If he had not started the conversation, then the whole thing would be easily dodged, but he started the topic himself, and gave his son hope, so that he would become disappointed again.
He could not make him the heir, so he thought that he could use other things to make it up for him. He had to think about it carefully now.
However, the King could not possibly give an explanation to this issue at the moment.
When the Empress Dowager saw the scene, she realized that the King had decided to drop the topic. So she needed to help him out.
She said, "Honored Princess Jing had wanted to bring you food at Qianqing Palace, but ran into me. I told her about what happened here in the town, so she is here with me, worrying about the Queen."
Since the Empress Dowager mentioned Honored Princess Jing at this moment, she should be totally aware of what to do.
