Your mother waits for you

You hardly have enough time to get someone to arrange for Meiyue and Siew Chew accommodation when you receive a 'suggestion' to meet your mother. As expected, news travel fast. So you go to the terrace where she is waiting, wanting to get this over with.

You see your mother the former Queen is sitting at a small table, drinking mead, with an empty cup prepared in front of her. A plate of fruits and a plate of bread are set on the table. Looks like it's going to take a long time, you conclude. Well, no time like the present. You take your seat across her, pour the mead yourself and take a gulp of the alcoholic drink. You putting down your mug signals that it is time for her to start.

"The woman riding next to you is the new one?" your mother asks in a not so subtle manner, hinting that Meiyue is your new mistress.

"No. She's going to be my liaison with the Zhongguo diplomat." You're not lying to your mother since you slept with her maid, not Meiyue herself. Then again, that can change in the future but at the moment, you're not having any affair with the new divorcee.

"Ah, that Eastern nation. The silk there is different compared to the one found in the south."

"Better?"

"Not really. It's more of a personal taste. I'm inclined toward their fabric but the price is a bit expensive."

"I'll remember to get them for you."

"Thank you." Your mother tears a bit of a bread and put it in her mouth. You watch her chew her food in fascination; she is still a beautiful lady with a fit body after all despite giving birth to you and your siblings. But despite that, you're not going to let her take the initiative. The lesson learned from dealing with Xiangqi can be applied to your dealing with her.

"So, anyone you want to suggest to me?" you ask your mother.

"What?" your mother asks, completely caught off-guard.

"Marry or take as the Royal Mistress? You're going to suggest that I make an heir with royal blood as soon as possible, aren't you?"

Your mother considers her response to your direct attack."I am. You know how important it is. I'm not going to comment on your decision to bed someone's widow but you do realize that if she's giving birth to a son, the son is unf..."

"I know that there will be many issues," you interrupt her, "But your missing the big picture here. The main issue here is the royal heir, isn't it? Two or twenty children I fathered with commoners wouldn't matter much since they aren't of pure royal or noble pedigree. Isn't that right mother?"

"Yes... But."

"I have to sire a proper heir, isn't that what is required of me? I accept that. That's why I'm listening to the your suggestion if you have any. Lady Thornwitch, perhaps? Or the Dearin sisters, if I can get them away from their father. Maybe their mother will do?"