also who's the father??

The emperor hasn’t been shown fully even in flashbacks from the empress, but for all intents and purposes it seems the women run everything…not mad at all. I’d like to have seen the emperor more though, the empress described him as shy, and very slow to romance even slower to sex. Took them forever to hold hands, then to just kiss. Think he looks like an older version of the crown prince, long black hair (shown in flashback) and light grey eyes.

not mad bout either I'm loving ittt. Thank youuu

it's because it's the inner palace, basically the empress territory that's why empress dowager also didn't show up a lot.

one way to see it is the emperor trust the empress enough to give her full authority.

and btw it's also an event to choose a princess for the prince. there are many unmarried young noble ladies so no random men should come close at that time, lol it would be another scandal if there is a rumor of the emperor getting close to one of his son's wife candidate.

that's why in the end of the recent chapter, the maid questioned the empress dowager "bring soldier to inner palace?" because it's usually forbidden.

That makes sense, and it’s been clear that the selection of the crown princess is the empress’s domain. Plus, I like you noting how much the emperor trusts his wife. Maybe some cutscenes of what the emperor is doing during all of this or how he is with his sons and wife. I mean the confusion of his younger son having a deadly disease instead asthma seemed to include him as a father and emperor. And maybe since it’s been decided who the crown princess will be maybe he arranges to meet his daughter in law without anyone but immediate family knowing. It’s just as cute as the princes are and as capable their mom is I’d like to see any interactions with the emperor.