Having spent a long time recuperating in Chengqian Palace, Ju Lianruo, whose complexion was still somewhat pale even after recovering, slowly walked in through the gate of Fengtian Hall.

She was still dressed in the formal attire of a noblewoman, carrying the chilling aura of someone who had ruled the harem for twenty years. She seemed oblivious to the blood-dripping swords around her, her steps steady and dignified.

Zhu Changhong's panic and helplessness stood in stark contrast to her at this moment.

In a moment of stunned silence, the mother and son went from gazing at each other from afar to being right next to each other.

"Mother...Mother." Zhu Changhong instinctively tried to drop the blade, then gripped it tightly. "Mother, how could you..."

The rest of the words were left unsaid.

Ju Lianruo raised her hand and slapped him across the face. The crisp, loud sound stunned everyone in the Fengtian Hall.

"Useless thing, do you think you can just kill someone if they tell you to?" she shouted angrily. "Don't you know what the crime of plotting to murder the Crown Prince is?"

“But, but the Second Prince said he could spare the weak Ju family…” Zhu Changhong had probably never been taught such a lesson before, and he covered his face and choked up, “I did it for the Ju family.”

He should have kept quiet, because once he did, Ju Lianruo's anger flared up.

"What do you mean by 'forgive the weak'? It's all a lie to fool you, you blockhead. To plot against the Crown Prince is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family. Even the chickens and dogs in your household will not escape it." She was furious. "Wildfire cannot burn it all, the spring breeze will bring it back to life. Who would leave a few seeds of revenge to cause themselves trouble? Can't you use your brain?"

Zhu Changhong was finally awakened. He loosened his clenched fist, and the sharp blade fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

"If you really can be ruthless, that's fine, but what did I tell you? I told you to kill these two people as quickly as possible. Did you do it?" Ju Lianruo's voice grew increasingly harsh.

Among the crowd, Zhu Changyu, Zhu Changyan, and even Xu Mo's expression changed slightly.

People who play mind games are used to revealing their cards one by one, unfolding the story slowly, and being patient until the ending.

Ju Lianruo's methods are simple and brutal, but they are effective against them.

If Zhu Changhong had only mobilized the Ju family's men to surround Fengtian Hall and then killed his two brothers as quickly as possible, the story would have turned out very differently.

Fortunately and unfortunately, this did not happen.

Zhu Changhong covered his face with his hands, unable to tell whether it was sadness or guilt, and prostrated himself at his mother's feet.

If it were anyone else, Ju Lianruo would have kicked them long ago, but that was the child she had raised herself. Her intense maternal love made her unable to bear it, so she bent down to offer a few words of comfort.

And so, she heard Zhu Changhong's weak murmur, "You've already killed Father's concubine, and now you've killed Father's child. He'll hate you, he'll hate us..."

How could a child who lives in love not learn to love others?

During the years he was raised with his father's support, he also loved the man who sheltered him from the storms of life.

He didn't want his father to be sad or upset, so he tried his best to please his mother while also wanting his father to be pleased.

But why is it so difficult?

Ju Lianruo's five fingers, painted with nail polish, stretched out in mid-air. It was hard to tell whether she felt powerless or regretful, but a deep bitter smile accompanied her.

“Hate? Who should hate whom?” she murmured softly, her gaze fixed on Zhu Changyu. “You hate me? Because I killed your mother?”

Zhu Changyu remained silent with a cold expression.

How could a child without a mother's love not resent it?

"What right do you have to hate me?" Ju Lianruo suddenly unleashed her full power, recounting all the unbearable details of her past. "Your mother did die because of me, but don't you want to find out what she did?"

"You hate that no one has cared for you during your eighteen years in this deep palace, but do you even know how you ended up here on the ground?"

Back then, Consort Ju was so favored that even Empress Yan had to give way to her, and her legitimate son was a full five years younger than her.

Why was Zhu Changyu, the second son born out of wedlock, only half a year apart from his birth?

Because his existence was the result of deliberate planning.

Back then, Ju Lianruo was spoiled and arrogant. When she was in love with the Tian family, they were sweet, but they could also quarrel until they were red in the face and even go three to five days without speaking to each other.

Until one day, after a long period of discord between the two, Tianjia, feeling depressed, drank until he was half-drunk. In his hazy state, he saw his beloved girl showing him tender affection, and he could no longer control himself.

As dawn broke and the rising sun shone into the dragon bed, the ordinary-looking palace maid suddenly rose to the top and successfully became pregnant with the dragon's child.

It was from that time that Ju Lianruo realized that the emperor did not belong to her alone. She put away her sharp edge and began to be gentle and considerate, and the affection between the two grew stronger.

The young palace maid struggled to give birth to the dragon prince and eke out a living in a remote corner of the imperial city.

"Do you think I'm going to harm her? I'm insanely jealous, I can't tolerate anyone?" Ju Lianruo laughed wildly, "Then you underestimate me too much."

“Consort Min gave birth to the Third Princess, the Crown Princess gave birth to the Fourth Prince, and even Empress Yan was able to give birth to the Fifth Prince smoothly. Why should I hold a grudge against a mere palace maid? Love is mine, the eldest son is mine. If I, Ju Lianruo, were truly jealous, you bastard wouldn’t even have a chance to live.”

She was telling the truth, Zhu Changyu clenched his fist.

The young palace maid died on a rainy night after bumping into the pregnant Consort Ju, causing her to miscarry and lose her fertility.

Such a heinous crime had already sealed its fate; even the dragon prince born from it became an unloved vermin, scurrying about in this majestic imperial city.

Although it was quickly discovered that the young palace maid had been instigated by the concubines in the harem, it was true that Consort Ju had suffered a miscarriage, and it was true that the imperial family had lost their beloved daughter.

I heard that the female fetus was already taking on a human form when it was born.

I heard that for a time, the sound of a man sobbing could often be heard in the secluded Qianqing Palace.

Things have developed to this point, and perhaps it's no longer possible to simply blame one person.

At least, Zhu Changyu had no right to hate Consort Ju.

The boy, whose face was not particularly outstanding, clenched his fists at his sides, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes, which eventually turned into a soft murmur, "But I also suffered a lot and endured a lot of hardship to grow up."

Ju Lianruo ignored him and looked directly at Chang Yan, "You have no right to hate me either."

"Your mother couldn't control the harem, so the power was transferred to me. If she had any ability, I would at most have the right to assist her."

"I allowed her to live freely for so many years. Her death from illness in the palace was her own choice and had nothing to do with me."

"Dealing with you is a matter of vying for power, that's a separate issue."

The woman is poised and generous, passionate and outspoken; time may age her appearance, but it cannot diminish her dashing charm.

Changyan probably understands why the imperial family has been able to dote on her for twenty years.

"There's just one thing Lady Ju has misunderstood." He raised the corners of his mouth. "I don't hate you."