The Emperor said angrily, "If you hadn't come to Daling Village, would this have happened?"

The eldest prince, unsure of what to say, turned to the Empress: "Mother, look, I came to Daling Village with the intention of being filial. I came to see how they were dealing with the epidemic. Who knew that the matter of the martial arts school would escalate to Father Emperor's hands? But in the end, I didn't occupy the martial arts school. Why are you blaming me like this?"

The Empress stepped forward and slowly said, "Your Majesty, what do you think? Let's just let it go and not pursue this matter any further. After all, Su Ling isn't occupying the martial arts school, is he?"

"Enough, Your Majesty! Su Ling has become like this because of your indulgence as her mother. How dare you say that?"

The Empress hadn't expected the Emperor to suddenly become so angry, and dared not say anything, standing to the side.

The Emperor's eyes turned to the guards not far away, and then he shouted, "Guards, give the Crown Prince twenty strokes of the cane!"

"As soon as His Majesty finished speaking, several guards immediately stepped forward. They quickly pinned Su Ling to the ground, and one guard picked up a long stick and stood aside expressionlessly. Su Ling's face showed fear. He struggled to get up, but unfortunately, the difference in strength was too great."

"Your Majesty, what mistake have I made that you treat me like this?" Su Ling shouted, her eyes filled with incomprehension and anger.

"Your mistake was to become arrogant because of your favored status and to show no respect for your sovereign! Today you must receive the punishment you deserve," the Emperor said coldly, his tone revealing an unquestionable authority.

Su Ling tried to say something more, but the guards had already raised their sticks and struck him hard. Su Ling groaned in pain, his body writhing on the floor, blood flowing from his back.

Suddenly, a childish voice rang out from the crowd: "No, don't hurt the Crown Prince!"

Niu Niu was wearing a purplish-red cotton-padded jacket. A look of heartache appeared on her pretty, fair face. She pointed to the eldest prince not far away and said, "We can't hurt him!"

The Emperor frowned, stepped forward curiously, and took Niu Niu's arm, saying, "Whose daughter are you? Why did you save him? He made a mistake and deserves to be punished!"

Niu Niu bit her lip tightly, looking at the emperor in front of her. She was a little scared, but she still said firmly, "I know that the eldest prince has made a mistake, but he is still young and does not know any better. Please do not hurt him."

The Emperor looked at Niu Niu, a hint of doubt in his eyes. Though young, the girl's eyes were filled with determination and courage. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why did you save him?"

Niu Niu paused for a moment, then said, "Because the Crown Prince is my friend, I don't want to see him get hurt."

The Emperor frowned slightly, his gaze towards Niu Niu becoming more thoughtful. He sensed that this little girl seemed to be hiding some unknown secrets.

Liang Shuyan rushed forward and hugged Niu Niu tightly. She hurriedly admitted her mistake to the Emperor: "I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I didn't discipline my daughter properly, and she offended Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me and not hold it against my daughter."

Niu Niu trembled in Liang Shuyan's arms, tears streaming down her tender cheeks. Her eyes were filled with panic and fear, clearly not yet fully understanding the situation before her.

The Emperor looked down at the mother and daughter expressionlessly, his eyes deep and complex, as if concealing endless stories. The surrounding air seemed to freeze, filled with a tense atmosphere.

The Empress seemed to see a hint of pity and innocence in Niu Niu's face. She reached out and pulled Niu Niu towards her, gently embracing her and stroking her forehead, asking, "What's your name?"

"My name is Niu Niu!"

For some reason, the Empress felt that this girl was very cute and close to her. She liked her the moment she saw her. The Empress couldn't explain this feeling. For some reason, the girl's eyes were somewhat similar to Su Ling's. Apart from the girl's somewhat old-fashioned clothes, her unique temperament was somewhat similar to Su Ling's when she was a child.

The Empress stood by the window, looking at Niu Niu in the courtyard, a feeling she couldn't quite describe welling up inside her. This Niu Niu, though dressed in simple, rustic clothes, had eyes that shone like two bright stars. Whenever those eyes met hers, the Empress felt a warmth in her heart, as if she were seeing a reflection of herself as a child.

Back then, she was just as innocent and naive, full of curiosity about the world. Niu Niu's stubbornness and kindness reminded the Empress of her own youth. Back then, she too had strived for her ideals and pursued her happiness relentlessly.

Now, although she is the Empress, the passion and enthusiasm of her youth have long since vanished. Looking at Niu Niu's vibrant eyes, the Empress couldn't help but lament the ruthlessness of time.

Liang Shuyan was summoned by the Empress again: "Lady Cha, how come I didn't know you had such a clever little daughter?"

The Empress's question left Liang Shuyan somewhat speechless. Did she have to report to the Empress what her children's names were and when they were born? What kind of logic was that?

Although Liang Shuyan was dissatisfied, she did not show it on her face and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, my daughter is named Niu Niu, and she just turned five years old this year."

The Empress smiled slightly, gently turning a jade ring on her finger, and said in a calm tone, "Niu Niu, what a unique name. I remember you have three sons, but I didn't know you also had such a lovely little daughter?"

Liang Shuyan was startled. The Empress remembered even her daughter's name so clearly, which showed that she had taken note of it. She quickly lowered her head and replied, "Your Majesty is wise. I do indeed have four daughters, and Niu Niu is the fourth one, who is also a daughter."

"Hmm," the Empress nodded, "You are a blessed person. All three of your sons have achieved great things, and I never expected you to have such a well-behaved little girl. It's truly enviable."

Liang Shuyan looked up and saw the Empress looking at her with a smile, her eyes full of admiration and kindness.

She felt a warmth in her heart. This Empress was so kind and approachable, without any airs, that she felt incredibly close to her and trusted her.

Liang Shuyan could almost see the Empress's deep eyes, as bright as clear lake water.

Her smile was so warm, giving one endless comfort and protection. Liang Shuyan's heart was filled with gratitude and admiration; she felt as if she were in a warm embrace, surrounded by boundless love and care.

For some reason, she noticed a hint of greed in the way the Empress looked at Niu Niu. She wondered if she was overthinking it.