Wu stepped forward and said to Lanqin with a smile, "Your Majesty, you should stop arguing with the Emperor. It won't do you any good... Not only did you push the Emperor to Yikun Palace, but now Hongli has also been sent out of the palace. It's a losing proposition..."

Lanqin was already angry with the Fourth Prince, and not being able to see Hongli again made her feel like she was being stabbed in the heart. She was both angry and disappointed. She didn't hear what Wu Shi said and coldly replied, "I don't care. Since the Emperor doesn't care about me, why should I bother to make a fool of myself?"

In her haste, Madam Song stood to Lanqin's left, flanking Madam Wu on either side, and advised, "Your Majesty, you are always wise. How could you be so foolish at a time like this? The Emperor and Your Majesty have always been loving and harmonious. If Your Majesty hadn't deliberately ignored the Emperor, why would he have gone to Yikun Palace? The Emperor is a man, and the ruler of the country. Naturally, he can't bring himself to apologize to Your Majesty. If Your Majesty just gives him a way out, everything will return to normal."

Lanqin turned her head away, saying disappointedly, "Restore it to its original state? How is that possible? Even if broken porcelain is restored, it will still have cracks, let alone human emotions. I've always been thinking of the Emperor, but what about him? He disregarded Hongli's life and death for Consort Nian's sake. I really can't let it go... Don't try to persuade me anymore..."

Seeing that their persuasion was ineffective and Lanqin was still angry, the two had no choice but to leave dejectedly.

The date for Hongli to leave the palace has been set. Lanqin counted down the days, feeling reluctant but helpless.

On this day, Hongli came to Changchun Palace to say goodbye to Lanqin. The mother and son sat facing each other.

Hongli knew that Lanqin had suffered a lot from the poisoning, and that she had offended Yikun Palace for his sake and was still angry with the emperor.

Hongli knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times to Lanqin, his eyes red, and said, "Your son is unfilial, causing Mother to suffer..."

This was the first time Hongli had knelt before Lanqin. Previously, Lanqin had never allowed Wuxiha and the others to kneel before anyone, not even their parents. But what could she do after being transported to this feudal society where human rights were nonexistent?

Lanqin helped Hongli up with a pained expression, smiling as she wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and scolded him, "What did you do wrong? It's all your fault for not protecting you properly, which is why you were harmed. Fortunately, you've recovered."

Hongli laughed and jumped in front of Lanqin, stretching out his arms and legs to reassure her.

But Lanqin's nose still stung with tears, and she covered her mouth, saying in a sobbing voice, "You've lost weight..."

Hongli quickly comforted her, "Mother, I'm fine... Don't worry, I'm about to leave the palace to start my own household. I've grown up and will be able to make you proud and support you."

Lanqin nodded, pulling Hongli along: "Mother knows that Hongli has grown up and is now an adult. He not only has his own residence but will also get married in the future..."

Hongli blushed and lowered his head.

Lanqin suddenly remembered Xueying's earlier message and decided to tell Hongli. After all, Xueying was already betrothed to Hongli, and even if she didn't like him, she couldn't betray Xueying's feelings. Lanqin pulled Hongli to sit down and said to him softly, "When you were poisoned, did you know who was the first to tell your mother?"

Hongli shook his head, and Lanqin smiled and said, "It's Xueying!"

Hongli looked at Lanqin with disbelief and surprise: "Xueying? How did she know?"

How could that be? That scheming woman from the Ulanara family!