The emperor and empress dowager were about to quarrel, and no one dared to step forward to mediate or say anything more.

One or two of them lowered their heads, wishing they could play the role of quails.

"Take these imperial physicians away and give them thirty strokes of the cane, and deduct half a year's salary as a warning to others."

"You dare!"

Xiao Chengci said sternly, "Take him away."

Without hesitation, the guards took the group of imperial physicians away.

The Empress Dowager pointed at Xiao Chengci, her whole body trembling with anger.

"You, you really are something else. Since you disrespect me so much, why did you even come back? You might as well let me die of illness."

"I am the Son of Heaven, and no one under heaven can disobey or deceive me, not even the Empress Dowager."

"well."

The Empress Dowager nodded angrily: "Since that's the case, then drag me away and give me a beating too."

Xiao Chengci said coldly, "Mother Empress is joking."

"Since the Empress Dowager is alright, I will return now."

The Empress Dowager was eager for Xiao Chengci to leave, so naturally she wouldn't try to stop him.

"Shang Huai, you will leave with me."

"No, I haven't seen Shang Huai for a long time, and I have many things I want to talk to him about."

Xiao Chengci wanted to say something, but seeing the Empress Dowager's face flushed with anger, he ultimately just turned and left.

Pei Minxue bowed to the Empress Dowager and hurriedly followed Xiao Chengci.

Speaking of the relationship between His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, Pei Minxue also believes that it is a murky affair.

These two are a mother and son, but for some reason, they've become so awkward with each other.

The Empress Dowager asked with concern, "Ah Huai, how have you been all these years alone in the North?"

"It's alright."

Shang Huai said matter-of-factly, "I've been used to Beicheng since I was a child, and I don't think there's anything different about me."

The Empress Dowager, her eyes filled with heartache, said, "How can they be the same?"

“You were in Beicheng before, and at least your grandparents were there too. Although your biological father is heartless, he is still your biological father. I can feel more at ease knowing he is with you in Beicheng.”

As the Empress Dowager spoke, she began to wipe away her tears.

"The thought of you all alone in the northern city keeps me awake at night."

Upon hearing this, Shang Huai felt somewhat embarrassed.

In an ordinary family, someone his age would already have several children.

In the Empress Dowager's eyes, he seemed to still be like a child, needing someone to take care of him.

"Your Majesty is overthinking it. Although Father, Grandfather, and Grandmother are all in the North City, all the servants there are still with them."

"Besides, I'm already this old, and I can take good care of myself."

The Empress Dowager looked at Shang Huai with satisfaction and murmured, "He's really grown up and become a fine young man."

The Empress Dowager sighed, "If your mother were still alive, she would be both gratified and heartbroken to see how capable you are."

"The emperor didn't give you any trouble this time, did he?"

Shang Huai realized that the Empress Dowager was feigning illness for his sake, and he was pondering how to reassure her.

His relationship with His Majesty was no longer the one he had a few years ago, when he wanted nothing more than to kill the other.

Shang Huai also knew that the Empress Dowager meant well.

However, the moment Shang Huai hesitated, the Empress Dowager assumed that Shang Huai dared not speak up to complain.

“That bastard, you went to the north on your own initiative and haven’t come back for years. Your grandparents can’t even see their only grandson.”

"And this is how it turned out; he still doesn't intend to let you go."

"As expected of the good son personally raised by the late emperor, he is just as ruthless as his father."

The Empress Dowager only learned later that the late Emperor had actually intended to take action against the Shang family.

The Empress Dowager still felt a lingering fear when she thought about it. Fortunately, the late Emperor died young. If he had lived a few more years, the Shang family would probably have ended with Shang Huai's generation.

"Ah Huai, don't worry, even if it costs me my life, I will protect you."

Shang Huai sensed the Empress Dowager's feelings and felt somewhat guilty.

"Empress Dowager, you have really misunderstood. His Majesty's trip to the North City was a private matter and had nothing to do with me."

Shang Huai never imagined that one day he would have to speak up for Xiao Chengci.

When the Empress Dowager met Xiao Chengci's sincere gaze, she realized that she had indeed misunderstood.

The Empress Dowager showed no remorse, saying, "This is not my fault."

"Back then, he couldn't wait to take your life, but now he's sneaking off to the north of the city. How can I not suspect that he has ulterior motives?"

Shang Huai recalled the unpredictable changes in Xiao Chengci's expression as he emerged from Pei Zhi's room.

"No, Your Majesty, the mistake was mine first."

Shang Huai did not feel at ease just because the Empress Dowager favored him.

Shang Huai has never believed that he made a mistake back then.

“I was just a subject back then, yet I dared to imprison His Highness the Crown Prince. This was a crime of disobedience.”

"If it weren't for Father and Your Majesty pleading for me, I would have deserved to die."

"The reason I requested to leave the capital and never return was simply because the capital is a place of sorrow for me."

"I made a mistake myself, and I cannot blame Your Majesty."

Shang Huai knelt on the ground and pleaded, "Please, Empress Dowager, do not let me cause a rift between Your Majesty and your son. Otherwise, I will be the one who deserves to die."

After hearing Shang Huai's words, the Empress Dowager looked puzzled.

The Empress Dowager had heard about what happened back then.

The Empress Dowager believed that Xiao Chengci had used his status to steal the girl that Shang Huai liked.

The Empress Dowager asked in bewilderment, "I remember that your relationship with His Majesty was extremely bad. Why would you speak up for His Majesty?"

Shang Huai said helplessly, "I am not speaking on behalf of Your Majesty, I am merely stating the facts."

The Empress Dowager scrutinized Shang Huai closely and realized that he didn't seem to be joking.

The Empress Dowager hesitated for a moment, then seemed to understand something.

"Ah Huai, have you met a girl you like up north?"

After much thought, the Empress Dowager concluded that the reason Shang Huai was able to let go of the past was probably because he had met another girl who could move his heart.

Shang Huai was somewhat surprised, seemingly not expecting that the Empress Dowager could guess so much even though he hadn't said anything.

Shang Huai's face stiffened, then he nodded.

The Empress Dowager's face immediately lit up with joy, and she clasped her hands together excitedly, saying, "Amitabha, it is truly a blessing from heaven. Even if I die, I can at least face your mother."

The Empress Dowager then asked, "Which family's daughter is she? What do her parents do?"

"Where is the young lady now? Bring her here so I can see her."

"Don't worry, as long as it's yours, no matter who the girl is, I will love her and everything related to her."

Shang Huai's marriage was always a source of worry for the Empress Dowager.

Even more worrying to the Empress Dowager than His Majesty Xiao Chengci.

Xiao Chengci was the emperor, and countless people around him flattered him.

Shang Huai was different. He was all alone in the north, in the freezing cold, without any relatives by his side.

Whether he was cold or hungry, there was no one around to care about him.

The Empress Dowager hoped that Shang Huai could get married soon and have someone who would care for him.