Zhang Zhongjing, Hua Tuo, and Dong Gan tactfully withdrew.

"That was when Hong'er was eight years old. One time, he was sleeping and laughing nonstop!"

With a look of reminiscence, Madam Dong said softly, "Later, when he woke up, I asked him if he had a wonderful dream, since he was so happy...?"

"Oh?? What did he say?"

Dou Miao looked at Madam Dong with great curiosity.

Madam Dong chuckled softly. "He said, 'Mother, I dreamt that I grew up, the world was at peace, the people had no worries about food and clothing, and I married many, many beautiful women. I spent my days either composing poems or playing in the world with my beautiful wives and concubines. I had no worries or sorrows! I was not burdened by life and could do whatever I wanted!'"

"Heh, this child... already knows how to marry many women at such a young age?"

Hearing what Dong said, Dou Miao was both annoyed and amused.

"Yes, ever since his father passed away, this child has rarely smiled. He's always either studying hard or looking worried. He only smiles in his dreams!"

Looking at her son with his eyes closed, a relaxed expression, and a smile on his lips, Madam Dong couldn't help but sigh.

"Yes, at an age when he should be carefree, he has to shoulder the burden of the entire world alone, giving up the joys that should belong to a young person. It has really been tough for him!"

Dou Miao glanced at Liu Hong on the bed, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

Soon, news of Lady Dong's entry into the palace spread far and wide, but neither the officials in the court nor the great scholars in the countryside said much about it.

After all, the son was sick, and the mother had traveled a long distance to visit him. This was a matter of basic human decency. If she brought up the rules at this point, she might be criticized as a cold-blooded beast. So everyone obediently shut their mouths and dared not make any more comments.