“Yu Shan, if I weren’t the emperor, I could have fulfilled all your requests. But now they are princes, and I don’t have many children, so I have to raise them strictly. This is their destiny, and I have no other choice.”

The two held differing opinions, and neither could persuade the other. Su Yushan understood Hongli's good intentions and had no reason to blame him, nor did she want to argue with him. Therefore, she took the initiative to end the conversation.

"I understand. Never mind, I'll go check on the child now."

Yonghuang had just been reprimanded, and he must be feeling terrible. She should go and comfort him.

When Su Yushan arrived at Yonghuang's room, she saw that candles had been lit inside, and he was sitting at the table with a pen in hand, writing earnestly.

Hearing the noise, he looked up and saw that it was his mother. He then stood up, bowed, and sat down to continue writing.

I still remember that Yonghuang was very cheerful when he was a child, and he would occasionally act a little temperamental. Now he is more and more mature. Hongli is strict with him, so he no longer dares to be willful and has become more and more cautious.

Witnessing the changes in her child, Su Yushan felt pity, yet was helpless.

Walking to the table, Su Yushan said gently, "Are you hungry? Have some pastries before you continue writing!"

Looking at the pastries on the plate, Yonghuang's stomach rumbled, but he didn't dare to reach for them. He pursed his lips and shook his head. "Father said I can't eat until I finish writing."

"Your father isn't here, he won't know if you eat a piece, it's alright."

Despite Su Yushan's repeated attempts to persuade him, Yonghuang still refused to touch the pastries, insisting on writing first.

Just how afraid is this child of his imperial father?!

Su Yushan felt a pang of heartache, and her eyes welled up with tears. Yonghuang paused, holding back his words, but finally couldn't help asking,

"Mother, why do you and Father Emperor forbid me from playing with Yonglian? Do you both think I will bring bad luck to Yonglian?"

Blinking her sore eyes, Su Yushan choked out, "Mother has never thought of it that way. The so-called incompatibility of birth charts is all superstition. You don't clash with anyone, so please don't overthink it."

Only in front of his mother did Yonghuang dare to speak his mind, "I also feel that I haven't brought bad luck to Yonglian. We've been studying together for the past few years, and he's been doing well! But Father still won't allow us to play together. Lately, Father has been getting harsher on me. Does he not like me anymore?"