The fight between Hongqing and Hongzhao this time was not without reason.

Hongqing always sided with Honghui, so she disliked Hongyan and Hongzhao and often provoked them verbally.

At the New Year's banquet, he deliberately wanted to provoke Hongzhao, hoping to embarrass him in front of the Emperor and invite a scolding.

Unexpectedly, Hongzhao was so reckless that he actually took action.

What was even more unexpected was that Hiroharu himself couldn't defeat Hiroshi!

Honghui was actually a little angry and conflicted. He knew that Hongqing's actions were wrong, and Hongzhao was his own younger brother. Logically and emotionally, he should side with his brother in the household.

However, he was also moved by Hongqing's actions; he was wholeheartedly devoted to him.

Honghui felt that he was a rare and close friend.

She didn't want to sever this bond with him.

The Fujin (principal wife) was also very troubled by Honghui's stubborn appearance.

Just as the mother and son were at an impasse, Yierha walked in with the socks.

She nodded to Honghui in greeting, then handed him the socks, feeling slightly awkward and her heart pounding.

"Mother, these are socks I made myself. I wanted to give them to you. I wonder if you would like them?"

The princess held the socks in her hand, deeply moved, and looked up at the daughter she had raised.

Yierha is growing taller and slimmer, and is gradually taking on the appearance of a young woman. She smiles silently, and at first glance, she even bears a resemblance to herself when she was young.

The princess was very clear that the two of them were not related by blood at all, but after raising them for more than ten years, the bond between mother and daughter over those years was genuine.

She quickly wiped away the tear from the corner of her eye, then hurriedly took Yierha's hand, her voice gentle: "Good child, Mother likes it. Everything you do is good, don't worry, Mother will definitely wear it and cherish it."

Seeing that the Fujin's attitude was very kind and her tone seemed genuine, indicating that she truly liked him, Yierha breathed a sigh of relief.

Honghui, standing beside him, was slightly touched and also a little embarrassed. He hadn't even thought about giving his mother any gift, and had caused her worry and trouble these past few days.

Compared to her, I realize I'm not as filial or obedient as my older sister.

The Fujin (principal wife) did not neglect Honghui either. She called him over, holding a child in one hand, her face showing the tenderness of a mother.

"Mother knows that you all think that I am not favored, and that Qingzhi Courtyard is very prestigious."

Upon hearing this, both children became somewhat flustered, exchanged a glance, and dared not look up or speak.

This is not something they can interfere with.

The Fujin ignored their expressions and continued, "But for your mother, none of that matters. All I need to do is protect my position, protect my family, and protect you two children. Honghui, Yierha, you two are my everything."

Seeing the princess's heartfelt confession, the two children felt an indescribable sadness, but it also strengthened their resolve to protect their mother.

No matter what, they will take good care of their mother.

The children's filial piety warmed the hearts of the three adults in the Fourth Prince's mansion.

However, the scene at the Third Prince's residence was completely different.

"Hongqing, why are you slacking off again today? You promised to pull the bow a hundred times! Anda said you only pulled it eighty times before complaining about being tired and in pain. How can a man of my Great Qing's Baturu behave like this?"

Third Master looked at Hongqing with great disappointment. Everyone says that dragons beget dragons and phoenixes beget phoenixes, so how come his son is like this?

Does this mean he's destined to be inferior to the fourth brother?

Third Master disagreed.

He had no complaints about losing to Prince Zhi and the Crown Prince, but now he couldn't even compare to his younger brother.

Hongqing stiffened her neck, and although she didn't say anything, her expression was very defiant.

It's always like this, always like this. Third Master was so angry he almost fainted. Every time he tried to discipline him, he would act like this, "I just won't listen to you, what can you do to me?" Did he really think he wouldn't beat him to death?

"You brat, even Hongzhao, who's five or six years younger than you, can knock you down with one punch! You've completely disgraced me! I don't know where all that food you ate went, did it all go to the dogs? You're always reciting the Four Books and Five Classics, spouting righteousness and morality, but why can't you do anything decent? Is this how your mother raised you?"

Hearing Third Master scold his mother, Hongqing couldn't help but scoff and retort, "How would you, Father, know how Mother taught me? How long has it been since you visited the main courtyard?"

Hearing his son talk about what happened in his backyard, Third Master became even angrier and, burning with rage, cursed, "You've wasted your education! How dare you discuss the affairs of your elders?!"

Hongqing knew he had spoken out of turn, but since he had already said it, he would feel incredibly frustrated if he didn't say it.

“Am I wrong? Father, how long has it been since you went to the main courtyard to see Mother, how long has it been since you ate together? You said you would teach me personally, but every time you test me on a few books, you just disappear without a trace?”

Hong Qing thought to herself, "You always say I'm ignorant and incompetent, but have you fulfilled your responsibilities as a father?"

Third Master was so angry that his face turned ashen, his whole body trembled, and he almost lost consciousness.

Great, truly great, this is the good son he raised!

The Third Master casually grabbed an inkstone from his desk, intending to throw it, but then he thought better of it—it was his own son. He searched everywhere but couldn't find anything suitable, so he snapped at the little eunuch beside him, "Go get me a willow twig!"

The eunuchs around him were all kneeling on the ground, and could only listen quietly as the Third Master raged and threw things around.

Hongqing was very self-aware and quickly knelt down.

So what if I get beaten up? I'll take it!

The noise coming from the study was really too loud.

Dong Eshi, who lived in the main courtyard, heard the news and rushed over.

Seeing that Third Master immediately took off his shoes and started whipping his son with the boots in his hands, the willow branches rustling as he swung them, the son wincing in pain and gasping for breath.

Her eyes welled up with tears of anger, and she thought to herself, let whoever wants to live this chaotic life live it, I'm not going to live it anymore!

So, in front of all the servants in the courtyard, she pounced on the Third Master. Women don't have much strength, but she had long fingernails, and she scratched the Third Master's face in no time.

The Third Master cried out in pain, releasing Hong Qing and yelling, "You dog of a servant! Don't you want to die? How dare you hit your Third Master!"

Dong Eshi was already crying with tears streaming down her face, and she cried hysterically, "I know you love Tian Shi. Hongqing is just a weed, but they are a treasure. All this fuss you've caused today is just to make room for them, mother and son!"