Boys and girls were not allowed to sit together after the age of seven. All the desks in the classroom were replaced with individual desks for one person each. Helian You sat to the left and behind Helian Si, taking in the subtle tension between the two with his starry eyes.

As Nan Rongjinghua walked by, twirling the unpainted wolf-hair brush in her hand, she subtly extended her foot from under her desk.

The expected thud did not occur; instead, the soft, melodious recitation of Nanrong Jinghua Youlan filled the air.

"A wise man knows what to do and what not to do. Does Your Highness the Second Prince understand this?"

Helian You: "..."

The three lessons passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was time to end the class. Helian Si had planned to find the handsome teacher after class and assert his claim to the teacher.

As soon as he stepped out of the classroom, before he could even say a word, Helian You grabbed his hand and pulled him away. He wanted to protest, but Helian You spoke first.

"Today, Father Emperor bestowed upon my second elder brother the title of Prince and granted him a mansion. Does Sisi really not want to visit my second elder brother's mansion?"

"What, really? How come I didn't know?"

Sure enough, Helian Si's attention was immediately diverted, and he forgot to struggle, quickening his pace to catch up with Helian You.

"Would you like to come with me to take a look?"

"go!"

The two boarded the carriage. Helian You, seeing the expression on Helian Si's face, knew what Helian Si was thinking and shook his head.

It's really unclear why the little princess is so obsessed with handsome men. They're just good-looking, attracting attention but not really that useful.

He lifted the carriage curtain, just in time to catch Nan Rong Jinghua looking in his direction. A raised eyebrow appeared on his handsome face, and his starry eyes held undisguised provocation.

Nan Rongjinghua's eyes, hidden beneath the long silk curtain, swept over Helian You and looked behind him. Helian You's face darkened, and he lowered the carriage curtain, telling the driver to leave.

"Second brother, what were you looking at just now?"

Helian Si asked curiously, then narrowed his eyes and grinned mischievously; his delicate oval face was full of gossip.

"Have you taken a liking to some young lady from a prominent family?"

No, you're overthinking it.

Helian You slapped Helian Si's head, interrupting his reverie. His uncle had always taught him: a wise man doesn't fall in love.

He thought it made sense; love and hate are complicated, and it's better not to eat them.

Helian Si sighed in disappointment, running his hand through his hair. It was one thing for his father, the villainous tyrant, to be clueless about matters of the heart...

Why are all my brothers like this? It's my own fault; I was only thinking about writing about villains wielding power and abuse of power, and I forgot to include romantic subplots.

Sigh, destined to be single, it's her fault.

...

He was granted a royal residence.

Consort Lian was helped down from the carriage by a palace maid. Looking up at the magnificent mansion before her, her eyes reddened slightly.

"well."

After seven years, her beloved son, Ci'er, had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Although the Emperor had never given her a second glance, the attention he now showed to Ci'er was enough.

With the Emperor's favor, the future of Bei Yin, and the king of Bei Yin, would be her son's.

And I am the Empress Dowager of Bei Yin. The Empress Dowager, the most noble woman in the whole world, Wen Chang Le, you probably never dreamed of this, hahaha!

Thinking of all the torment she suffered at the hands of Wen Changle in Ronghua Palace, and of the tragic end of Wen Changle and the Wen family, she felt an unprecedented sense of exhilaration.

"Mother."

Upon hearing the servant's report that Consort Lian had arrived, Helian Ci put down his work and followed the servant out to greet her.

"Give me my son!"

Consort Lian snapped out of her reverie, looked at Helian Ci who was coming to greet her, and took his hand.