Just as Hong Xiaoduo was about to reach out and grab the other person's small fist, and then hand the person over to the Empress, a figure flashed before her eyes, and Kaiyang made his move.

Everyone, including Hong Xiaoduo and He Yanming, thought that Kaiyang was going to stand in front of Hong Xiaoduo to take the punch.

But that's not the case!

Kaiyang reached out and grabbed the Ninth Prince's wrist, then turned around, hoisted and shoved him to the ground.

Hong Xiaoduo saw it most clearly; Kaiyang's over-the-shoulder throw was incredibly smooth, crisp, and clean!

Looking at the little attacker who had been thrown solidly in front of her, Hong Xiaoduo blurted out to Kaiyang, "Hey, not bad, your reaction was pretty quick and efficient."

The palace maids, eunuchs, and nannies around them rushed forward to check, first looking at Kaiyang in astonishment, unable to believe that this child dared to lay a hand on the Ninth Prince, and so ruthlessly at that!

Then, she looked at Hong Xiaoduo, who was praising someone, and thought, "What kind of person is she?!"

Then he looked at the somewhat stunned Empress. Was Her Majesty about to get angry?

Even if the Ninth Prince hasn't accepted that the Empress is his birth mother, the Empress won't stop loving him because of that.

He Yanming was helped up, her pretty little face contorted in pain, but she endured it without crying out.

"A bunch of lackeys, didn't you see that His Highness was beaten?" The prince, who had never been beaten since birth, was furious and humiliated to suffer such a great loss in public, especially from a child who looked younger than him.

The Empress, who had already come to her senses, was initially heartbroken, but seeing her own son's young age and such a face, her rationality returned immediately.

With a stern face, he said to the old nanny beside him, "What are you all standing there for? Let's take the Ninth Prince back to his own palace first."

The old woman quickly gestured for the two eunuchs to come forward, but she didn't dare to reach out; she just whispered words of coaxing and persuasion.

He Yanming stopped staring at Hong Xiaoduo and glared fiercely at Kaiyang, saying, "You brat, how dare you lay a hand on me? Are you tired of living?"

Kaiyang was not afraid at all, puffing out his little chest and saying, "I don't care who you are, being rude to my mother is unacceptable."

Finally, I have the chance to protect my mother! This feeling is wonderful!

Kaiyang knew that even ten of them wouldn't be a match for his mother, but he also knew that since the other party was a child, his mother might not be able to bring herself to do it. So it was best for him, the child, to deal with it.

"What? She's your mother?" He Yanming asked in astonishment, ignoring the pain all over his body.

Fearing her son might say something inappropriate again, the Empress gave the old nanny a look. The nanny quickly said, "Your Highness, please don't blame this old servant," and then signaled another eunuch to help her grab the Ninth Prince's arm, half-carrying and half-dragging him away.

"Young Lady Hong, I apologize on behalf of Ming'er," the Empress said apologetically to Hong Xiaoduo.

It didn't mention that the child was spoiled by Consort Yun, nor did it offer any explanation for the child.

“Your Majesty, there’s no need for that. If you do this, shouldn’t I apologize to you on behalf of Kaiyang?” Hong Xiaoduo said casually.

In fact, she could understand the Ninth Prince's feelings. Eight years had passed, and then one day, someone told him that his birth mother was someone else, and that the person he had called "Mother Consort" for eight years was a bad person who had been given death by his father.

It's normal for a child to have trouble accepting something that happened in just a few days.

Hong Xiaoduo is now a little curious about how the princess born to Consort Yun is doing now. Is her reaction the same as that of the Ninth Prince?

But then I thought it wasn't appropriate to ask that question, so I decided against it.

Hong Xiaoduo felt that the Ninth Prince's unpleasant incident would upset the Empress, so should she find an excuse to leave with Kaiyang?

But the Empress seemed to have seen through her thoughts and said with a wry smile, "Miss Hong, there's no need to think too much. Just keep me company and have a chat, okay?"

Since the Empress has said so, what else can Hong Xiaoduo say?

On the way to the Imperial Garden, they encountered concubines who, after paying their respects to the Empress, all turned their attention to Hong Xiaoduo and Kaiyang.

The royal family has its own rules, and the concubines in the harem are not allowed to interfere in internal affairs. However, not all the concubines are so well-behaved; they are always keeping an eye on the Empress's palace and the other favored concubines.

Therefore, many concubines had already received news that the Empress was hosting a banquet for Lady Hong at Fengyi Palace.

It turns out that the Empress was able to leave the Cold Palace and clear her name thanks to this young lady!

So young and so good-looking!

I've heard that she rescued, took in, and brought back Minister Wei's grandson.

I heard that the scandals in Minister Gu's household were exposed by her!

I heard that it was because of her intervention that Dong Xiang's youngest son was able to escape punishment in his case.

I've heard that the handsome, accomplished, and discerning Prince Mu is very close to her, and has accompanied her shopping more than once!

I heard that the interpreter in the Ministry of Rites was unable to speak, and it was she who entered the palace to help with the translation!

Recently, I've heard several things related to her. She's not very old, so how can she be so amazing?

It is said that His Majesty trusts her very much now, has promised her an official position, and wants to keep her in the capital, but she has not agreed!

Her Majesty spoke, and she actually refused. Putting aside her audacity, she was far too arrogant and ungrateful!

Despite the probing gazes of the concubines, Hong Xiaoduo remained unconcerned, and it did not affect her enjoyment of the scenery in the Imperial Garden in the slightest.

Soon they arrived at the Peacock Garden and saw the two peacocks the Empress had mentioned.

"Huh, is that a green peacock?" Hong Xiaoduo whispered.

The Empress spoke first, asking, "Are there other colors for peacocks?"

"Yes, there were also blue peacocks, white peacocks, and black peacocks. But I liked the white peacock the most. The moment it spread its tail feathers was simply too beautiful." Hong Xiaoduo recalled the scene in her mind. She remembered that she had taken photos and videos on her phone.

Oh? Peacocks come in several different colors!

Moreover, her statement implies that she has seen peacocks of all these colors.

Seriously, I'm so envious!

"I heard that this was sent from the southern prefectures this spring. They said that the peacocks displayed their tail feathers frequently in March and April, only occasionally in May and June, and haven't displayed them since."

"However, Kaiyang, since you're already in the capital, I'll bring you to visit next March or April." The Empress said, looking at Kaiyang.

"Kaiyang thanks Your Majesty," Kaiyang replied happily.

The main reason I was happy was that I was certain that the Empress was not angry with me for having just thrown her son.

Hong Xiaoduo, who overheard their conversation, laughed: "Want to see a peacock display its feathers? You have to wait that long? No need, you can do it now."

Seeing that both the Empress and Kaiyang were looking at him, the Empress's expression clearly showed doubt, while Kaiyang's expression was different, full of excitement...