Consort Xue knew that her instigation had been taboo, so she quickly rose and apologized, her face pale.
The Empress Dowager did not call out to Consort Xue, but instead swept her majestic gaze over everyone present. "Niannian is lively and adorable, blessed with happiness and joy. The princes and princesses in the palace are all dignified, generous, sensible, and reasonable. They are all good children."
The ladies who had been sitting quietly also quickly stood up, curtsied, and said in unison, "Yes, the sons and daughters of dragons and phoenixes each have their own merits, and we ladies will certainly not speak nonsense."
The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction. She looked at the little bundle of joy nestled in Huo Chengche's arms. He was tiny, adorable, and incredibly soft. His bright, dark eyes were innocent and sparkling. When he saw her looking over, he immediately dimpled and gave her a sweet smile.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager smiled lovingly at the little boy, but when she looked at everyone, her smile faded, and she became dignified and majestic.
“Niannian’s entry into the palace is a sign of the Prince of Hengchang’s trust in the Emperor and I. If anyone dares to treat Niannian badly, or even worse, use her as a tool to harm others, they are making an enemy of me, the Emperor, and the entire Xiheng Kingdom!”
Everyone immediately realized the baby's weight and quickly and respectfully agreed.
Consort Xue quickly added, "What the Empress Dowager says is true. These days, he's been refusing to go to the princes' quarters and is being naughty every day. I always used other people's obedient children to scold him. But Your Majesty's words today have made me realize that every child has their own good qualities, so there's no point in comparing them."
As she spoke, Consort Xue covered her face and sobbed softly, kneeling on the ground, almost collapsing. "I have truly been out of my mind these past few days! It is thanks to the Empress Dowager's timely reprimand that I have been able to continue making mistakes, and I do not know how much longer I would have gone astray, or if Quan'er has been saddened by my words..."
Looking at Consort Xue, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and thinking of the sixth prince who had just been sent to the Princes' Residence, the Empress Dowager finally let out a long sigh.
"Alright, get up. Sixth Prince is at a mischievous age, and you've worked hard too. Once you're at the Prince's residence, Quan'er will be supervised by the tutors in the Imperial Study. You should get some rest," the Empress Dowager said, waving her hand.
The little baby, having eaten and drunk his fill, nestled lazily in his elder brother, the Crown Prince, with his belly turned up. Listening to Consort Xue's words, he buried his little head in Huo Chengche's arms, blinking his bright, dark eyes, and tilting his head curiously to look at Consort Xue.
"If Consort Xue is worried, she should ask him if he's sad. Even if she tells the Empress Dowager, he can't hear her," the little boy suggested in his childish voice.
The moment the soft, sweet little voice rang out, it instantly livened up the oppressive, stagnant atmosphere.
Children speak without thinking, and these words immediately caused the person's expression to change in various ways.
Consort Xue paused in her hand, which was holding a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, and her previously impeccable expression froze instantly.
She looked at the little boy with a grim expression, meeting his clear, bright eyes, which blinked innocently and stared at her. This made Consort Xue suddenly feel a sense of utter embarrassment, as if she had nowhere to hide.
Yu Guangzhong, the ladies all knowingly avoided looking at him, and Consort Xue panicked and immediately looked up at the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager merely glanced at Consort Xue, her pale face expressionless, her slightly cloudy eyes seemingly able to see through everything, taking in everything, including Consort Xue's "regret" and panic.
Consort Xue lowered her head hastily in fear, her expression stiff, no longer as natural as before.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
