Before Ren Junhe could say anything about Lu Qingyan's appearance, Ren Fengyue added fuel to the fire: "Elder sister, no matter how many faults the Empress Mother has, she is still our Empress Mother, and she cannot be wrong."
Lu Qingyan didn't even lift her eyelids, and said sarcastically, "Second sister is always good at pleasing the Empress."
"This isn't about pleasing Mother Empress, it's just me, as her younger sister, speaking the truth," Ren Fengyue replied with a smile to Lu Qingyan. Turning to Ren Junhe, she said, "Mother Empress, elder sister is terribly wrong. I know you don't allow elder sister to handle state affairs because you're worried she might make mistakes at such a young age, harming the common people. As for her current state... I think, elder sister has the right to control her appetite; if she could restrain herself, she wouldn't have turned out this way. This disastrous outcome is her own fault, how can you blame her?"
Ren Junhe's previously somewhat moved expression returned to calm. She looked at her two children kneeling on the ground and said slowly, "The fight didn't result in any serious injuries, so it wasn't a big deal. However, since the teacher has brought you two back, I must punish you. The Crown Princess is, after all, the heir apparent, so let's start by deducting her salary for one month and confining her to her quarters for two months. The second son is young, so let's deduct his salary for two months."
Lu Qingyan knelt down and thanked the emperor, saying, "Your subject accepts your punishment and thanks you for your grace!"
Thunder and rain, all are the emperor's grace. That person sits high on the dragon throne, and whatever order comes from her mouth, one must express gratitude.
Ren Junhe didn't look at Lu Qingyan. After finishing his instructions on the punishment, he looked up at Hua Yeyu and asked, "What does the teacher think of this?"
Hua Yeyu bowed slightly: "Your Majesty is fair."
He said this, but his eyes betrayed no sign of agreement or disagreement.
Ren Junhe looked at the unfathomable teacher, and with a headache, waved his hand to dismiss him: "It is my two troublesome children who have caused you trouble. Xizi, take the teacher to the storeroom to pick out a few things."
Xi Zi walked to Hua Yeyu's side and raised her hand, saying, "Master, please—"
Hua Yeyu nodded. Since Ren Junhe was willing to give him things, he would accept them generously. Whether it was to the national treasury or her private treasury, he didn't care for gold and silver jewelry; he would only take a few famous paintings and calligraphy books. He had heard that His Majesty also had a Jiao Wei Qin (a type of zither), and if he was lucky enough to see it, he would bring it along without hesitation, since these could all be given to his elder brother.
Hua Yeyu made up her mind and followed Xizi very quickly.
After Lu Qingyan came out of the main hall, she looked back at the tall hall but did not say anything.
Ren Fengyue, however, mocked her from the side: "Eldest sister, has it been a long time since you've been here? Mother doesn't like you much, so naturally she wouldn't bring you here. You've finally got a chance to come here, so eldest sister should take a good look around. After all, who knows when you'll be able to come again next time."
At this point, he raised his hand and slapped his forehead: "Oh dear, I almost forgot, it's only been a little over a month since my eldest sister last came here. She was really pitiful back then. Even though it had nothing to do with you, Mother made you kneel here for a whole day. If I had known you were going to do this, I should have stomped on you a few more times. Anyway, no one would have punished me."
Lu Qingyan said calmly, "Second sister's tongue is becoming increasingly eloquent."
Ren Fengyue said smugly, "Not at all, elder sister, you flatter me. When it comes to words, I can't compare to Yu Guijun. He almost got my things taken by the fourth princess with just a few words."
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