Upon hearing the word "old," Zhuo Yun's face darkened. In the harem, she was the oldest, and apart from her position as Empress, this was the only other thing she didn't want people to mention.
So she retaliated, saying, "How can parents not care when their own children are being bullied? The Empress is not a mother yet, so naturally she cannot understand."
Since Rong Tingxue was going to reopen her wounds, she could only refuse to back down. So what if she was the Empress? Without His Majesty's favor and without princes by her side, she was just a figurehead.
To everyone's surprise, Rong Tingxue showed no anger. She said with her usual elegance, "It's not right for Consort Yun to spoil the Second Prince like this. Children's matters should be resolved by the children themselves. Didn't you say that the First Prince bullied the Second Prince? How about this, we have His Majesty summon all the civil and military officials and let the First Prince and the Second Prince have a fair fight. If the Second Prince wins, it will be a way to avenge his humiliation. If the Second Prince loses... well, that would be a bit awkward."
She offered her advice earnestly, but then couldn't help but laugh out loud herself.
Upon closer listening, Rong Tingxue was speaking entirely from a fair standpoint. However, Zhuo Yun doted on her child, unwilling to let Xianlong suffer even the slightest hardship, let alone let him toil away practicing martial arts under the scorching sun. So what if it was a fair fight? Xianlong was still no match for Xianmo, and it would only bring him all sorts of ridicule.
Zhuo Yun's face was frosty. "Your Majesty, are you really planning to interfere in this matter?"
"No, Consort Yun, please don't misunderstand. This matter has nothing to do with me. I just saw Consort Yun and Commander Zhang trying to take the First Prince away. When I thought about His Majesty's high hopes for the First Prince, saying that he is a pillar of the state, I couldn't help but say a few words. Of course, Consort Yun, you can do whatever you want." Rong Tingxue smiled and took a step to the side. "If you want to arrest him, then arrest him. I will not stop you."
Rong Tingxue's attitude at this moment suddenly made Zhuo Yun feel uneasy. It was like someone who always opposed you and prevented you from doing something, but then she stopped opposing you. This feeling of being tricked was very unpleasant.
Zhuo Yun glanced at Xian Mo again. He only had a faint smile in his eyes, and he was unhurried. This was far too calm for a child.
She couldn't help but think of what His Majesty had once told her: Xianmo was merely a weapon, a shield, used to protect the throne of the next emperor. And who would be the next emperor?
In any case, it won't be a quiet, unnoticed place.
Zhuo Yun looked at Xian Mo for a long time. She told herself that this child would not pose a threat to her. At the very least, His Majesty had eliminated all the so-called threats he posed.
"Your Majesty the Empress," Zhuo Yun said coldly, looking at Rong Tingxue, and sneered, "We have a long future ahead of us."
After saying this, she turned and left with her palace maids.
Zhang Xu, on the other hand, had a more difficult time. He was still forced to maintain the bowed posture, even though his back ached. He had to keep this posture until the Empress said he was free from the formalities.
Only then did he seem to suddenly remember Zhang Xu, and said in surprise, "Commander Zhang, so you're still here."
The way she's saying that makes it sound like she has no idea that the other person has been standing there for so long.
Commander Zhang forced a smile. "Her Majesty the Empress's noble bearing has left this humble official speechless with admiration, unable to move."
Rong Tingxue covered her mouth and laughed, "Commander Zhang is really good with words. Then you can stand there for another hour. I'll go back first."
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