Yun Chu ate her meal quietly.

After traveling outside for half a year, both children had grown up and become sensible. They could eat well without anyone’s care.

Just as Chu Hongyu was serving porridge to his sister, a voice suddenly sounded in his ear: “Brother Yu, your mother consort is with child. Will it be a younger brother or sister?”

He turned his head and saw Chu Lan’s face. He said coldly: “What’s it to you?”

“If your mother consort gives birth to a younger brother, then there will be a good show to watch.” Chu Lan had a gloating expression. “My mother consort said that once your mother consort has her own child, she’ll definitely make her own child the Young Lord of Prince Pingxi’s manor. As for you, by then you’ll be nothing.”

Chu Hongyu’s fingers paused: “Your mother consort told you these things?”

Chu Lan nodded: “Not only did my mother consort say so, many palace maids in the Eastern Palace say the same thing.”

As soon as she finished speaking.

Chu Hongyu suddenly stood up: “Imperial Grandfather, your grandson has something to report!”

The Emperor lifted his eyelids: “What is it?”

“Your grandson wishes to report that the Crown Prince’s consort manages the Eastern Palace poorly. The Eastern Palace follows the example set above—when the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam is also crooked!” Chu Hongyu said loudly. “Please, Imperial Grandfather, how will you handle this?”

The Crown Princess’s face went white. She rose and knelt on the steps: “Father Emperor, your daughter-in-law did not. Brother Yu is making trouble.”

“I’m not talking nonsense. I have a witness!” Chu Hongyu pointed at Chu Lan. “Sister Lan said that the Crown Prince’s consort said in the Eastern Palace that my mother consort will give birth to a younger brother, and also said that once the younger brother is born, I won’t be the Heir of Prince Pingxi’s manor anymore. Not only did the Crown Prince’s consort say this, even the palace maids and eunuchs of the Eastern Palace say the same. May I ask Imperial Grandfather, isn’t this called following the example set above?”

Chu Lan’s eyes immediately widened. She stammered: “No—I didn’t—I didn’t…”

Chu Changsheng stood up and said softly and sweetly: “Imperial Grandfather, I also heard it.”

The Empress’s expression was very dark.

She couldn’t even handle her own pile of affairs, yet this girl Chu Lan was still causing trouble for her.

Everyone in the entire capital knew about this trivial matter of Prince Pingxi’s manor. Everyone was privately discussing whether this pregnancy would be male or female, discussing who the future Heir of Prince Pingxi would be. Discussing it privately was one thing, but this ignorant girl Chu Lan actually said it to their faces!

Even more difficult to accept was that in a quarrel between children, Brother Yu actually made a scene before His Majesty.

The Empress looked coldly toward Yun Chu.

As long as Yun Chu stepped forward to smooth things over, she believed the two children would naturally let it go, and this matter would pass.

Yet she saw Yun Chu sitting there upright, with absolutely no intention of smoothing things over.

The Empress could only speak up: “Your Majesty, your subject believes this is just children squabbling. It’s not a major matter.”

“Such words cannot come from children themselves.” The Duke’s Wife smiled slightly. “What heir or not heir—how could children understand such things? I imagine it was adults who said such things, and the children took it to heart… For the Crown Princess to discuss matters of Prince Pingxi’s manor before children is indeed rather inappropriate.”

The Empress’s expression darkened.

Li Jingshu, oh Li Jingshu—was she now openly beginning to challenge her, the nation’s mother?

The Crown Princess was already so frightened her hands were trembling. Out of instinct, she defended herself: “Father Emperor, please see clearly, your daughter-in-law did not…”

The Emperor suddenly raised his hand and slapped the table: “The Crown Princess has failed to educate her children and is incompetent in managing her subordinates. Half a year’s stipend is forfeit as a warning to others!”

The Crown Princess’s face showed bitterness: “…Yes.”

She returned to her seat and looked coldly at her good daughter Chu Lan. Chu Lan shrank her neck, not daring to meet her gaze.

Before the Crown Princess could do anything, she heard the Crown Prince say coldly: “If you cannot manage the child properly, then give her to someone who can raise her!”

“Yes, Your Highness…”

The Crown Princess bit her lip.

Chu Lan kept her neck shrunk until after the Crown Princess left the table with an excuse. Only then did she dare raise her head.

She glared angrily at Chu Hongyu: “Tattletale!”

Chu Hongyu methodically ate a meatball. Only after swallowing it did he say: “In the future, don’t let me hear such words again. Every time I hear it, I’ll report it once. I just love tattling. So what?”

Chu Lan was so angry she wanted to dump her plate on his head.

But she didn’t dare. If he reported her again, Imperial Grandfather would surely be even more certain that her mother consort failed to educate her children…

Chu Hongyu proudly moved to Yun Chu’s side: “Mother, wasn’t I very impressive?”

Yun Chu touched his head.

Using borrowed force to strike back was indeed a technique.

She smiled gently and said: “Between you children, you can use such methods. But if an adult bullies you, remember to tell me and your father first.”

Chu Hongyu nodded: “That’s natural.”

The banquet soon neared its end.

During the banquet, Yun Chu noticed that His Majesty and the Duke’s Wife had disappeared for over a quarter hour.

And the Empress’s complexion had visibly worsened.

As the Laba Festival banquet was ending, His Majesty stood up to raise a toast with everyone. At this moment, there was a clanging sound. A soft sword, in full view of everyone, fell from the Duke’s Manor Heir’s body.

The blade was soft, but the hilt was cast from steel. When it fell to the ground, it made a heavy sound.

The Duke’s Manor Heir was close to thirty years old. He was still holding a cup of wine. Seeing the sword fall from his body, he was completely stunned.

“Audacious!” A mighty general drew his sword and pointed it at the Duke’s Manor Heir. “Privately bringing weapons into the Imperial City—what crime does this constitute!”

In this dynasty, all ministers entering the palace must remove armor and weapons. They were not permitted to bring any weapons into the hall. The only ones who could carry weapons were third-rank and above generals and guards, as well as the Imperial Guards.

The Duke’s Manor Heir’s status absolutely did not allow him to wear a sword.

“This subject is wronged!” The Duke’s Manor Heir fell to his knees with a thud. “This subject is loyal to His Majesty, loyal to the court. I absolutely could not assassinate or rebel. Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly and restore this subject’s innocence!”

“This sword fell from your body. What more is there to investigate!” The Crown Prince said coldly. “Father Emperor, in your son’s opinion, the Duke’s Manor Heir has been in this position for over twenty years. Father Emperor has never officially granted him the title. He harbors resentment and wanted to use the banquet to seek revenge. His intentions are punishable!”

“Impossible!” Duke’s Wife Li Jingshu stood up and said: “Your Majesty, Qi’er absolutely could not do such a thing. Someone must be deliberately framing him!”

The Minister of Justice stepped forward: “This matter is not difficult to investigate. Just trace the origin of this sword.”

The Duke’s Wife nodded: “We must investigate thoroughly!”

After she finished speaking, she saw the Duke’s Manor Heir trembling all over. She asked with complete disbelief: “This sword is actually yours?”

The Duke’s Manor Heir slowly nodded.

This sword was indeed his, but he hadn’t placed it on his person. He didn’t understand why such a thing would happen…

The Duke’s Wife turned her head to look at the Empress and saw the deep smile at the corners of the Empress’s mouth.

The Empress met the Duke’s Wife’s eyes, and her smile deepened even more.

All these years, the Duke’s Wife had relied on His Majesty’s favor and offended countless people. Once this matter came out, many families would come to step on her. Duke’s Manor would henceforth disappear from the capital.

It was worth her spending the huge sum of ten thousand taels of silver to bribe servants in Duke’s Manor…