Chapter 224: Chapter 224

This is truly unreasonable, completely irrational.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongning felt his anger surge even more.

Finally, he couldn’t bear it any longer.

"Royal Brother, are you implying that when Jun Yang attacked first, she shouldn’t have fought back, shouldn’t have injured Jun Yang, is that right?" Emperor Yongning’s tone was devoid of any warmth, colder than the days of deep winter.

"Well..." While this is exactly what Prince Xiao Yao thought, he dared not say it outright!

Because he dotes on his daughter, just as the Emperor does. He doesn’t want his beloved daughter hurt, does the Emperor?

Seeing Prince Xiao Yao’s silence, Emperor Yongning already guessed what he was thinking.

All these years have passed, yet the royal brother hasn’t grown at all. He’s still as selfish and inconsiderate as when he was a child.

"Royal Brother, do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Emperor Yongning said dismissively, no longer wanting to deal with Prince Xiao Yao’s nonsense. He signaled Xiao Lizi to call the Imperial Guard outside to drag them away quickly. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel※fire.net

For the next six months, he didn’t want to see Prince Xiao Yao again.

And the batch of porcelain that was about to be fired, he suddenly decided he wouldn’t give to Prince Xiao Yao. Not even a single piece.

Half a month later, the porcelain was produced, and Emperor Yongning bestowed it upon several ministers who had performed well and had good achievements over the past year, but did not give any to Prince Xiao Yao.

Prince Xiao Yao was not only slapped in the face but also lost face in front of the nobles.

Because, the batch of porcelain promised by Emperor Yongning had been bragged about for a long time in front of the nobles, only to not receive it in the end, how embarrassing!

Of course, this is all in hindsight.

At present, Emperor Yongning feels peace of mind by not seeing Prince Xiao Yao.

After driving them out, he felt relieved.

"Yi Yi, it’s less than half an hour until lunchtime. How about we go to the Empress Dowager’s palace for lunch today?" Emperor Yongning looked at the little one in his arms, full of adoration, "During the days you weren’t in the palace, the Empress Dowager was always thinking of you."

Jun Ning nodded, "Okay, but can we invite Yi Yi’s mother and Brother Ah Yu as well?"

After being kicked out of the Imperial Study Room, Prince Xiao Yao and Jun Yang were very unwilling. They plotted all half day and then went to Cining Palace to ask the Empress Dowager for intervention.

The Empress Dowager was doing needlework.

The New Year was approaching, and she wanted to make a couple of festive skirts for Jun Ning to wear at the palace feast.

Due to prolonged use of the needle, her neck hurt, and her eyes felt sore and uncomfortable. She put down the fabric and closed her eyes to rest, while the maid beside her gave her a gentle massage.

Nanny Liu suddenly entered to report that Prince Xiao Yao had come with his legitimate daughter to pay respects.

The Empress Dowager did not open her eyes and said faintly, "Invite them in."

After Prince Xiao Yao brought his daughter in, they greeted the Empress Dowager and exchanged pleasantries, trying to win her favor.

Things like long time no see, mother has gotten younger, much prettier, looking better than girls of eighteen, good spirits... exaggeration poured out of Prince Xiao Yao’s mouth effortlessly.

He said these words without blushing or heart racing, without any guilt!

Nanny Liu heard this and looked with pity at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager had spent a lot of energy making ruffled skirts for Princess Anle for the New Year, clearly looking weary with much deeper face wrinkles.

Prince Xiao Yao completely ignored the Empress Dowager’s weariness and even said such falsehoods?

Nanny Liu shook her head.

On normal days, though Prince Xiao Yao’s words were exaggerated and mostly flattering without much sincerity, as her foster son, the Empress Dowager would usually respond politely.

But today, she felt very tired and lacked the spirits, and really wasn’t in the mood to entertain him.

She responded perfunctorily and then stayed silent.

Prince Xiao Yao smiled and pulled Jun Yang to his side, saying, "Mother, please open your eyes and look at Yang Er, see what’s happened to her."

The Empress Dowager opened her sore eyes, puzzled as she looked at Jun Yang, seeing those two bruised palm prints on her face, her brows furrowed tightly, "Yang Er, what happened? Why are there bruised palm prints on your face?"

After all, she was a granddaughter dearly cherished since childhood.

Despite the recent scandals in the Imperial City about her being unreasonable and hitting people severely, which she had admonished her for several times, the little girl remained unrepentant, leading the Empress Dowager to feel a bit disappointed and naturally less inclined to be close.

But at this moment, seeing her bruised face, how could the Empress Dowager pay attention to those unpleasant matters? She felt genuinely heartbroken for the little girl.

"Yang Er, come quickly, let Grand Empress Dowager take a look?" The Empress Dowager beckoned to Jun Yang.

"Grand Empress Dowager." Jun Yang stood up and approached the Empress Dowager, wiping her tears sadly and pathetically.

The Empress Dowager gently cupped Jun Yang’s face, wiping her tears and looking at the palm prints, hurriedly said, "My poor dear, the sorrow would break Ah Jie’s heart. Stop crying, tell Ah Jie if your face hurts? Nanny Liu, hurry and fetch the Imperial Physician."

Nanny Liu went to fetch the Imperial Physician.

Jun Yang sobbed, "It hurts!"

"Who hit you ?" The Empress Dowager asked sternly, "Yang Er, quickly tell Grand Empress Dowager who the perpetrator is so she can avenge you. Humph! Daring to hit my little granddaughter deserves a heavy price."

Ever since entering Cining Palace, after pushing Jun Yang before the Empress Dowager, Prince Xiao Yao had been waiting for her to say this.

Now that she said it, he felt very pleased, but showed none of it, looking at Jun Yang’s small figure buried in the Empress Dowager’s embrace with feigned concern, "Yang Er, just tell the person who hit you to Mother! Mother promises to stand up for you."

Jun Yang hesitated, blinking her tear-filled eyes full of doubt, pitifully said, "Grand Empress Dowager, will you really stand up for Yang Er?"

"I will," the Empress Dowager said resolutely.

"But... but..." Jun Yang nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, "but when Father took Yang Er to see the Emperor for justice, the Emperor didn’t help us."

In other words, even the Emperor didn’t help us, can you really do it, Grand Empress Dowager?

"The Emperor is the Emperor, and I am I. He is busy with affairs and doesn’t have time for you, but I am different; I have plenty of time," the Empress Dowager said, "Yang Er, tell me who hit you , and I’ll make sure they return the favor!"

Upon hearing this unwavering support, Jun Yang’s courage surged, transforming from her previous bullied posture. She raised her chin and said, "Grand Empress Dowager, it was Princess Anle who hit me ; I’m very uncomfortable, you must stand up for Yang Er."