Looking at the Jiang Zuo Prince's cold and hard face, Dowager Lü was uncharacteristically at a loss.

Why, in just a few days, had the Emperor's attitude towards her changed so drastically?

Although the Jiang Zuo Prince was not Dowager Lü's biological son, the grace of nurturing outweighed that of birth. The effort Dowager Lü had put into him over the years far exceeded that she had given her own two biological sons.

Therefore, she found it somewhat difficult to accept the Jiang Zuo Prince's sudden estrangement.

After all, lacking a layer of blood ties, Dowager Lü was ultimately insecure, worried that she would be abandoned by the Jiang Zuo Prince, losing this son she had raised for many years.

"My son, what did you mean by those words just now… I, I don't quite understand."

"We mother and son finally have a chance to meet, can't we reminisce and talk about something pleasant?"

Dowager Lü's tone was very cautious. She could tell that the Jiang Zuo Prince was in a bad mood and didn't want to provoke him, lest their relationship become strained.

Unfortunately, this maternal affection was ignored by the Jiang Zuo Prince, who was filled with resentment, and he even intensified his humiliation of her.

"Mother and son?"

"I have no such shameless mother as you!"

Before the trip to Mount Tai, the Jiang Zuo Prince had always respected his adoptive mother, even admiring her.

He was disliked by his father because of the Astronomical Bureau's prophecy and was cast into the Cold Palace, where he was bullied by everyone. It was Dowager Lü who saved him, cultivated him, and gave him a new life… She even fully supported him in his quest for the throne.

All of this made the Jiang Zuo Prince feel deeply valued, and he vowed to repay his adoptive mother.

But these beliefs that supported his life were shattered in the dragon carriage on the way to Mount Tai!

The woman he most revered was actually having an affair with his enemy!

Remembering that scene that broke him, the Jiang Zuo Prince's eyes turned bloodshot, and he roared in a low voice, "I know all about the shameless acts you've done. To make a long story short, I don't want to see you right now!"

These heart-wrenching words brought tears to Dowager Lü's eyes.

This strong woman, who had not shown such fragility even when facing Jiang Chen's threats, was now sobbing at the Jiang Zuo Prince's words.

"My son, I've sacrificed so much for you, how can you hurt my heart like this?"

"We finally meet, and you humiliate me like this, hurting the person who cares about you the most?"

Dowager Lü cried mournfully, not understanding what she had done wrong, her tone confused and aggrieved.

Although she had initially adopted the Jiang Zuo Prince with the intention of using him, wanting to support him in ascending the throne so that she could become Empress Dowager.

But over the years, she had come to regard the Jiang Zuo Prince as her real son, and her affection for him even exceeded that for her two biological sons.

To be criticized and ignored by someone she regarded as her own son was something she really couldn't accept.

The Jiang Zuo Prince stood coldly by the window, his tone extremely indifferent, "You're right, it is indeed not easy to meet, so we shouldn't waste it on trivial matters."

"So, hurry up and get to the point. This prince is not that lecherous and depraved dog emperor. I have no interest in watching you cry here."

His contemptuous gaze, like ice, instantly froze Dowager Lü's tears.

She raised her head stiffly, her delicate body trembling slightly, her beautiful face as pale as paper, "My son, what exactly is wrong with you? Why do you have to humiliate me like this?"

"For you, I have opposed the Emperor so many times, and even, even my power has been taken away…"

"Lies!"

The Jiang Zuo Prince suddenly erupted, his eyes twisted, "You liar, you clearly saw that I was losing, that I had no more value to you, so you seduced the dog emperor, wanting to give birth to another child of your own bloodline to support…"

* * *

'Slap!'

A crisp sound, and the air in the room fell silent.

Dowager Lü, who had been extremely cautious since entering the door, regained her former dignity!

Her beautiful phoenix eyes burned with anger, and she sternly rebuked, "You ungrateful wretch, all those decades I spent raising you wholeheartedly have been wasted!"

"If I hadn't spent so much effort on you, neglecting my two biological sons, how could Sixth and Seventh have become good-for-nothing wastrels?!"

"It's fine if you don't remember my kindness, but now you even come to humiliate me, imagining me to be so, so不堪…" (unable to bear; outrageous)

A look of heartbreak flashed in Dowager Lü's eyes, "If I really wanted to abandon you, would I have waited until today?!"

The Jiang Zuo Prince's head was turned by the slap.

It was also because of this that Dowager Lü didn't see the fierce light that flashed in his eyes.

The moment he realized he had been slapped, he had genuinely felt a murderous intent!

But he quickly suppressed this inappropriate emotion, covered his face, and looked back at Dowager Lü.

Seeing her eyes red with anger, he couldn't help but feel regret.

He lowered his head and apologized, "Mother, son, what I said just now was all said in anger, don't take it seriously."

"Son knows he was wrong, please don't be angry…"

If anyone else had offended Dowager Lü like this, they would probably have been skinned and dismembered by now.

But looking at the Jiang Zuo Prince, who rarely lowered his head, Dowager Lü ultimately couldn't bear to hold it against him, took a few deep breaths, and suppressed the emotions in her heart.

She said coldly, "Forget it, children are all debts, I will forgive you this once, but don't do it again."

As she spoke, she softened her tone, and concern surfaced in her beautiful eyes, "Also, my relationship with the Emperor is not what you imagine. I am still his enemy!"

Hearing this, a hint of mockery appeared in the Jiang Zuo Prince's eyes.

On the way to Mount Tai, he had clearly seen Dowager Lü's personal belongings on the soft couch in the dragon carriage.

Even so, she still stubbornly insisted that she and the Emperor were enemies! Enemies who fought in bed?

But the Jiang Zuo Prince didn't say much, listening in silence, his eyes flickering.

He still needed Dowager Lü's power now. As long as he could seize the throne, these small humiliations were nothing.

"I heard that the Zhenhai Regional Commander has sent a memorial proposing a marriage alliance with you. Is this true?" When she got to the main topic, Dowager Lü's expression became much more serious.

The Jiang Zuo Prince had expected her to ask about this, and he said calmly, "Yes, I am currently under house arrest, and my actions are restricted. If I want to break this situation, I can only set up another target to divert the Emperor's attention."

Hearing this, Dowager Lü stared at him for a long time, and then sneered, "My son, you were taught by me. Do you think I can't hear through these deceptive words?"

The Jiang Zuo Prince didn't speak, but there was a hint of hostility in his eyes.

Seeing this, Dowager Lü couldn't help but sigh, a feeling of exhaustion welled up in her heart, but she had to brace herself and persuade him, "My son, the Emperor's changes during this period have been great. Your little tricks won't be able to deal with him."

"Listen to my advice and stop!"

"Now is a sensitive time. If you contact the Zhenhai Regional Commander and form an alliance with the Cheng Yu family at this time, it is a blatant provocation. The Emperor will not let you succeed."

"To think of it more seriously, it may even arouse the Emperor's dissatisfaction and vigilance towards you. At that time, your situation will only become more dangerous!"