In Guangyang Palace, after crying his fill, Yu Lou looked up and saw his Consort Mother, who had always doted on him, staring at him coldly. He opened his mouth and started crying again.
Zhang Xiuyi frowned and scanned the great hall. Everything was in disarray. This young master had smashed everything in her chambers, and no matter how she tried to reason with him, it was useless.
She had originally intended to send him back to Changxin Palace, but she hadn't expected guards to be stationed outside, making it impossible to send him away. So, she told him that once the guards left at night, she would send him back to his mother's side. Who knew this child would become so stubborn and wild, smashing everything in her chambers as if possessed, demanding to be sent back immediately, and even threatening the eunuchs and palace maids.
"You dogs! If you dare not send me back, I'll chop off your hands and feet and throw you into the wilderness."
Zhang Xiuyi looked at the boy in disbelief, unable to fathom that this was the child she had always favored. She had always thought him timid and weak, but he turned out to be so ruthless and possessed of an exceptionally violent temper. Could such a child truly become an emperor? Zhang Xiuyi couldn't help but harbor deep doubts. She had always liked Yu Lou, but at this moment, her doubts were unstoppable. Consort De had spoiled this child to the point of lawlessness. Zhang Xiuyi's expression darkened. Yu Lou was still crying, and she felt a surge of annoyance. She spoke coldly.
"Silence. If you cry again, Consort Xiuyi will no longer dote on you."
As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Lou cried out, "If you don't like me, so be it. I only want my mother. When my mother becomes Empress Dowager, she will definitely deal with you. How dare you speak to me so loudly? I will tell my mother."
Upon hearing Yu Lou's words, Zhang Xiuyi broke out in a cold sweat, as if a basin of ice water had been poured over her from head to toe. Yu Lou wouldn't say such things without reason; he must have overheard his mother speaking. She hadn't expected that Consort De, who had always been so respectful to her face, was merely trying to win her over. Why would she do such a thing? Zhang Xiuyi sat on the high seat, her brow furrowed, lost in thought. Eventually, she did manage to figure something out. It turned out that Consort De was good to her to win over her father. Her father was the Minister of Rites, and she herself was merely a pawn. Zhang Xiuyi couldn't help but laugh. Her laughter was unspeakably bleak. She had always believed Lou Sijing treated her sincerely. That was why she had asked her father to help the Lou family and had treated the mother and son of the Lou family with genuine affection. In the end, they were only using her to win over her father and make him work for them. Since Zhang Xiuyi was unable to bear children, she had always relied on a powerful figure for support. She hadn't expected to rely on such a powerful figure.
"Yu Lou, you truly wound me." Zhang Xiuyi, without looking at the child, stood up and prepared to leave the hall. Unexpectedly, Yu Lou, seeing Zhang Xiuyi ignore him, quickly pounced on her and clung to her, refusing to let go. Zhang Xiuyi wanted to leave but couldn't break free. Coupled with the realization that Consort De was using her, her anger flared. She kicked Yu Lou aside and turned to instruct the palace maids in Guangyang Palace, "Make him kneel. He has no manners at all."
"I won't kneel," Yu Lou exclaimed in disbelief, realizing that his doting Consort Mother had kicked him. He felt a pang of panic, but he stubbornly shouted back.
Zhang Xiuyi heard his words and strode towards him menacingly. She leaned down, staring into Yu Lou's face, and said fiercely, "Yu Lou, from now on, you will stay with me. Understand? Behave yourself. If you utter another word, I will make you kneel all night. Now, kneel immediately." Zhang Xiuyi finished speaking and pushed down on Yu Lou's small body with force. Yu Lou knelt down. Despite his anger, he was only a five-year-old child, and Zhang Xiuyi was an adult, so he couldn't win against her in any aspect. His small face turned red with suppressed rage, and he glared fiercely at Zhang Xiuyi. Zhang Xiuyi couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind. She straightened up and turned to command the pale-faced palace maids behind her, "Watch him. No one is to let him up without my command." The palace maids responded with a soft affirmation, standing cautiously beside Prince Yu Lou. They couldn't help but wonder why Zhang Xiuyi dared to punish Prince Yu Lou. Was she not afraid of Consort De's retaliation? The palace maids exchanged glances, not daring to speak further. In truth, Zhang Xiuyi was incandescent with rage. Moreover, she felt that aligning with Empress might offer a greater chance of success. The Empress was so astute that upon her return to court, she immediately made her own brother the Prime Minister, who held the highest position among all officials. Even the most arrogant of officials would not dare to openly oppose the Prime Minister. She would inform her father tomorrow to immediately sever ties with the Lou family and pledge allegiance to the Prime Minister. This would ensure the safety of the entire Zhang family. Zhang Xiuyi tossed and turned in her chambers, increasingly feeling as if she were on the brink of an abyss.
The night was ghostly, with shadows dancing. All things fell silent. A gust of wind stirred, causing the hall door to sway lightly and rustle. The gauze curtains fluttered up, fallen flowers twirled, and settled by the door. In the flickering candlelight, a small, thin figure knelt in the hall, sobbing intermittently. A few young palace maids approached and spoke cautiously.
"Prince Yu Lou, would you like something to eat? You must be hungry." Yu Lou shook his head. He missed his mother and wanted to sleep in her embrace. He didn't want to stay in this place. "Go away, I won't eat. I'll eat when you send me back." Hearing his words, the palace maids left with dejected expressions, leaving him to sob alone. These were matters that they, as palace maids, could not decide. Furthermore, Zhang Xiuyi had ordered him to kneel, so even if something went wrong, it would not be their fault. As soon as the palace maids left, a dark figure suddenly flashed in, quickly moving to Yu Lou's side and whispering, "Prince Yu Lou." Yu Lou looked up and saw Wanyong, his mother's most trusted palace maid. He grinned, ready to cry. Wanyong quickly reached out and covered his mouth, hushing him softly. "Don't cry. Consort De sent me here to speak with Your Highness. Consort De says Prince Yu Lou must be good and obedient. Consort De will bring Prince Yu Lou back soon. But Prince Yu Lou must never speak carelessly again. If you speak carelessly again, you will never see your mother again, understand?" Wanyong tenderly supported Yu Lou, a glint of hatred flashing in her eyes. Zhang Xiuyi, how dare you treat the future emperor like this? Just you wait. We will not let you off. Yu Lou blinked his eyes at Wanyong. He believed everything Wanyong said because his mother listened to this palace maid. The thought of not seeing his mother made him terrified, and he nodded vigorously. "Yes, I won't speak carelessly again. Mother must let me go back." "Good. In a moment, tell the palace maids you know you were wrong, go eat something, and go to sleep early. Understand? Stay in Guangyang Palace peacefully from now on. I believe you will be able to return to Changxin Palace in a few days." Yu Lou immediately nodded, his eyes shining with trust as he looked at Wanyong. Wanyong couldn't help but be touched. She reached out and pulled Yu Lou into an embrace. "Yu Lou, be good and obedient. We will help you. We will definitely let you return to Changxin Palace. But for now, you must listen to Zhang Xiuyi, understand?" "Okay, I understand."