Now it’s clear, His Majesty must be punishing her because she, as the Queen of the harem, governs all the palaces. Even though she knew his eighteenth Prince was still alive, she allowed him to live a life of destitution in the Cold Palace, thus stripping her of the power over the harem. The Empress truly regrets her decision now. She shouldn’t have acted that way. But what use is regret? What’s meant to happen has already happened. The existence of the eighteenth Prince has already been revealed to His Majesty, and her seventeenth has already unwittingly begun to play with the eighteenth, while His Majesty even desires the eighteenth to serve him as a companion. His Majesty is clearly aiding the brothers in developing their kinship, preparing for the future when the eighteenth Prince will be acknowledged back into the family. But if things continue to progress unchecked, and nothing is done, what if the seventeenth gets brainwashed by the eighteenth? If he suddenly stops recognizing her as his mother, wouldn’t the two years she invested in the seventeenth be utterly wasted? And all for Qiong Hua’s benefit? Google seaʀᴄh 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁 She cannot allow such a thing to happen. Although the Empress is confined to the Cold Palace and cannot go anywhere, as the mother of the seventeenth Prince, she can firmly bind the seventeenth Prince to her side, reducing his contact with Jun Ning. "Nanny Li, hurry up and bring the seventeenth to me. From now on, he will live with me, everything he does will be with me." "I absolutely forbid the seventeenth to associate with Jun Ning anymore." Nanny Li hesitated, "But, Your Majesty, His Majesty has ordered Young Master Jun Ning to continue serving as the seventeenth’s companion. Hence, Young Master Jun Ning will still stay in the Jiaofang Palace, being with the young prince daily." "From today, there’s no need for him to reside in Jiaofang Palace. He can live wherever he wishes, even going back to stay with his mother. Please immediately send some bedding and coverings to the Cold Palace, then order someone to repair Jun Ning and Qiong Hua’s residence, ensuring three meals a day are provided. I think then he’ll no longer cling to Jiaofang Palace." "As for him serving as the seventeenth’s companion, I will personally teach the seventeenth, there’s no need for Jun Ning’s company. If he comes over, just find him some books casually, and once the time is up, send him away." The Empress was desperate not to let the brothers continue bonding daily and foster their relationship. "But if the time drags on, won’t he complain to His Majesty?" Nanny Li raised a crucial concern. The Empress pondered a moment and said, "Proceed this way for now, and see how he reacts. If he continues muddling through life, it’s best. But if he shows signs of complaining to His Majesty... then we’ll discuss further..." Nanny Li left to carry out the tasks. In the Imperial Study Room, after the Empress and her company departed, the daunting expression of Emperor Yongning quickly calmed down. Yet everyone remained apprehensive, serving cautiously, not daring to make the slightest mistake. Jun Ning, the same, even aware that before him stands his cheap father, believed that a tiger wouldn’t eat its cub. As long as he doesn’t make a significant mistake, Emperor Yongning shouldn’t dispose of him. But the saying "With a ruler is like with a tiger" is ancient wisdom. Especially seeing today how the Empress was disposed of instantly, without any consideration. Jun Ning took it as a stern warning. Before he grows stronger, he cannot act as recklessly as before. Previously, he was lucky, even though he made mistakes, he wasn’t put to death. But luck won’t always be on his side. He can’t continue relying on it. "Maj... Majesty..." Jun Ning feigned a frightened look, "If there’s nothing more, I’ll go accompany Ah Yu to study first." Indeed he is Emperor Yongning’s son, yet Emperor Yongning has never openly acknowledged him, resulting in his current awkward status, leaving him uncertain of how to address him, and thus decided to call him something . If suddenly he had a daughter, Emperor Yongning wouldn’t allow her to call him so casually. As for a son, well, so be it! He lacks nothing but sons. Emperor Yongning didn’t say much more, merely remarked, "Don’t leave. I haven’t settled accounts with you for those times you played tricks on me?" Jun Ning: "............" Hadn’t this issue been resolved? When he was caught in the Cold Palace, he wasn’t punished, so why bring it up again now?