The Second Prince said indifferently, "I am the legitimate son of the Central Palace; the position of Crown Prince should rightfully be mine."

The Empress shook her head with a bitter smile, "Why don’t you understand? In this world, there’s no such thing as ’should or shouldn’t.’ Who can become the Crown Prince is half in your father’s hands and half in the hands of the court officials."

"And Ruru’s brother is the head of the civil servants! Consider the weight of that!"

The Second Prince pressed his lips together, "Even so, I’m a Prince; how can I bow and scrape to the daughter of an official?"

The Empress became anxious, "Who asked you to bow and scrape? I just want you to get along well with her. She’s just a young girl; you can play with her and coax her a bit, can’t you?"

The Second Prince kept his mouth shut, full of disapproval.

The Empress, troubled, turned to the Third Princess, "And you too."

"The Imperial Concubine wanted to take Ruru away; why didn’t you send someone to inform me immediately?"

"Ruru is your study companion; when the Imperial Concubine disciplines her, it’s like slapping you in the face. Moreover, if you don’t protect Ruru, how can her heart turn towards us?"

The Third Princess said aggrievedly, "Ruru this, Ruru that, Mother, have you got it mixed up? I’m the Princess here!"

"The study companions of the Eldest Princess and the Second Princess always act according to their whims, following them around like lapdogs. But for me, having a study companion or not is no different!"

"Mother chooses a study companion for me with my brother in mind, but have you ever thought about me?"

The Empress was taken aback. She saw a hint of grievance and even a trace of resentment on the face of the Third Princess.

Just then, an old nanny standing in the corner cleared her throat.

The Empress covered her forehead, wearily waving her hand, "Enough, you both may leave."

"Go back and think it over carefully. I just hope you understand your mother’s good intentions."

After the two children left, the nanny emerged from the shadows to the Empress’s side, speaking softly, "Your Grace needn’t be too anxious."

"The Second Prince and Third Princess are still young; take it slow, lest things backfire."

The Empress sighed.

The nanny said, "I see that both the Second Prince and Third Princess are somewhat dissatisfied with Ruru, which is not good. Your Grace might as well let things take their course."

The Empress was silent for a moment, "It seems there’s no other way."

The nanny further advised, "Your Grace doesn’t really need to do too much now. The matter of the Second Prince’s marriage will ultimately be decided by His Majesty."

The Empress gave a deep sigh, "How could I not know that."

"When I probed the National Lady last time, it seemed the Duke Mansion wasn’t interested in allying with the Royal Family by marriage. I was just thinking that if Ruru and Li Er could develop feelings for each other, given how much the Duke treasures his daughter, he surely wouldn’t have the heart to go against her wishes."

"By then, even His Majesty could only go along with it."

"But Li Er just doesn’t understand my good intentions!"

The Empress stood up and walked inside, shaking her head with a bitter smile, "Enough, enough, the more I plan for them, the more they believe I’m coercing them. What’s the point?"

Consort Rong quickly learned about the Fourth Prince and Ruru holding hands while playing.

She thought it was quite good; the Duke of England Mansion was impenetrable, and the Rong Family’s power couldn’t compete with the Duke Mansion. If the Fourth Prince and Ruru build a close relationship, maybe it could open a breach.

······

Yun Jiao noticed that Ruru had been coming back happily every day lately.

She asked with a smile, "Has anyone been bullying you recently?"

Ruru shook her head, "No, everyone is quite nice."

The Fourth Prince didn’t bully her anymore, and with him around, even Rong Ying dared not act against her. However, the Eldest Prince always looked at her with some unfriendly intentions, but she wasn’t afraid of him!