The Empress had a gentle, kind motherly smile on her face, and she spoke softly: "Second Prince, no need for formalities, we are all family, come and sit at the table!"

The Second Prince responded politely: "Thank you, Empress Mother, thank you, Fourth Imperial Brother."

The Fourth Prince did not even look up, eating while speaking sarcastically: "Second Imperial Brother, you are really amusing. This Prince didn’t do anything, why do you thank this Prince?"

The Second Prince’s expression changed slightly but quickly returned to normal as he sat down slowly.

The Empress laughed: "Second Prince, don’t mind it. The Fourth Prince has been tired taking care of the Imperial Grandmother these days, so he has a poor tone."

Hatred surged in the heart of the Second Prince. They all took advantage of the Imperial Grandmother’s illness to come to the Imperial Palace to demonstrate their filial piety, intending to let the Emperor know how devoted they were, while keeping him in the dark. Had he not run into an old palace maid who used to serve his Mother Consort in the street yesterday, he would still be clueless!

Looking remorseful, the Second Prince said, "I feel ashamed in my heart, not even knowing the Imperial Grandmother was ill. If I had known, I would have entered the palace long ago to serve her."

The Fourth Prince looked at him with impatience and said disdainfully: "What business is it of yours if the Imperial Grandmother is ill? There are so many people in the palace, do they need you to serve? Don’t think you can win the Emperor’s favor with excuses. You couldn’t please the Emperor even when your Mother Consort was alive, and now that she’s gone, as an orphan, you think you can please the Emperor?"

Finally, he added, "Second Imperial Brother, stay low and be a good person, don’t think about things that don’t belong to you, or if you lose your life one day, don’t blame this Prince for not warning you in advance."

As the Fourth Prince’s words ended, the Empress shouted angrily: "Xuanxuan, watch your words."

The Fourth Prince replied nonchalantly: "Empress Mother, why are you angry? Everything this Prince says is the truth."

The Empress glanced at the Second Prince and quickly turned to scold the Fourth Prince: "Be quiet."

With the Evil Cultivation he practiced, the Fourth Prince naturally no longer feared the Empress as he used to; moreover, the Empress was his biological mother, which made him even more fearless.

"Second Prince, don’t mind it, eat, eat." The Empress smiled apologetically, perhaps feeling guilty, she exceptionally put a piece of food onto the Second Prince’s plate.

The Second Prince’s expression was quite calm, showing nothing unusual: "Thank you, Empress Mother."

The Empress said gently: "Second Prince, Xuanxuan is young, as his elder brother, don’t take it seriously. Besides, his eyes are ruined, so he’s in a bad mood, you should be considerate."

The Second Prince appeared taught: "Do not worry, Empress Mother, I will not resent my Fourth Brother, and I will support him."

The Empress smiled: "The Second Prince is truly sensible, come, eat quickly! The food’s getting cold."

The Fourth Prince sneered: "Who wants your support?"

While speaking, he stood up and said: "Empress Mother, I have matters to attend to, I will take my leave."

The Empress frowned, spoke with concern: "Xuanxuan, are you not going to eat some more?"

The Fourth Prince stepped out: "No need, seeing some people spoils my appetite."

With that, he had already walked out.

In the palace, only the Empress and the Second Prince remained.

The Empress gazed intently at the Second Prince’s expression and said: "Second Prince, don’t take it to heart. Xuanxuan’s eyes are bad, his mood naturally poor, so his words are surely unpleasant."

The Second Prince nodded, speaking earnestly: "Empress Mother, you needn’t say anymore, I understand Fourth Imperial Brother’s feelings, I won’t blame him. Besides, since my Mother Consort passed away, you have cared for me greatly, I would never do something so ungrateful!"

The Empress could see no hint of anything unusual, feeling eased. She feared nurturing a threat, but as long as the Second Prince heeded her words, it would be fine.