Chapter 63: The Empress Dowager Comforts Zhao Qin

Chapter 63: The Empress Dowager Comforts Zhao Qin

Zhao Qin had yet to hone the sharp tongue that would later help Bei Jing in her debates against court officials, so he could only remain silent in the face of his mother's scolding.

Bei Jing, who was just a baby, wanted to curse, but she could only use baby talk.

But before she could utter a word, her mouthpiece appeared.

Zhou Huanjiu was helped up by a young palace maid and patted the dust off her skirt.

She ran over, blocking herself in front of Zhao Qin, interrupting the tense atmosphere between the two.

"He didn't do it, why are you accusing him?"

"Are you really his biological mother? My mother says that no mother doesn't love her own child. You don't care about him at all. Did you pick him up from somewhere?"

"Every time I ask my mother where I came from, she says she picked me up from a garbage pile."

"But I don't believe it, hehe. The nanny said I was born to my mother."

The Princess Royal's expression grew increasingly ugly with each word. No wonder she could argue with Yu'er; she was a wild girl who knew nothing of respect or humility.

"Mother, whose child is this?"

She still knew to first inquire with the Empress Dowager about the child's identity before deciding how to deal with her.

"She is my niece."

The demotion of Duke Xin was well-known in the Capital City.

Ordinarily, titles were granted for life and could be inherited by descendants.

It was rare for a title to be revoked after just a few years, causing much discussion in the capital.

The Princess Royal no longer held back with Zhou Huanjiu.

"Since that's the case, how dare the daughter of a criminal yell at Yu'er? Mother, how can you tolerate such a lack of decorum in Renshou Hall?"

Bei Jing, in her infant form, thought, "No wonder you raised a brat like Zhao Yu. I should have known that behind every brat is a bratty parent."

"Otherwise, the brat would have been disciplined the first time they misbehaved."

The Empress Dowager didn't understand what a "brat" was, but she grasped the meaning easily.

This was the first time she had seen a mother's fierce protectiveness in action.

Guangde used to speak softly, but now, with a beloved son, she seemed to have gone mad.

Or perhaps she was just bullying the weak and fearing the strong, thinking that because Huanjiu was a child, she was easy to bully?

The Empress Dowager suddenly wondered if there was something wrong with her own upbringing.

"Huanjiu is my niece. By seniority, she is your cousin and Zhao Yu's aunt."

"If we're talking about propriety, Zhao Yu's disrespect to his elders is a much greater fault."

Zhou Huanjiu looked at Zhao Yu in surprise, then turned to look at Zhao Qin.

"I'm your aunt?"

Her little head was filled with big doubts.

The Princess Royal was furious, "Mother!"

"If you keep causing trouble, I'll take your precious one back, and you won't be allowed into Hongwen Hall. Renshou Hall is not a place for you to throw tantrums."

The Princess Royal dared not make more noise, glaring fiercely at Zhou Huanjiu.

Zhou Huanjiu stuck out her tongue, making the Princess Royal's expression even uglier.

Bei Jing clapped her little hands, finding the scene highly entertaining.

After the commotion, the three of them finally settled down in Renshou Hall.

The next day, the Princess Royal visited Concubine Fang. Since she would be staying in the palace for a while, it was proper to pay respects to the current overseer.

Zhao Yu was fawning around the Empress Dowager. He resembled Princess Guangde, and thus also looked like Consort Qiu.

Seeing his face, which was seven-tenths similar to her dear friend, the Empress Dowager couldn't bring herself to be too harsh on him, even knowing his poor character. She even appeared quite kind.

But what made her even more heartbroken was the other child who sat quietly on the side, not daring to move.

"Qin, come here."

Zhao Yu pouted unhappily, "Grandmother, I want to sit next to you."

The only remaining seat beside the Empress Dowager was occupied by Zhou Huanjiu.

Zhou Huanjiu was focused on munching on the cake in her hand.

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

The Empress Dowager gently pushed him away, "Yu'er, be a good boy and have breakfast in your room, okay?"

Children couldn't resist the temptation of eating in their own rooms and were easily led away.

Zhao Qin walked over, standing beside the Empress Dowager without daring to sit, his trembling eyelashes revealing his unease.

Bei Jing felt sorry for him, "How much has he suffered? What a pitiful child."

The Empress Dowager patted his head, "I saw you wanted to come over just now. Why didn't you say anything?"

"Mother said that since the younger brother is small, the elder brother should give in and not compete with him."

The Empress Dowager almost sighed. What had Guangde done to deserve this?

If she had two children, she would rather have them quarreling and fighting, causing her headaches, than one of them feeling wronged and giving in.

"The younger brother is indeed younger, but you are only three years older, so you are still a child. There's no need to give in. If you want something, just speak up loudly."

"Whether it can be fulfilled is the adults' responsibility. Children just need to express their wishes."

Zhou Huanjiu bit into the cake in her hand.

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

It's not that she didn't want to join in, but she was going to be late for school, late, late!

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

Renshou Hall was quite far from Hongwen Hall. The Empress Dowager, to let her rest more, always had the palace attendants wake her up at the right time.

Zhou Huanjiu dared not waste a single moment. As soon as she put on her clothes, she started devouring her breakfast.

She opened her mouth wide and gobbled down the food like a refugee who hadn't eaten for three days.

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

Bei Jing, hearing the Empress Dowager's enlightened words, could already foresee good days ahead: "Hehehe, if I can say what I want, will I get the nice things from the main storage too?"

"Hahaha, gold coins. Come to my bowl, Grandmother will definitely give them to me, right?"

"Let's set a small goal first, empty Grandmother's storage!"

Empress Dowager: ... Is having you a blessing for me?

No, having you is truly impressive.

Zhao Qin: "But Mother will see and scold me."

The Empress Dowager, who had just been praising Bei Jing, now held Zhao Qin's hands, "Don't worry, your grandmother is also Mother's mother."

"In the future, you can speak up boldly. If she scolds you, your grandmother will send her away."

Zhou Huanjiu: Crunch, crunch, crunch.