“Huan’er, do you know what your mother resented your ninth aunt for the most?”

The Empress Dowager’s voice was light, and the little emperor shook her head in confusion.

“Huan’er doesn’t know.”

“What she resented most was her disappearance for those two years.”

The little emperor was still completely puzzled, she didn’t understand why Imperial Father would say that.

“Imperial Grandfather said that if it weren’t for Ninth Aunt’s disappearance, Mother Empress would not have been able to inherit the throne, and Huan’er would not be wearing this dragon robe now.”

The Empress Dowager read a hint of ambition from her immature and young face, and he couldn’t help but worry a little.

“Don’t always listen to your Imperial Grandfather.”

Alas, it was also because he was too heartbroken by his wife’s death and stayed in Cining Palace unwilling to go out, that Huan’er had more contact with the Grand Empress Dowager.

The little emperor raised her hand to stop the words that the Empress Dowager was about to say.

“Huan’er knows, Ninth Aunt was previously the most favored by Imperial Grandmother, but in the end it was Mother Empress who became the emperor, this is the Mandate of Heaven, she should not presume to change it.”

The total word count of this book is: 473,237 words. “How do you know she wants to change it?” The Empress Dowager retorted.

“What kind of person do you think your ninth aunt is? She was once amazingly talented, making several cabinet elders exclaim in admiration.

If she really wanted to take away your current imperial position, Huan’er, you would have had no inkling at all.”

The little emperor paused, and the Empress Dowager continued.

“She has always been domineering in her actions, but she also values her word the most. Before your mother died, she entrusted her to take care of you. Since she agreed, she will not go back on her word.”

The little emperor said with discontent, “She did not fulfill her promise at all, but just used Mother Empress’s trust to seize power.”

“You silly child, where is there such obvious power seizing? Do you think the position of top general doesn’t exist? She is clearly teaching you how to act.”

“What is Imperial Father saying, Huan’er doesn’t understand.”

That ninth aunt of hers, she can’t even have a few words with her, and yet she says she’s teaching her?

Has Imperial Father gone crazy?

“When she handles government affairs in court, have you listened carefully? How does it feel?”

The little emperor pursed her lips and said a little reluctantly.

“Mmm… it is indeed much more thorough than what I thought of myself.”

“Isn’t that right? If she really had ill intentions, she could have let you say those incomplete ideas first, and then she would propose a perfect method at the end. Wouldn’t that put even more pressure on you?”

“But she didn’t. Although her current way of doing things may seem a bit presumptuous in the eyes of others, no one will criticize you, this young emperor.”

“Huan’er, if you really want to be a good emperor, you should learn more at this time.”

The Empress Dowager spoke earnestly, and the little emperor’s long-standing prejudice was broken a little, making her a bit stunned.

Could it really be as Imperial Father said, that Ninth Aunt acted this way to teach and hone her?

No, Imperial Grandfather didn’t say that. It must be that Imperial Father has been in the palace for too long and is out of touch with the world, and has been deceived by Ninth Aunt in the past, to think like this.

“Imperial Father, the Regent King snatched Gu Suizhi’s embroidered ball, clearly coveting the 200,000 Gu family troops.”

The Empress Dowager’s eyes changed slightly upon hearing this: “She wants to marry that young master of the Gu family?”

The little emperor nodded. She had originally wanted to make Imperial Father come to his senses, but unexpectedly he cracked a smile.

“I must ask your ninth aunt about this. It’s rare for her to have someone she likes. Your mother would be happy if she knew.”

Little Emperor: “???”

“Imperial Father, did you hear what Huan’er said? That’s Gu Suizhi, the only son of the General’s Mansion!”

The Empress Dowager raised his hand to stroke the top of her head in reassurance, and said with a smile.

“I know, but you don’t understand. Back then, your Imperial Grandmother wanted to bestow the eldest legitimate son of the Prime Minister’s family to her in marriage, but she was unwilling, saying that she wanted to marry someone she loved in the future.”

“So, if she wants to marry Gu Suizhi, it must be because she likes him.”

“But come to think of it, I haven’t really seen this young General Gu. I don’t know what attracted Ninth Imperial Sister to him.”

The little emperor said expressionlessly, “He’s just a puppet, how could anyone like him!”

The Empress Dowager gave her a stern look, “How can you say that? He helped you conquer the eight cities of Winter State for you. The Gu family has been loyal and heroic for three generations. Huan’er should have more respect.”

The little emperor bit her lip, and reluctantly made a sound of agreement.

Only then was the Empress Dowager satisfied, and praised her for being good.

“Before that, I have to ask Ninth Imperial Sister first. If she really likes him, I can help her bestow the marriage.”

The little emperor had a complicated expression on her face, and held down her Imperial Father’s restless arm.

“Imperial Father, Imperial Grandfather is thinking of letting Gu Suizhi enter the harem.”

The Empress Dowager was stunned for a moment upon hearing this: “Enter the harem? Whose harem?”

From beginning to end, he never felt that his own daughter would have a harem at this age.

The little emperor squeezed out two words from between her teeth.

“Mine.”

Smack–

The Empress Dowager slammed the table and stood up. The little emperor was so frightened that she almost fell backwards. She had never seen her gentle Imperial Father get angry.

“Imperial Father, Imperial Father, please calm down.”

“Tell Father, do you want to marry Gu Suizhi?”

The little emperor swallowed, and slowly shook her head under the Empress Dowager’s gaze.

It wasn’t that she disliked Gu Suizhi’s age. Mainly, she had someone she liked.

“But Imperial Grandfather said…”

“Imperial Grandfather, Imperial Grandfather, are you the emperor or is he the emperor? Whatever he says, you listen to everything, and whatever Father says goes in one ear and out the other?”

“Huan’er didn’t, Imperial Father, please quell your anger.”

The little emperor quickly said, and only then did the Empress Dowager’s expression soften a bit.

“But, we really can’t let the Regent King marry Gu Suizhi. That would be equivalent to her having 200,000 troops under her command. Wouldn’t I be in even more danger then?”

The Empress Dowager sat down again and poked her forehead.

“You think too much. Why won’t you just believe that even if the top general wants to harm you, your ninth aunt never would.”

The little emperor mumbled, “It’s Imperial Father who trusts the Regent King too much.”

It’s still without reason, simply strange. Could it be…

“No.”

The Empress Dowager suddenly spoke up, interrupting the little emperor’s inward grumbling.

“I only trust your mother.”