"Of course the Fourth Imperial Princes are outstanding. It's just that children raised in overly pampered environments are bound to become spoiled. From now on, the other princes and princesses will all have to complete their required studies in Sky City and cultivate their character. If they bear any blemishes or stains in their studies, they will never be allowed to hold office after returning to their territories—not even the throne will remain within their grasp." I spoke lightly, but my words brooked no objection.
"Yes, husband." The women all immediately nodded in agreement.
They had all been somewhat shaken by the situation. The Fourth Imperial Lands lay on the outskirts of Sky City's political whirlpool. While being close to the center had brought them countless benefits, it had also subjected them to all kinds of pressure and suppression. When these women had followed me, they had been unable to feel such pressure, all of them young girls with nothing but maidenly thoughts. But after spending so long here, even Shengtu Qianrou had learned to read people's expressions. It was clear that what they had endured was beyond what I could imagine.
Living in the inner palace, they might have seemed unrelated to matters of the outer court, but with the three palaces governing from behind the curtains, it was impossible for them to remain ignorant of everything. The heavy responsibility of communicating with the Fourth Imperial Lands would likewise fall upon their shoulders. Finding ways to shield their families from rain and disaster was what they worked hard at every day. The Fourth Imperial Lands had remained peaceful for decades, and their contributions could hardly have been absent. When I had admonished the Fourth Imperial Lands, I had also been indirectly reminding them.
More than a decade had changed