"Good child, you are Mother's good child. Mother knows you would never have any other thoughts."
Princess Qi said she would step forward to help Xie Gan up. But intimidated by Empress Xiao's gaze, she had no choice but to return to her original place.
She looked at him with pity, her heart aching. Child, Mother has failed you.
All these years, your words carried no weight. Otherwise, you would not have been misunderstood, nor would you have remained silent.
Like my mother, I was angry that you did not report this matter to me. But she understands you and knows you would never do anything wrong to her.
Empress Xiao withdrew her gaze, then looked at Xie Gan again and asked, "What do you mean to us? Tao'er, tell me honestly—have you ever thought of returning to Li Shimin?"
"Tao'er has not. But if Imperial Grandmother no longer wishes to see Tao'er, Tao'er will leave on his own."
Yang Zhengdao was neither humble nor overbearing. He was not some unwanted child. If he told Li Shimin that he was his child, who knew how happy Li Shimin would be.
"What did you say? What do you mean? Are you saying that I forced you?"
Empress Xiao's anger immediately flared. She rose to her feet and demanded loudly.
Seeing this, Princess Qi hurriedly said, "Mother, what you mean is that this child, Tao'er, did it for our sake. Besides, the root of this matter lies with you and me. If not for that year..."
"What did you say?"
Empress Xiao's sharp gaze swept over her. Princess Qi immediately shut her mouth, said no more, and sat back down without a word.
Black Scholar's heart ached at the words. He suddenly looked up and met Princess Qi's gaze.
Princess Qi's eyes