"Of course! Just look at whose daughter I am. I'm Mother's daughter!"
Ye Tangtang proudly lifted her chin. She was someone who had the script!
"You little rascal."
Shen Qingqing pinched her daughter's fair, tender cheek. "Although the Lu Family has fallen from favor, its foundations remain, and its influence at Court is unrivaled."
"Of course I know. Don't worry, Mother. I won't go against the Empress. I'm so kindhearted-how could I ever hurt anyone?"
Ye Tangtang cupped her chubby cheeks, looking innocent, harmless, and adorable-as long as one overlooked the bellyful of wicked schemes she harbored.
"Be good, Tang Tang. You still have a full day of lessons today. Off to the Academy with you."
Ye Tangtang had been brimming with pride, but the moment she heard about lessons, she turned into a little lamb.
"Mother, dearest... can I not go? I already know everything I heard yesterday backward and forward (,,•́ . •̀,,)."
"Of course not."
And so, Ye Tangtang was sent off to the Academy by her very own mother again...
Phoenix Hall.
A cacophony filled the air.
Her face twisted with fury, Empress Lu picked up the cups and vases on the table and hurled them to the floor.
The surrounding palace maids trembled in fear, none daring to approach.
"Who told him? Who on earth told His Majesty about this? His Majesty actually punished my father!"
"How could this news have suddenly reached the palace? Someone must have done it deliberately. They had better not let me discover who they are."
"Please calm down, Your Majesty. This matter hasn't implicated you, has it? Grand Secretary Lu was merely stripped of his position as grand secretary."
"What do you know? That is my family! Without the Lu Family, how could I stand undefeated in this harem?