Consort Sun couldn't help but exclaim, "Is Prince Ming's country residence also in Yuezhou? How far is it from the Five Elements Temple?"
Prince Ming stiffened, seemingly finding it difficult to speak. Consort Sun frowned: "Prince Ming cannot remain silent. Today is the Imperial Banquet. If Princess Lianxiang were to offend us without cause, things would not end well."
The Empress glanced at Prince Ming and Consort Sun, a cold smile playing on her lips. Prince Ming seemed frightened and sighed helplessly, "My old residence in the countryside is only a mile away from the Five Elements Temple."
"Oh, only one li? That's a very short distance, Your Majesty. If that's the case, the time and place do match up." Consort Sun looked surprised, but her words implied that Baili Chen might indeed be having an affair with Baili Lianxiang and doing something against propriety.
Everyone knows that the people living in temples and monasteries live a very austere life. Not only can they not eat meat, but they also have to abstain from women. Even if Baili Chen is physically weak, he is still a grown man, so it is perfectly normal for him to have such impulses. Moreover, Baili Lianxiang lives close to the Five Elements Temple, so it is not impossible for the two of them to get together.
The Empress replied coldly, "The time and place match, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is. The Five Elements Temple is a renowned temple with a thriving incense offering tradition, attracting countless worshippers every day. Although there are several estates and houses around the Five Elements Temple, it's not the only one. Many of these worshippers stay at the Five Elements Temple for various reasons or lodge elsewhere. There's definitely more than just Prince Chen who has the opportunity. Your Majesty, don't you agree?"
The Empress's words made sense, but they only elicited a cold stare from Consort Sun, who responded with a rather mocking smile. Consort Sun was puzzled. The Princess's residence and Prince Chen's residence were now incredibly famous, and knowing the Empress as she did, she wasn't exactly magnanimous. Wouldn't the Empress have tried everything to suppress them? Why would she help Baili Chen? That was impossible!
It's impossible for the Empress to truly care about Baili Chen and his family, but she could tell that Consort Sun intended to escalate the matter. She had already concluded that this was Consort Sun's revenge against the Chen Prince's mansion. However, if only Consort Sun was involved, it would be rather pointless. If she didn't take this opportunity to speak up for Baili Chen, would things escalate further? The Empress had no good intentions; both Consort Sun and Baili Chen were enemies to her. Their fighting would only benefit her, and she would act as the fisherman, making the situation as chaotic as possible, ideally resulting in mutual destruction.
Consort Sun slowly began to think about this, but she couldn't understand the Empress's thoughts. She resented Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue too deeply. Although family ties were weak in the palace, Baili Le and Baili Jian were her own children, so how could she not have any feelings for them? Especially Baili Jian, whom she had carefully groomed to seize the throne and make her second only to the Empress. Now he was dead! The thought of Baili Jian lying miserably in the suburbs, dying without a proper place, filled Consort Sun with immense hatred.
Although she didn't know whether it was the Empress or the Prince Chen's residence that was responsible for the murders, if it wasn't Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue, how could Xuanyuan Chaohua and Ouyang Zhide have been saved? Consort Sun was extremely skilled at dealing with Baili Jian; if she intended to kill Xuanyuan Chaohua and Ouyang Zhide, she meant they wouldn't escape. The fact that they were unharmed suggests someone must have intervened. Her greatest enemies were the Empress, the Princess's residence, and the Prince Chen's residence, but the Empress wouldn't do such a thing. The most likely culprits were Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue. Therefore, Baili Jian's death must be connected to them. She couldn't just attack the Empress now, but the Prince Chen's residence offered her too many opportunities to exploit.
Ouyang Yue isn't pregnant yet, which is the best solution. Once this is done, Baili Lianxiang can enter the Chen Prince's residence. Although Baili Lianxiang is the daughter of the Ming Prince, she's a concubine's daughter, sent to the countryside because she offended her elder sister. She's practically unloved. Now, with such a chance for advancement, even without Consort Sun's intervention, Baili Lianxiang won't let it slip by. However, Baili Lianxiang is a prince's daughter, not from an ordinary family. Even if Ouyang Yue is the legal wife, she wouldn't dare act recklessly. Baili Lianxiang already has an eldest son; even if Ouyang Yue gives birth to a legitimate son, he won't be the eldest. Then, watch as chaos erupts within the Chen Prince's residence! Moreover, if Baili Lianxiang wants to rise further, she'll inevitably need to find an opportunity to eliminate Ouyang Yue. Then, the Chen Prince's residence will be in her hands!
Consort Sun said, "What the Empress said makes sense. Lianxiang, just tell us what happened. There are so many people here. The Emperor will stand up for you."
Baili Lianxiang sobbed, her eyes filled with deep affection and a hint of fear, as if she couldn't bear to look away from Baili Chen's face. She gently pursed her lips and said, "Your Majesty, Empress, and Consort Sun, I was confused and mistook you for someone else. It's not true. I have no relation to Prince Chen whatsoever."
"Mother, you're lying! You always cry alone while holding Father's portrait. Nianchen secretly looked at it, and he's the one in the portrait, he's Father! Mother, don't cry. When I grow up, I'll definitely avenge you. I won't let that vixen who stole Father get away with it!" The boy's name was Baili Nianchen, a name that certainly evoked many thoughts. Immediately, some people thought that Baili Nianchen, because he was feeling lonely and desolate in the Five Elements Temple, finally saw a beautiful and charming woman who had also been sent to the countryside, and then defiled her.
However, Baili Chen was the favored seventh prince of Emperor Mingxian, and Baili Lianxiang was not worthy of him. Moreover, Baili Chen simply wanted to play around and probably didn't even know Baili Lianxiang's true identity before defiling her. Afterwards, when he returned to the capital, he didn't tell Baili Lianxiang at all. Who knew that Baili Lianxiang was pregnant and gave birth to a boy. Because she trusted Baili Chen too much, she married him with the name Nianchen. Nianchen, Nianchen, isn't that a name that means missing Baili Chen?
Some of the more emotional ladies couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy, their eyes welling up with tears. Their gazes towards Baili Chen became somewhat distorted, while they secretly rejoiced at the boy pointing at Ouyang Yue and calling her a vixen. Women are inherently jealous. Ouyang Yue was of noble birth, had powerful backers, and was considered the most beautiful woman in the world, possessing both talent and beauty. After marrying Baili Chen, he had no intention of taking any other women, and their relationship was excellent. It seemed as if Ouyang Yue had all the good things in the world. How could these women not be jealous? Now that this had happened, even knowing it wasn't true, hearing Baili Nianchen say such things, they couldn't help but maliciously think, "Isn't Xuan Yuan Yue a vixen?"
Baili Lianxiang and Baili Chen already have a child, so she's naturally a latecomer, the culprit who stole their happiness. They already have an eldest son, so even her position as the principal wife is probably insecure. If it weren't for Emperor Mingxian's decree of marriage, Baili Lianxiang would have been qualified to compete for the title of Princess Consort of Chen.
Ouyang Yue narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at Baili Nianchen, but remained silent. However, Princess Shuangxia slammed her hand on the table with a loud bang: "Where did this brat come from? How dare he insult my granddaughter? Guards, take him out and beat him!" Baili Nianchen had no right to criticize Ouyang Yue. Not to mention that although Baili Lianxiang was a princess, she was a concubine's daughter, and the emperor had not bestowed upon her a title. She was merely entitled to the title and could not be considered a princess. Her son, on the other hand, could only be considered a son of an official.
Of course, it would be different if it were Baili Chen's son, but even so, for a junior to dare to criticize his elders like that shows a lack of upbringing, disrespect, and lack of respect, and is punishable enough!
Consort Sun sneered: "Princess Shuangxia, the matter hasn't been fully understood yet, why are you in such a hurry to deal with Baili Nianchen? He's just a two-year-old child, what does he know? He just spoke up because his mother was wronged. If Princess Shuangxia isn't guilty, then this way of doing things is a bit too cruel and endangers lives."
Princess Shuangxia coldly stared at Consort Sun, but saw the arrogant woman behind her. Just as she was about to reprimand her, Ouyang Yue said calmly, "Empty words need evidence. It's not enough to just talk a lot and call it evidence. Today one person comes to claim kinship, tomorrow another. Do you think the royal family has so much money to raise other people's sons if we just make claims so casually?"
"Princess Consort Chen, what are you saying? How dare you insult the dignity of the royal family!" Consort Sun immediately rebuked her. Emperor Mingxian and everyone present looked displeased. Ouyang Yue's words were quite disrespectful.
Ouyang Yue said, "I am merely stating the facts. Ever since Baili Lianxiang came out, I have seen Consort Sun asking questions with great enthusiasm, making it seem as if it were the real thing. I don't understand. The Prince, the person involved, hasn't even spoken yet. Does Consort Sun seem to know more about the matter than the Prince? Besides, have I said anything wrong? Father, it's not so easy for the royal family to recognize relatives. Anyone can just come out and say they are the son of so-and-so prince. Oh, what if someone suddenly claims to be the Prince's illegitimate son? Wouldn't there be no way to prove it? Would the royal family just have to accept it? I'm afraid there's no such logic anywhere."
Emperor Mingxian's expression was slightly gloomy. He glanced coldly at Consort Sun, who was slightly startled. Looking at Ouyang Yue, she couldn't help but sneer: "Princess Consort Chen must be feeling very uneasy right now, which I understand. But don't involve others, or it will make you look inferior. Since Princess Consort Chen feels innocent, I think we should do a blood test to prove kinship. There can't be any wrong with that."
Ouyang Yue frowned, looking at Consort Sun's confident face, a hint of surprise flashed through her heart. This Consort Sun probably had some tricks up her sleeve!
Emperor Mingxian also felt it was necessary: "Alright, Seventh Prince, you will have a blood test to prove your kinship with Baili Nianchen. Everything will be based on evidence!"
Soon after, a palace servant brought over the instruments for the blood test. Consort Sun couldn't help but say, "To prevent anyone from tampering with it, Your Majesty, do you think we should have someone check it?"
Emperor Mingxian nodded: "Fushun, take a few people and go take a look."
Fu Shun immediately went down to check, and after three people inspected the items, he returned to report: "Your Majesty, everything is fine."
"Okay, let's do a blood test to determine kinship!"
Then, Fu Shun was allowed to take action again. Two eunuchs who served Emperor Mingxian went to do it, pricking the fingers of Baili Nianchen and Baili Chen and dripping the blood into bowls. Fu Shun stood by and carefully watched the bowls of white blood. After the two drops of blood fell, they floated for a moment, then moved instantly, and began to come together and merge at an extremely fast speed. Fu Shun's expression changed drastically, and he suddenly looked up at Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue, his voice even sharper: "Your Majesty, the two drops of blood have merged!"
"What!" Everyone in the back garden paled in shock.
Xuan Yuan Chaohua crushed the teacup in his hand with a bang, blood flowing from his fingertips. His face was ashen, veins bulging on his forehead, and his anger chilled those around him.
Leng Caiwen, who had been sitting on the outside, now had a gloomy expression, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at Baili Chen.
Those who were on good terms with Ouyang Yue, such as Li Rushuang from the General's Mansion and the Minister of War's Mansion, couldn't help but look gloomy. However, those who were not familiar with her or even hostile to her were now showing a great deal of schadenfreude.
Baili Chen ignored everyone else, turning only to look at Ouyang Yue. He feared she might misunderstand, and this misunderstanding, based on irrefutable evidence, caused a sudden, unprecedented panic within him. He knew all too well how domineering Ouyang Yue was in matters of the heart; it was no joke. He had seen it in the maidservant Baili Zhi had sent. He would never allow this inexplicable woman to ruin the happiness he had so painstakingly achieved!
"What! It's true! I never imagined that Prince Chen was such a womanizer. I never thought he even has a child."
"This Baili Lianxiang is really lucky. She gave birth to a son in her first pregnancy. When she enters the Prince Chen's mansion, she will enjoy endless wealth and honor."
"Hehe, now Princess Chen is in a difficult position. Even if she gives birth to another legitimate son, he won't be the eldest son. There's never been a consensus on the principle of primogeniture in this generation. She might have raised a son for nothing, and when he gains power, he might kick her, his foster mother, out of the house."
"That Princess Consort Chen is nothing but a vixen. In truth, Baili Lianxiang should be the rightful wife. Her title of Princess Consort is not legitimate."
"Ever since the Princess Consort of Chen obtained the most beautiful woman in the world, she has looked down on everyone. Now look what she's done, she's utterly humiliated. She deserves it!"
"Hehehe..." The whispers were not deliberately suppressed. That's how people are. Few are willing to help in times of need, but many are willing to add fuel to the fire. They had calculated that Ouyang Yue's biggest headache at this time was that Baili Chen suddenly had an eldest son and would not pay any attention to them. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been so bold.
However, everyone watched Ouyang Yue's reaction, only to see that when she heard the truth, her expression remained unchanged; she still smiled faintly, looking at Baili Lianxiang with a hint of sarcasm. Baili Chen quickly walked over and tightly grasped Ouyang Yue's hand, seemingly about to explain, but Ouyang Yue merely patted the back of his hand lightly, leaving Baili Chen stunned.
Ouyang Yue laughed: "This blood test was conducted by Eunuch Fu Shun on the orders of the Emperor..."
Consort Sun laughed mockingly, "What? Even if Princess Consort Chen can't accept it, you can't doubt the Emperor's authority. This is the Imperial Palace, not your Prince Chen's residence. If you're so arrogant, you'll be the one who suffers in the end. You may be feeling bad right now, but you are a princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty and Princess Consort Chen. You must observe these rules. Even if you're heartbroken, you can't let anyone know. Doesn't Princess Consort Chen understand these rules? Do you know what punishment you deserve for doubting the Emperor like this?"
Ouyang Yue looked at Consort Sun with a half-smile: "Your Highness, I haven't finished speaking yet. How do you know what I'm about to say? I can't bear the charge of doubting the Emperor, and I simply won't. I just want to say that Eunuch Fushun was ordered by Your Majesty to investigate, and of course I trust him. There's no doubt about it. However, I'd like to continue testing. Then, everyone can have a conclusion about whether it's true or not."
Consort Sun sneered: "Oh, test? How else do you want to test? When these two drops of blood are mixed together, it is crystal clear that Baili Nianchen is the Prince's biological son. I'm afraid Princess Chen will have to prepare to take over the Prince Chen's mansion and bring Baili Lianxiang and her son into the mansion."
Ouyang Yue's expression darkened slightly: "Father, your daughter-in-law wishes to give it a try. I wonder if you would grant her permission? After all, it concerns the imperial heir, so we must proceed with caution. If someone were to be randomly chosen as a prince or grandson, the imperial family would be thrown into chaos."
Emperor Mingxian also felt that Ouyang Yue was making a mountain out of a molehill. The facts were clear enough, but looking at Ouyang Yue's expression and Baili Chen's gloomy and worried face, a chill ran through him. Regardless of whether he truly loved Baili Chen, the royal bloodline could not be tainted. Baili Lianxiang was a member of the royal family, but if she had a child with someone else, Baili Nianchen would be far inferior to him. Not to mention Baili Nianchen, even the son of the Prince of Ming wouldn't be qualified to compete for the throne. If Baili Nianchen were to be allowed to have a mixed bloodline, it would be a truly disastrous situation!
"Very well, I agree. How do you wish to test it?"
Looking at the worried Baili Chen, Ouyang Yue suddenly smiled gently, a genuine smile that was not feigned. Baili Chen felt reassured; his wife trusted him so much, what else could he worry about?
Ouyang Yue said, "Father, your daughter-in-law would like to invite all the young children present to participate in the blood-drop kinship test with the Prince. Of course, it would be even better if there were more royal children present. This time, the Ming Prince's mansion has a total of twenty people attending, five boys and one girl, all of whom must participate in the blood-drop kinship test." Since the Ming Prince is a playboy, he has quite a few women in his mansion, and he is also the most prolific of the royal children. His youngest son was just born, even younger than the child of his daughter, Baili Lianxiang.
Consort Sun scolded, "Princess Consort Chen, what are you doing? Everyone is here to attend the banquet. Are you trying to cause chaos and make a scene? What kind of talk is this!"
Ouyang Yue looked coldly at Consort Sun: "Your Highness, I am now making a request to my father, the Emperor. Are you standing up for him?"
"Shut up!" Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingxian spoke coldly to Consort Sun. Consort Sun lowered her head to admit her guilt, but gritted her teeth and sneered at Ouyang Yue. No matter what tricks she played, she had to recognize Baili Nianchen. If she didn't make Ouyang Yue die in the inner quarters of Prince Chen's mansion, she wouldn't be worthy of being Consort Sun!
"I grant your permission! All my beloved ministers must cooperate fully!" The banquet had become a farce, and Emperor Mingxian was in a bad mood. However, compared to the imperial bloodline, these things were clearly unimportant. Normally, such matters would be handled privately, but since it had all become a scene in the back garden, trying to conceal it now would only fuel public interest, and who knew what rumors would circulate. Emperor Mingxian's gaze towards Baili Chen turned cold, but he noticed that Baili Chen wasn't looking at anyone else, only a faint smile playing on his lips as he gazed at the dazzling Ouyang Yue standing in the garden. He was momentarily lost in thought.
There are quite a few children from various families who have come to the banquet today. At a glance, there must be at least thirty or forty. It will take time to do the blood test to identify each of them, and since they are all with Baili Chen, it will be quite tiring.
"The blood of the eldest son of the Li family is incompatible!"
"The blood of the eldest son of the Ning family is incompatible!" As the first two or three bloodlines were incompatible, Consort Sun's smugness deepened, while Baili Chen couldn't help but frown.
"The blood of the third young master of the Ming Prince's Mansion has been mixed!" Suddenly, a voice rang out, startling everyone in the garden. They stared in astonishment, mouths agape. A seven or eight-year-old boy was being bled, his eyes filled with tears of pain. He was about to cry, but when he saw so many people staring at him, he was so frightened that he forced back his tears.
Fu Shun felt a pang of anxiety and immediately ordered his men to perform a blood test to verify kinship.
"The bloodlines of the four young masters of the Ming Prince's Mansion have been combined!"
"The blood of the Fifth Miss of the Ming Prince's Mansion has been fused!"
"The Ming Prince's Mansion...blood fusion!"
“Ming Prince’s Mansion…blood does not mix!” As the blood examiner announced, his own voice grew louder and louder. What was going on with Ming Prince’s Mansion? Four out of the five children were mixed.
Ouyang Yue couldn't help but laugh: "Your Highness, you're really something! Tsk tsk tsk, I wonder which concubine of the Imperial Uncle gave birth to these three young masters and ladies? When did you meet these concubines, Your Highness?" Ouyang Yue smiled and pulled Baili Chen along, looking innocent and romantic, but what she said made the Prince Ming's face turn ashen, as if he were wearing a green hat.
He was trembling with rage, his head practically steaming. How could it be such a coincidence? Was the Ming Prince's Mansion some kind of backyard garden for Baili Chen? Were all his beloved sons actually Baili Chen's children? And all those concubines he doted on had affairs with Baili Chen?! Otherwise, how could two drops of blood mix together in this blood test? Wasn't this the biggest joke ever?!
Prince Ming was filled with shame and indignation, and almost rushed back to his mansion right now to kill all those shameless concubines to vent his anger!
Compared to Prince Ming's hatred, the others were shocked, confused, and incredulous. Emperor Mingxian sat on the dragon throne, his hands gripping the back of the chair. Could these all be his grandsons?
This is impossible. Even if Prince Ming is a dissolute and neglects his household, it's impossible for so many concubines in his household to have affairs with Baili Chen. No one can understand this. Even if these concubines admire Baili Chen's appearance and are willing to submit to him, the oldest child among them is already seven or eight years old. Baili Chen's health has always been poor. With three or four biological children in a row, does he have the energy for that? This is simply unreasonable. Moreover, even if Baili Chen and Baili Lianxiang had a chance, he didn't have any opportunity to contact these concubines in Prince Ming's household. Where did those children come from?
Emperor Mingxian's eyes flickered as he looked at Ouyang Yue, then he looked at Fu Shun, only to see Fu Shun shake his head, indicating that no one had tampered with the blood test, and that the blood test results had been successfully mixed up.
Ouyang Yue smiled faintly and said, "Guards, continue!"
"The blood of the young master of the X family is incompatible."
"The blood of the young master of the XX family has been mixed!"
"...Blood fusion!"
"...Merge!"
"...Does not mix!"
"...Merge!"
"...Merge!"
The subsequent verification revealed that half of the children's blood was compatible with Baili Chen's. Every time the people in the garden heard this, their mouths would agape, and eventually they became somewhat numb, wondering strangely to themselves.
"Oh, Prince Chen is truly skilled! He has had affairs with so many concubines and wives in the mansion, and even fathered children with them? He did it all without anyone knowing!"
"Amazing! Amazing!"
"Prince Chen must be turning into a ghost every night to fool around with these women, otherwise how come none of the male masters know about it!"
The men whose bloodlines were found to be contaminated looked at their families with faces as black as ink. The mothers of the children involved wept and kept explaining that many of them had never even met Baili Chen, and some were bedridden with chronic illnesses and had never even had the chance to meet him. How could they have given birth to Baili Chen's children?
Some even threatened to die to prove their innocence, but were stopped by the palace guards and maids nearby, and the back garden was instantly thrown into chaos.
Emperor Mingxian, his face grim, watched the chaotic scene. It was nothing short of a farce. Anyone with common sense understood that the blood test was utterly inaccurate. Even if Baili Chen were a ghost, he wouldn't have had the time to seduce these women. This blood test couldn't be considered evidence. However, this blood test had always been a method for verifying blood relations, and this shattered their understanding. Emperor Mingxian even began to doubt the accuracy of previous blood tests, wondering if someone had been using this situation to mislead and usurp the title of prince.
While Emperor Mingxian was deep in thought, no one cared about anyone else in the garden. Shouts, cries, and pleas for mercy rose and fell, making the entire back garden where Emperor Mingxian was in charge as chaotic as a vegetable market.
Consort Sun's expression changed drastically, her face full of disbelief. What was going on?! How did Ouyang Yue come up with this idea? And how could these people be compatible with Baili Chen's blood? Baili Nianchen was someone she had painstakingly found. She had successfully conducted experiments before daring to let him appear today. Others simply didn't have this opportunity. How could so many people be compatible with Baili Chen's blood?!
Consort Sun was completely dumbfounded at this moment, and even the Empress, who was watching the commotion from the side, was stunned. She felt extremely ashamed because the blood of a boy from the Lin family had also been mixed up during the blood test for kinship.
"Enough! Shut up, all of you!" Emperor Mingxian suddenly roared, and the noise in the back garden immediately stopped. Emperor Mingxian looked at the children in the room with extremely cold eyes, and finally looked at Baili Lianxiang and Baili Nianchen, who were kneeling on the ground and trembling with fear. This banquet has been ruined by these two wretches!
At this moment, Princess Shuangxia suddenly stood up and said to Ouyang Yue, "Yue'er, you are so lucky. You should be happy now."
Everyone else, including Emperor Mingxian, was stunned. They had no idea what Princess Shuangxia meant. Now that Ouyang Yue had been made a scene like this, even though it proved that the child was not Baili Chen's, she would not be very proud. It was a time of shame, not good fortune.
Ouyang Yue was taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "Grandmother is right, granddaughter is very happy right now."
Princess Shuangxia swept her gaze across Consort Sun, the Empress, and the people from various residences in the back garden, then suddenly sneered, "Since my imperial nephew has so many children outside, we naturally can't leave them there. Guards, take all those whose bloodlines have merged and send them to Prince Chen's residence. They will be raised by Prince Chen's residence from now on. We won't lack the money to support them. As their great-grandmother, I will do everything in my power to help raise them. Yue'er hasn't conceived yet, but now she has twenty biological children. This is a great joy! Who else has such a large family with so many offspring as Prince Chen's residence? This is an incredible blessing!"
"What! No, he's my own son, you can't take him away!"
"Let go! Don't pull my son!"
"Stop right now!"
"These are my children, mine!" The families whose bloodlines had merged immediately shouted, hugging their children tightly and refusing to let go. Since Baili Nianchen's bloodline merged with Baili's, it could also be said that all those whose bloodlines had merged with Baili's were Baili's children.
Some of these children were only sons for generations. If the children were taken away like this, it would cut off the family line. No one could allow that, and the scene immediately became even more chaotic.
Princess Shuangxia glanced at them, her face immediately darkening: "How dare you! You dare harbor royal heirs and even intend to detain them?! You should know that these are all Prince Chen's own flesh and blood. How can the royal family allow them to wander outside? If you truly care for your children, then let them go quickly. They will enjoy endless wealth and honor in the future. What is there to be unwilling about? Or do you all think that because I have disliked socializing and kept a low profile for many years, you all disregard me? Are my words no longer valid?!" Princess Xia looked at Emperor Mingxian and said angrily, "Your Majesty, you must give me an explanation for this matter. I only have one granddaughter, Yue'er, who is a princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty. She is not someone that some lowly person can bully. Yue'er, the Princess Consort of Prince Chen, is well-educated, gentle, and understanding. Since Prince Chen has so many illegitimate children outside, she is willing to raise them all. How dare these people try to steal her from the royal family? Your Majesty, those who disregard the royal family must be punished!"