Rebirth: Pampered by the Lord
Chapter 1089: The Emperor Pretends to be Confused

Chapter 1089: Chapter 1089: The Emperor Pretends to be Confused

The Empress glanced at the Fourth Prince, her tone calm and composed, "Since you are already in the palace, there’s no rush. Stay and dine with me; we mother and son haven’t had a heart-to-heart in quite some time."

"Your son obeys your command!"

The Empress had spoken, and the Fourth Prince dared not disobey.

"Later, go and pay your respects to your imperial father. On ordinary days, make an effort to visit the palace more frequently, stroll before him. Look at the Eldest Prince and Second Prince—they come to the palace every day to curry favor with the Emperor. But you? You show your face not even once a month. Do you still want to be Crown Prince?" Part of the reason the Empress summoned the Fourth Prince to the palace was exactly for this purpose.

"Your son will adhere strictly to your guidance."

"Xuanxuan, this is a critical moment in the struggle for succession. My life and future depend entirely on you; you absolutely cannot falter at a crucial time."

"Please rest assured, Empress Mother. From now on, your son will come to pay respects to the imperial father every two days."

"Good! If you manage to make your imperial father happy, the other princes won’t pose any threat."

"But before your son can make a move, they’ve already started striking from the shadows." Following the Empress’s analysis, the Fourth Prince was certain that the other princes were secretly targeting him.

"That’s why I often teach you that a man who is not ruthless is no man at all. Born into the Imperial Family, there is no such thing as brotherly bonds or familial love—only a battle for survival. If you hesitate, the next to fall will be us, mother and son. Keep that firmly in mind, understood?"

"Understood!"

"Go pay your respects to your imperial father, and afterward, we will dine together as mother and son."

"Yes!"

The Fourth Prince stood up, preparing to visit the Emperor to pay his respects.

The Empress added, "At this time of day, the Emperor is usually in the Imperial Study Room reviewing memorials. Look for him there."

"Understood."

The Fourth Prince replied and stepped out.

The Empress watched his figure disappear into the distance, then called loudly toward the palace maids outside.

"Someone come!"

A few palace maids hurriedly stepped in, "What are your wishes, Empress?"

The Empress grinned, "The Fourth Prince will be dining here today. Go to the Imperial Kitchen and prepare some exquisite dishes, especially the ones he loves to eat."

"Your servants obey!"

The Empress, rarely in such a good mood, infected the palace maids with joy as their steps became lighter with cheer.

Imperial Study Room.

The Emperor was reviewing memorials when a little eunuch announced sharply from outside that the Fourth Prince sought an audience.

The matter from last time had yet to be dealt with, and here he was, delivering himself to the doorstep. The Emperor set down the memorial he was reading, "Summon him in."

The Emperor had been brooding over the Fourth Prince’s clandestine associations and hadn’t had the chance to confront him. Now the opportunity had presented itself—a fitting time for punishment.

The little eunuch led the Fourth Prince inside, who knelt down and performed a ceremonial bow, "Your son greets the imperial father."

The Emperor remained silent.

The Fourth Prince, thinking the Emperor hadn’t heard, raised his voice, "Your son greets the imperial father."

Still, there was no response.

The Fourth Prince’s heart began to fill with unease—this was clearly a display of the Emperor’s anger toward him.

Yet he racked his mind and couldn’t recall doing anything recently to upset the Emperor.

Thus, he continued kneeling where he was, not daring to move an inch.

Around Half a Cup of Tea’s time later.

The Emperor finally raised his head and cast him a cold glance, "Xuanxuan is here."

"Yes."

The Fourth Prince, fully aware that the Emperor was feigning ignorance, still did not dare to call him out on it. He obediently knelt and replied.

"Rise; why kneel there like that? Such cold weather, do you not care for your own body?"

The Fourth Prince was inwardly distressed. His imperial father clearly knew he’d been kneeling for so long but intentionally chose to say those words.