The Crown Prince couldn't say much in such a setting and simply nodded to show he understood.
Prince Wu and Prince Jing, as well as Prince Xiang, took their seats next to their respective mothers, while Prince Rong, used to sitting next to Her Majesty, had his eyes wander over to the Crown Prince's table. Without caring what anyone else thought, he directed the servants to place his table next to the Crown Prince's and sat down with a plop.
His Majesty couldn't bear to watch and, summoning his patience, managed to swallow his reprimand. Instead, he turned away and said to the Empress, "He's about to take a wife, make sure to keep an eye on him."
The Empress maintained her smile, knowing full well what her son was like—how could His Majesty not know?
How could she, his mother, possibly manage him when His Majesty couldn't?
