Provoking Jian Hong's anger had been a duty Yan Hua had fulfilled since long ago. Thus, the woman could only muster a smile while looking away, completely ignoring the young boy in front of her. "If the Emperor no longer wants you, why do you insist on staying? Listen, this palace belongs to the Emperor. It's up to him to decide who stays and who doesn't. What does that have to do with you?"
"Mother, that's enough."
Before Jian Hong could respond, an 11-year-old boy arrived. His hair was fully tied up, and he wore neat, fine brown robes. This was Tian Rui, the son of Yan Hua and Emperor Tian Lei.
The boy looked at his mother, who now wore a displeased expression. "How long are you going to harass him? Hong'er is also His Majesty's son. Besides, this is his home too. If not here, then where else should he live?"
They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but Tian Rui's temperament was the complete opposite of his mother and the Emperor. This child was notably gentler, which often frustrated Yan Hua. "Jian Hong is nothing but a bastard child. Are you even aware that he doesn't carry the Emperor's surname? Besides, this is His Majesty's decree. I can't go against it, and neither can you."
"I'll speak to His Majesty later."
"You—"
But Tian Rui had already approached Jian Hong, standing in front of him with a warm smile. "Go inside. Your Third Mother might already be waiting for you."
"If this is truly His Majesty's order, then perhaps I shouldn't resist. And neither should you."
"Don't worry. I'll try to talk to the Empress later. It's not a guarantee that the rule will be revoked, but we all know that His Majesty always follows the Empress's wishes," Tian Rui explained, his voice gentle and polite, a stark contrast to his mother's harshness.
Yan Hua's blood boiled at that statement. Without hesitation, she grabbed her son's small hand. "What are you saying? You, a mere child, dare defy the Emperor's decree? Rui'er, you are my son. I have high hopes for you. Obey and don't cause trouble. You don't understand how your actions today could ruin your own future."
"I'm sorry, Mother. I just feel that today's decree from His Majesty is unfair. Apart from the main gate, the back gate leads deep into the forest filled with wild beasts. Sending Jian Hong there is as good as sending him to his death."
"I don't care. What's the problem if this child goes deep into the forest? Encountering wild animals will be good for him—it'll stop him from being a burden to everyone. And after getting rid of him, perhaps your mother can get rid of his mother as well." Yan Hua's lips curled into a sinister smile.
Jian Hong, who had been observing them all this time, finally took a step forward. "Second Queen, it doesn't matter if you hate and wish to kill me, but I won't let you lay a finger on my mother."
"You're just a child. What can you possibly do to oppose me?"
Seeing the escalating tension, Tian Rui quickly stepped between them, separating the two. "Mother, enough. Even the Empress is the Emperor's wife, but why do you only harass the Third Mother?" He paused, then gently took Jian Hong's hand. "Come inside. Whatever comes our way, I will face it with you."
With that, the two boys entered the palace gates. The guards stationed there immediately blocked their way. One of them bowed respectfully to Tian Rui. "Your Highness, I apologize for my disrespect, but this is the Emperor's order. I dare not disobey it."
"Then do you dare defy my order? Did I not just say that I will speak to the Empress?" Tian Rui's eyes gleamed with a sharp intensity, completely different from the kindness he had shown Jian Hong.
Hearing the implied threat, both guards fell to their knees, lowering their weapons. "Forgive us, Your Highness. We were wrong. We deserve punishment."
"See that you never do this again. If I report your insolence to the Emperor, I won't be able to stop his wrath when it erupts."
This time, Tian Rui truly escorted Jian Hong to the rear of the main palace, towards the isolated residence where Ling Na and Jian Hong lived. Watching them leave, Yan Hua approached the guards still kneeling. "You may rise. Leave today's matter to me."
"Thank you, Second Queen."
As the two guards returned to their posts, Yan Hua's gaze followed the departing figures of Jian Hong and her son. "How dare you influence my son to defy me, Jian Hong. I initially had no intention of dealing with you, but if your actions continue, they will certainly threaten all of my plans."
***
"Thank you, brother. You helped me today. I mean, thank you for always helping me," Jian Hong said as they made their way to the isolated residence.
"It's not a big deal. Besides, what my mother did was unjust."
Jian Hong simply nodded in response. "What you said earlier—will you really speak with the Empress?"
"Hmm." Tian Rui nodded. "There are other matters I need to discuss with her, so don't worry. I am your brother, after all. It's only right that I protect you."
Hearing this, Jian Hong smiled again. "You really seem ready to become the next Emperor, brother."
"You exaggerate. No matter what, it's still Prince Xuan who will succeed the throne since he is the Empress's son, even though he's younger than me."
They continued walking until they reached the gates of Jian Hong's residence. Jian Hong quickened his pace, turning to face Tian Rui. "Brother, I think it's best if you stop here."
Tian Rui raised an eyebrow at this, glancing into the courtyard before turning back to Jian Hong. "I understand. I'll leave it at that."
Jian Hong nodded and continued walking towards his quarters. Tian Rui watched him from afar, fully aware of the rumors that Ling Na despised Jian Hong. It wasn't just rumors; Tian Rui had witnessed the harsh treatment Ling Na often directed at her own son.
With a deep sigh, Tian Rui muttered to himself, "What can I do? When it comes to the Third Mother, even I am powerless to help Hong'er."
As he turned to leave, a sudden crashing sound caught his attention, followed by a sharp slap and a child's scream. Without a second thought, he dashed toward Ling Na's quarters.
Inside, Jian Hong lay sprawled on the floor, blood trickling from a split lip, while a woman with her hair pinned up in a small crown advanced with a furious expression. "How dare you return empty-handed? You've been gone all day, yet you failed to complete my orders. Are you defying me now?"
Another lash from a whip struck Jian Hong's small frame, causing him to wince in pain. "Mother, I truly didn't mean to disobey you. I ran into a demon in the forest, and the firewood I gathered was burned. Then I forgot I still had to catch fish. Mother, I'm sorry for failing."
"Sorry? Is that all you can say? I've waited all day with an empty stomach, only to hear your worthless apologies?" She lashed him again, then knelt, gripping his face harshly. "Do you know how humiliating my life here has become? I'm neither free to leave nor treated with dignity! And you, I've raised you for seven years. Yet you dare defy me? And your father, the Emperor—he truly wishes for our death, never providing even a morsel for us!"
Jian Hong shook his head vehemently, tears streaming down his cheeks. His fists clenched, eyes reddening with fury and sorrow. He was angry—angry at his fate as the Emperor's son, angry at being the cause of his mother's suffering. "Mother, I never intended this. Please, give me another chance. I will find fish for you tonight."
Ling Na's lips curled into a bitter smile as she released her grip. "And what excuse will you have when you return empty-handed? 'Mother, it's too dark, I couldn't see.' No, Jian Hong. You can't keep deceiving me."
Jian Hong, wounded yet determined, crawled forward to embrace his mother's feet, his voice choked with sincerity. "No, Mother. I will not fail you again. I will endure whatever it takes. I swear, if I had the strength, I would fight the Emperor to protect you. I would break us free from this hell, to give you the freedom you deserve."
Without being asked, a single tear fell from Ling Na's left eye. However, she quickly wiped it away. "Even if you witness my suffering, you cannot lessen it even a little, Jian Hong." She paused, bent down, and lifted the boy's chin to make him look at her. In that moment, Jian Hong could see the deep pain in his mother's eyes. "Every time I see you, you remind me of those difficult times. Every time I see you, you remind me of how cruel the Emperor, who happens to be your father, was. Jian Hong, the only regret I have is why you had to be born from my womb. Why did I have to have a child with the Emperor? Why did you have to be born?"
"I never wanted to be born either, Mother, I didn't. If my birth only brought you suffering, I would have rather never been born at all." Jian Hong's voice turned soft, filled with sorrow. He could feel every bit of his mother's pain.
After a moment, Ling Na stood up straight again. She closed her eyes, trying to hold back her tears, then turned her back on Jian Hong. "Go and find food for me. If you come back empty-handed, it would be better for you to never return."
Having said that, Ling Na walked over to the bed not far away, leaving Jian Hong still kneeling with his head bowed. "I understand, Mother. I will not return until I find food."