Rebirth: Pampered by the Lord

A few palace maids knelt before the Fourth Prince, begging desperately for mercy.

The Old Palace Maid came out and saw the scene, her brow unconsciously furrowing. This was the Empress Dowager's palace, since when was it the Fourth Prince's turn to act wantonly here?

"What are you all doing? Get up and go back to your duties." The Old Palace Maid's voice rang out, cold and unyielding.

In the Imperial Palace, the Empress Dowager was akin to the Grand Emperor, needing to heed no one. Her personal maids naturally wouldn't regard ordinary people.

Even a prince, so what? They still had to live while considering the Empress Dowager's mood.

The palace maids turned and saw it was Nanny Li, the Empress Dowager's personal maid. They immediately breathed a sigh of relief, bowed their heads, and retreated.

Recognizing who had arrived, the Fourth Prince dared not act unruly.

"Nanny Li, these wretched servants are too much; they didn't even know where Miss Situ had gone. I'm teaching them a lesson on behalf of the Empress Dowager so they remember not to slack off next time."

"There's no need for the Fourth Prince to trouble with matters of Qiankun Palace." The Old Palace Maid's voice was icy, without a shred of warmth.

The Fourth Prince, finding no amusement, was just about to turn and leave.

Again, the Old Palace Maid's voice came from behind: "Fourth Prince, the Empress Dowager summons you."

"Isn't the Empress Dowager currently taking a nap?"

"Yes."

"Then...?"

"It's all thanks to the Fourth Prince."

The maid's voice had a sarcastic tone. The Fourth Prince wasn't dull; he naturally understood that he had awoken the Empress Dowager. His heart couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

The Fourth Prince asked cautiously, "Nanny Li, how is the Empress Dowager's mood? Has she shown any displeasure?"

"The Fourth Prince should go see for himself." No matter how he asked, Nanny Li remained expressionless, feigning ignorance.

The Fourth Prince, left without a choice, had to enter the Empress Dowager's chamber himself.

The Empress Dowager had already tidied everything up and was sitting elegantly by the bedside.

As soon as the Fourth Prince entered, he immediately moved to the Empress Dowager's side, knelt to pay his respects: "Grandson greets the Empress Dowager."

"Hmm, rise."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager." The Fourth Prince stood up, standing correctly, no longer daring to behave as he had outside.

"Xuanxuan, why were you making such a fuss outside just now?"

"Grandson was searching for Miss Situ and couldn't find her anywhere in the entire palace. Upon questioning those servants, they claimed ignorance. In anger, I simply disciplined them."

In frustration, he continued: "These servants are truly outrageous, not even able to keep an eye on a person. They deserve a good scolding."

The Empress Dowager glanced at him, holding her right hand with her left, gently said: "Xuanxuan, you are becoming more like the Empress's presence."

The Empress Dowager's implication was evident; the Empress managed the Three Palaces and Six Courtyards, and sometimes even meddled in her Qiankun Palace, disregarding her, the Empress Dowager.

Now, as the Empress's son, the Fourth Prince similarly disregarded Qiankun Palace.

The Fourth Prince naturally caught the undertones of sarcasm, immediately knelt down: "Grandson was wrong to disturb the Empress Dowager's rest and begs for tolerance and forgiveness this time."

"Enough, rise."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

"Why are you looking for Miss Situ?"

"Empress Mother said that she wanted to invite Miss Situ for dinner tonight."

"Oh! So that's how it is!"

"Indeed, Grandson, in haste, disturbed the Empress Dowager's rest."

"Isn't Miss Situ in the Qiankun Palace?"

The Empress Dowager found it odd; when she was resting, Situtu Xueer was evidently still there.

"She's not here; Grandson searched the entire Qiankun Palace but didn't see her trace."