“I can’t believe it, I was just helping him practice calligraphy.” James Johnson asked Chief Steward Howard with an innocent face, “Does Her Ladyship have anything tasty over there?”

“Of course, plenty of fruit has been prepared for Your Highness.” Chief Steward Howard replied with a beaming smile.

“Then I’ll go over for a bit.” James Johnson agreed, then turned to Edward Johnson and said, “Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, I can’t go with you guys.”

“We’ll go with you.” Edward Johnson said in a low voice, “You’re just a little kid, you’ll get bullied.”

“Your Highness Prince of Yan, forgive me, but my lady wishes to speak with the Prince of Chu alone.” Richard Howard refused.

“Who are you? Do you think you can order me around?!” Edward Johnson ignored him completely, rolling up his sleeves, “I’m going anyway, just try and stop me!”

“Don’t worry, Fourth Brother.” James Johnson actually helped the other side persuade him, looking very sensible, “Even if Her Ladyship wants to settle accounts, at least she’s giving me some face. At worst, she’ll scold me a bit in private, which is definitely better than being scolded in public, right?”

“That’s true, if no one hears it, it’s like it never happened.” Edward Johnson agreed, “Anyway, she doesn’t have an imperial ruler, she wouldn’t dare lay a finger on you.”

“When you get back, have someone let us know you’re safe.” Fifth Brother squeezed James Johnson’s chubby hand tightly. This sixth brother really is so sensible now.

After parting from his two brothers, James Johnson followed Consort Ding’s attendants toward Changyang Palace.

But Richard Howard didn’t go back with them, saying he needed to go inside and report a leave of absence for the Prince of Qi.

During class at the Main Hall, no unauthorized persons were allowed in, so he could only wait until after lessons were over.

……

Changyang Palace was in the Eastern Six Palaces, requiring a walk down East Second Long Street.

David Walker hadn’t dared to speak up earlier, but now he finally whispered, “Your Highness, what happened?”

“I scared Old Seventh so badly he wet himself, and Consort Ding wants to talk to me.” James Johnson glanced at the still clueless David Walker, thinking he’d better give him a heads-up.

“Actually, I have something I want to talk to her about too, so it’s a two-way meeting.”

“A two-way meeting?” David Walker was a bit confused, “Why are you looking for Consort Ding?”

“To ask her to let my mother go.” James Johnson replied with pure sincerity, “Father said, as long as she agrees, my mother can come back.”

“Oh, my little prince, you really are growing up…” David Walker’s nose tingled at these words, and he quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe his tears, “If Her Ladyship knew you were trying to save her, she’d be so comforted.”

“Well, what can I do with such a troublesome mother.” James Johnson sighed.

“Uh…” David Walker nearly choked on his own saliva. Seeing that Changyang Gate was just ahead, he quickly reminded, “If Consort Ding says anything unpleasant, Your Highness, don’t take it to heart.”

After a pause, he added softly, “Just do your best, don’t force yourself too much. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll think of something else.”

David Walker didn’t have much hope for this trip. But the prince’s filial piety was commendable, so of course he had to encourage him.

“Mm, don’t worry.” James Johnson nodded. This old eunuch might be effeminate, but he really did seem to care about him.

After announcing their arrival, Consort Ding invited him in, and as expected, David Walker was stopped outside the palace doors.

……

The main hall of Changyang Palace was lavishly decorated, filled with fresh flowers and brocade.

Diana, once again the most beautiful woman in the palace, had deliberately chosen this place for the meeting to make it a one-sided show of dominance.

She wore her hair in a high bun, a phoenix crown on her forehead, gold and pearl hairpins at her temples, dressed in a formal robe with a cloud-patterned cape draped over her shoulders—luxurious and noble, sitting upright on the throne before the screen, exuding an overwhelming presence.

James Johnson entered and paid his respects with proper ceremony.

Diana dismissed the attendants, and without offering a seat as was customary, looked down at the sixth prince standing in the hall.

He had thick eyebrows and round eyes, chubby cheeks, and an innocent look—completely a harmless, silly little child.

‘What am I doing? Putting on such a show for a little kid?’ Diana rubbed her right temple, thinking to herself, ‘Using a ladle to clean my ears—making a mountain out of a molehill.’

“Ahem.” But since they were already here, she might as well get it over with.

She cleared her throat and said, “Do you know why I summoned you?”

“Um, no.” James Johnson replied timidly.

“Then I’ll make sure you know.” Consort Ding’s tone turned cold as she questioned, “Tell me, why did you frame Old Seventh?!”

“I—I didn’t.” James Johnson looked like he was about to cry from fright.

“How could you not? Old Seventh told me everything when he got back!” Thinking of what happened that morning, Consort Ding’s anger flared, and she gritted her teeth:

“Where did you learn this? Lying at such a young age, thinking you’re clever, but you’re just playing with fire and will get yourself burned. You’re unbelievably foolish, do you know that?!”

“I didn’t lie!” James Johnson said, aggrieved, “He admitted it himself, and he even wet his pants from being scared.”

“Silence!” Thinking of all the effort she’d put into building a good image for her son, only for it to be ruined in a day, Consort Ding lost her composure on the spot.

If it weren’t for his status, she would have torn his mouth apart.

“Old Seventh is still a child, and you tricked and coaxed him into trouble! Is this how you act as an older brother?!”