This was his and the Empress's only son!
His little 'Tangyuan' (a type of sweet dumpling, often used as a term of endearment), had been exceptionally talented, intelligent, and astute since childhood. From birth, he had inherited the ancient Mo Lian bloodline, which no one in the family had been able to inherit for thousands of years.
The Emperor believed that if his son claimed to be second best in the world, then no one could be first.
He absolutely detested hearing such words from the Empress Dowager!
Given that the Empress Dowager was also an old figure in the palace and his father's second Empress, she had generally been a kind and gentle elder over the years. Although she had her own considerations and thoughts, she didn't engage in many petty schemes.
The Emperor, out of respect for his late father, treated her with considerable deference.
However, hearing her speak about his son today immediately put him in a bad mood. To say his son didn't have the demeanor of a Crown Prince was simply unacceptable.
His only son was undoubtedly destined to inherit everything from him, including the empire passed down by the late emperor. To whom else would it go if not to his little 'Tangyuan'?
Moreover, his son was so intelligent that within a few months of his return, he had earned the trust of most people, both old and young, throughout the court. With such ability, how could anyone say he lacked the demeanor of a Crown Prince?
It was simply ridiculous!
Seeing the Emperor's suddenly grim face, the Empress Dowager naturally felt somewhat disheartened.
That's why everyone said a dog must be raised by oneself, and a son must be one's own. Otherwise, you would never truly be united in purpose.
Looking at this stepson, whom she had watched grow up since childhood, now glaring at her with such fury, Empress Dowager Chen felt a chill in her heart.
"Your Majesty."
"Empress Dowager, there's no need to say more." Mo Liusheng irritably cut off the Empress Dowager. "The Crown Princess's cultivation has just advanced, and she needs to stabilize it properly. You old folks don't need to get involved and fuss over it."
"Tomorrow, let them follow the Dali Temple personnel to see what's really going on with Cai Die Xuan," Mo Liusheng waved his hand. "The rest can be discussed after the investigation is complete."
Empress Dowager Chen was so angry she couldn't speak for a long time. Seeing the Emperor about to leave Yongren Palace, she quickly had her nanny help her, and she shakily took a few steps forward. "Your Majesty, there's one more matter."
"The matter of taking in a concubine, which I mentioned to you last time..."
Mo Liusheng's face grew even longer. Impatient to discuss this with the Empress Dowager, he waved his hand and said, "I don't lack sons, why should I take a concubine?"
Empress Dowager Chen nearly fainted from anger.
"You don't even look at the Emperors of Cangzhou and Mingzhou; how many sons do they have? And you?"
"You only have one biological son, no wonder you treat him like a treasure every day!"
"Because you simply have no other candidates for Crown Prince!"
She looked at the Crown Prince's temperament; he wasn't half as stable as King Zheng.
Every time the topic of taking a concubine came up, the Emperor would ignore it and leave in a hurry.
Empress Dowager Chen grew angrier the more she thought about it. This time, she naturally wouldn't let him escape so easily. She quickly had someone support her, and she tottered forward, blocking the Emperor's path. She earnestly said, "Your Majesty, you are no longer young. Yet you only have two children, and one of them is just an adopted son."
"The Empress has been asleep for so many years, and the position of the Empress of Shenzhou has been vacant for just as many years."
"I am only your stepmother; you may not listen to what I say, but you must also consider the feelings of the past Emperors of Shenzhou."
The Emperor's face darkened. "What opinions could the late Emperors have? If they have opinions, tell them to come find me!"
Hu Dequan: ...
Empress Dowager Chen was beside herself with rage. She reached out and grabbed his hand, urgently saying, "The State of Zhucu is close to the barbarian tribes, and its terrain is dangerous."