Duan Shaoguang pondered for a moment, wondering... is it possible, just possible, that there might be a more serious matter to temporarily overshadow this one.
Soon, Duan Shaoguang thought of it.
Isn't there one ready at hand?
He bowed to the Empress, respectfully to the point where there was nothing to fault, a handsome face devoid of any smile, extremely serious, "Does the Empress know that the Princess's maid is deceitful?"
The Empress was startled by this sudden stance, but she said nothing, maintaining her cold and noble demeanor, wanting to protect her beloved daughter, "The maid? Ming Xiang?"
"Yes, this maid named Ming Xiang beside the Princess is inciting Her Highness to bully her subjects and disrespect her elders. I believe that with the Queen's nature, she certainly wouldn't teach Her Highness such cruel principles."
When the Empress heard this, her eyes darkened. If true, then Ming Xiang indeed has a problem, trying to turn her beautiful and lovely daughter into something ugly.
But Ming Xiang was her accompanying maid when she got married, having been with her for many years, so she shouldn't easily betray.
Because of Duan Shaoguang's words, the Empress thought about many things related to Shen Jingxian, but at this moment, her own eyes were only on Song Yan.
The world's clamor had nothing to do with her; Song Yan approached, and she was very afraid that something might fall from Song Yan and falsely accuse her again.
Shen Jingxian was very nervous; Duan Shaoguang was also very nervous, uncertain if he had successfully muddled through.
Until the Empress spoke again, "Well then, thank Mr. Duan for the reminder."
Duan Shaoguang breathed a sigh of relief at heart, but didn't show it on the surface, "I wouldn't dare."
Yet before this relief reached deep inside, it was brought forth again, because the Empress brought up past matters once more, "Then why is the Princess's face swollen?"
Duan Shaoguang opened his mouth, then shut it, unable to utter a word for a while.
The Empress finally lost patience, holding Shen Jingxian by the hand and lifting her small schoolbag, turned to return to the palace, "Enough."
It seemed like she wouldn't pursue it.
But Duan Shaoguang knew it was impossible.
The Empress wasn't going to let it go; she just wanted to investigate it herself.
Duan Shaoguang had always known that Shen Jingxian was favored, but now it seemed, she was far more favored than he imagined.
If so, then the matter of the Princess crying in class was unlikely to end well.
Duan Shaoguang with a serious face found Song Yan, who was about to leave, and said to her, "Song Yan, about the incident with the Princess today, you must tell Lord when you return."
Song Yan didn't ask why, as if she already knew.
"Alright."
Her calm demeanor made it seem like Duan Shaoguang was just discussing today's weather with her.
But her calmness wasn't due to ignorance, rather it was due to her composure; the eyes on her young face were weathered with experiences, making her whole demeanor steady.
Duan Shaoguang was momentarily stunned. Children of the Imperial Palace nobility were always precocious, which is why he found the Princess's innocence and brightness so precious, but someone as insightful as Song Yan was also rare.
Thinking of the writing Song Yan penned today, Duan Shaoguang realized, if Song Yan truly was a genius, she shouldn't receive the same education as ordinary people.
The Empress's people were quick to act, and while Shen Jingxian and the Empress were still on their way back to the palace, they had already clarified the causes and developments of the entire incident.
When the Empress heard Shen Jingxian cried, her expression darkened with menace, causing Shen Jingxian to worry for her and Song Yan's futures.
"Was it Song Yan who hit the Princess's face too?" the Empress asked coldly.
The guard reporting the situation looked rather peculiar upon hearing this question, sharing an expression with Duan Shaoguang from earlier.
"Your Majesty, Song Yan did not lay hands on the Princess. The Princess's face is swollen because... because the Princess's face looks very pinchable..."
The guard's voice grew softer and softer, until it was almost completely inaudible.
Initially expecting the Empress to fly into a rage over this, for no ordinary royal family member should touch, let alone pinch the face of a grand Princess!
Who would have thought the Empress, after pondering for a moment, would seriously respond, "Indeed, very pinchable..."
Guard: ?
"But that is not a reason for them to act out of line. Go tell those families to properly educate their descendants!"
"Yes!"
The guard breathed a sigh of relief; as expected, the Empress wouldn't let the children of minor nobles pinch the Princess's face just because it was indeed very pinchable...