"I must admit, I have indeed spoiled Nanye a bit. But he has never taken undue advantage to do anything outrageous."
"Isn't his behavior outrageous enough already? Are all those tales of his audacity and arrogance untrue?"
Had Emperor Qi Ming not brought it up, things might have been better. But at his words, the Grand Empress Dowager's eyes flashed with anger.
She wanted to reveal that Xiao Nanye was not the late emperor's true son, but she couldn't.
Questioning Xiao Nanye's lineage equated to questioning the previous emperor, an affront to the imperial family. This had to be dealt with discreetly, not publicly.
Emperor Qi Ming couldn't fathom why the Grand Empress Dowager disapproved of Xiao Nanye. He presumed it was out of fear. After a moment of contemplation, he said quietly, "Mother, I've watched Nanye grow up. I trust his character. For my sake, please don't give him a hard time."