The Empress glanced at the Fourth Prince, her tone calm and composed, "Since you are already in the palace, there's no rush. Stay and dine with me; we mother and son haven't had a heart-to-heart in quite some time."
"Your son obeys your command!"
The Empress had spoken, and the Fourth Prince dared not disobey.
"Later, go and pay your respects to your imperial father. On ordinary days, make an effort to visit the palace more frequently, stroll before him. Look at the Eldest Prince and Second Prince—they come to the palace every day to curry favor with the Emperor. But you? You show your face not even once a month. Do you still want to be Crown Prince?" Part of the reason the Empress summoned the Fourth Prince to the palace was exactly for this purpose.
"Your son will adhere strictly to your guidance."
"Xuanxuan, this is a critical moment in the struggle for succession. My life and future depend entirely on you; you absolutely cannot falter at a crucial time."
