The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

That afternoon, Shen Wangxi was reviewing memorials when he heard that the Empress was requesting an audience. He said calmly, "Summon her."

Ulan Yun entered the hall and curtsied respectfully: "Your Majesty, this concubine greets you."

"What important matter brings the Empress here at this time?" Shen Wangxi did not look up, her gaze remaining fixed on the memorial.

Wulan Yun took a deep breath and spoke directly: "His Majesty issued an edict today, ordering Ayan to move to Yilan Palace after returning to the palace, where she will be taught palace rules by Consort Zhao?"

"Hmm." Shen Wangxi said calmly, "Ayan is too lax in her manners. Let her go and learn some manners to temper her temper."

"Learn the rules?" Wu Lanyun's voice was mocking.

"Your Majesty, what kind of place is Yilan Palace? What good intentions could Shen Qingruo have in summoning Ayan there? This is clearly a deliberate act of humiliation."

"Ayan is a princess of noble birth, how could she suffer such injustice?"

Shen Wangxi finally raised his eyes, his gaze falling on her excited face: "Consort Zhao is gentle and knows her place."

"It's just teaching etiquette, what's the big deal? Your Majesty need not worry too much."

Ulan Yun's voice was heavy with sorrow, "Nothing serious, will it?"

"Your Majesty! You know perfectly well that Shen Qingruo harbors resentment towards Ayan. If she summons Ayan, Ayan will surely be bullied, or even beaten and verbally abused!"

"You knew all along, yet you still insisted on indulging her?"

Shen Wangxi frowned, his voice deepening: "Wulan Yun, watch your words."

Ulan Yun's eyes reddened, tears welling up. "What were my words?"

"Your Majesty, didn't we agree before that we would keep to ourselves?"

"We have been behaving ourselves lately and have not provoked Shen Qingruo. Why does Your Majesty allow her to humiliate my Ayan like this?"

Looking at her tearful face, Shen Wangxi showed little emotion, but instead a cold sneer appeared on her face: "Keep to your own business? You've already crossed the line long ago."

"Ulan Yun, do you really not understand why I indulge you?"

Ulan Yun trembled at the coldness in his words, her face paling slightly. Thinking of her unborn child, her voice softened.

"Wasn't that thing a long time ago?"

Shen Wangxi suddenly stood up, stared at Wulan Yun, and said, word by word, "The past?"

"My child didn't even have the chance to be born. Tell me, how can I get over this? How can Aruo get over this in her heart?"

He took a few steps forward and stopped in front of the Empress: "Wulan Yun, that is my imperial heir."

"My heart aches whenever I think of this."

"Now, all Aruo did was send Ayan to learn some manners, and you feel like you've suffered a tremendous injustice, coming to question me?"

"In your eyes, is the life of my unborn child less important than the slightest punishment your princess might suffer?"

Ulan Yun was so shocked by the bias in his words that she took a half step back and looked up at the questioning look in his eyes.

She paused for a moment, then forced a bitter smile: "Your child, my princess..."

"Your Majesty, in your eyes, is Ayan now merely my princess, and no longer Your Majesty's princess?"

Shen Wangxi looked at her, silent, and did not answer.

This silence is tantamount to acquiescence.

Ulan Yun's tears finally fell.

She stopped looking at him, slowly turned around, her back stiff and lonely.

Just as she was about to step out of the palace gate, Shen Wangxi's icy voice came from behind her, carrying a warning: "Wulan Yun, remember your current identity."

"Your duty is to stay quietly in the Empress Dowager's Palace and raise your children well."

"Do not attempt to plot against Yilan Palace again."

"If I find that you have made any further mistakes, I... will not let you off lightly."

Wu Lanyun stopped in her tracks, but did not turn around.

She raised her hand and fiercely wiped away the tears on her face. When she spoke again, her voice was calm: "Your Majesty, I obey."

After saying that, she straightened her back and walked out step by step.

Even if Wu Lanyun was just putting on an act today to gain pity, she still had to admit that she had been hurt by this man once again.

When did the aborted child become greater than the grown-up princess?