The Empress of the Qing Dynasty is from the Northeast

After the meal, Changning asked the children to go back and rest early as they had to get up early and leave the palace the next day, but only Hongchen was left behind.

When Hongchen saw his mother close the door again, he knew that he was going to be criticized again. He could only sigh and felt how difficult the road of life was.

Chang Ning was so amused by his behavior that he couldn't help but point his finger at his forehead: "You little brat, why are you sighing? Be careful or you'll turn into an old man."

Hong Chen pursed his lips: "Mother, are you going to scold me again? Is it because of my seventh brother?"

Changning made a "tsk tsk tsk" sound. Why didn't she realize before that Hongchen was so hostile towards Hongyang?

Maybe it’s because Hongyang was young and not clingy before, but now he can run and jump, so he likes to play with older kids. However, Hongyan and Hongzhao are too busy with their schoolwork, so they want to follow Hongmin every day.

Hongchen couldn't bear it anymore.

Originally, he had the best relationship with Hongmin. The two grew up in the same bed since they were young. In his eyes, his mother spent more time taking care of his younger brother, and only his fifth brother was the one who spent the longest time with him. But now his younger brother wants to take his fifth brother away, and he is so angry!

After learning about Hongchen's thoughts, Changning couldn't help but laugh: "Why do you think mother loves her brother more?"

Hong Chen pursed his lips: "That's right. They said that our father and mother always like brothers and sisters more. We are just little cabbages, growing in the field, and no one wants us."

Chang Ning's expression suddenly changed: "Who said that?"

Hongchen said confidently: "That's what Hongqing said."

Chang Ning gritted his teeth. It was really...

Since Yinzhen ascended the throne, he dealt with the eighth, ninth and tenth brothers, and sent many people to prison. He was afraid that others would say that he was mean and ungrateful, but he was really unwilling to show favor to his unreliable brothers, so he set his sights on his nephews.

A decree was issued some time ago, allowing the princes of various mansions to continue to come to the palace to study, so that they can accompany the royal princes and show the joy of family.

Who says he's mean?

He is so kind even to his nephews, so he is a very competent imperial uncle.

So Hongxi, Hongqing, Hongchun and others entered the palace again after a few years.

I didn't expect Hongqing to be so out of touch.

He couldn't beat Hong Yan or Hong Zhao, so he set his sights on Hong Min and Hong Chen, and tried to sow discord between them.

Hongchen is young and can't tell right from wrong. He felt uncomfortable when he heard what he said.

Of course, it is also possible that Hongqing himself is like this. It is said that the Third Lady is about to give up this son and regards the young Hongsheng as her eyeball. The Third Master now thinks that he is a rotten wood that cannot be carved, so it is understandable that Hongqing made such remarks in anger.

However, Changning felt that he still had to be allowed to be punished by Hongzhao.

It's not okay if you haven't learned the rules even though you've entered the palace.

This was for Hongqing's future, not revenge. Changning felt that he was too kind-hearted.

After knowing that it was Hongqing who was haunting, Changning decided to let Hongzhao suppress him. Then, the next step was to enlighten his son.

Chang Ning explained to him: "You are all my mother's children. My mother and father love you equally. Moreover, you are brothers. Blood is thicker than water. No matter what difficulties you encounter in the future, you can always help each other. So you must keep your mind right and not resist your brothers."

Seeing Hongchen's nonchalant expression, Changning suddenly had an idea and remembered a story, so he asked Chuxue to bring a pair of chopsticks.

After hearing this order, Fubuki was stunned for a moment.

Chopsticks?

Although she didn't understand, there was no point in asking for detailed instructions from her master, so she nodded and went to pick out some exquisite and expensive chopsticks herself.

Changning picked up an ebony one inlaid with silver and said to Hongchen, "Son, look, this is a chopstick. Mother can break it with just a little force."

Hong Chen was half-believing and half-doubting: "Mother, this is made of ebony, you shouldn't be able to break it."

Changning tried hard, her veins bulging, but she still couldn't break the chopsticks, and she was so tired that she was panting.

Hongchen was confused, but still very supportive: "Mom is great!"

Changning was frowning and gave Chuixue a look.

Fubuki knew that he had done something wrong, so he turned around and went to look for a few more pieces of lower quality and softer ones.

This time, Changning used a little force and the chopsticks broke.

"Hongchen, look, a chopstick can be broken easily."

Hong Chen nodded. If the ebony wood was ignored, these chopsticks that looked brittle would indeed break easily.

Changning nodded, then grabbed a handful of chopsticks in his hand and tried to bend them hard, but they didn't move at all.

Then she looked directly into Hongchen's eyes and said, "Look, even if I try hard, I can't break this bundle of chopsticks apart."

Hong Chen scratched his head, still not understanding: "Isn't this as it should be? Mother, you are not strong enough, let Third Brother do it, he will definitely be able to break it."

Changning felt as if everything in front of his eyes was going dark. Why wasn’t this the direction of the story?

However, she still explained: "My mother meant that a single chopstick is easy to break, but a bundle of chopsticks is not. This is the power of unity. This is the power that you brothers and sisters can have when you work together. Many hands make light work, that's the truth."

Hongchen is a smart child. He already knows that his mother is teaching him to get along well with his brothers.

However, he still asked back: "Mother, I know I should get along well with my brothers. But, are you really not more partial to your younger brothers?"

Changning understood that what Hongchen wanted was fairness and equal treatment.

So, she explained in a gentle voice: "Of course not! Mother treats you all equally! And, think about it, Mother actually loves you more!"

"Ah?" Hongchen didn't understand.

"Look, you are four years old now, but Hongyang is only three. Mother has loved you for four years, but only loved him for three years. How are you doing with your abacus?"

Hongchen's eyes suddenly lit up. That's right! He would always be loved one year longer than his seventh brother!

"Wow! Mother, you really love me the most!" Hongchen smiled, his excitement beyond words.

Chang Ning thought, it’s still easy to fool a three-year-old child…

However, she really needs to pay extra attention to fairness when it comes to children in the future. She doesn't want any of her children to feel that they are being left out or that they are not loved by their parents.

She wanted to give them a warm and loving childhood.

Thinking of this, Changning picked up Hongchen and kissed him on the cheek, which made Hongchen feel embarrassed: "Mother, I'm grown up... Don't kiss me anymore, go kiss my brother."

Haha, you just said you wanted mother’s love.

(*￣m￣)