During an upheaval, Qi Rong’s mother lost her life saving the queen. Before she passed, she asked Xie Lian’s mother to look after Qi Rong. Of course, the queen did her utmost. However, it was still awkward raising someone else’s son. Discipline was difficult—too strict and it would appear to be abuse, and considering familial affections, she could hardly be so harsh. But too lax, and it would lead to the kind of behavior seen today, and without restraints it would only worsen in the future. The queen often wondered—she raised Xie Lian and Qi Rong almost the same, so why were their characters
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