News travels quickly thanks to spies planted around here and there. Soon, the Empress comes to know that her son was in love with his personal maid. As a mother, she would never agree with their relationship!
Their first meeting was done without the Third Prince's knowledge. It ended with the Empress fainting, but Xiao Hua was exempted from punishment with the Third Prince interfering.
But after the Third Prince went to the border to guard against the attack from another country, the Empress made an even bigger move against Xiao Hua. However, before the verdict decided on who was the victor this round, someone had tried to poison Xiao Hua and pin the blame on the Empress.
[Book 4 of 9 The Dragon's Flower]