The two Prime Ministers wished to offend neither the Crown Prince nor the Empress Dowager.
So, they simply pretended not to understand the Empress Dowager's intentions. Kneeling in unison, they shouted, "Crown Prince, you must take care of your health!"
The Empress Dowager waited a long while for them to continue, but they said nothing more. She couldn't help but grow annoyed.
"Aren't you usually quite talkative? Why are you not speaking up now?"
The two Prime Ministers bowed their heads, looking as if they were obediently admitting their fault.
"The Empress Dowager is right to scold us. We were mistaken."
Though they paid lip service to their mistake, they had no intention of changing their ways.
The Empress Dowager was so furious her expression darkened.
She seethed with resentment for the two old men.
'They're just playing dumb! The sly old foxes!'
'They'd better hope I never get the chance. If I do, I'll teach them a lesson they won't forget!'
