Chapter 33: Can't This Household Be Any Less Chaotic?

Seeing Xiao Huaiqing’s silent and sullen expression, Xiao Huailuo suddenly realized he was speaking of the Imperial Aunt.

Xiao Huailuo immediately retorted with displeasure, "If you want to talk about the Imperial Aunt, then call her that, or refer to your own mother. Why do you address her so casually by her name? I thought you were talking about some noblewoman of our generation and was left wondering who you were asking about."

Xiao Huaiqing blurted out without a second thought, "She doesn't deserve it!"

Xiao Huailuo snapped, "Shut your mouth!"

"Who gave you the right to speak like that? Even the Empress Dowager doesn't speak of her that way. What qualifications do you have?"

"The Imperial Aunt is the wife of your Imperial Uncle and your stepmother. She is not a junior for you to criticize. You need to recognize your own standing."

Xiao Huaiqing grumbled, "What is wrong with all of you? Have you been bewitched by her?"

"She is a fickle woman, and furthermore, she..."

Xiao Huailuo roared, "Furthermore what? Xiao Huaiqing, listen to yourself! Are you not afraid that the Empress Dowager will be so enraged she exiles you from the capital and sends you to the front lines?"

"I was wondering why the Imperial Aunt would rather live in the palace than stay in the manor—so this is how you treat her? If a stepson like you is this brazen, one can only imagine that your wife doesn't give her a pleasant look either."

"Xiao Huaiqing, you are truly a disappointment!"

Xiao Huaiqing’s face flushed with anger. "Why does everyone help her, even the Empress Dowager?"

"She only came to our manor for the sake of the 'spirit-soothing' marriage; she isn't a proper mistress of the house at all."

"Besides, she bullied Yingyue before. If it weren't for me, Yingyue would have been bullied to death by her. How can you expect Yingyue to treat her well?"

Xiao Huailuo replied, "She married into the manor to soothe your father’s spirit, not yours. Why are you so worked up?"

"As a stepson, your duty is to show respect and grant her the dignity befitting a Princess Consort. If you cannot even manage that, how can you demand that she treat your wife well?"

"I always thought you were a reasonable person. Given that you lost your mother at a young age and our Imperial Uncle is too busy with state affairs to look after you, I even thought of showing you more care."

"It seems now that you are truly not worth it."

Xiao Huaiqing was nearly driven to vomiting blood from rage. He roared, "Second Brother, I am your own cousin! Why are you always targeting me?"

"Do you know that woman, Lin Yue, she... she and..."

"Ugh... I can't be bothered to talk to you anymore."

Xiao Huaiqing dared not reveal the news that Lin Yue had been meeting with the Emperor, fearing that if he did, Lin Yue would have no path of retreat left.

Yet, since Xiao Huailuo refused to help him, he marched off to the palace in a rage, determined to drag Lin Yue out and lock her up in the Prince Ding Manor. Otherwise, once his father returned, he would become the laughingstock of the entire capital.

Seeing Xiao Huaiqing storm off, Xiao Huailuo was confused, but his mood was significantly better than before. It turned out he wasn't the only one acting like a fool; Xiao Huaiqing was just as bad.

***

Having calmed down, Xiao Huailuo asked the steward, "Where is the Princess Consort?"

The steward whispered, "The Princess Consort has returned to her maiden home."

Xiao Huailuo was shocked. "What? Didn't I tell her not to leave?"

"And you, you old fool, why are you only telling me this now?"

The steward replied aggrievedly, "The Princess Consort didn't pack anything; she just said she was going home to visit Magistrate Yu. How could this old servant stop her?"

Xiao Huailuo snapped, "Then why aren't you preparing my horse? If I arrive late, who knows what kind of bad things she'll be saying about me!"

"Yes, yes, this old servant will go at once!"

The steward ran faster than a rabbit, terrified of getting another kick if he was a second too slow.

Xiao Huailuo clenched his fists in anger and muttered viciously, "Yu Qingqing, don't you dare smear my reputation!"

Above, a murder of crows flew by with a mocking "caw-caw!"

This night was destined to be somewhat restless.

***

In the palace, the Emperor and Empress had squeezed into the Shoukang Palace for dinner again.

The Empress Dowager asked with some disdain, "Emperor, are you too idle these days?"

Coming here day after day, disturbing her meditation and pursuit of the Dao—he was truly unfilial!

The Emperor cast a guilty glance at Lin Yue, and seeing she had no reaction, whispered, "I only wanted to keep you company, Mother."

The Empress Dowager: "Hmph!"

The Empress swallowed nervously, praying silently: *Don't talk about me, don't talk about me!*

The next moment, the Empress Dowager said, "Empress, you should also keep the Emperor in check. Since husband and wife should be of one heart, you ought to have another child."

The Empress felt like crying. "Mother, I am already a grandmother."

The Empress Dowager was displeased. "So what if you are a grandmother? It’s not like you’re incapable of bearing children!"

The Empress: "..." *Sob.* Even if I were capable, I wouldn't! If I have that kind of energy, I'd rather urge my daughter-in-law to have one.

Lin Yue coughed lightly, breaking the awkward atmosphere. "Mother, the Imperial family has enough children already. Don't put pressure on the Empress."

*[If the source of the trouble isn't resolved, any child born will just be cannon fodder. What is the point of giving birth?]*

*[Speaking of which, we could start with that Lady Tan in the palace. Pin a crime on her to warn Mu Lixin, letting him know that serving the Emperor is like sleeping with a tiger, and the Emperor isn't someone he can manipulate as he pleases.]*

The Emperor immediately perked up. "Exactly! Mother, if you’re bored, you could go to the Huguo Temple for a short stay. I will send men to escort you."

The Empress Dowager: "..."!

The Empress also said tactfully, "Mother, you wanted to stay outside the palace before, but it was too cold then. Now that summer is here, a short stay would be just fine."

The Empress Dowager scoffed, "I want to stay at the Prince Ding Manor. Are you two willing to allow that?"

The Emperor immediately objected, "Second Brother is away from the capital; your move would spark gossip in the court. Please, think of me."

The Empress chimed in, "When Second Brother returns, you can stay as long as you like. By then, the Emperor and I will both agree to it."

The Empress Dowager scolded, "Agree my foot! By then, you'll just be pestering your Second Brother to make me come back."

"I know you both too well, you selfish pair!"

"Hmph!"

The Emperor: "..."

The Empress: "..."

Lin Yue: "..." *How do I smooth this over now?*

Fortunately, Eunuch Deng appeared at the right moment and reported, "Reporting to Your Majesties, Prince Xiao Huaiqing is here."

The Empress Dowager was surprised. "Huaiqing? It's so late, why is he here?"

The Emperor said, "Let him in first. Ask if he has dined; if not, add a set of utensils."

Lin Yue stood up quickly and sat between the Empress Dowager and the Empress.

Seeing this, the Emperor asked, "Sister-in-law, what are you doing?"

Lin Yue: "Nothing. Perhaps we should set up a separate table."

*[Heh, still asking? Xiao Huaiqing thinks I’m having an affair with you. If he starts acting crazy and slanders me in front of everyone, even if it’s a lie, how could I ever show my face again once it gets out?]*

The Emperor: "..."!!! *When did that kid Huaiqing become so punchable!!!*

The Empress: "..." *Huh? Has Xiao Huaiqing’s brain been eaten by a dog?*

The Empress Dowager: "..." *Wait, isn't it him? Why is it his Imperial Uncle now? Can this family stop being so chaotic? My brain is about to turn to mush!!!*