Chapter 72 – A Reluctant, Faint Smile

At this moment, in the Prime Minister’s residence.

Dong Xinrui’s brows were lightly furrowed, her mind somewhat unsettled.

Nan Qingqing waved her hand in front of Dong Xinrui’s face. “Xinrui, did you even hear what I just said?”

Dong Xinrui returned to her senses and forced a faint smile. “Hm?”

Nan Qingqing shot her a sidelong glance. She already knew Xinrui had been daydreaming and sneered. “Tang Chaoyang’s reputation is utterly ruined now because of that disgusting scandal. I bet she won’t even dare set foot outside her door again.”

A trace of a smile curved Dong Xinrui’s lips. She shook her head helplessly, with a hint of regret. “Why did she have to debase herself like that?”

Nan Qingqing nodded. “Indeed. Let’s not talk about her anymore. Oh, by the way—I went to Chengqi Temple this time to ask for a childbearing talisman for you. I even circled it over the incense burner before bringing it back.”

When Dong Xinrui saw Nan Qingqing hand over the talisman, her mood instantly soured. Her health still required several more years of recuperation.

Nanny Huang felt her heart give a heavy thud. She quickly stepped forward to accept the talisman from Nan Qingqing’s hand and said respectfully, “Your Highness, this old servant will put it away properly for Madam.”

Nan Qingqing didn’t think much of it. After handing over the talisman, she leaned close to Dong Xinrui again and spoke mysteriously about something else.

“Last night, I overheard my grandfather discussing something with his advisors. Can you guess whose head the empress’s crown might soon land on?”

Dong Xinrui’s eyes brightened with curiosity. “Who?”

Nan Qingqing turned her head to look at Nanny Huang.

Nanny Huang immediately understood and led the maids out of the room.

Only then did Nan Qingqing show a gentle, virtuous smile and whisper, “Right before your eyes.”

Dong Xinrui: “…”

Nan Qingqing raised her brows slightly. “You don’t believe me?”

“No, I believe you.”

Dong Xinrui thought of Nan Qingqing’s father’s position—perhaps His Majesty really would choose Nan Qingqing.

The Prince of Runan was a vassal king of a different surname. He was now advanced in years.

His line was not prosperous; he had only one son, Nan Qingqing’s father.

And her father had died of illness four years ago.

So the entire Runan princely house now had no male heir.

Dong Xinrui’s faint smile deepened. This might not be a bad thing.

If Nan Qingqing became empress, and she trusted her, it would be very advantageous for herself.

Nan Qingqing stayed a while longer. Seeing that Dong Xinrui was about to drink her medicine, she prepared to leave. “Xinrui, I’ll come visit you again in a few days. Take good care of yourself.”

After Dong Xinrui finished her medicine, the maid took away the empty bowl.

She looked at Nanny Huang and asked softly, “Is His Excellency not in the residence today?”

Usually at this hour, Fei Yan would come personally to feed her the medicine. Since he hadn’t come today, he was likely busy.

Nanny Huang wrung out a damp cloth, gently wiping Dong Xinrui’s hands. She replied, “A while ago, the steward came by. His Excellency has gone to the Imperial Academy. Master specially instructed you to take your medicine and rest properly.”

When Dong Xinrui heard this, her eyes softened into a smile.

**

Old Madam Su was furious.

She was ready to settle accounts in the autumn.

After returning from the Imperial Academy, she immediately sent Granny Zhou to summon everyone from the first and second households and also ordered someone to bring Old Master Su.

“Grandmother, please don’t be angry anymore, all right? It’s all my fault.”

Tang Chaoyang squatted by Old Madam Su’s knee, blinking her eyes, imitating little Fei An’an’s way of coaxing people. “Please don’t be angry anymore, all right?”

Old Madam Su gave a cold snort and lifted her chin a little. “You go stand over there. This was no small matter—every one of you hid it from me. You really are quite capable.”

“All right, don’t be angry.” Tang Chaoyang obediently stood up and moved to the side.

Seeing her so compliant, Old Madam Su ignored her. She leaned back against the soft couch, waiting for the people from the two households to arrive.

Madam Li brought her two daughters into Rong’en Hall—and immediately a teacup came flying straight toward her.

Old Madam Su’s aim was excellent. She didn’t really intend to hit Madam Li, so the cup fell to the floor a few steps in front of her.

Madam Li was startled, her frightened face instantly turning pale.

Su Miao and Su Ling also turned ashen.

It was the first time they had ever seen the old lady so furious.

Even Tang Chaoyang hadn’t expected Grandmother to throw a cup this time.

Madam Li took a deep breath, stepped forward, and knelt, her voice gentle as she asked, “Mother, what has angered you so much?”

Seeing Madam Li kneeling, Su Miao and Su Ling naturally had to kneel as well. Tang Chaoyang couldn’t very well stay standing, so she knelt too.

Old Madam Su lifted her eyelids and glanced at Madam Li but said nothing. She didn’t tell them to rise.

She was still waiting for the second household to arrive.

Madam Lin and Su Qi stepped into Rong’en Hall. When they saw Madam Li and the others all kneeling on the ground, their hearts began to pound.

Without saying a word, Madam Lin grabbed Su Qi and dragged him to kneel down beside them.

Second Master Su, suddenly dragged into kneeling by his wife: “?”

He was the only grown man here—luckily, the mother he was kneeling to was his own.

Old Master Su slowly made his way back from the front courtyard to the western wing. He walked into Rong’en Hall and saw a row of people kneeling there.

“…”

Seeing the solemn atmosphere, his eyebrows twitched.

His old wife was angry.

And he was afraid too.

Old Master Su lightened his steps and went over to sit in the seat of honor.

Once he had settled, Old Madam Su finally opened her mouth. “Madam Li, does having Chaoyang and her mother live in the Su family offend your eyes?”

In the past, she had only given Madam Li a few gentle warnings. But this time, the incident had truly trampled on Old Madam Su’s bottom line.

Her words were blunt. She didn’t spare Madam Li any dignity before so many people.

“Mother, your daughter-in-law would never dare harbor such thoughts.” Madam Li quickly lowered her head to the floor to explain.

All she felt now was utter humiliation.

And her hatred of Tang Chaoyang deepened even further.

Old Madam Su sat upright, her gaze cold as she looked down at Madam Li kneeling below.

Her eyes held a profound meaning.

This eldest daughter-in-law of hers was narrow-minded and unwilling to treat her granddaughter kindly.

And Madam Li’s behavior had thoroughly disappointed her.

“I have never thought of myself as a malicious mother-in-law. I’ve never wanted to plant concubines in your households. I’ve never interfered in your little lives.”

“All I have ever asked is that you get along peacefully, that this family can live calmly together, so the men can focus on fighting our wars!”

Her voice paused, then grew cold again. “But you, Madam Li—what about you? In arranging Chaoyang’s marriage, what calculations did you harbor in your heart?”

“She and her mother returned from Han City with nowhere else to turn—only the Su family to depend on. And you, as the matriarch of the Su household, couldn’t even show them this tiniest measure of kindness?”

Madam Li’s eyes welled up with a trace of grievance. She was clearly doing this for the good of the Su family.

Su Miao and Su Ling were Old Madam Su’s biological granddaughters—Tang Chaoyang was only an external granddaughter.

Because of Tang Chaoyang, her two daughters had been ridiculed and excluded by the noble ladies outside.

As their mother, she ached for them!

Old Madam Su knew that Madam Li was unconvinced. She said indifferently, “From this day forward, the household will be managed by Madam Lin. Since you cannot fulfill the duties of a matriarch, someone else will take over!”

Madam Li’s head jerked up in shock and humiliation. “Mother!”