Chapter 87: The First Official Meeting

Tian Mi was busy rewriting Chen Shimei’s story at home, but in her version, the male protagonist was now transformed into Ruan Xiguo.

Donglai versus Xiguo—quite fitting!

Xu Feiyan came to inform her, “Sister Tian Mi, the gatekeeper received an invitation from the Lin family. They are coming to visit you tomorrow!”

Tian Mi instructed her to respond, saying she would be expecting them.

After a day of revisions, the script was finally done. Now, it was just a matter of collaborating with theaters and teahouses to get it printed.

Ruan Donglai and the Jia family were about to clash spectacularly!

In the afternoon, the palace eunuch, with a broad smile on his face, came to the Duke’s residence to invite Tian Mi to the palace. He even made sure to bring along the two children.

The grandmother, uncles, and people at the Duke’s residence were all puzzled. They could tell from the eunuch’s expression that it wasn’t anything bad. Only the old maid, Xiao Mama, calmly supported the grandmother, saying, “Don’t worry, the Duke’s fortune is still ahead!”

It seems she might soon not be just the Duke’s daughter!

They were keeping it well hidden— even the old lady didn’t know!

Tian Mi went to the palace with Chun Er and Chun San. They were responsible for carrying the two children, as they felt safe doing so when outside.

In the palace, when the Empress found out that Bai Mucheng was married and had children, she was furious, wanting to scold him for not telling her about such an important matter.

Bai Mucheng knew that once he revealed he was married and had children, both his father and mother would surely be pleased, but there was no avoiding the scolding. So, he smartly chose to leave immediately after telling them, letting them stew over it for a while. By the time they were anxious to know who his wife and children were, they would be too distracted to scold him.

Wu Xianzu had given him the perfect opportunity, so he had immediately pressed charges for him to be investigated.

By the time the Emperor and the Crown Prince realized they needed to ask him about his wife and children, he had already left the palace.

It made them frantic!

Why didn’t he clarify things more clearly?!

The Empress was both happy and anxious when she heard the news. Suddenly, she had a grandson and granddaughter—oh, she had to meet them! And who was the person she had been waiting for all these years? Who was the one that had this miraculous fate? In her anxiety, she had the guards go and bring him back.

The Crown Princess, on the other hand, upon hearing that he already had a son and a daughter, suddenly understood. She chuckled, “Of course! It’s the miracle of the country’s citizens. Who else could it be but her?”

Everyone gathered at the Empress’s palace, waiting to interrogate Bai Mucheng, while the Empress was a mixture of happiness and anxiety. The Crown Prince chuckled and advised, “Mother, don’t rush. Now that he’s revealed it, he’ll definitely explain more.”

The Crown Princess also smiled, saying, “Mother, you can always guess who it is.”

“This is the miracle of the country, with a pair of children. Who else could it be?”

The Empress paused, then suddenly her eyes lit up!

Ha! It was the young lady she liked!

The maid behind her also realized it! No wonder Wenwen had caught the eyes of the Longfeng Duke’s daughter.

But this was the main lady, and the child was too unaware of the situation.

They couldn’t make guesses based on this; they needed the young man to confirm the truth.

After figuring it out, the Empress began chatting, “Why did this kid hide such a big matter from us?”

Everyone thought back to the way Bai Mucheng had spoken about the miraculous fate years ago. It didn’t seem like he was speaking about the joy of being married. When he had mentioned the fate, there had been a murderous tone to his words.

Something wasn’t right about this!

Despite their brainstorming, they couldn’t come up with any answers.

After lunch, Bai Mucheng was escorted to the palace by the Empress’s guards, where he began telling the story he had prepared in advance.

Years ago, he had been captured by the people of the Prince of Yu’s household, and it was Tian Mi and her group, fleeing from a disaster, who had saved him. They fell in love at first sight and, according to local customs, had married. Due to the chaos during their flight, they had gotten separated. This year, they had finally reunited.

Though this story had been embellished a bit, it was essentially true!

According to the local customs in the bandit hideouts, if you met someone you liked, you would immediately get married!

The Empress asked, “Why didn’t you tell us after you reunited this year?”

Bai Mucheng, still trying to save face, didn’t admit it was because Tian Mi didn’t want to tell anyone. He cleared his throat and explained, “The situation in the capital is complicated, so I didn’t think it was the right time to make it public. I wanted to protect them and the children’s safety!”

The Empress wasn’t convinced. “Are you saying it’s the Longfeng Duke’s daughter?”

“Ah, you’re so clever!”

Bai Mucheng nodded with a smile, “Yes! Mi’er is delicate, so don’t frighten her!”

Oh dear! He’s already protective before they’ve even met!

Well, she did seem like a delicate, talented child when they met at the palace banquet last time!

The Empress didn’t waste time with him any longer. Her grandchildren were arriving, after all! She immediately sent people to fetch the eunuch and bring Tian Mi and the children into the palace.

The Crown Prince chuckled and teased, “You’re full of surprises, little brother! Two children already!”

Tian Mi felt a bit nervous. She had no idea what Bai Mucheng had told them. She had read novels, and marrying into the royal family was no easy matter!

But seeing the pure, innocent smiles of the two little ones, so adorable, made Tian Mi feel a little more at ease.

Children always gave her endless strength!

No need to worry. If this place doesn’t work out, there’s always somewhere else to go!

When they arrived at the palace, Eunuch Wang had even arranged a sedan chair. Ordinary people would have to walk into the palace.

Seeing the two little ones, Eunuch Wang smiled and said, “The Empress is waiting! Let’s get there faster in the sedan chair.”

Tian Mi felt a bit more reassured. In the palace, the attitude of the eunuchs always reflected the master’s attitude!

When they reached the Empress’s palace, Bai Mucheng came to greet them. Tian Mi handed over Tian Lin to him and held Tian Mei, who was happily laughing and giggling in the new environment, making everyone smile with joy.

Bai Mucheng smiled and said to Tian Mi, “Don’t worry. If the Empress or the Crown Prince asks anything, just leave it to me.”

Tian Mi smiled calmly and nodded. She felt a wave of trust. This guy was reliable—she could work with him.

Tian Mi had initially thought the Empress would be strict, as most mothers-in-law were known for being tough, but when she saw the two children, the Empress didn’t even have time to ask questions.

She even waived the formalities for Tian Mi.

The Crown Prince teased, “Sister-in-law, you’ve really kept it under wraps!”

The Crown Princess covered her mouth and laughed, “Little brother has surpassed us already! He’s got two kids now! Sister-in-law, you’re so fortunate.”

Bai Mucheng’s smile widened at the remark. “Well, that day nearly wore me out!”

Tian Mi smiled shyly, lowering her head.

That response was always foolproof!

Just don’t laugh louder than them—that wouldn’t be appropriate!

How had Bai Mucheng spoken to them? Why was everyone so warm and friendly? Tian Mi thought she might have encountered a fake royal family!

The Empress was so delighted that she kept picking up one child after another, much like she did when her second son was young. It made her so happy.

These two kids were also adorable, showing their toothless grins to everyone and waving their little hands at the Empress, making everyone smile.

They were far cuter than her second son when he was their age!

It made her heart melt!

After a long while, the Empress finally composed herself and said, “Changfeng, you’ve been wronged!”

Huh? What do you mean wronged?

Wasn’t her son the one who was more wronged?

Tian Mi didn’t understand where this comment came from, but she knew that the more one said, the more mistakes could be made.

“Your Majesty, I’m not wronged!” Tian Mi quickly replied.

The Empress shot her a playful glare and said, “Still calling me ‘Your Majesty’? You should be calling me ‘Mother-in-law’ now!”

What?! Had she entered a den of swindlers?

Bai Mucheng also smiled gently. “You should call her ‘Mother-in-law’!”

Tian Mi’s face turned red as she bowed and said, “Mother-in-law, peace and good health!”