Chapter 67: The Child Who Guards His Food

“I bet she’s not just seeing one man. This woman, when she steals men, targets the powerful and wealthy in the capital. If she really couldn’t afford it, she would have gone looking for the child’s father a long time ago.

She might have seduced so many men that she doesn’t even know which one is the father.”

“What a lowly creature, shameless!”

The crowd was thoroughly enjoying the gossip.

Xiao Liangliang’s face turned pale.

She was kneeling on the ground, crying incessantly.

Shangguan Ze’s face was flushed red with suppressed anger. His chest was burning with rage, but he didn’t dare utter a word.

After all, it was his child.

Shangguan Ze’s resentment towards Princess Changping grew even stronger.

How had he not noticed before how ruthless Changping could be?

The Concubine played with Ah Bao on the side.

Ah Bao sat down on the ground, seeing a little black dog in the crowd.

Oh?

It was Little Black.

Little Black’s owner, Wen Qingyuan, had disappeared after reporting to the authorities, fearing any complications.

Little Black pranced over and stood in front of Ah Bao.

Ah Bao was chewing on a teething stick made from dough by the palace chefs. It was of moderate hardness, quite tasty, and helpful for teething.

Ah Bao, who was teething with only two little milk teeth so far, had been drooling a lot and felt itchy gums lately.

This teething stick was perfect, not only delicious but also helpful for teething.

Ah Bao cherished the teething stick dearly.

Little Black, Little Black, you’re not planning to snatch my teething stick, are you?

Xiao Liangliang’s voice trembled. “Sir…”

“Woof!”

Xiao Liangliang was startled.

She quickly saw Little Black beside Ah Bao.

She was terrified.

“Sir, I…”

“Woof woof!”

Every time Xiao Liangliang tried to speak, Little Black would bark.

Ah Bao giggled, drool staining the bright red coverall.

Little Black was so great!

Little Black tilted its head. Maybe a treat?

Ah Bao quickly hid the teething stick in the little pocket in front of her, not giving it away.

No, no.

Even if Little Black is great, no!

Little Black: “…”

This little child is a real food guardian.

While Ah Bao and Little Black were happily playing, Xiao Liangliang was being scolded mercilessly.

Finally, the magistrate banged his gavel. “Parade her through the streets.”

Family matters are hard to judge.

No matter how he ruled, it would be right in terms of public sentiment.

Xiao Liangliang’s face was ashen.

As she just stepped out of the government office, Xiao Liangliang felt a soft, mushy sensation under her feet. She looked down.

A foul smell wafted up.

Little Black had squatted right in the middle of the government office and left a pile of dog poop.

Unfortunately, Xiao Liangliang stepped right on it.

“It’s so filthy!”

A group led by an old woman rushed up, “Strip her clothes off! Let everyone see this shameless thing.”

“Isn’t she fond of stripping to seduce men? With so many people here, why doesn’t she strip?”

Xiao Liangliang’s chest heaved with anger, holding the child tightly.

She dared not look up.

Fearing rotten eggs might be thrown at her face.

“You picked a man who’s useless! In the end, people prefer the legitimate wife. Otherwise, even if you’re paraded through the streets, where is your man to help you?”

“Pah! A thief of men, a disgraceful thing!”

“…”

The Concubine picked up Ah Bao from the ground and patted her little bottom.

The Concubine noticed the most vocal old woman…

She was about fifty, very sharp-tongued.

“Princess, that woman is…” The Concubine clearly noticed the old woman.

She was the first to scold Xiao Liangliang and to try to strip her clothes.

Not only did she speak, but she also took action.

Seeing the old woman’s actions, the Concubine and Princess Changping felt a sense of satisfaction.

Before Changping could speak, Shangguan Ze said gloomily, “Such a shrew deserves to be driven out by her husband! Hmph, Ping’er and the Concubine might not know, but that Auntie Yun is a well-known figure around here.

Her husband was a fifth-rank official, but he drove her out. She’s raising a sick son, and she’s always cursing in the streets.”

Changping coldly remarked, “So it’s about favoring a concubine over the wife? He’s holding a high official position but lacks any real ability. Looks like his official career won’t last long if he can abandon his legitimate wife.”

Ah Bao gnawed on the teething stick, her eyes fixed on Auntie Yun.

A golden light seemed to radiate from her head.

That was merit.

Despite her sharp temper, Auntie Yun was a virtuous person and a good soul.

She would have great fortune in her later years.

“Why does the Duke sound so angry? Is he pitying that Xiao woman?”

Shangguan Ze was startled. “I just feel sorry for her, holding the child as a single mother, it’s quite tragic.”

“When she was about to abandon the child earlier, why didn’t you think she was tragic then?” Princess Changping’s eyes flashed with mockery.

Shangguan Ze: “…”

He lowered his head, feeling guilty.

The Concubine took Ah Bao and returned to the princess’s residence with Princess Changping.

Before leaving, Ah Bao waved goodbye to Little Black.

Little Black was such a spirited little dog.

Hmm… maybe find a chance to adopt it, hahaha.

As Little Black watched Ah Bao get into the carriage, it tilted its head.

Oh dear, why did it feel a bit scared of the baby’s presence?

Buddha bless, let’s not meet the little baby again.

…

At the princess’s residence, Shangguan Ze found an excuse and left the mansion.

Changping called Qingliu over. “Have you found the people?”

Qingliu nodded. “As per the lady’s instructions, everything is arranged.”

“Good, then take them over. The bigger the commotion, the better.”

Qingliu acknowledged and withdrew.

“Your Highness…” The Concubine hesitated to speak.

Changping gave a wry smile. “Sister-in-law, don’t try to dissuade me. I know exactly what needs to be done. Do you think I should keep Shangguan Ze around for the New Year?”

The Concubine understood that Changping was deeply pained, given their eight years of marriage.

It was a lie to say she wasn’t heartbroken by the betrayal.

But despite the pain, she needed to stay clear-headed. Teaching the unfaithful a lesson was the only way to protect herself.

Ah Bao, sitting on the table, giggled as she dug into her little pocket and pulled out a teething stick, offering it to Changping. “Stick… stick…”

[“Auntie’s great! She’s a model for women!”]

Changping picked up Ah Bao, her heart melting. “Good Ah Bao, you’re really Auntie’s little darling.”

Ah Bao cupped Changping’s face and gave her a kiss.

In the original text, after Princess Changping was driven to death by anger, her husband and the ungrateful villain secretly sided with the male and female protagonists, helping them to destroy the Tiansheng Dynasty.

Now that the aunt had woken up and was punishing the scumbag, didn’t that mean the protagonists lost another ally?

She had been reincarnated for over half a year and had yet to meet the protagonists.

She didn’t know where the protagonists were hiding now.