Reincarnation and Rebirth

Chapter 234 You Two Look So Alike

Hearing his mother call him a good-for-nothing, Xiao Yunting didn't argue; instead, a smile curved his lips.

Enraged, Old Madam Xiao grabbed a cushion and threw it at him. "I thought you were in love with Wan'er, but you can still laugh."

Xiao Yunting caught the cushion, and thinking of his conversation with Su Wan'er that night, he forced a smile and asked, "Mother, why are you angry?"

"Why? Wan'er is such a good girl, if she marries into the palace..."

"Mother, be careful what you say." She glanced at Granny Fang and smiled, "We should all be happy for Miss Su that she has been made empress."

Seeing that the old lady was quite angry, Granny Fang quickly stepped forward to comfort her, "Old Madam, please don't be angry. Second Young Master, don't you understand what the old lady means?"

"Understand what?"

"What do you understand?" Old Madam Xiao scolded angrily, "I've always said that Wan'er is a good girl, and I told you to pay more attention to her, but what have you done?"

Xiao Yunting remained unfazed. "Mother, the imperial decree has already been issued. There's no point in saying anything more."

"Get out, get out..."

Xiao Yunting naturally couldn't leave, so he said to the old nanny next to him, "Nanny, I just told the kitchen to make chicken soup for my mother, it should be ready by now, please come over."

Granny Fang lowered her eyes and glanced at the old lady. "This servant will send someone to fetch it."

"The servants are worried, but you know Mother's tastes best, so please take care of me."

Although Madam Xiao was still angry, he was still her son, and mother and son are of one mind. Seeing his behavior, she said, "Granny Fang, go and do it. I've been angry for a long time and I'm actually a little hungry."

Only then did Granny Fang leave.

Old Madam Xiao gave Xiao Yunting a deep look, and Madam Ji, sensing this, also got up to take her leave.

"Alright, then I won't keep you any longer. Don't worry, I'll keep in mind what happened between Wan'er and your cousin."

Madam Ji nodded and left.

"You brat, tell me, why did you send Madam Fang away?"

After a cup of tea, Granny Fang returned to the old lady's room. Seeing that the atmosphere was still oppressive, she placed the ginseng chicken soup in front of the old lady and said softly, "Old lady, the chicken soup is ready. Drink some while it's hot."

"Hmm, put it down," Madam Xiao said casually. "You go out and keep watch."

Granny Fang's eyes flashed, but she still went out, stood at the door, and gently closed the door.

Xiao Yunting looked at the door with a crack in it and sneered.

The old lady deliberately lowered her voice, "Yun Ting, are you really going to do this?" She seemed to be lowering her voice, but in reality, she made sure that the people at the door could hear her clearly.

"Mother, your son truly loves Qingwan, the princess, and does not wish to see her marry the emperor."

"This is a serious crime of treason. You should think carefully."

"Your son has thought it through. The Emperor already harbors suspicion towards our Xiao family, and taking action is only a matter of time. Mother, think back to the Duke of Protectorate back then..."

"Alright, that's enough. Now that you've thought it through, go ahead. But the Eleventh Prince is still young. Can he really shoulder the responsibility of ruling this country?"

"Rest assured, although the Eleventh Prince is young, he is kind, diligent in his duties and loves his people. He will surely become a wise ruler of Ziyun in the future."

"Alright, we must be careful about this matter. Tomorrow, Mother will go to the palace to sound out Consort Ya's opinion."

The old woman eavesdropping outside the door showed an excited expression.

Feeling the person at the door leave, the mother and son finally breathed a sigh of relief. Old Madam Xiao sighed, "I never thought that after following me for so many years, I would still be her person."

“Mother, don’t be too sad. Fortunately, we saw it clearly in time. Otherwise, our entire Xiao family might have become the second Duke of Huguo’s mansion.”

"But Yunting, can this really work? What if the Emperor actually believes it... then..."

“Mother, she has no evidence, but I have my own way.”

The next day, the usually quiet palace was bustling with activity. Zi Xingchen received the Crown Prince of Mingyue Kingdom in a side hall, while Su Wan'er went to the Empress Dowager's palace.

Madam Xiao arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace shortly after. Upon seeing Su Wan'er, she was taken aback at first, but then greeted the Empress Dowager.

Chu Linlin pulled up to Old Madam Xiao with a familiar expression, "We've known each other for many years, so there's no need for such formalities. What brings you here today to chat with me?"

Madam Xiao glanced at the seated people and sneered inwardly. So eager? She had already sent away all the other concubines who came to pay their respects, leaving only Consort Ya behind.

"At my birthday banquet some time ago, the Empress Dowager sent someone to deliver a congratulatory gift to me. It is only proper for me to come and pay my respects to the Empress Dowager and express my gratitude for the gift."

"Look at you, you're still the same as when you were young, with such a straightforward temper. Come and sit down. It just so happens that Qingwan, the princess, has come to pay her respects today. You should meet her. In the future, she will be my good granddaughter-in-law." After saying that, she deliberately looked at Su Wan'er with a loving expression.

Su Wan'er quickly stood up, "This humble woman is of limited talent and is flattered by your kindness."

"Ah, if the Emperor says you are worthy of it, then you are worthy of it, hahaha, the harem should have an Empress to share the Emperor's burdens. I am old and useless."

"The Empress Dowager's appearance remains unchanged; she has not aged at all."

These words made Chu Linlin very happy.

At this moment, the Eleventh Prince, Zi Xingyun, also came over to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

Looking at the Eleventh Prince, Madam Xiao smiled and said, "This Eleventh Prince is indeed handsome and extraordinary, with a dignified bearing. He will surely achieve great things in the future."

As a mother, she would definitely be happy to hear someone praise her son.

"Yun'er, this is Old Madam Xiao, and over there is Qingwan, the princess, who will be your future sister-in-law."

Zi Xingyun is already nine years old this year. People in ancient times matured early, and he has long since shed his childishness. Every move he makes exudes a powerful aura.

Su Wan'er glanced at Zi Xingyun. This child is a good person, but it's a pity that he has such a mother and great-aunt.

After greeting everyone, Zi Xingyun asked, "I wonder what important matter Grandmother has summoned her grandson here for?"

"It's nothing, your grandmother just misses you."

Zi Xingyun didn't think much of it and said, "Then I'll go back to class. There's a riding and archery class today, and the teacher is waiting for me."

"Alright, alright, go ahead." Chu Linlin smiled broadly. "This child is so hardworking."

Consort Ya also smiled, "Yes, the servants often say that Yun'er often studies until late at night."

"You'll have to take care of yourself then."

Su Wan'er also laughed and said, "Looking at the Empress Dowager and Consort Ya smiling like that, you two really do look alike. If I didn't know that Consort Ya is from the Tang family, I would have thought you were a family."

Upon hearing this, Chu Linlin and Consort Ya's smiles froze. Old Madam Xiao quickly scolded, "Qingwan, you can't say such things. Hurry up and apologize to the Empress Dowager and Consort Ya."

Su Wan'er was startled and immediately stood up and knelt down, "This commoner has spoken too much. Please forgive me, Empress Dowager and Imperial Concubine."

Chu Linlin clenched her fist and said magnanimously, "It's alright. You'll find out when you enter the palace." There's plenty of time to deal with you.