Sitting in the carriage on the way back to the mansion, Li Xinyue propped her chin on one hand, looking at the fluttering carriage curtains with mixed feelings. After a while, she turned her head and just saw Old Man Chu greedily staring at the soft cushion under his buttocks. He then rubbed it vigorously a few times.
Since he had been caught by her, he quickly withdrew his hand, but his eyes still lingered on the delicate cushion he had never seen before, as well as the foot blanket outside the cushion, the tea table on the blanket, the teacups on the tea table, and the incense burner.
Just thinking about living such a magnificent life in the future made him happy, overjoyed!
Li Xinyue frowned and asked unhappily, "Who taught you to say those words just now?"
"It was a man with very high martial arts skills. He told us to do so. We are just country villagers. We've never seen such a grand occasion. As soon as he pointed his sword at us, we just did as he said."
Mrs. Chu nodded. They really had been threatened and had no choice but to do so.
Li Xinyue was surprised that Mrs. Chu was still covering for that despicable old man even now.
So between her son and husband, she actually favored her husband, right?
While feeling sad for Chu Junyi in her heart, she couldn't say that the old woman's choice was wrong. She just felt heart - ache.
She suppressed her anger. "If he told you to go and die, would you go?"
Old Man Chu retracted his hand that was about to reach for the pastries. He was eager to clarify his identity. "Your Highness, I, I'm Junyi's father. You can't, can't..." talk to me like this!
"Can't what? Kill you?" Li Xinyue curled her lips and deliberately interrupted him.
Old Man Chu was stunned.
Li Xinyue said, "Now you remember you're Junyi's father? Why didn't you think about it when you were in the imperial study?
Just because someone pointed a sword at you, you were so scared that you even forgot your own kin?
Do you know that if it's discovered that you're not Junyi's real parents, you'll be guilty of deceiving the emperor and will surely die!"
"Moreover, it would be as easy as pie for me to kill you.
I could even kill you right now and then throw your body into the wilderness, pretending that you were attacked by wolves on your way back.
Then this matter would have nothing to do with me, and it wouldn't implicate Junyi. Scary, isn't it?"
Scary! It was extremely scary!
Old Man Chu immediately broke out in a cold sweat, and his eyes became dull.
Mrs. Chu knelt on the ground, crying and begging for mercy. "The old man is ignorant. Please, Princess, don't take offense at a small person's mistake. It's our overreaching. We know we were wrong.
Princess, spare our lives. From now on, we'll disappear into the crowd and never show up again."
"Yes, yes, yes." Old Man Chu, who had come to his senses, quickly knelt down and kowtowed to Li Xinyue. "It's my ignorance. I'm just a coward. I know I was wrong. Please, Your Highness Princess, spare my life, spare my life!"
Afraid that the princess would still be angry, Old Man Chu even slapped himself several times.
Only then did Li Xinyue feel a bit more relieved, but it still wasn't the most satisfying. "So if someone points a sword at you next time, will you still dare to talk nonsense?"
"Never. Absolutely never. I wouldn't dare even if I were beaten to death!"
"Good. Remember these words! Otherwise, not only will they cause you trouble, but I will too! Jing Bai! Buy them a house and some farmland outside and register them in my name.
From now on, you'll live there in peace and cause less trouble! Otherwise, I'll take the house back. Do you understand?"
Then she looked at Mrs. Chu again. "If you draw a clear line from this man, I'll give you the house as a return for your kindness in raising Junyi.
If you don't want to draw a clear line from this man, then like him, you can only live there on loan. But you can live there until you're old and die. This is also to show some kindness to our nominal family relationship. You can choose for yourself."
Mrs. Chu's heart skipped a beat. It felt like the light was right in front of her eyes, and she could reach it with just a stretch of her hand. But then she thought of her husband of many years, and the feeling of reluctance tugged at her heart.
Old Man Chu realized that if this was the case, he would never be able to enjoy a good life. So he was determined to drag this woman along.
"Wife, I was wrong in the past. I deserved it. I'm a jerk! But from now on, I'll turn over a new leaf and live a good life.
Wife, think it over. I'm your husband. Only I can accompany you until you're old.
That kid has married into the princess's mansion. He has to listen to others. How can he take care of you?
You can only rely on me!"
"I..." Mrs. Chu's heart was pounding. On the one hand, she thought Old Man Chu was right. On the other hand, she also wanted to know if the princess was sincere in taking her in.
Would the princess take care of this mother - in - law who had no blood relationship?
She was waiting for Li Xinyue's answer.
But Li Xinyue didn't think of these things. She just thought Old Man Chu's words were quite unreasonable. "You've been away from home for many years. You weren't there when you were needed. Now, on what basis can you guarantee that you'll stay with her until you're both old?
Who can't just talk empty words? If you have the guts, show some sincerity!"
Old Man Chu was speechless.
When Mrs. Chu heard this, it seemed reasonable. For a moment, she really didn't know what to do. She felt that neither side was reliable, but she had to make a choice. Otherwise, she really wouldn't have a place to live in her old age.
Li Xinyue could see her dilemma. From the moment they met, she could tell her personality from her eyes.
This woman was kind - hearted but indecisive. Such a person needed to suffer a bit.
"Alright, Mother. You don't have to make a choice in a hurry. You can live with him first. When you can't stand it one day, just come to the princess's mansion and find me."
Mrs. Chu nodded blankly.
Then, Li Xinyue ordered Jing Bai to drive the carriage to the princess's mansion. After she got off the carriage, she told him to drive it outside.
Old Man Chu in the carriage poked his head out. He only managed to take a look at the magnificent princess's mansion. He had thought he could live there too, but he didn't expect to meet such a shrewd daughter - in - law. In the end, he got nothing.
Mrs. Chu still worried about Chu Junyi's situation. Before the carriage left, she asked Li Xinyue, "Will what we did just now... cause trouble for Junyi?"
"No. Everyone has their own troubles. It won't be enough to shake Junyi's official position because of this. Moreover, when the emperor summoned you, he dismissed the outsiders. As long as you keep your mouths shut, no one will know about this."
As for Lin Wei, he himself knew that these small characters could only be annoying at most and couldn't cause any big waves. So he never showed up. Otherwise, with his personality, he would surely have taken the opportunity to crush them.
...
On Chu Junyi's side, the subordinate he had sent to follow Old Master Qiao had been exposed.
It all started when Old Master Qiao secretly winked at the steward.
After the steward noticed something was wrong, he took the opportunity to separate the two of them and then drew his sword and pointed it at the subordinate.
Seeing this, the subordinate had no choice but to fire a signal flare.
When Chu Junyi saw this, he revealed his identity.
All his trusted subordinates behind him took off their clothes, revealing their official uniforms, and quickly followed up.
But the guards outside the manor drew their swords in response.
Chu Junyi then took out his token. "The Surveillance Department is handling a case. You should cooperate immediately!"