bayedsolid Chapter 397 This is your fourth aunt!
Chapter 397 This is your fourth aunt!
Upon hearing this, the Empress glared at him, then looked at the Crown Prince who was smiling helplessly. "Look at him, not only is he being lazy, but now he's blaming you for not paying attention!" After saying that, she turned to the Emperor. "You heard everything. From now on, let the children worry more."
The Emperor smiled, but feigned anger, pointing at Duanmu Chuze and saying, "You shameless scoundrel! If you hadn't refused to do your job properly since returning to the capital, would I have been so overworked? And now you have the nerve to criticize your elder brother? If you had half his diligence, that would be great."
The Crown Prince chimed in, "Yes, Fourth Brother. I always let it go because you were too young. But now that you're married, you're an adult. When you get to your fiefdom, you must be diligent in your duties and care for the people. Don't be lazy anymore."
"Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly not dare to disobey your teachings."
The Empress laughed and scolded, "Listen to what you're saying! You think you can disobey me?"
"What nonsense! Mother, you are the mother of the nation! How dare I disobey you? It's just that I'm grown up now and have my own ideas. If you have some free time, you should keep a closer eye on Father!"
At first glance, Duanmu Chuze's words in front of the Emperor and his concubines seemed somewhat improper, but upon reflection, they made the concubines feel a little embarrassed. This was truly father and son, this was true family!
Think about the princes and princesses they gave birth to. No matter how favored they were, which one of them would dare to speak like that in front of the emperor?
That's the difference!
No matter how unwilling the concubines were, there was nothing they could do! The Emperor's respect for the Empress was not something they could easily overthrow with their looks and cleverness! Since that was the case, they might as well behave themselves and at least ensure their own safety in the future.
Duanmu Chuze glanced at Duanmu Jing and smiled, "Anuan, you've only received gifts so far. These younger brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces haven't even met you yet. You weren't prepared, were you?"
"How could that be? Of course I prepared a gift. This first one should naturally be given to Princess Jing."
"Hehe! What Princess Jing? Fourth Sister-in-law, now that you're my sister-in-law, just call me Jing'er. Calling me Princess Jing would be too formal."
“What the girl says is right, you should call her Jing’er.”
Mu Xin smiled and readily agreed, "I know you like pearls. This is a pearl necklace that the prince gave me before. Today, I'll take this opportunity to present it to you. I just hope Jing'er won't find it offensive."
Wow! So beautiful! Thank you, Nuan!
"Hmm?" Duanmu Chuze raised an eyebrow, his face showing displeasure.
"Uh, it was a slip of the tongue! A slip of the tongue! It was Fourth Sister-in-law!" As she spoke, she tugged at Mu Xin Nuan's arm and shook it in a slightly coquettish manner, truly acting like a little child.
Mu Xin Nuan met several of the emperor's younger brothers, all of whom were born out of wedlock and had not yet been granted the title of king.
"Chen'er, it's your turn! What's going on? Come and meet your fourth aunt, she's prepared a lot of good things. Don't you want them?" Duanmu Chuze's smiling face made Duanmu Chen want to bite his neck!
Duanmu Chuze was also petty, and he deliberately emphasized the words "Fourth Aunt," as if to remind Duanmu Chen that she was his elder, not a woman he could covet! Otherwise, it would be incest, it would be disobedience!
Duanmu Chen knew in his heart what kind of place this was and how many eyes were watching him. If he showed even the slightest emotion, it could be used as a handle to bring endless trouble to the Crown Prince!
No matter how unwilling he was, he could only step forward and kneel before Mu Xin Nuan, saying, "Nephew Duanmu Chen greets Fourth Aunt."
Mu Xin Nuan felt uneasy, sensing that this person was somewhat dangerous. In the past, he had always appeared imposing and awe-inspiring in front of her, but his current demeanor made her feel somewhat flustered.
However, having been given a second chance at life, I'm not afraid of death anymore, so what else is there to be afraid of?
"Please rise quickly. I have heard that His Highness the Crown Prince is now very fond of calligraphy. I have nothing good to give him, so I have found an antique inkstone to present to him. I hope you will study it well and help His Highness the Crown Prince in the future."
"Thank you, Fourth Aunt."
The words "Fourth Aunt" were like a knife, slicing his heart raw, one cut after another, leaving it bleeding and gruesome.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the Emperor and the Crown Prince left one after the other, and the inner palace became much more relaxed.
I thought that after meeting a few juniors, everything would be fine, but I didn't expect that the Empress would suggest that they stay for lunch.
Mu Xin Nuan originally intended to return to the Prince's Mansion, but when she thought about how they would be leaving the capital in a few days, she knew that the Empress, who always doted on Duanmu Chu Ze, must be feeling uncomfortable.
"Your Highness, I have a private conversation with Jing'er. Please keep Mother company and have a good chat."
"Alright. The palace is a large place, so don't wander off. Let Mu Hua and the others come with you. If you get lost again, I won't dare leave you alone again."
Is this a hint at what happened last time?
Mu Xin Nuan glanced at Duanmu Chen out of the corner of her eye, and sure enough, she saw his expression change.
"Your Highness, rest assured, I will be back shortly."
"She's with me, what's there to worry about? Really! You're so stingy! You know, Fourth Sister-in-law is my good friend. If I hadn't put in a good word for you, do you think you would have been able to marry Anuan?"
Duanmu Chuze rubbed his forehead. "Jing'er, do you not want that beaded necklace anymore? Give it back to me!"
"No! This was a gift from my fourth sister-in-law, how can I possibly take it back?"
"Who said no?"
"Hmph! I'm ignoring you!" Duanmu Jing said, taking Mu Xinnuan's hand and walking out.
As Duanmu Chuze watched the two of them leave the inner hall, he naturally noticed that Duanmu Chen's gaze was also fixed on Mu Xin Nuan's back.
"Chen'er, is your schoolwork too heavy lately?"
"Replying to Fourth Uncle, it's alright." Duanmu Chen quickly averted his gaze and replied respectfully.
"Mother, I was thinking of using this place to test this nephew. What do you think?"
The Empress was taken aback. Although she was puzzled, she knew that her son would not do anything without a basis. She nodded, and someone presented her with the Four Treasures of the Study.
"I have just been married, and it is now late autumn. Why don't you compose a poem on the theme of autumn?"
Duanmu Chuze's eyes turned cold. "Duanmu Chen, don't think I don't know what you're up to? Trying to scheme against my Anuan? You're still too green! Today, I won't let you leave this inner palace even once. Let's see what other tricks you have up your sleeve."