Su Mianmian’s eyes were brimming with tears, and her tone was sycophantic to an absurd degree. She practically wanted to kowtow to him. If she had to stay in the palace any longer, she would go stir-crazy.
The Emperor found her fawning pleasant, but Consort Chun found it grating. She held the baby in her arms and offered her to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, I see the Little Princess is eager to go out. If it is convenient for you, could you take her along?"
The Emperor feigned a troubled expression, pondered for a moment, and said, "Very well. Consort Chun, you should rest. I will take the Little Princess to change her clothes first."
*Yay! I can finally go out! The weather is truly lovely today, oh oh oh~*
The Emperor deftly changed Su Mianmian’s clothes, though he was subjected to her ear-piercing "magic music" the entire way. He scratched his head in annoyance; this little creature was, indeed, a bit of a handful.
***
Outer City — The Chen Residence
Old Madam Chen watched the maids and menservants moving items, her tone sharp and stingy. "Be careful! These are goods for the Prince Consort’s mansion; you cannot afford a single mistake."
The servants nodded in compliance, but they felt a sense of disdain in their hearts. This old madam was truly impossible to respect. All day long, she either boasted about marrying a princess without spending a single cent or claimed the princess was begging to marry into their family. She claimed their ancestors had accumulated merit and insisted on thanking them for this and that. The servants only wanted to say: You should be thanking the princess for being blind.
While Old Madam Chen was busy fantasizing about moving into the inner city and laying down the law for the princess, she missed her footing and took a misstep. She immediately tumbled, her wig flying off in the process. She sprawled on the ground, limbs splayed like a toad. A servant stifled a laugh and stepped forward to help her up, but the old madam kicked the stairs in a rage. "You low-born, dog-eyed steps! Once I leave, I’ll have you torn down!"
Outside the Chen mansion, a discreet carriage was parked by the side of the road. The Emperor arrived with Su Mianmian and the Eldest Princess. The Emperor carried Su Mianmian inside first.
The moment they stepped through the door, they saw the comical sight of Old Madam Chen in her disheveled state. Su Mianmian laughed until she was twitching; the Emperor pinched his cheeks, struggling to contain his own amusement.
Old Madam Chen had never met the Emperor. Seeing the man before her dressed in ordinary clothes and carrying a child, her expression turned sour. She stepped forward, grabbed the Emperor, and lowered her voice. "Don't think that just because you've produced a child, my son will marry that little slut from your family."
???
*The Emperor: No, are you insane?*
Seeing that the Emperor remained silent, and thinking that this was a critical moment where nothing could go wrong, she tried to appease him. "If this child is indeed ours, we will acknowledge it. But right now, the Prince Consort is about to marry the princess. If anyone dares to ruin his good fortune, I, an old woman, will certainly strip them alive. Once this period has passed, bring the child over, and we will raise it."
*You dog, you’ve got some nerve.*
Su Mianmian was beyond furious. So, this family actually expected the Eldest Princess to raise their child!
The Emperor finally grasped the situation. A storm seemed to brew in his eyes as he said calmly, "Is that so? What makes you think the princess will agree to raise the child for you?"
The Eldest Princess, who had just walked to the doorway, froze and silently hid in the shadows.
Old Madam Chen tilted her head in disdain. "She wouldn't dare refuse! Throughout the ages, which daughter-in-law dares to defy her mother-in-law? If she doesn't listen, I’ll accuse her of being unfilial. Do you know who I am? I am the princess’s mother-in-law, which makes me the elder of the Emperor himself! Even when the Emperor comes, he dares not be disrespectful to me—what could a mere princess possibly say?"
*Go to hell, you old hag.*
Su Mianmian was stunned by the woman’s utter lack of shame.
The Emperor clicked his tongue against his teeth. The weather was turning cold; it was time to send this family packing.
Old Madam Chen frowned and reached out to shove him. "Did you hear me?"
Before her hand could touch the Emperor, a gesture from him brought the guards forward, pinning her to the ground. Old Madam Chen was stunned for a moment before she began to struggle violently. "What kind of creature are you to dare touch me? You dog-born, motherless, uneducated animal—"
As soon as these words left her mouth, the guards nearly dropped their swords. Even Su Mianmian’s eyes widened. She scolded the "tyrant" often, but only in her head—this woman was truly "brave."
The Emperor laughed in cold fury. "The rest of you, smash her mouth for me. Don't stop until she shuts up."
"Mmph, mmph, mmph..."
Old Madam Chen tried to scream, but the guard, terrified of her speaking again, slapped her unconscious.
*Slap!*
The impact woke her up.
*Slap!*
She passed out again.
...
*Su Mianmian: Wait, is this a glitch in the system?*
She glanced at the guard, her gaze falling on his broad, thick palm. *That’s a top-tier tool for slapping.*
The Emperor, too bored to look at the old woman, ordered the guards to bring out the "Top Scholar."
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Top Scholar is not in the residence."
The Emperor’s face darkened. Where had that dog gone?
"People in the manor say the Top Scholar went to Jinyu Tower."
Jinyu Tower. It was the largest restaurant in the Capital, a place frequented by everyone from commoners to high-ranking nobles. Inside, the noise was deafening; the decor was extravagant, and the moment you walked in, you were hit with an atmosphere of debauchery and excess. Besides fine wine and food, it had another specialty: beauties.
As the Emperor and his party entered, the manager hurried over. The manager was a shrewd man and could tell at a glance that these people were not ordinary. Despite their discreet attire, the fabric was incredibly expensive Floating Silk.
"Sir, what can I do for you?"
The Emperor stared straight ahead and immediately ordered the tower to be locked down, ensuring not even a fly could escape. Seeing their posture, the manager’s legs went weak. "Sir, let's talk this out. We will cooperate, of course."
"Where is the new Top Scholar?" the Emperor asked bluntly.
The manager took one look at the Emperor and didn't hesitate to sell the man out. "Second floor. I’ll take you up." He glanced at a waiter as if by accident, and the waiter immediately went to report the news.
In business, the key was not to offend either side. The man before him looked wealthy and powerful, but the person upstairs was no slouch either—a future royal relative. If the Top Scholar were caught in a compromising position, he would surely retaliate later.
The Emperor carried Su Mianmian, his long-legged stride showing through as he took two steps at a time up the stairs. In no time at all, they reached the floor.
*Hurry, Scumbag Dad! Otherwise, the Scumbag Man is going to run away!* Su Mianmian cheered him on internally.
*Bang!*
He kicked open the Top Scholar's door. The Top Scholar had just finished dressing and was sitting in a chair. Hearing the noise, he looked over, displeased. Who on earth had the audacity to ruin his good time?
One look, and he nearly scared himself to death.
"Your... Your Majesty? Why are you here?" He looked at the person behind him and felt a surge of panic. "Your Highness, the Eldest Princess!"
The Emperor glanced at him with disdain. "Top Scholar, did you come here alone?"
The Top Scholar’s heart hammered against his ribs like a drum, but he had no choice but to play the fool to the end. He immediately said, "Your Majesty, I have a penchant for fine food, so I often come here to dine alone."
*Is that so?*
The Emperor’s scrutinizing gaze swept over his face. Did he take him for a fool?
*Dine? Where is the food!*
The Top Scholar bowed. "I have finished my meal. Perhaps we should leave this place, and I can take you both out to see the sights?"
His riches and glorious future depended on the Princess. He could never let her find out that he was secretly keeping a woman. If a person as arrogant as the Princess found out, she would never let it go. Once he married her, the Top Scholar’s eyes turned cruel. He would then teach her the meaning of the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues," and that the husband is the wife's guide.
*See the sights, my foot.*
*Scumbag Dad, don't leave! He hid people in the closet! And on the bed! Holy crap, a threesome? How is he this daring!*
*My god, a man and a woman?*
Su Mianmian acted like a live broadcast, her internal voice growing louder and louder.