Chapter 118: Having Both Parents and a Wealthy Family

The Xiao family? Xiao Jingxuan raised an eyebrow, his expression darkening with displeasure. It seemed his rebellious Princess consort had been chatting quite a bit with the Emperor. He would certainly need to have a serious talk with his wife about what exactly they had been discussing, and perhaps it was time to establish a few house rules.

Su Jingluo was simply too exhausted to hide anything, so she recounted everything to Xiao Jingxuan, detailing the grand ambitions and dreams she had shared with the Emperor.

At first, Xiao Jingxuan dismissed her words as mere whimsy, but as he listened, his expression grew increasingly solemn and astonished. Was this truly the product of Su Jingluo’s mind? How had he never realized she possessed such grand talent and foresight? What secrets were hidden behind this woman?

"You are offering advice to the Emperor on how to govern the realm?" Xiao Jingxuan suddenly realized the implication, and the thought that his wife’s wisdom was being squandered on the Emperor made him deeply unhappy. His face flushed with a hint of indignation.

"Govern the realm?" Su Jingluo blinked, taken aback. She had never once thought about governing the realm for the Emperor; she simply felt that the policies she proposed would benefit the common people.

"No, no, I don't know anything about governing a realm. I just thought that if a policy is good for the people, it’s good for me too. I want to open a hospital—the largest one in the capital—where I can make money while saving lives. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?" As she spoke of her dream, her eyes became misty, filled with endless longing.

Xiao Jingxuan gazed at the Su Jingluo before him. In this moment, she seemed to radiate a mysterious light; the devotion in her eyes and the obsession on her face made her seem like someone not of this world.

"You actually went to the Emperor to discuss such matters? Should you not have come to me first?" Xiao Jingxuan did not know what had come over him, but his jealousy flared up. Having moved past the topic of state governance, he suddenly latched onto the issue of who she had chosen to consult.

"I just thought the Emperor could resolve many of the policy-related obstacles. In the end, of course, I would have to discuss the feasibility with you." *Discuss my foot,* she thought. He was just being incredibly petty as always. If she weren't trapped in this prince’s manor, she would have kicked him to the curb long ago and started her work on her own. However, Su Jingluo weighed her options; she couldn't meet Xiao Jingxuan head-on—he was as stubborn as a mule.

"What policies could he possibly resolve for you? Do you think I am incapable of protecting you?" Xiao Jingxuan frowned. Did Su Jingluo think he was useless?

...

Su Jingluo was speechless. What kind of train of thought was this? No matter what she said, he had a way to block her. He shouldn't be called Prince Jing; he should be called the King of Obstruction.

"No, why don't you understand? I know you will protect me, and regardless of whether you like me or not, you are, after all, Yunbai’s father. For the sake of our child, I must learn to maneuver for your sake and protect you. That is what a family does." Su Jingluo felt miserable; the rhythm of this conversation felt like being forced to kneel on a washboard the moment she walked through the door after a night of drinking.

"You are worried about me?" Xiao Jingxuan finally heard the conciliatory tone in her voice; he had finally grasped the point.

"Yes, of course! I don't care if the Emperor knows how to govern the country; I only care about taking care of our little family. Look at Yunbai—he’s just a small child and already lacks a sense of security. If he were to lose his father, how much inner suffering would that cause him? That is why I must protect you, so that Yunbai can have both parents and a wealthy home." Su Jingluo knew Xiao Jingxuan was a ruthless man, but the Emperor had been on the throne for a long time and certainly had his own foundation. Xiao Jingxuan kept wanting to brandish his sword in front of the Emperor, testing the waters, but what if he slipped up?

*Lose his father?* Su Jingluo’s choice of words was truly unpleasant. However, Xiao Jingxuan didn't dwell on it; he understood that, at the very least, Su Jingluo was on his side.