Chapter Thirteen: Who Isn’t a Master of Acting?

What on earth is this?! Su Jingluo had always worried her son might cause trouble, but she never expected Xiao Jingxuan to pour out buckets of dirty water with such enthusiasm.

“It’s true I was shallow. After all the commotion, I’ve come to realize a lot. The prince’s harem is indeed too empty—it’s simply improper. I hope the Empress Dowager will keep an eye out for suitable ladies for the prince, so he can extend his lineage and give Yunbai some companions.” Ha, who can’t play the game of false virtue? Come on, I’ll make his harem lively, and then there’ll be someone to deal with Lin Feifei. Xiao Jingxuan will be entangled with those women all day, too.

“The Princess of Jing speaks like a sensible child, so then I…” The Empress Dowager’s eyes practically shot lasers at this suggestion. Now she’d have ample opportunity to plant spies.

“Don’t listen to her nonsense, Your Majesty. If I really took another concubine, she’d turn the Prince of Jing’s residence upside down. She only pretends to be generous—inside she’s fiercely jealous.” Xiao Jingxuan spoke as he grabbed Su Jingluo’s hand, his gaze brimming with doting affection that nearly masked murderous intent.

The Empress Dowager was about to reply when suddenly her face turned pale and her breathing grew rapid. Frowning, she clutched her chest, quickly let go of Yunbai’s hand, and took a sip of water, but it did nothing to ease her discomfort.

“Qiu Fu, I’m feeling terribly nauseous and have a splitting headache. Fetch my medicine quickly,” she ordered, her complexion worsening by the second. Su Jingluo’s own face grew grim—this was bad, truly bad. Had her mischievous child really done something?

“If the Empress Dowager is unwell, then I, Jingxuan, will go request an audience with His Majesty. Please rest well, Your Majesty, and call for the imperial physician.” Xiao Jingxuan had long wanted to leave; now that the opportunity presented itself, he seized it immediately.

The Empress Dowager was genuinely suffering, waving her hand to dismiss the trio without another word—her gentle, benevolent act abandoned.

Su Jingluo, hearing they were allowed to go, hurriedly pulled Yunbai along, nearly breaking into a run.

“Are you in such a rush?” Xiao Jingxuan strolled behind them at a leisurely pace.

Of course Su Jingluo was anxious—anyone fleeing the scene of a crime would be. She glanced down at Yunbai, touched her nose, and tried to maintain her composure.

“Why should I be in a hurry? I’m just bored, that’s all.”

“Don’t worry. The Empress Dowager has chronic headaches, always striking at noon. That’s why the symptoms of poisoning aren’t obvious, and no one will notice.” Catching up to Su Jingluo, Xiao Jingxuan took Yunbai’s hand as usual.

“You really…” Su Jingluo’s nerves nearly made her blurt out the truth, but she quickly bent down to whisper to Yunbai, “Did you really poison her?”

Yunbai gave a radiant smile.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I listened to you—I won’t kill anyone. But you never said I couldn’t hurt them. If Father is so useless he can’t protect you, I’ll help you teach that old woman a lesson.”

Su Jingluo: …

You really are going to scare your mother to death. How am I supposed to explain that if anyone finds out you harmed the Empress Dowager, your mother will suffer terribly!

Xiao Jingxuan: …

You truly don’t understand your father, child. How am I supposed to explain that I’m biding my time, and just now I helped clean up your mess indirectly?

At that moment, a young eunuch and an imperial physician hurried toward the Empress Dowager’s chambers. Xiao Jingxuan calmly intercepted them.

“The Empress Dowager is unwell. Perhaps the room hasn’t been cleaned in a while and the air is stale. Please help her tidy up and air it out.”

“Rest assured, Your Highness. The Empress Dowager’s chambers will be spotless, not a speck of dust left.” The eunuch and physician quickly agreed and rushed off.

“You’re so odd. You were cold just moments ago, and now you’re so concerned for the Empress Dowager.” Su Jingluo couldn’t help but notice how Xiao Jingxuan’s demeanor seemed a bit split.