Chapter Twenty: Tearing Apart the Scheming Woman—Mother Takes Matters into Her Own Hands, and It Feels So Good

“Live, live, live in that…” Don’t you know where Her Highness is supposed to live? But Shen Zhong dared not say it, stammering, unable to answer.

“Are you suggesting the Princess Consort should stay in her old quarters? Who arranged for her to live there? Is that the place fit for the Princess Consort?” Xiao Jingxuan’s irritation was evident as he slapped the table, the sound echoing sharply.

You! Who else but Your Highness? Shen Zhong didn’t dare voice that thought. The Prince was clearly choosing a convenient memory lapse.

“In our residence, apart from your own Jinghong Pavilion, the most luxurious and elegant quarters are the Scarlet Moon Pavilion where Concubine Lin resides. Then there’s…”

“How can a concubine enjoy more luxury than the Princess Consort? That settles it—Scarlet Moon Pavilion it is. Have her move out, refurbish the place, and rename it the Pavilion of Tranquil Grace. Go on!”

Su Jingluo had no idea what strange mood had seized Xiao Jingxuan, or why he chose that odd name, but she didn’t object. After all, when someone offers you a better life, you’d be a fool to refuse. Besides, she didn’t need Xiao Jingxuan’s respect, but Yunbai did. A child ignored and unloved by the Prince would inevitably be bullied among the young nobles of the capital.

With a grand sweep of his hand, Xiao Jingxuan seemed to think the matter settled. Shen Zhong was nearly in tears. How am I supposed to make Concubine Lin move out? Am I even capable of that?

“Is there a problem?” Xiao Jingxuan’s brows knitted in displeasure as he saw Shen Zhong hesitate, struggling for words.

“No, no problem. Where should Concubine Lin stay then?” Shen Zhong dared not make any decisions himself. Concubine Lin had once been Xiao Jingxuan’s favorite, and though the Princess Consort was now enjoying an unprecedented level of favor, who knew if Lin might rise again? The master’s heart was ever unpredictable.

“Just arrange something. Do you really need to ask about this too?” Xiao Jingxuan waved him off, annoyance clear in his tone. Shen Zhong left, his face a mask of misery.

“Jingluo, Yunbai, are you satisfied with these arrangements?” Xiao Jingxuan’s demeanor shifted in an instant, turning to Su Jingluo and Yunbai with a fawning smile.

Mother and son both shuddered. That address was far too intimate, and his smile sent chills down their spines.

“With Shen Zhong’s efficiency, I doubt he’ll have everything ready tonight. Otherwise, you could come to Jinghong Pavilion with me for now…”

“No need… We’ll return to our old quarters and rest. No need for such courtesy, Your Highness. We’ll take our leave now. Good night.” Clutching Yunbai, Su Jingluo made a hasty escape, nearly losing her shoe in the process.

“Yunbai, did you drug your father?”

“Mother, did you drug that wicked father of mine?”

The moment they stepped outside, mother and son blurted out the same question. Hearing each other, they both relaxed. But now Su Jingluo had a headache—was Xiao Jingxuan mad?

They had barely reached the entrance when Lin Feifei came stumbling toward them, still clad in her finery, her face streaked with tears, looking pitiful and aggrieved. Behind her followed Shen Zhong, holding his face and wailing as he tried to placate her.

At the sight of Su Jingluo, Lin Feifei pointed an accusing finger at her and snapped, “It’s you, you vixen! If not for your scheming, why would His Highness treat me this way?”

Having just escaped and nearly lost her shoe, Su Jingluo stooped to adjust it, ready to give this foul-mouthed white lotus a lesson.

With a shriek, Lin Feifei darted behind Shen Zhong, trembling. She had developed a fear—just the sight of Su Jingluo’s hand reaching for her shoe made her flinch in anticipation of pain.

“What are you screaming about? I’m just fixing my shoe,” Su Jingluo said, startled by Lin Feifei’s piercing cry. Is she mad? I haven’t even touched her—what’s all the fuss?

Meanwhile, Su Jingluo gently pressed Yunbai’s small shoulder and spoke softly, “You’ve seen what your mother is capable of. There’s no need for you to get involved. In the future, leave dealing with her to me.”