TPITWOHEF

Chapter 100

As the Duke of Dingguo was about to leave the palace, he was called back, looking puzzled.

"You all go ahead. This old man will return and see what the Emperor has commanded."

The other dukes and generals looked at the Duke of Dingguo sympathetically.

"Surely the Emperor won't hold you accountable?"

"You just scolded the Emperor fiercely."

The Duke of Dingguo's mouth twitched slightly, especially when he saw Concubine Liu boarding a carriage in the distance, his eyelid quivered.

"So be it!" The Duke of Dingguo snorted. "This old man will admit his mistakes!"

With that, he strode back to the palace.

Led by the eunuchs to the Imperial Garden, the Duke of Dingguo's eyesight was still sharp. From afar, he saw a palace lady speaking with Xiao Yunzhou. Although he had been imposing earlier, his old face now flushed slightly.

Could this palace lady be none other than Concubine Liu, the one who designed the padded coats?

The Duke of Dingguo was seventy years old. Thinking about how he had scolded a young woman who could pass for his granddaughter that morning, and one who cared for the soldiers at that, he felt uneasy.

What a shame!

He was even wearing a padded coat made by her, how could he face her...

The Duke of Dingguo was in a dilemma, coughing to clear his throat.

With his hands behind his back, he strolled into the Imperial Garden.

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

Xiao Yunzhou raised his hand, about to excuse the Duke of Dingguo from formalities and offer him a seat.

But to his surprise, the Duke of Dingguo quickly knelt down, turned around, and with a gentle smile, nodded towards Concubine Liu.

His old face was beaming like a blossoming longevity flower, a kindly look that Xiao Yunzhou had never seen before!

"Ah, could this be the benevolent and intelligent palace lady that Your Majesty spoke of?"

"Alas, I'm old, but before my death, I never expected to meet such a heroine among women."

The Duke of Dingguo chuckled, his eyes almost disappearing in laughter.

Completely different from his stern scolding of Xiao Yunzhou that morning!

"Seeing such an extraordinary woman today, this old man can die without regrets."

"..."

Xiao Yunzhou's mouth twitched.

Was this really the same stubborn Duke of Dingguo?

Xiao Yunzhou was seeing stars.

A prestigious duke, shamelessly flattering, this was too much!

[Hahahahaha,] Xiao Chuchu giggled in Wei Zheng's embrace. [I believe it now, the Duke of Dingguo must be a brilliant military strategist!]

[The Art of War says that to subdue the enemy's forces without battle is the highest excellence. Compared to armed conflict, prevailing without bloodshed is even greater.]

[How different he is from his fierce demeanor this morning. Now he's all praises for my mother!]

Xiao Yunzhou heard his daughter's thoughts and was dazed.

Looking at Concubine Liu, she too was flustered by the Duke of Dingguo's unexpected flattery.

Concubine Liu both returned his courtesy and bashfully stated that she had done nothing much.