The Rebel

Princess Xi Yinghua is a sweet-talker

With Imperial Consort Du has been forced to return to Xuehua Gong, Ren Gong is back to its peaceful environment once more. The servants that are serving in the Phoenix Hall can see that the Empress Dowager really favours Princess Xi Yinghua as she laughs after she listens to what the Princess has just said. Empress Yan and Consort Jing are laughing as well. This newly elevated Princess is indeed a charming yet sharp young girl as she knows how to make others happy.

"Imperial son, I think that the reason why others are slighting Yinghua is that not only her birth mother is a mere commoner but she is not favoured by the Prime Minister as well. All these years, I have only seen the Prime Minister with his secondary wife and her children but Yinghua never with them."

Xi Yinghua smiles and softly says, "Imperial mother-in-law, do not blame my father on this. I am the one who chose to stay back whenever there is any royal banquet..."

"Third imperial sister-in-law, I have heard about your matters. The Prime Minister has indeed abandoned your birth mother after he married to his secondary wife who is of noble birth. Your mother is the main wife but he never let her be one. Your poor mother has supported him while he was a poor scholar but forgotten her when he earned a higher status. I personally hate that kind of man. Ungrateful!"

Emperor Li chuckles and says, "Beloved wife, calm yourself down... You and your temper. Henxin, your wife has indeed been living as such in the Prime Minister Residence. It will be time for her to return to visit her maiden home soon. Accompany her. I will send the head eunuch to announce my imperial edict then. This will be a lesson for the Prime Minister and his secondary wife for treating your wife unfairly."

Empress Dowager is happy when she heard what the Emperor has just said, "Good. Good. Yinghua... Look at how your imperial brother-in-law is trying to appease you. Are you happy now?"

Xi Yinghua who is sitting next to Empress Dowager gently takes the older woman's hands into hers, "Imperial mother-in-law, I have always thought that the imperial family is cold and unfeeling but... Today is definitely an eye-opening moment for me. Yinghua is blessed for imperial brother-in-law kind gestures."

Empress Yan laughs and says in a playful manner, "Your imperial brother-in-law is indeed kind and thoughtful. Especially towards a beautiful lady. Third imperial brother-in-law, look at your face. Hahaha!!!"

Empress Dowager Long and Xi Yinghua turn their heads to look at Third Prince Li only to see his annoyed looking face. Consort Jing covers her mouth using her silk handkerchief as she softly laughs.

Emperor Li realizes that someone is acting a bit jealous and he jokingly says, "Henxin... I am just trying to be a kind older brother to your wife. What is there to be jealous of? Imperial mother favours her. Your imperial sister-in-law favours her as well. Giving it a further thought... I never saw you looking like this. Except for that one time when I've told you about your marriage..."

Third Prince Li cursed inside his heart. This older brother of his definitely trying to make him the bad person here.

Empress Yan nods her head too, "Your Majesty is indeed right. That day third imperial brother-in-law is so annoyed to a point he wanted to quarrel with you in front of the ministers. Yinghua... As soon as your residence is ready, you can go there every time the Third Prince offended you."

Third Prince Li takes a deep breath and can only think that both the Emperor and the Empress are indeed a fated couple. Why? Both are cunning to their bones.

Empress Dowager Long then further says, "Or, you can simply enter the imperial palace and look for me. I will shield you from Henxin. His temper is not that easy to deal with in the first place. I have a hard time raising both your imperial brother-in-law and Henxin. If it isn't for your second imperial sister-in-law, I would live the life of a stricken mother then. Not only them, but the other princes are also just the same."