Chapter 275 Pearls of Wisdom

Chapter 275: Every Word a Gem

"You'd better stay far away from him and stop clinging to Brother Liuzheng, or don't blame me for disregarding our sisterhood."

After showing off, Luo Qianxue turned and left, leaving Luo Qingge standing there in a daze.

Her fingers brushed across her eyes, and she found her fingertips were wet.

Tears?

Could she really be crying over Xie Liuzheng?

Luo Qingge couldn't believe it, but her body's instinctive reaction forced her to accept it.

She suddenly remembered what Luo Qianxue had just said and asked herself.

Was it true, then? Had she really fallen for Xie Liuzheng?

That was why the news of his impending marriage to someone else made her heartbroken enough to cry?

Luo Qingge sat by the flower bed for a long time, but in the end, she still couldn't come up with an answer.

Luo Qianxue, holding a plate of pastries, returned to Weiyang Palace. She no longer looked listless and sickly; instead, she appeared refreshed and spirited.

She didn't notice that Consort Li wasn't there and directly placed the pastries in front of Madam Cai, with a sycophantic smile.

"Madam Cai, I personally went to the imperial kitchen to get these for you. Please, try them and see how they taste."

Madam Cai remained still. Her gaze swept over the pastries before settling on Luo Qianxue's face.

"If I remember correctly, didn't Your Highness just ask me whether the Duke of Rong's mansion had any eldest daughter? Have you forgotten that so soon?"

She then picked up a piece of pastry and took a bite, only to spit it out immediately.

"Sour! Terrible!"

Luo Qianxue's expression changed, but she quickly forced an awkward laugh.

"I was just curious, that's all. After all, the Duke of Rong's mansion only has Brother Liuzheng; I've never heard of any eldest daughter."

"Are you saying that I and the Duke of Rong are not people?"

Luo Qianxue's face turned pale, and she quickly replied, "I never meant that! You said yourself you have a daughter, so I just asked. Madam Cai, can't you take a joke?"

Madam Cai snorted coldly. "I don't find it amusing at all."

After Luo Qianxue left, Madam Cai thought about it for a long time. The more she thought about it, the more upset she felt about that remark.

Why wouldn't she deserve to have a daughter?

Wasn't the other party clearly trying to get under her skin?

Luo Qianxue watched Madam Cai's reaction closely, and her heart grew heavier.

She had served Madam Cai, yet the woman had repeatedly given her the cold shoulder.

Having never endured such humiliation before, anger began to simmer inside her.

Luo Qianxue felt deep down that her future mother-in-law was far too difficult to please!

If she didn't put her foot down now, wouldn't she keep getting tripped up later?

After a moment's thought, Luo Qianxue decided to strike back and spite Madam Cai. Completely ignoring Consort Li's instructions, she covered her mouth and let out a fake gasp.

"If Madam insists I wasn't joking, then let me say this: I have never heard of you having a daughter besides Brother Liuzheng."

"Maybe the daughter you're talking about is an illegitimate child the Duke of Rong had outside?"

Before Madam Cai could respond, she continued, "I've also heard that my third sister-in-law, Princess Ye, is also an illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yongning. What a coincidence, wouldn't you say?"

"Marquis Ji of the Marquis of Yongning's estate has no concubines, yet he has an illegitimate daughter outside. And the Duke of Rong swore before His Majesty that he only loves you and will never take a concubine, yet he too has an illegitimate daughter outside."

"Pity you wives and matriarchs, toiling day and night for the sake of your families, only to be kept in the dark and fooled by men's honeyed words. I really don't know if I should feel sorry for you or not."

Consort Li had just finished treating her burns and walked over, only to hear these words. She nearly blacked out on the spot.

What nonsense was this idiot Luo Qianxue spouting?

Consort Li wanted to explain but didn't know where to start.

At that moment, she deeply understood the truth of one saying:

It's not the godlike opponent you need to fear; it's the pig of a teammate.

She had coached Luo Qianxue so thoroughly, yet she still walked right into Madam Cai's snare. What was that if not stupidity?

Consort Li coughed to get Luo Qianxue's attention, repeatedly signaling her to apologize to Madam Cai.

But Luo Qianxue turned a blind eye.

At that moment, she too was realizing a truth:

Since ancient times, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship has been one of the biggest challenges in the world.

Before she had even entered the family, the woman was already giving her a hard time.

If they were to live under the same roof, wouldn't they be at each other's throats every day?

She had never been one to swallow insults. If she couldn't deal with Ji Yuntang, she could at least handle Madam Cai?

Madam Cai, upon hearing Luo Qianxue's words, did not get angry. Instead, she looked at her warmly.

"The illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yongning's mansion that Your Highness mentioned is none other than my own daughter, Ji Yuntang. The moment I first saw Yun Tang, I felt an instant connection. Though she's not my flesh and blood, she's dearer to me than a biological child."

"To be honest with Your Highness, if she truly were my husband's illegitimate daughter, that would be a blessing. Then I could have found her earlier and brought her home, letting her call me 'Mother' every day. She wouldn't have had to suffer so much in the countryside at such a young age."

"I don't know if her biological parents feel any pain for her, but I certainly do—my heart aches."

Madam Cai pressed a hand to her chest, her face full of anguish.

"Poor Yun Tang has endured so much hardship, yet she is still so clever, beautiful, and capable—far superior to those who grow taller but not smarter. I only wish she had the Duke of Rong's blood running through her veins."

Luo Qianxue: "..."

Luo Qianxue: "!!!"

Grow in height but not in brains?

She felt Madam Cai was taking a dig at her!

"You—" Luo Qianxue started, only to be interrupted by Madam Cai, whose brows were soft and a smile played on her lips.

"Your Highness, please don't misunderstand. I am not referring to you. I am simply overjoyed to have a daughter and cannot bear to hear anyone speak ill of her in my presence."

"Since you have not spoken ill of my daughter, there is no need to take it personally. What I said truly does not apply to you."

Madam Cai stressed twice that she wasn't talking about her, which made Luo Qianxue livid.

That only made her more certain Madam Cai was talking about her!

Fuming, Luo Qianxue fixed her cold stare on Madam Cai's radiant face, jealousy churning in her chest. Then she actually applauded.

"Ji... Third Imperial Sister-in-law is truly remarkable. In less than two hours at the full moon banquet, you managed to win over Brother Liuzheng, Madam Cai, and Duke Rong. Well done, I'm so impressed."

"Brother Liuzheng has always been cynical and carefree, wearing his heart on his sleeve. He is no match for those trashy sluts."

"But I wonder—do Madam Cai and Duke Rong truly understand her character? I hope you don't get tricked into claiming a daughter and then have to run to the Emperor and Empress begging them to fix things for you."

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