Resplendent – Chapter 521

Chapter 521: The Old General Returns

Shangguan Fei ignored him and continued, “Sister Ye has done us such a great favor. Prince Tai and I truly have nothing to repay her with. As for that estate, Mother has already said it; it normally produces little and isn’t particularly important… This daughter-in-law also knows that my husband has two legitimate older brothers, and that you wouldn’t favor us with your dowry. I can use one estate I have in hand to exchange with you…”

“What are you saying!” Princess Consort Rong couldn’t contain herself and placed the medicine bottle on the table with a crisp clink. 

Prince Rong’s scalp tensed slightly; he straightened in his seat, eyes fixed, careful not to draw the fire onto himself.

Prince Tai stepped forward and cradled the bottle in his arms, saying to the Princess Consort, “Mother, be careful. This concerns the future of my descendants and my lifelong happiness!”

The Princess Consort, exasperated at his foolishness, twisted his ear: “You’re thinking of future descendants? What have you been up to when you were younger? If you hadn’t been as reckless as your father in your youth, would you have ended up with this illness?”

“Hmph! If you want to scold your son, scold him. Don’t drag unrelated things into it…” Prince Rong cast a warning glance at the Princess Consort, silently reminding her that both her son and daughter-in-law were present, and to leave him some face.

Prince Tai clutched his ear, wailing, “Mother, please be gentle. These are old, long-forgotten matters. Can you stop constantly bringing up the past to criticize me? Sister Ye said that with my illness, I need care, not cold treatment. Otherwise, I might give up on myself, lose confidence, and just throw everything away…”

“Don’t give me that line. With all your jokes and antics, aren’t they just because you’re afraid I’ll get mad at your wife? Do you really think your mother is that cruel and petty, trying to torment your wife?” The Princess Consort pursed her lips tightly, her nasolabial folds showing, looking stern and intimidating.

Prince Rong quickly tried to make peace, scolding his son. “Look at what you’ve done. You’ve made your mother so angry! Apologize at once, or just wait and see how I deal with you, you unfilial son!”

“What business is it of yours? Go stay with your concubines!” Prince Tai was the softest spot in the Princess Consort’s heart. She could scold him, lecture him, even get angry at him, but no one else was allowed to call him unfilial. Not even his father!

Prince Rong hurriedly reassured her, “What concubines? I’ve already sent them all away. Right now, I am devoted to you alone. As for the past, let it be forgotten!”

Shangguan Fei also knew that the Princess Consort genuinely cared for her husband, and by extension, treated her well too. The Princess was just annoyed that she spoke so frankly. She had always been straightforward; if she was wrong, she would take responsibility:

“Mother, you know me. I always speak my mind. If I say something wrong, just scold me. Don’t hold it in and make yourself ill.”

Seeing her son present, Princess Consort Rong wouldn’t truly be angry with her daughter-in-law. Besides, since marrying in, Shangguan Fei had been diligent and respectful toward her.

Most importantly, she truly cared for her son. Sometimes, the way she bossed her son around could be annoying, but over the years, the Princess Consort had realized that it was part of the fun between husband and wife—and her son enjoyed it.

Sighing, the Princess Consort said, “I know you speak this way because you worry about what your two sisters-in-law might say. But don’t forget, Liu’er is my son. I can give the estates under my name to whoever I want! Liu’er has been spoiled since he was young. While I’m still able to manage him a little, I can set aside some property for him. Who would dare object?”

“Mother, even so, I’m worried about my husband becoming estranged with his elder brothers. But now that you’ve said this, it seems I’ve been overthinking,” Shangguan Fei quickly agreed, not wanting the Princess Consort to get upset.

Princess Consort Rong thought for a moment and said, “We can only sell this estate, not give it away. Otherwise, Miss Chu might think we have some ulterior motive regarding her pharmaceutical factory. I’ll have someone inquire about the market price these next few days. After that, you can visit the Duke’s residence again and settle the matter.”

“Alright, we’ll do as Mother says!” Shangguan Fei replied cheerfully.

Prince Tai immediately flattered her, “Mother is truly sharp-eyed, wise, insightful, forward-thinking, and thorough in planning…”

“That’s enough! I suspect the little bit of learning you have left in that head of yours has all been used on flattering me! Fawning for no reason—you’re either up to something or trying to steal something. You heartless child, why are you suddenly being so sweet to me? Turns out you had a scheme in mind!”

She shot her youngest son a playful glare. Of her three sons, only he had such a sweet mouth,always able to coax her into feeling warm and happy. Whenever he accompanied her, she could eat an extra half bowl of rice.

“Mother, this son knows you love me the most. Since that’s the case… how about giving me that estate at Xiang Mountain too?” Prince Tai put on a shamelessly eager expression, like a child begging his mother for candy.

The Princess Consort shot him a sideways look and rejected him without hesitation, “Absolutely not! That estate is prepared as a betrothal gift for your eldest nephew. And you, an uncle, have the nerve to fight with your nephew over it?”

“That brat? He’s still so young and barely even grew any hair. Why would he be thinking about getting a wife?” Prince Tai’s eldest nephew, the eldest son of the heir of Prince Rong, had just turned ten this year. Prince Tai exaggeratedly covered his face and fake-cried, “Mother has a grandson now and doesn’t love her son anymore… Boohoo… Poor me! I’m now a child with no mother’s affection!”

“Get lost! Stop fooling around!” Princess Consort Rong lifted her foot and gave him a light kick. “You want that estate? Fine! If the two of you can conceive within this year, I’ll gift that estate to my precious grandson!”

Shangguan Fei’s cheeks instantly turned red. As for the shameless Prince Tai, he counted on his fingers, slapped his thigh, and said, “Deal! Little Sister Ye said that after I take this medicine, I’ll be mostly recovered in at most six months, at least three. Add another two or three months of rest to stabilize my health, and we’ll still have two or three months left. It’s more than enough! With my ability, I guarantee it won’t even take a month before Fei’er is preg— Ow! Fei’er! Why are you pinching me?”

Princess Consort Rong glared at her youngest son. “Serves you right! Pinch him harder! Maybe then you’ll learn to watch your mouth.”

Prince Tai pulled a long face, complaining that his mother loved his wife more than him…

While joy filled the Prince of Rong’s residence, the Duke’s Manor was equally lively, almost festive. The reason was simple: Old General Chu had finally shaken off his burdens and returned to the capital.

Old General Chu gazed lovingly at his lost-and-found little granddaughter, secretly annoyed with himself. How had he been so blind back then? His granddaughter had a pair of big, bright eyes almost identical to those of his daughter-in-law, Lady Jun. How had he failed to recognize her?