Emperor Mingxi, walking ahead, overheard their conversation. If not for his years of martial arts training that kept him steady, he might have stumbled just then.
How could they possibly think he was more interested in the food? He clearly just wanted to finish his meal quickly so he could stand up for her!
Emperor Mingxi would never admit that he had already gone two days without Yue Fuguang’s vegetables. Even if she hadn’t asked today, he would have gone to his mother’s palace for a meal anyway.
And he had even brought his empress and the Crown Prince along—this could be considered a roundabout way of "mooching off the elders," couldn’t it?
When the Empress Dowager saw that not only had Yue Fuguang come today, but even her dear son had arrived with his wife and child, she understood everything immediately.
Her son had a weakness for this—how could she, his mother, not know?
"Yuqiu, go fetch more bowls and chopsticks," the Empress Dowager instructed cheerfully, directing her head maid to prepare the feast while pulling Yue Fuguang to sit beside her.
With a smile, she said to Emperor Mingxi, "Your Majesty has come at just the right time. This morning, Fuguang brought in a basket of fresh vegetables—green, crisp, and so appetizing."
Emperor Mingxi chuckled. "This son knew Your Majesty had something good here, so I came specifically to enjoy a meal."
The empress chimed in playfully, "Your Majesty doesn’t know—the Emperor heard early this morning that you had fresh vegetables from Fuguang and immediately arranged with me to come enjoy them.
We’re all just fortunate to bask in Your Majesty and Fuguang’s favor."
The Empress Dowager laughed. "You all have sharp ears! I just received these delicacies, and already your whole family is eyeing them!"
She patted Yue Fuguang’s plump little hand affectionately. "We’re all indebted to Fuguang. After tasting her vegetables, everything else seems bland in comparison."
The Crown Prince, who had been quietly serving tea, suddenly interjected, "Grandmother, since you’ve enjoyed Fuguang’s vegetables, you should stand up for her."
The Empress Dowager was startled. What was this about? She hadn’t heard of any major incidents at court this morning.
Who would dare provoke this one?
The empress shared the same thought. She glanced at her husband, then at her son.
Since the Emperor hadn’t objected, the Crown Prince must be right—someone truly had the audacity to offend Yue Fuguang.
The Empress Dowager turned to Yue Fuguang with concern. "Fuguang, tell Grandmother, who has the nerve to bully you? I’ll make sure they answer for it."
Then she shot a look at Emperor Mingxi. "Your Majesty, it wasn’t you, was it?"
Emperor Mingxi nearly choked at his mother’s immediate suspicion. Truly, a mother’s instinct!
He quickly defended himself, "Mother, do I seem like that kind of person? Fuguang is such a sweet girl—I treat her like my own daughter! How could I possibly bully her?"
His expression was one of pure indignation, as if wrongfully accused.
The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but laugh. "Even if it wasn’t you, it must be one of your officials."
That was hard to deny. After all, his siblings were also his subjects—technically.
But Emperor Mingxi dearly wanted to retort: They’re your children too!
Alas, this was his birth mother, the one who had endured hardship with him. He could only grumble inwardly and hold his tongue.
Seeing her son at a loss, the Empress Dowager ignored him and turned to her grandson, who had started this. "Crown Prince, you explain. I want to know exactly who has the gall!"
The Crown Prince immediately replied, "Grandmother, it’s Uncle Prince Qi and Aunt Taikang."
The Empress Dowager’s face darkened. "Ah, so it’s them!"
She softened her tone for Yue Fuguang. "Fuguang, tell me—how did they wrong you?"
Having dined frequently at the Empress Dowager’s palace, Yue Fuguang had grown close to her over time. The Empress Dowager now referred to herself as "Grandmother," treating her not just with respect due to her status but with genuine affection, as one would a beloved grandchild.
Hearing that the offenders were members of the Xie family only made her more determined to intervene.
In the span of those few sentences, the former champion of palace intrigues had already devised at least three ways to discipline the pair.
Yue Fuguang immediately adopted a pitiful expression. "Your Majesty, didn’t I mention to you before that my elder brother called off his engagement?"
The Empress Dowager nodded. That had been quite the scandal, and she had devoured every detail.
"My brother isn’t getting any younger, so my mother has been arranging potential matches for him. Recently, several families have expressed interest through matchmakers—including Princess Taikang’s husband’s family and Prince Qi’s household.
The proposed brides were Princess Taikang’s daughter, Xu Jiao, and Prince Qi’s daughter, Xie Zhiyao.
Both are of royal blood, so you must know their reputations. How dare they offer such women to my family? Isn’t this outright bullying?"
The Empress Dowager was taken aback. "This happened?"
She was well aware of Xu Jiao’s behavior—outwardly demure but secretly tyrannical, with a history of abusing servants. She had reprimanded Princess Taikang over it multiple times.
As for Xie Zhiyao, the girl was clever, beautiful, and eloquent. There had never been any negative rumors about her.
Just as the Empress Dowager was puzzling over what could be wrong with Xie Zhiyao, she nearly choked on her tea at the next words from the "Divine Artifact."
[Master, remember your character! You’re a subject’s daughter—you can’t openly criticize royal descendants.
If you want revenge, we can handle it discreetly. I guarantee they’ll never enjoy prosperity again!]
Yue Fuguang replied impatiently, "I know, I know! I just wanted to give the imperial family some face by letting them handle their own affairs!"
[Are you planning to expose Prince Qi’s rebellion directly?]
Clatter! Xie Zhiyan knocked over a cup.
Emperor Mingxi glanced at him coolly. "So careless. Even drinking tea, you can’t hold a cup properly? Where are your manners?
Starting tomorrow, add another hour of etiquette lessons for the Crown Prince. Empress, oversee this."
"As you command, Your Majesty. This subject will ensure the Crown Prince masters his manners."
Hearing about his brother’s treasonous plot, Emperor Mingxi didn’t even blink. His gaze merely deepened, and his chopsticks paused for a fraction of a second before he calmly picked up his favorite dish—stir-fried tomatoes and eggs.
The empress was no less composed. While wiping tea off the Crown Prince, she had already steadied her emotions.
Yue Fuguang continued to the Empress Dowager, "Exactly! My brother couldn’t handle the temper of the county princess—if she married into our family, she’d turn the household upside down.
And as for the commandery princess, I’ve heard she keeps a private residence in Peach Blossom Alley filled with handsome young men. My brother doesn’t want to wear countless green hats before even getting married!"
Meanwhile, she complained inwardly to her system, "How would a child like me know about Prince Qi’s rebellion? Even if I said it, no one would believe me!"
The imperial family collectively thought: Why don’t you try saying it? Maybe we’ll believe you.
