Zhen Lingrong felt agitated. She somewhat regretted not being more assertive in the past. Otherwise, Xi He and her children wouldn't be so audacious now.
Thinking this, Zhen Lingrong gave a bitter smile. She hadn't expected that there were so many people in the world who would push their luck. If you ignored their actions, they would think you were indulging them, becoming even more lawless.
Xi He waited for a long time but heard no response from Zhen Lingrong, which made her even more perplexed. After a moment's thought, Xi He decided to secretly observe Zhen Lingrong's reaction and gently lifted her head. As she raised her eyelids to look at Zhen Lingrong, she saw a hint of a bitter smile on her face.
"Palace Mistress..."
Unable to get a response from Zhen Lingrong, Xi He had no choice but to prompt her. Zhen Lingrong glanced coldly at Xi He and asked, "Is this your child, or mine?"
Xi He didn't understand what Zhen Lingrong meant and honestly replied, "This is my child, but because he has always been by your side and is close to you, it's normal."
"Normal?"
Zhen Lingrong softly repeated the word, her expression instantly becoming enigmatic. Was there anything normal or not? Moreover, Xi He was Xi Yin's biological mother. Xi Yin expressed filial affection towards another woman in front of her, and she actually thought it was normal?
Shen Xiaoyan was truly speechless. She had seen shameless people before, but never anyone so utterly shameless. Therefore, shamelessness wasn't just innate; it could be inherited! She wondered if Xi Jin had also inherited this trait.
As Shen Xiaoyan pondered this, she looked towards Xi Jin. Although Xi Jin didn't know why Shen Xiaoyan's gaze was filled with scrutiny and amusement, she sensed it wasn't a good look. She avoided Shen Xiaoyan's gaze and looked at Xi He, who was protectively shielding Xi Jin like a mother hen. A flicker of disdain flashed in her eyes.
Always like this! She always thought she was protecting her and Xi Yin so protectively! But no matter how many times she told Xi Yin, this woman simply didn't understand that they didn't need her protection at all. What they needed was for her to disappear completely.
Why weren't she and Xi Yin Zhen Lingrong's biological children? All these years, their feigned obedience and cuteness in front of Zhen Lingrong had been for what? Not only could she not help them, but she also used Zhen Lingrong's affection for them to swagger around outside. Every time she advised her not to do that, as it would displease Zhen Lingrong, she never listened. She always said Zhen Lingrong had a childlike nature and as long as they played with her, she wouldn't interfere with matters of Changqiu Hall. Then, she could seize Changqiu Hall. Once she became the Palace Mistress of Changqiu Hall, they wouldn't have to bow and scrape to anyone.
Initially, she believed this woman. However, as time passed, not only did this woman accomplish nothing, but she also squandered all the benefits they had painstakingly earned. This time, she even volunteered to bring back Shen Xiaoyan and her brother.
What had she told them before she left? Right! She had said that she would definitely resolve the matter of these two siblings before returning. Even if she couldn't kill them directly, she would find a way to cripple them. Or perhaps, she would cleverly sow discord between them and Zhen Lingrong. At that time, they had indeed believed her, but what happened in the end? She had brought them back, but where was the promised estrangement? Where was the promised crippling? Not only did she fail to achieve anything, but she also complained and spoke carelessly in front of them. Didn't she know what Xi Yin's temper was like? He was a firecracker; a single spark would make him explode. Perhaps she knew, or perhaps it was intentional.
Since she was incapable and couldn't get things done, she would tell them and ask them to go argue with Zhen Lingrong. Did she think they had any standing in Zhen Lingrong's heart? The more Xi Jin thought about it, the more furious she became. She wished she could rush forward and strangle Xi He right now. But she couldn't do that; she could only stand there, seething, without moving.
Shen Xiaoyan had no idea that Xi Jin had thought so much in the short time she had been observing her. If she had known, Shen Xiaoyan would have been even more amused. The drama of mother and daughter fighting and falling out was familiar to her! Even though she had seen it twice already, it was still incredibly exciting.
Xi He was still waiting for Zhen Lingrong to offer some words of comfort, at least to Xi Jin. But after waiting for a long time, Zhen Lingrong still hadn't spoken. Confused, she looked up at Zhen Lingrong, "Palace Mistress... this child..."
Zhen Lingrong seemed to have just returned from a reverie. Her eyes slowly focused, finally settling on Xi He. "This is your child. You are their mother, and whether you care for them or protect them is your business. Although I am the Palace Mistress of Changqiu Hall, I am not a nanny. Your family matters should be resolved within your own household when you close your doors. What use is it to come to me?"
"But, this child, you watched him grow up..." Xi He said with difficulty.
Zhen Lingrong rolled her eyes ungracefully. "Which child in Changqiu Hall haven't I watched grow up? The first time I saw them, they were still being held. The second time I saw them, they were already able to take on missions. I haven't seen anyone dare to force their child onto me and ask me to take care of it."
"For so many years, you've said every day that you have too many things to handle and no time to bring up your children, so you handed them over to me to raise. Fine, I am the Palace Mistress and your superior, so I'll help you raise them, as they are sometimes idle. But now you're relying on me for this. Is that acceptable?"
"Xi He, you've wasted so much of my time over the years. Do you know how much money you've cost me?"
"Actually, I don't understand either. As a girl, what do you need to do every day? Is it chopping wood and making fire, or watering crops? I, the Palace Mistress, am arranged to look after your child while you, a mere girl, fly all over the place, spreading rumors that I no longer manage affairs, that this vast Changqiu Hall is entirely in your hands, and that you're the only one managing it, so tired that you can fall asleep as soon as your eyes close. You even complain that I, the Palace Mistress, don't help."
Zhen Lingrong's voice was incredibly soft and pleasant to hear. Shen Xiaoyan listened patiently, actually hoping to hear how Zhen Lingrong intended to resolve the issue. Zhen Lingrong seemed to have guessed Shen Xiaoyan's thoughts and suddenly turned her head, baring her teeth in a smile at Shen Xiaoyan. Shen Xiaoyan's eyes were dazzled by this extremely brilliant smile. When she recovered and looked again, she saw Xi Yin and Xi He being sent flying by some unknown force. They were thrown backward through the air, finally landing about twenty meters away from the small courtyard. Not far behind them was a rapidly flowing river.
Shen Xiaoyan clicked her tongue, sighing inwardly. Why didn't they fall a little further back? Being thrown out like this must have made them extremely angry. If they had fallen into the river, perhaps it would have cooled their tempers. Xi He and Xi Yin were clearly startled by this sudden turn of events. Until they both crashed onto the ground with a thud, they closed their eyes, covered their heads, and wailed incessantly.
Seeing this, Xi Jin frowned. She glanced at the two of them, then at Zhen Lingrong, and finally took a deep breath, saying, "Palace Mistress, please don't be angry. You know a little about Xiao Yin's temper. His coming to make trouble today was purely due to being incited by others."
Zhen Lingrong looked at Xi Jin with amusement. "Then tell me, who incited Xi Yin?"
"This..."
Xi Jin instinctively wanted to say Xi He, but as the words reached her lips, she stopped. Could she really expose Xi He? Xi Jin could see Zhen Lingrong's current aversion to Xi He clearly. If she truly revealed it, would Zhen Lingrong use it as an excuse to deal with Xi He directly? Xi Jin was uncertain, hence her hesitation.
Seeing her like this, Shen Xiaoyan decided to add fuel to the fire. "I didn't expect this to be a trustworthy child who is unwilling to speak. Then so be it. Palace Mistress should fulfill his wishes and let him bear everything alone." Since Xi Jin was unwilling to speak, Xi Yin would have to suffer. Let's see if Xi Jin would still hesitate like this.
Zhen Lingrong nodded in agreement. "Yan'er is absolutely right. Let's do as you say."
This time, Xi Jin panicked. She truly hadn't expected that Shen Xiaoyan's few words could make Zhen Lingrong obey her. Although Zhen Lingrong always seemed to have a good temper, having been by her side for so long, Xi Jin had never seen her be so obedient to anyone. Could it be because Shen Xiaoyan was her biological daughter? Because of the blood relationship, their companionship with Xi Yin all these years had become insignificant?
Xi Jin seemed to have gotten herself into a corner and was unwilling to come out. She desperately wanted to question Zhen Lingrong loudly and demand an answer. But looking at Zhen Lingrong's cold gaze, she couldn't utter a single word.
"Go, call people from the Enforcement Hall," Zhen Lingrong instructed Shi Fei.
Shi Fei was stunned. Was the Palace Mistress serious? Seeing that Shi Fei didn't react, Zhen Lingrong frowned. "What, do you also want to go to the Enforcement Hall?"
Suddenly hearing Zhen Lingrong's question, Shi Fei broke out in a cold sweat. She definitely didn't want to go to the Enforcement Hall. What kind of place was the Enforcement Hall? Although she had never entered, every time she passed by the entrance, she felt her hairs stand on end, sending shivers down her spine. Despite being surprised by Zhen Lingrong's ruthlessness this time, Shi Fei didn't want to share in her hardship. So, before Zhen Lingrong could speak again, she quickly ran away.
Xi He glanced at Shi Fei's rapidly departing figure, a murderous glint flashing in her eyes. This damned girl, she had abandoned her so easily. All the previous flattery seemed to be just for show. In that case, once she got through this ordeal, she would definitely teach her a lesson and let her know what happened when she betrayed Xi He.