My Wife is a Frustrating Genius!!! - Chapter 71

Feeling stifled and resentful, Cheng Yi grew even more displeased with Lu Jiahe after hearing her mother’s words.

“Alright, alright, since everyone’s awake, let’s start the meal,” the old emperor interjected hastily, seeing that his wife and daughter were about to bicker.

Cheng Yi, who had intended to vent her anger by retorting a few more words at Lu Jiahe, snorted coldly upon hearing her father’s words, glared at Lu Jiahe, and then stood up and walked out of the room without a glance at anyone else.

As the evening sun slanted, a large table was set up in the courtyard of the Princess’s residence. Lu Jiahe and the Cheng family took their seats, enjoying a delicious hotpot meal together.

“So, this is something only found in the palace,” Lu Zhengliang remarked, looking at the steaming pot before him, which immediately reminded him of the mini hotpot set Cheng Yi had introduced at Yiju.

The old emperor had already learned from Xue Wanning about his daughter opening a shop outside the palace, so he was neither puzzled nor surprised by Lu Zhengliang’s comment.

“Indeed, sitting together as a family around the hotpot is one of the happiest moments for every household,” the Old Emperor said, placing the sliced lamb into the pot.

“Yes, it would be even better if the child the Princess was carrying before had survived,” Diao Yuqing, seated nearby, said spitefully, bringing up the matter of Cheng Yi having lost the baby.

“Shut up! How dare you spout such nonsense!”

Lu Zhengliang, sitting beside Diao Yuqing, sharply rebuked her upon hearing her words.

He had not wanted Diao Yuqing to accompany them into the palace, but as she was Lu Jiahe’s nominal mother, he did not wish for the old emperor to learn about their family’s troubled past.

Diao Yuqing let out a derisive laugh and turned to Lu Zhengliang. “What did I say that was wrong? Isn’t that something they themselves admitted to?”

Cheng Yi’s parents, sitting nearby, set down their chopsticks to watch the drama unfold. Had they not known their daughter was also a transmigrator, they might have almost believed Diao Yuqing’s words.

“Keep your mouth shut! We’ll discuss this at home,” Lu Zhengliang snapped, then turned to the emperor and empress with an apologetic smile.

“Why can’t I speak? Isn’t the palace my daughter-in-law’s home?” Diao Yuqing grew increasingly bold, no longer caring that she was addressing the ruler of the nation, all to vent her anger on behalf of her second son.

Lu Zhengliang glared at Diao Yuqing, his veins bulging with fury.

“Come with me,” he said, afraid she might say something else inappropriate and bring disaster upon the Lu family. He stood up, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her outside.

“Lu Zhengliang, let go of me! What? Are you afraid? Afraid I’ll reveal the shady things Lu Jiahe did in the past and ruin your chances of becoming in-laws with the emperor?”

Diao Yuqing struggled fiercely to free her wrist, but the disparity in their strength was too great, and her efforts were in vain.

“What nonsense are you spouting!” Lu Zhengliang stared at her with rage. In his eyes, she had once been a woman who merely sought more of his affection. He never imagined she would become like this, spewing lies just to spite Lu Jiahe.

“Stop.” The old emperor, who had been watching for a long while, finally spoke up to halt the two. “Madam Lu, since you claim that the Tanhua Lang has committed many disgraceful deeds in the past, why not share a few with me?”

Cheng’s father narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized the two, then signaled with a glance for the eunuchs by his side to forcefully press them into their chairs.

Lu Jiahe gripped his chopsticks tightly, glaring at Diao Yuqing with such intensity that he seemed ready to skin her alive right in front of the Old Emperor.

Sitting beside Lu Jiahe, Cheng Yi noticed his hands trembling with rage and gently placed her own hand over his to offer comfort.

Upon hearing Diao Yuqing’s words, Cheng Yi had initially intended to stand up and refute her, but a glance from her parents made her realize they did not believe a word Diao Yuqing was saying.

“It’s alright, don’t be angry. Trust me, okay?” Cheng Yi leaned close to Lu Jiahe and whispered softly into his ear.

Lu Jiahe turned his head slightly to look at her, then gave a faint nod in response.

Diao Yuqing, thinking the old emperor believed her, eagerly embellished the story, recounting how Cheng Yi had accused her of beating the child and Lu Jiahe of attempting to assassinate them during that dinner.

“One may know a person’s face but not their heart, Your Majesty. With your discerning eye, you must not be deceived by superficial kindness. I raised him for over a decade, and look at him now, climbing the royal ladder, he no longer regards me or his father with any respect.”

To make her lies more convincing, Diao Yuqing gracefully picked up a handkerchief to cover her face, feigning profound sorrow.

After she finished speaking, the old emperor looked at her and nodded firmly. “Indeed, one should not merely trust what they see. It’s crucial to discern whether what you witness is true or false and if there might be any misunderstandings.”

“For instance, in your current state, do you have any evidence for your claims? How can I believe you?” Cheng’s father was well aware of the Lu family’s affairs and had long since investigated the relationship between Lu Jiahe and his parents.

“This.” Diao Yuqing had not expected the old emperor to remain unruffled after hearing her accusations. She quickly knelt on the ground and pleaded, “Every word I speak is true! The child lost was Your Majesty and the Empress’s own grandson!”

Diao Yuqing deliberately brought up the matter of the child, believing that such an unforgivable act as causing the princess to miscarry would surely anger the emperor and empress, the biological parents of the eldest princess.

Hmph!

The old emperor snorted coldly at Diao Yuqing kneeling before the table, then rebuked her sharply, “Do you truly take me for a fool to be manipulated at will?! My daughter and the Tanhua Lang had to say such things just to survive in the Lu family. Do you think I would believe you?”

The old emperor’s series of questions left Diao Yuqing flustered and panicked. “Your Majesty, these words were spoken by the eldest princess herself!”

Lady Lu, who had been sitting silently in her chair, slammed her hand on the table upon hearing Diao Yuqing’s words. “Enough! You’ve ruined a perfectly good day. Are you satisfied? I must have been blind to ever let you step into the Lu family!”

“Lady, please don’t anger yourself. It’s not good for your health,” Cheng’s mother comforted, looking at Lady Lu’s head full of silver hair.

Old Lady Lu shook her head upon hearing this. “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t handed over the household management to you so early, perhaps He’er wouldn’t have grown so timid and unable to stand up for herself.”

“Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, today’s incident is the fault of the Lu family. We beg for your understanding and tolerance. On another day, the Lu family will surely bring generous gifts to formally apologize to Her Highness the Princess.” Having said this, Old Lady Lu rose, leaning on her cane as she made her way out of the courtyard.

Seeing this, the old emperor called out to stop her. “Old Lady Lu, where are you going?”

Hearing his voice, Old Lady Lu turned back and shook her head slightly at Cheng’s father and mother. “I have no face to remain here, nor am I worthy of dining with Your Majesty, the Empress, and Her Highness the Princess.”

“Old Lady, what kind of talk is this? Back then, it was thanks to you that Yi’er was able to return safely to the capital.” Cheng’s mother stood up and walked to Old Lady Lu’s side, helping her back to her seat.

“Old Lady, set your heart at ease. We have long been aware of what happened to Yi’er outside the palace. We would never doubt the feelings between the children because of a few slanderous words from outsiders.”

“That is good, that is good.” Old Lady Lu’s face was full of remorse. At this moment, she deeply regretted her past indulgence of Lu Zhengliang and was even more angered by her son’s indifference when Diao Yuqing joined forces with the eldest and second sons to bully Lu Jiahe.

“Audacious commoner! How dare you insult my daughter right in front of me? You truly have some nerve!” Having learned of the Lu family’s affairs, the old emperor had long wanted to use his authority to vent the grievances of that foolish, dull-headed child.

“When entering the capital, your son attempted to assassinate the princess. What punishment does your Lu family deserve?”

Lu Zhengliang sensed the danger and hurriedly released Diao Yuqing’s arm, kneeling on the ground.

Old Lady Lu, who had been sitting in her chair catching her breath, was so frightened by the emperor’s words that she tried to rise and apologize. Cheng’s mother, seated beside her, noticed and discreetly patted the back of her hand. When Old Lady Lu looked at her, Cheng’s mother smiled and shook her head.

“This commoner deserves death. We beg Your Majesty for mercy.” Gritting his teeth, Lu Zhengliang pulled Diao Yuqing down to kowtow to the Old Emperor.

Seeing this, Cheng’s father cast a cold glance at the two. “Out of consideration for Old Lady Lu and the Tanhua’s care for my child, I have never mentioned this matter to you. And how do you repay me? With ingratitude! You even attempted to shift this disgraceful affair onto my child. You truly deserve death!”

“We beg Your Majesty for mercy.” Lu Zhengliang hated Diao Yuqing to the core. Only now did he realize what a vile character the other person truly was.

“Since your Lu family has brought this matter up today, if you still wish to marry my daughter.” The old emperor fixed his gaze on Lu Zhengliang. “Master Lu, you must show me your stance! My son-in-law is not someone to be bullied by outsiders!”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace. This commoner will surely satisfy Your Majesty and Her Highness the Princess.”

After resolving the matter of Diao Yuqing, Cheng’s father allowed only Old Lady Lu and Lu Jiahe to remain in the courtyard to dine with them. He also invited them to stay in the palace overnight to discuss the arrangements for the two children’s wedding the following day.

Lu Zhengliang, having been expelled from the palace by the Old Emperor, returned to his home in the capital with a dark expression.

Half a month ago, upon receiving the news that the eldest princess was to marry into their Lu family, he had taken Diao Yuqing and Lu Jiahao with him to the capital. Since his second son had a criminal record in Bianjing, and coincidentally, his youngest son was about to marry Her Highness the Princess, he planned to stay in the capital for a while to find something for his second son to do.

But who would have thought? Lu Zhengliang had laid out such a clever plan, only to have it completely ruined by the person lying right beside him!

“Father, you’re back. How did it go? Is Her Highness the Princess really going to marry Third Brother?” Lu Jiahao, who had been waiting at the entrance of the Lu residence, rushed forward as soon as he saw his father step down from the carriage.

Lu Zhengliang narrowed his eyes at his second son. “Get lost! You unfilial wretch!”