Chapter 879 - 884, - 885: Whose Shoe Is It? (Part 2)

Zhao Yushu thought of what had just happened in Lanxiang Palace, felt somewhat guilty, and didn’t dare look into Zhao Yushu’s eyes. In a soft voice she said, "If Elder Sister likes it, then I’ll give it to Elder Sister."

"Really?"

"How could Younger Sister deceive Elder Sister."

"You really are generous, Younger Sister." Xu Ying didn’t actually take it, but lifted her hand and lightly patted the back of Zhao Yushu’s hand, smiling as she said, "I was only joking. How could I take something His Majesty rewarded to Younger Sister."

As she spoke, Xu Ying glanced into the hall again. "Younger Sister won’t invite me in to sit for a while? Just now you ran off too quickly, I still have some things I haven’t said to you yet."

Zhao Yushu’s expression stiffened slightly.

So she really had been found out.

Given that she had come out of Lanxiang Palace so early, the other woman should be able to guess what had happened.

Zhao Yushu’s tender heart was in complete turmoil.

Just as she didn’t know how to refuse, she suddenly thought of something and quickly said, "Just now I promised Elder Sister Lanfei to go with her to Weiyang Palace to pay my respects to the Empress. It’s already getting late now, Elder Sister, what do you think?"

"What a coincidence, I was just planning to go pay my respects to the Empress after leaving your place. In that case, we’ll go together." Xu Ying feigned surprise as she spoke.

Zhao Yushu was not Liang Ji; she felt too embarrassed to refuse and agreed.

The two women first went to Lanxiang Palace; after seeing Liang Ji, the three of them then went together to Weiyang Palace.

Of course, during this time, Liang Ji didn’t spare Xu Ying a few cutting remarks, whereas Xu Ying merely smiled them away.

...

Weiyang Palace.

After finishing morning court, Chen Mo accompanied Wu Mi as she took her breakfast; Chen Jia, as well as Yi Shiyin and Chu Ran, were also present.

Chen Jia’s two little eyes rolled as he sized up the big bellies of Yi Shiyin and Chu Ran, then said with pure innocence, "Mother Empress, are Princess Consort Shu and Lady Jing Fei both carrying Father Emperor’s children?"

Chen Jia was almost three years old. Lately he had been reading a bit; though it was all very simple, he had started to think about things.

Even if what he thought about was still very superficial.

Yi Shiyin and Chu Ran’s faces flushed red; they almost choked and coughed softly, but said nothing.

"Yes, Jia’Er will have little brothers and sisters in the future." Wu Mi stroked Chen Jia’s head and smiled.

"Oh." Chen Jia let out an "oh." He was happy, but not as delighted as when, after Han Anniang gave birth to Chen Zhong, he learned he had a younger brother.

"Jia’Er, hurry and go to your lessons when you’ve finished eating." Chen Mo played the role of a stern father.

"Mm." Chen Jia nodded and was very well-behaved.

"Your Majesty, Empress. Princess Consort Lan, Consort Qing, and Consort Liu have come, saying they are here to pay their respects to the Empress." Just then, a Female Official stepped into the hall and spoke to Chen Mo and Wu Mi.

"Let them in." Wu Mi said.

"Yes."

Before long, Liang Ji, Xu Ying, and Zhao Yushu entered together.

Liang Ji disliked Xu Ying, but she knew to mind the occasion; at this moment she did not make things difficult for her, and the three of them together bowed to Chen Mo and Wu Mi.

"We’re all one family; there’s no need for such formality. Coming so early, you probably haven’t eaten breakfast yet. Come over and have some. Someone, bring three more sets of bowls and chopsticks." On Wu Mi’s snowy white face there was a stately, dignified grace.

"Thank you, Empress." The three women spoke in unison. After coming forward and taking their seats, they greeted Yi Shiyin and Chu Ran.

Yi Shiyin and Chu Ran replied with smiles. Before the three had arrived, Yi Shiyin had already asked who this newly conferred Consort Liu was.

When she learned it was the former Empress Zhao of the previous dynasty, she and Chu Ran had been astonished for quite some time.

But by now, they had fully digested the matter.

"Father Emperor, Mother Empress, your son has finished eating and will now go to the academy." After finishing, Chen Jia picked up the towel on the table, wiped his mouth, and got to his feet.

Xu Ying was best at making her presence felt, and immediately spoke with a smile, "Your Majesty, this must be the Crown Prince, correct?"

Xu Ying rarely came to Weiyang Palace.

Chen Mo nodded. "Jia’Er, hurry and give your greetings."

"Jia’Er pays his respects to Lady Qing, Lady Lanfei, and Consort Liu." Prompted by Wu Mi, Chen Jia called out to each in turn.

Xu Ying and Liang Ji didn’t think much of it and smiled happily. Only Zhao Yushu was somewhat tense, with even a hint of trepidation.

After all, the Crown Prince’s status was exalted, above her own.

Once Chen Jia had left, Xu Ying smiled again and said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince truly is obedient."

"Mi’Er has taught him well."

Chen Mo’s gaze swept once over Xu Ying, Liang Ji, and Zhao Yushu, then turned to Wu Mi, and a thought stirred in his heart.

Though all four women were wearing palace skirts, their colors were different, their temperaments distinct, and each had her own status.

If not for Yi Shiyin and Chu Ran also being present, chances were that so early in the morning Chen Mo would have indulged in some debauchery.

But though Chen Mo didn’t move, someone else did.

As Chen Mo was eating his breakfast, he suddenly felt an itch on his calf, something rubbing against him. Lowering his head, he saw a fair little foot stretched onto his leg.

With his perception, he quickly realized this little foot belonged to Xu Ying.

The table was not large, and Xu Ying’s legs were long. Even sitting opposite Chen Mo, it took her no effort at all.

"When did this Consort Qing get such nerve?" Chen Mo remained silent, sitting up straight, while signaling Xu Ying with his eyes.

But not only did Xu Ying fail to rein herself in, she went even further, continuing to hook at Chen Mo’s fire.

The Imperial Palace was not the Copper Sparrow Garden. Xu Ying now had more chances to be around Chen Mo. Over this period she had also come to understand his temperament, and she knew that behavior like this would not anger him.

Though Wu Mi was seated at Chen Mo’s side, her gaze almost never dropped downward, and she was only a Lower-Grade Martial Artist, with weak perception. Add to that Chen Mo’s and Xu Ying’s expressions hadn’t changed much, and so she noticed nothing.

Liang discovered it. She was a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist and was sitting to Xu Ying’s left; the moment she noticed, her brows tightened, her heart filled with shock, and she cursed inwardly, "This foxy little slut, truly shameless."

But she didn’t say anything on the spot—that would be too blunt. Instead she let out an "oh dear," and her chopsticks slipped from her hand to the floor as she bent down to pick them up.

This naturally drew some attention.

But Xu Ying was no ordinary person; she was even quicker than Liang Ji. She immediately drew her foot back. Just as she was about to put on her shoe, she discovered that the shoe on her left foot was gone.

It turned out that, seeing she hadn’t caught Xu Ying, Liang Ji, at the very second Xu Ying withdrew her left foot, kicked the shoe over to the opposite side.

And it happened to land at Wu Mi’s feet.

Wu Mi sensed something, looked down, and said in surprise, "Whose shoe is this?"

Wu Mi’s question drew the gaze of Yi Shiyin and Chu Ran sitting beside her.

Chen Mo’s face remained completely calm.

Xu Ying immediately knew this was Liang Ji’s doing. She also knew she couldn’t hide it. After all, anyone could see at a glance who wasn’t wearing shoes if they just looked down. Blushing, she said, "Empress, it’s this concubine’s."

Before Wu Mi could speak, Liang Ji couldn’t help saying with schadenfreude, "Younger Sister Qing, how did your shoe end up under the Empress’s feet? Could it be that you weren’t wearing your shoes?"

A classic case of a thief crying "Stop, thief."

Xu Ying: "..."

Her face grew even redder, the flush spreading from her cheeks down to her neck.

In a small voice Xu Ying said, "My foot itched, so I took off my shoe to rub it a little, and I accidentally kicked the shoe over..."

"Oh."

Wu Mi didn’t think too much about it and nudged the shoe back over to Xu Ying.

Liang Ji, sharp-tongued as ever, said, "We’re eating breakfast here; Younger Sister’s behavior is rather improper."

"Elder Sister Lanfei, Younger Sister admits her mistake." Xu Ying bit her lip as she spoke.

Liang Ji was delighted and wanted to say more.

Chen Mo gave a light cough to smooth things over and change the subject. He looked at Zhao Yushu and said, "You received the Holy Decree, yes?"

Zhao Yushu nodded lightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"From now on we’re all one family. Some formalities—we can skip them when we can." Chen Mo said, "Your parents are still in the Capital, yes?"

"To answer Your Majesty, they’re staying at the Fu Ze Restaurant in the south of the city." Zhao Yushu said.

"Then summon them into the palace later. I’ll see them." Chen Mo said.

"Mm."