Noticing a subtle change in the atmosphere, Su Juan quietly glanced around, observing the faces of those present; each one looked very serious.
[Why isn't anyone talking? So serious.]
[They don't seem too happy... Could it be because of the disaster in the south?]
Remembering past events, at this time, there was a flood in the south, causing countless deaths and injuries. Farmlands and shops were all submerged, and after the flood, the plague was even more severe.
[Alas, those poor disaster victims, desperately awaiting grain, would soon be robbed by those damn bandits at Black Dog Mountain. The victims, unable to get grain and relief silver, would starve to death... Such a pity.]
The faces of the Emperor and Prince Jing changed immediately. The disaster relief grain was a major issue, concerning the life and death of countless citizens.
Taking advantage of the situation, Song Qianfan shifted the topic, "Your Majesty, we have not yet greeted the Empress."
The Emperor nodded, allowing both of them to leave first.
Song Qianfan immediately breathed a sigh of relief; his back was already drenched in cold sweat.
After sending Su Juan away, the Emperor immediately drafted an edict, ordering the Great General to lead troops to Black Dog Mountain to eliminate the bandits, with a team escorting the disaster relief grain and silver all the way.
He furrowed his brow, hesitant and indecisive.
The Heir Consort's ability to perceive worldly affairs was beneficial to both the people and the Court, but her thoughts were uncontrollable; in the future, she might reveal more private matters... including those of himself as the Emperor.
But if not for her today, how many more citizens would have suffered due to the bandit issue at Black Dog Mountain?
Moreover, he was now quite curious about the brainless person Su Juan mentioned who became the Crown Prince and caused chaos in the world.
After much consideration, the Emperor stroked his beard and decided to keep Su Juan around.
As long as it's beneficial to the country and the dynasty, what do those other things matter?
He was a wise ruler and could not act like a foolish king who punishes dissent.
Prince Jing cautiously observed the Emperor's reaction, and seeing that his murderous intent had dissipated, he let out a sigh of relief.
How shameful would it be if the newly married daughter-in-law had died and the news spread?
However, upon returning to the mansion and seeing his wife sitting in the hall with a familiar-looking money pouch on the table, his heart immediately leaped.
Noticing his wife's darkened face, Prince Jing quickly withdrew the foot he was about to step into the hall with and, making a quick turn, dashed outside.
He had hidden it for years without being discovered, so how did it get found today!
What a rotten luck!
...
At dinner, the family seemed "harmonious and happy."
Princess Jing's face was dark, and Prince Jing's was full of guilt and appeasement.
Song Qianfan ate silently, his gaze subtly falling on his silent wife.
Next to him, the second son of the Prince Mansion, Song Qianhang, occasionally held his waist, seemingly enduring something.
Su Juan ate her meal, puzzled, [Do they not talk while eating in the Prince Mansion?]
[Why do Father and Mother seem off...?]
Prince Jing suddenly looked grim, not wanting to hear more of this!
[Could it be that the private money he hid for drinking got discovered by Mother?]
Prince Jing's forehead veins bulged, his hand gripping the chopsticks tightly, almost losing face completely.
Song Qianhang widened his eyes in disbelief, looking at Prince Jing: Never thought, the usually upright Father would hide private money and make excuses to go out drinking!
Princess Jing snorted coldly.
Prince Jing shivered, hurriedly serving his wife more food, "Princess, today's dishes are fresh, have a taste."
Princess Jing let out a cold laugh but did not take a bite.
Seeing this, Su Juan shook her head, [Father might have to sleep in the study again tonight, alas, poor him.]
Beside her, Song Qianfan glanced at Su Juan. If this woman dared to mess with his major affairs, even with the Emperor's protection, he would ensure her downfall.
Compared to this woman, he found the Chief Secretary's daughter, Liu Miaoying, gentle and charming.
Instantly, he felt more disdain for the woman in front of him.
Su Juan, noticing this, glanced at him, catching the contempt in his eyes and recalling how, in the last reset, Song Qianfan constantly compared Liu Miaoying to belittle her.
She picked up her chopsticks delicately and placed a piece of fatty, greasy meat into Song Qianfan's bowl, smiling obediently with a hint of flattery, her voice soft, "Husband, you eat."
Song Qianfan pressed his thin lips together; this woman wasn't entirely foolish, knowing to curry favor, but clueless enough to choose a poor piece of meat.
The next moment, Su Juan's voice echoed, [I know you hate fatty meat, so I chose the fattiest piece especially for you. Where else in the world would you find such a considerate wife?]
Prince Jing almost choked on his own saliva, indeed there was no other wife as considerate as his daughter-in-law.
Everyone at the table fell silent, their gaze falling on Song Qianfan's cold face.
Song Qianfan gripped his chopsticks, his expression restrained.
Su Juan, worried that it might not provoke him enough, added another piece of meat to his bowl, timidly asking, "Husband, why aren't you eating? Is the food not to your taste?"
Song Qianfan met Su Juan's innocent gaze, watching her exquisite acting skills. What a pity that this woman wasn't in the theater troupe!
[Is it disdain?]
[Tsk, Song Qianfan is just like this piece of fatty meat, greasy without knowing, thinking himself so handsome and likable?]
[Pfft, how can I compare Song Qianfan to fatty meat? A pig sacrifices itself to satisfy human appetites, which is so noble, how could Song Qianfan be worthy of comparison?]
Facing the meat on the table, Su Juan sincerely repented: [What a sin...]
"Pfft!" Song Qianhang couldn't hold back, spitting out his rice in laughter!
Sitting opposite him, Song Qianfan suffered, his face sullen. The servant beside him hurriedly fetched a cloth to clean him.
With a "snap," Song Qianfan's chopsticks snapped in two, his expression dark as the bottom of a pot.
[Song Qianhang is doomed now, with Song Qianfan's temper, he'll definitely tear him apart!]
Su Juan's gleeful voice forcibly suppressed Song Qianfan's anger, forcing him to show a calm demeanor.
This woman...
Utterly reckless!
The trouble-making Song Qianhang dared not laugh again; he was quite afraid of his older brother, whose mood was unpredictable and quick to anger.
Song Qianfan was about to go mad from Su Juan's irritating comments; he had severe mysophobia and could not tolerate this, "Father, Mother, I'm full, I'll be leaving first."
Once he left, Song Qianhang finally sighed in relief.
The servants cleared the table and hurriedly replaced it with new dishes from the kitchen.
Once Song Qianfan was gone, Prince Jing was afraid the daughter-in-law would target him next and couldn't sit still, "I have some official matters to handle, you all eat."
As he spoke, he stood up, moving faster than ever, as if something unclean was chasing him from behind.
Princess Jing snorted coldly.
Seeing that Song Qianfan had not expressed blame, Song Qianhang was relieved, narrowly escaping trouble.
Su Juan's sympathetic gaze fell on him.
[It seems Song Qianhang's waist injury is quite severe, which is why he didn't go to Chunxiang Building today.]
Princess Jing's expression darkened, her gaze falling on her younger son: Chunxiang Building?
[Look at how the girls at Chunxiang Building tormented him last night, leaving his waist injured, almost unable to get out of bed today, yet he has to pretend everything is fine; it's not easy.]
[Now everyone at Chunxiang Building mocks him for being incompetent; he's probably too afraid to go there again in the future.]
[So young and already incapable... No wonder he delays marriage, fearing the girl would despise him, alas, poor thing.]
Song Qianhang's face turned dark, "Incapable"!?
Princess Jing was also stunned.