266 Tea House Chat Refusal to Cooperate

ashed across Aunt Zhao's face as she tightly clutched onto her handkerchief while weeping and said, "Could it be... could it be that this child is doomed to never come into the world I... I only wish...266. Chatting in a teahouse, Refusal to Cooperate

Walking up to the second floor of the teahouse, it turned out that there was not a single customer upstairs. This was not an upscale teahouse; its interior decoration and setup would naturally not meet Empress Liu's tastes, who had lived in the imperial palace for so long. Therefore, she chose this place purely to wait for Mo Xiuyao and others here. Of course, Empress Liu would also not be able to coexist with ordinary people in the same room; hence, the teahouse was cleared out earlier.

The upstairs area was quiet and empty. As soon as they stepped onto the stairway, all that could be seen was Empress Liu standing by the window, leaving only a white silhouette behind. The palace maids and eunuchs serving her were all bowing respectfully with their heads down, not daring to make any sound.

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows slightly, carrying Mo Xiaobao over to an empty table where he put him down. Mo Xiaobao pursed his lips; he was not a child and didn't want to sit on the table. He stretched out his small hand for Ye Li to pick him up. Ye Li smiled faintly and picked him up, setting him down in the nearby chair. Smiling happily, Mo Xiaobao sat down in the big chair and squirmed around with a blink of his eyes as he looked at Ye Li and said, "Mother, wasn't that auntie inviting us to have tea Why isn't she talking to us"

Auntie The corner of Ye Li's mouth twitched. Don't think that just because Mo Xiaobao can speak, he wouldn't offend people when he did. For a little rascal who started speaking and already called Qin Zheng 'sister' and his aunties 'aunty,' it all depended on his mood whether or not to please someone. Sometimes Ye Li worried about whether this son of hers would grow up to be a dissolute playboy, so she reluctantly agreed with Mo Xiuyao's suggestion to minimize interactions between Mo Xiaobao and Han Mingchi. Therefore, Empress Liu must have done something to make Mo Xiaobao unhappy.

Empress Liu turned her head around and was taken aback when she saw the dark-clothed child sitting between Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao. Although proud of her beauty and despite disliking Emperor Moxingqi, she couldn't deny that he looked handsome. However, their two sons and one daughter combined weren't as good-looking as this dark-clothed boy. Empress Liu truly observed the dark-clothed child staring at her with big eyes, and even her previous anger dissipated somewhat. She just felt more unwillingness—her son... must be prettier than this boy.

Ye Li helplessly looked up to heaven; from Empress Liu's dazed expression, she knew that someone was daydreaming again, probably with some unrealistic fantasies in mind.

"Auntie Pretty auntie" Mo Xiaobao believed himself to be a person of great aesthetic sense, so even though he didn't like this auntie before him, he had to admit that she looked beautiful. Unfortunately... this auntie seemed to have some brain issues. She was just glaring at him angrily earlier and then staring at him again as if in a trance. This little lord knew how good-looking he was; however, since the auntie was too old for him, she shouldn't be drooling over him anymore. Mo Xiaobao thought indulgently.

"Auntie, do you want to invite us for tea or not" Mo Xiaobao asked impatiently.

Being called 'auntie' repeatedly by a child, even the slow-witted Empress Liu knew that this was intentional. Even if the child didn't understand, someone must have guided him. Approaching with a frown, Empress Liu said, "Young Prince, I am not an aunt." Mo Xiaobao frowned and stared at her for quite some time before quietly saying, "My father says anyone ten years older than my mother is called 'auntie'."

His mother was over twenty, but many people said she looked younger than nineteen. This auntie appeared to be more than thirty, just like his father. "It's okay if you don't take good care of yourself; I'll introduce my mother's skincare products to you later." Mo Xiaobao said sympathetically, feeling sorry for such a beautiful person turning into an auntie due to poor maintenance. So, Mo Xiaobao insisted that Empress Liu was indeed an aunt.

"Cough cough," Ye Li, who was drinking tea beside him, nearly choked. A corner of Mo Xiuyao's eyebrow twitched; he looked at his serious son with a half-smile, wondering where he had taught this boy to call anyone ten years older than himself an 'auntie.'

"The Young Master is truly smart!" Empress Liu gritted her teeth and said coldly, "Miss Ye taught him well." Ye Li’s expression remained unchanged as she smiled and said, "Empress, you are flattering me."

Who was praising her Empress Liu inwardly cursed. Seeing Ye Li smiling brightly made her heart clench. She had always thought that Ye Li’s looks were far less beautiful than hers, but now that she looked at her up close and carefully, she found out that Ye Li wasn’t as ordinary as she remembered. Her delicate facial features were elegant and gentle, with a warm smile that gave people the feeling of being refreshed by spring breeze. Beneath her refined and gentle demeanor, there was a hint of elegance and nobility that seemed to emanate from her brows. These two contradictory qualities blended on this woman’s person to form an unprecedented confidence and dignity. It reminded one that she wasn’t just a noblewoman born into a prestigious family but also a female hero who could ride horses and fight battles. Such a quality didn’t need any external decorations or expressions for concealment; even if she smiled softly like any ordinary lady in the閨閣, it still made people reluctant to offend her.

Of course, this was not what Empress Liu cared about most. What she bit her teeth and hated was Ye Li’s age. Compared with a girl of thirteen or fourteen who had just come of age, Ye Li seemed old. But compared with the over-thirty Empress, the twenty-one-year-old (looking like eighteen) Ye Li was still young enough to make one hate her. No matter how unwillingly she admitted it, she still had to acknowledge that compared to Ye Li, she had become old.

Thinking of this, Empress Liu looked at Mo Xiuyao on the side with a mix of shock and fear. However, she saw Mo Xiuyao holding a cup of tea without drinking or looking at her but focusing his gaze on the woman in green sitting across from him. Watching Ye Li’s faint smile, the handsome face under his white hair also revealed a hint of joy. This pair of beautiful men and women sat together with a child who seemed to possess all their strengths, creating a scene that was so enchanting it made Empress Liu suddenly feel cold all over.

"Xiuyao… Prince Dìng." After pondering for a moment and seeing no intention from Mo Xiuyao to speak, Empress Liu had to take the initiative.

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and looked at her questioningly without saying anything. Empress Liu bit her lip and said, "I have something I wish to discuss privately with Prince Dìng. Could Miss Ye and Young Master please step aside"

Before Ye Li could speak, Mo Xiaobao took the lead, “No!”

No matter how angry Empress Liu was, she couldn’t yell at his son in front of Mo Xiuyao. She had to force a somewhat stiff smile and said, "Young Master, I have important matters to discuss with your father. Why not let your mother take you out for fun" Mo Xiaobao pouted and raised his eyes pleadingly at Mo Xiuyao; big black pupils filled up with tears that seemed about to fall. Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow looking at his son: What are you planning now

Mo Xiaobao looked pitifully at his father, choking out, "Father… don’t you want Xiao Bao and Mother anymore Xiao Bao loves Father and Mother the most. If Father doesn’t want Xiao Bao... Waaa..." Thus, thanks to Empress Liu’s influence, Mo Xiuyao heard for the first time in his life his son say he loved him. This kid usually wished that his father could be as far away as possible.

Of course, Mo Xiuyao felt the same way too.

"Father won’t abandon your mother," Mo Xiuyao promised, but only you.

Mo Xiaobao said through tears, "But that lady just now wanted Mother to take Xiao Bao away, Waaa... Little Uncle said women who want to talk alone with Father all want to be Xiao Bao’s stepmother. Xiao Bao doesn’t want a stepmother..." Mo Xiuyao was dumbfounded; he deeply regretted only separating Han Mingxi and the two Mo Xiaobaos earlier on. He should have separated them from Xu Qingshan and his five brothers too. Look at what Xu Wu had taught his son! And following Xu Qingchen, whose head was full of schemes, calling him Uncle every day, if not for Mo Xiaobao frequently bothering Li, he suspected that Mo Xiaobao would go to the Xu family to live with Xu Qingchen. Of course, he wouldn’t leave Mo Xiaobao with the Xu family now; but his father doing it and Mo Xiaobao going there on his own were different.

"Your Little Uncle is right, so Father won’t talk alone with other women," I just want to talk privately with Li, so you don’t need to bother her all the time. Then Father will love you too.

"Xiao Bao knows that Father isn’t a man who would abandon his wife for another woman," Mo Xiaobao said, relieved.

This time, both Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were stunned. Looking at each other, the couple wondered who was responsible for their five-year-old son becoming like this.

Moxiaobao didn't care that his action had shocked his parents. He turned around and climbed onto Mo Xiuyao's lap, still with tears in his eyes but now wearing a sweet smile of happiness. Then he looked at the livid Concubine Lady Liu and said, "Auntie, men and women should not have physical contact. My father will never be alone with you. Men also cherish their reputation. Auntie shouldn't harm my father."

Ye Li helplessly rubbed her son's head and turned to Concubine Lady Liu, saying, "He is just a child; don't blame him." Moxiaobao grinned happily as he snuggled into his mother’s embrace. He might hate his father the most, but his father was also his mother's husband. If his mother wanted his father around, even if it went against his wishes, he would accept it graciously. Other women wishing to take him away Hmph!

Concubine Lady Liu’s face remained cold as she realized that she wouldn't be able to talk alone with Mo Xiuyao today. She could only suppress her anger and said in a low voice, "If so, there's no harm for Miss Ye to listen."

Ye Li smiled and nodded, indicating that she was willing to hear what the concubine had to say.

It wasn’t until Moxiaobao fell asleep on Mo Xiuyao’s lap did Concubine Lady Liu finally speak. Despite their short confrontation, she was quite afraid of this boy who acted like a grown-up. He had an innocent and naive face, but everything he said or did made her look bad; it was impossible to believe that he didn’t mean it.

"What are the Prince Regent's views on the current situation in the capital" asked Concubine Lady Liu, looking at Mo Xiuyao intently.

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and said, "I returned only to pay homage to my ancestors. I have no intention of involving myself in affairs in the capital. Moreover, the Black Ink Army has severed all ties with the Great Chu Empire; it would be improper for me to intervene now. This is something Miss Liu doesn’t need to ask about, and furthermore, it’s not something she should concern herself with."

The words ‘you shouldn't ask’ were a huge blow to Concubine Lady Liu because it implied that Mo Xiuyao still saw her as an ordinary concubine. Even though Mo Xiuyao was extraordinary, he remained a prince in the era of imperial rule and would never naturally believe in gender equality. However, he was different from most men, believing that some women were just as capable as men, thus accepting them studying literature, martial arts, or taking part in politics. For example, Ye Li and Princess Anxi.

At the same time, Mo Xiuyao still believed that most women should remain ordinary maiden ladies who only needed to stay within their homes. The former represented equality and respect, while the latter meant being a man's subordinate.

In Mo Xiuyao’s eyes, it was natural for Ye Li to be involved in any matter; however, Concubine Lady Liu shouldn't meddle with matters of state affairs. It wasn’t because she was a concubine but because she lacked the qualifications to do so. Concubine Lady Liu clearly understood Mo Xiuyao's thoughts and thus became even more enraged.

After some time, Concubine Lady Liu ground her teeth and said, "Your Highness should know that my son has already been ennobled as Crown Prince. Once the Emperor passes away, he will become the Emperor of Great Chu, making me the Empress Dowager."

Mo Xiuyao nodded; naturally, he knew this but so what “There are plenty of empress dowagers in history. In just one dynasty of the Great Chu Empire, there have been seven empress dowagers. So, what does that matter”

What did it matter The Great Chu had never seen an empress dowager who could control young rulers and stir up trouble during their reigns. These women didn't lack desire for power; after years of hard work, few women who sat on the throne wouldn’t want to take charge themselves. However… there was still Prince Regent's Manor in Great Chu. As long as the prince regent’s manor existed, matters of state would never be dictated by deep palace women. Therefore, since the founding of Great Chu until now, none of its empress dowagers had ever achieved power like their predecessors in other dynasties did. First, Emperor Jingqi came to power when he was no longer young and despised having authority taken away from him. Second, officials in the Great Chu Empire were not used to having power wielded by women.

Lady Liu lowered her eyes; she couldn't argue with Mo Xiuyao. Not only because she loved him, but also because she didn’t have the means to compete with him. She could only say it in another way: "The Prince Regent should know the current situation at court. Mo Jingli not only poisoned the emperor but also forced him to appoint Mo Jingli as regent. If the emperor dies, as a regent, Mo Jingli will surely control the entire kingdom. In that case, the Great Chu might become Mo Jingli's personal dominion. Wouldn’t this be bad for you too"

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and looked at Lady Liu without speaking. She continued, "The Prince Regent should know that Li Prince has never gotten along with you since childhood. Now he even hates you because of Miss Ye. Once Li Prince holds great power, if he uses the entire country's strength to trouble Northwest, won’t the Prince Regent also be in a difficult situation" Mo Xiuyao picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea. The slightly bitter taste of the not-so-good quality leaves made him frown. He said coolly, "Lady Liu must have not consulted Minister Liu about this." Lady Liu's smile froze; she asked confusedly, "What does the Prince Regent mean by that"

Mo Xiuyao replied: "I've told you before, Lady Liu. If you have nothing to do with me, just stay in the palace quietly and don't interfere with things beyond your understanding. If you had consulted Minister Liu beforehand, he would surely tell you that neither your son nor Mo Jingli will ever be able to trouble me!"

Lady Liu's face changed slightly; she tightly clenched her fingers and said forcefully: "The Prince Regent seems overly confident." She indeed didn't believe it. How big could the Northwest region be In Lady Liu’s view, even if every person in Great Chu spat at Northwest, they would still drown that small place with their saliva. But she had forgotten how many people of Great Chu were willing to spit on the Prince's residence for her.

“However, what you said is not entirely wrong. It might indeed be better for me if a young prince ascends the throne.” Mo Xiuyao lowered his eyes and gazed at the tea in his hand coolly.

Hearing this, Lady Liu was delighted; she smiled: "Does that mean the Prince Regent agrees to help me"

Mo Xiuyao raised his gaze and looked at Ye Li beside him who was sipping tea silently. He asked: “Liyi, did I agree” Ye Li lifted her head coolly: “This queen didn’t hear it.”

"What does the Prince Regent mean by that" Feeling as if she had been played with, even though it was Mo Xiuyao who had done so, Lady Liu still found it unacceptable. Actually, Mo Xiuyao hadn't intended to play her; he looked at her calmly and said: "I have already promised not to interfere in political affairs to Mo Jingli."

“Why” Lady Liu asked with deep disappointment in her heart. She hoped to cooperate with Mo Xiuyao and wanted him to see that she was different from Ye Li. Mo Xiuyao would surely discover that compared to Ye Li, she was a better choice; "Why What do you get by working with me Don't you care at all As long as you help me, the Prince's residence will still be the Prince’s residence of Great Chu, and you can become the next regent or even…" She would support him to become an emperor if he wanted it. Compared to Empress Dowager, she wished more to become his empress.

Ye Li twitched her eyes coolly; she said: "I don’t know what benefits can be obtained by working with Lady Liu. But… at least you can make Mo Jingqi die of anger." Your most beloved concubine and the mother of the crown prince are cooperating with your greatest enemy, your most hated enemy. Won't he either sicken or poison himself to death

"Miss Ye! I am talking to the Prince Regent," Lady Liu said coldly; her eyes full of anger fixed on Ye Li. Ye Li maintained a calm and composed demeanor; she said coolly: "Ah, this queen is also speaking with your Highness. This queen just provided some reference opinions for your Highness based on Lady Liu's suggestion earlier." Mo Xiuyao smiled indulgently, saying gently: “Liyi thought of it thoroughly, my matter is your matter. There’s nothing that can’t be said. Besides, even without cooperating with the Liu family, I still have ways to make Mo Jingqi die of anger. Liyi, you need to believe in your husband's ability."

"Your Highness refuses" Lady Liu asked Mo Xiuyao; her gaze was viciously fixed on Ye Li.

Mo Xiuyao said indifferently: "Not refusal, but I have never considered such a —— boring and time-wasting suggestion." garden where we left our maidservants behind. According to reason, no matter whether it was the princess who fell into the lake or if I pushed her in, your maidservant would not have been able to see...