The term "Granny" was a form of address used by common folk in some regions. Within the Royal Family, one would typically use the more deferential "Grandmother." Thus, when Princess Rouwan heard the word "Granny," she paused for a moment before realizing Hua Manman was referring to her.
Princess Rouwan said with a wooden expression.
"My situation is different from yours."
Hua Manman pressed, "How is it different?"
Princess Rouwan avoided her gaze and said coldly.
"You wouldn’t understand these things even if I told you."
The two entered the room.
Si Yun and Qing Huan helped the Princess Consort sit down.
Hua Manman said persistently.
"If you don’t tell me, how will you know for sure that I won’t understand?"
Princess Rouwan sat across from her, frowning impatiently. "You talk too much."
Nanny Zhang personally set down a tray of sliced fruit and exquisitely shaped, beautiful mooncakes, smiling as she tried to smooth things over.
"It’s still a while until lunch. Have a little something to tide you over."
Hua Manman picked up a mooncake and took a small bite.
The flaky crust broke, revealing the sweet red bean paste filling within. A salted egg yolk was nestled inside the paste, its golden surface glistening as if about to release its rich oil. The subtle saltiness balanced the cloying sweetness of the bean paste. It tasted divine.
Munching on her snack, Hua Manman said, "I heard that the Commandery Princess grew estranged from Prince Zhao because of Duke Zhen’s death."
Nanny Zhang’s hand paused as she was pouring the tea.
She looked up at Princess Rouwan and saw the Commandery Princess’s expression instantly turn foul.
Nanny Zhang cried out internally, ’This is bad.’
Duke Zhen’s death had always been Princess Rouwan’s sorest spot—a landmine for anyone who dared to touch it.
Sure enough.
The next moment, Princess Rouwan spoke, her voice cold and extremely harsh.
"If you don’t shut your mouth, get out."
Nanny Zhang, worried that Princess Consort Zhao would be provoked, was just about to step in and defuse the tension when she heard the Princess Consort speak with perfect composure.
"I won’t shut my mouth. What are you going to do about it? If you’ve got the guts, why don’t you bite me?~"
After speaking, Hua Manman even winked and made a funny face.
Princess Rouwan was livid.
Nanny Zhang quickly tried to placate her. "Commandery Princess, don’t be angry. Drink some chrysanthemum tea to cool down."
She placed the freshly brewed tea by the Commandery Princess’s hand.
However, Princess Rouwan didn’t even glance at the teacup. She turned to Hua Manman, fuming.
"Do you have any self-awareness as a daughter-in-law? Do you even know what it means to be filial to your in-laws? Where are your manners and upbringing?!"
Hua Manman’s eyes widened in surprise. "But didn’t you say before that you weren’t my mother-in-law? You didn’t even acknowledge me as your daughter-in-law."
Princess Rouwan was left speechless by the comeback.
She tried to argue her way out of it. "I don’t recall saying such a thing."
Hua Manman was shocked. "You’re a grown woman and you’re going back on your word?!"
She looked at Nanny Zhang and pressed.
"When the Commandery Princess said she wouldn’t acknowledge me as her daughter-in-law, you were there. You must have heard it, right?"
Nanny Zhang gave an awkward, placating smile and changed the subject. "The crabs the Princess Consort sent over need to be prepared soon, or they won’t be fresh. This servant must go instruct the kitchen. I’ll take my leave now."
With that, she scurried out of the room.
Hua Manman turned to look at Si Yun.
"You must have heard it, right?"
Si Yun’s scalp prickled, and she cried out in silent misery.
Even if she were a complete fool, she knew this was not a topic for a mere servant like her to get involved in.
The slightest misstep would mean offending both sides.
Si Yun stammered, "I think something like that might have happened, but this servant doesn’t remember very clearly."
Hua Manman then looked at Qing Huan.
Qing Huan struggled to speak. "Should be... probably... maybe..."
But then she trailed off, completely stuck.
After waiting a long time for the rest of the sentence, Hua Manman said helplessly.
"Never mind. Just pretend I never asked you."
Hua Manman looked at Princess Rouwan again.
"Let’s put the past aside for now. Does this mean you now acknowledge me as your daughter-in-law?"
Princess Rouwan gave a prim nod. "Mm."
’As long as I acknowledge her status as my daughter-in-law, I’ll have the upper hand in our relationship. If she dares to act so arrogantly in front of me again, I can discipline her anytime I want in my capacity as her mother-in-law.’
’Princess Rouwan even felt a pang of regret. Why hadn’t she figured this out sooner? She had wasted so many opportunities to teach Hua Manman a lesson.’
Hua Manman said, "Since you acknowledge me as your daughter-in-law, does that mean you also accept Prince Zhao as your son?"
Princess Rouwan frowned, displeased. "What does this have to do with him?"
"You must first accept Prince Zhao as your son before you can acknowledge me as your daughter-in-law. Prince Zhao is the bond that connects us; he’s an indispensable link."
Hua Manman’s words were logical and well-reasoned, leaving Princess Rouwan unable to refute them.
Hua Manman said, "If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes."
Princess Rouwan asked, "A yes to what?"
"A yes to you, me, and Prince Zhao being a family."
Princess Rouwan snorted. "Who’s a family with you? Don’t flatter yourself."
Hua Manman tilted her head. "But you just said I was your daughter-in-law. Why are you contradicting yourself again?"
Princess Rouwan choked on her words.
’How did this girl lead me into a trap again?!’
Hua Manman said, "Since we’re a family, we should celebrate the festival together. I’ll have someone bring Prince Zhao over right now. Let’s celebrate a reunion festival as a family!"
Princess Rouwan immediately cut in to stop her.
"Don’t you dare call him over!"
Hua Manman scooted closer, tugging on her sleeve and pleading in a soft voice.
"Please, I’m begging you. Just let Prince Zhao come celebrate with us."
Princess Rouwan remained unmoved and tried to pull her sleeve back.
Hua Manman pleaded desperately, but to no avail.
Seeing that the soft approach wasn’t working, Hua Manman had to switch tactics.
She suddenly clutched her stomach and let out a wail.
"I feel so sick!"
Everyone in the room was startled and quickly gathered around her.
Princess Rouwan said anxiously, "What’s wrong? Where does it hurt? Someone, quickly, call the household doctor!"
Hua Manman said, her eyes glistening with tears.
"I’m fine. You don’t need to call the household doctor.
It’s just... my heart feels unwell.
It’s probably because Prince Zhao isn’t here. I just feel so empty inside.
If we could just call Prince Zhao over, I think I’d be fine."
As soon as she said this, everyone in the room understood. The Princess Consort was deliberately feigning illness.
Princess Rouwan wanted to refuse, but when she met Hua Manman’s pleading eyes, the word "no" simply wouldn’t come out.
Hua Manman grabbed her sleeve and shook it gently.
"Please, I’m begging you. Don’t cast Ji aside. It’s been so hard for him all these years, all by himself."
Princess Rouwan was silent for a long time before she finally spoke, her voice hoarse.
"He went to the battlefield with the Lord Duke, but he was the only one who came back."
Hua Manman countered, "Because he had to come back for reinforcements!
Back then, Duke Zhen was trapped. Ji couldn’t possibly have saved Duke Zhen all by himself.
His only choice was to risk everything to escape back to Shangjing and hope the court would dispatch troops to rescue them.
To secure those reinforcements, Ji, covered in wounds, knelt before the palace gates, desperately begging the Saint to send troops."