Chapter 352 - 352: Saint Ruan Saved Himself
Noble Consort Xiao sneered. “Alright, since you’re from the Xiao family, you should be smarter. Get up.”
She gestured for Madam Xiao and her daughter to take a seat.
Madam Xiao thought Noble Consort Xiao would support them if they stayed. She began to complain about the incidents in the hall, speaking ill of Lin Sisi, hoping to tarnish her reputation in front of Noble Consort Xiao.
Noble Consort Xiao listened casually, neither rebuking nor refuting.
When Xiao Ruxue and Madam Xiao finished speaking, Noble Consort Xiao appeared as composed as ever, holding a pearl hairpin in her hand.
She toyed with the hairpin. “Are you done?”
Madam Xiao, holding Xiao Ruxue’s hand, spoke respectfully. “Your Majesty, I know I tend to be long-winded, but I’m doing this for the Ninth Prince’s sake. Please don’t misunderstand.”
“Ling’er is my favorite. 1 treat him the best. Madam Xiao, 1 heard you speak today out of consideration for your daughter’s grievances. But don’t forget, you brought this upon yourselves.”
Noble Consort Xiao’s languid tone carried a touch of coldness.
Madam Xiao and her daughter immediately knelt. “Your Majesty, spare us! 1 truly…”
“Enough!” Impatience flashed in Noble Consort Xiao’s exquisite eyes. “Let me tell you, even if Ling’er killed a maid or both of you, 1 wouldn’t blame him. Whoever provokes him, 1’11 kill them! If you want your daughter to be Ling’er’s imperial consort, then prove yourself!”
“Even if Lin Sisi is an eyesore, 1 won’t object if Ling’er is devoted to her! But you… better not make my Ling’er angry again! Otherwise, I’ll personally beat you to death!”
Noble Consort Xiao impatiently tossed the pearl hairpin onto a plate.
Madam Xiao and her daughter trembled in fear, quickly retreating.
Granny Song approached Noble Consort Xiao, massaging her shoulders. “Your Majesty, if you consider the Xiao family’s future, having a daughter of the Xiao family by the Ninth Prince’s side would be wise. Miss Lin is only a descendant of a general. Once General Lin dies, the Lin family won’t have much left.”
Noble Consort Xiao rubbed her temples. “How could I not know? But whenever 1 see Ling’er angry, I want to beat those who angered him to death. Ling’er is my treasure, I can’t bear to see him upset.”
Granny Song sighed softly. “Although Your Majesty is reluctant, you can’t watch over the Ninth Prince forever. Your Highness is pure-hearted and uninterested in the throne, so he won’t have to worry about the future. But he still needs worldly experience, or who will protect Your Majesty and the Xiao family?”
Noble Consort Xiao’s heart sank. Granny Song’s words echoed her thoughts.
She had pampered Chu Jinling for years, but he would have to take responsibility for the Xiao family someday.
Glancing at the treasures from the Xiao family, she instructed, “Men, give all of these to Xiao Ruxue. Tell her to develop her skills.”
Granny Song smiled in relief.
At the Marquis’s Manor, while Su Yingxue handled household matters, Zi Wei returned.
Su Yingxue glanced up from the account book at the young man, as cold as a statue. “How did it go? Is Saint Ruan dead?”
Zi Wei shook his head. “He saved himself.”
Su Yingxue nodded. “That old man is indeed reluctant to die.”
She had used Intoxicating Fragrance, a poison that Saint Ruan had abandoned midway in his research.
Thus, he couldn’t concoct an antidote on the spot. But it didn’t mean he couldn’t save himself with his medical skills.
And so, he lived on..