Arc 2: Part 39
"Xiao Lingchen, what do you mean?"
Emperor Xuanyi's expression tensed up.
Xiao Lingchen's gaze passed over a startled Xiao Qingwan, a touch of iciness flickering in his eyes.
"What I mean is, previously, it was up to His Majesty to take charge in matters concerning the nation. But now, it's my house's internal affairs, and it should be up to me to decide — of course, if His Majesty wishes to attend, I would be more than obliged."
Although he said he was "more than obliged", once these words were uttered, how could Emperor Xuanyi leave?
He had no choice but to turn around and sit in a nearby seat, maintaining a stern face as he listened to Xiao Lingchen "handle household matters".
The ladies present exchanged glances, knowing that what Xiao Lingchen wanted to handle was definitely the issue of Xiao Bai Zhu and Qingwan. He didn't ask anyone to leave, and they were awfully curious, so pretending they didn't see anything, they shamelessly decided to stay.
"In front of everyone, I'll speak frankly. As is widely known, I have two stepsisters, named Xiao Bai Zhu and Xiao Qingwan. Their appearances are identical and hard to distinguish. Sometimes, I fear that if they switched identities, people might not be able to recognize them at all."
He looked at Xiao Qingwan with a profound meaning.
Xiao Qingwan's face tensed up, her legs turning weak. For a moment, the only words screaming in her head were, "Does he know already? Why else would he say such things?!"
Xiao Lingchen pointed at Xiao Qingwan and said, "Since you claim to be Xiao Bai Zhu, then you are Xiao Bai Zhu. I have observed that you and His Majesty are in harmony with each other, and the harem of His Majesty is currently leaderless. Perhaps it's time for me to make a decision. I think you should follow His Majesty and enter the palace. Are you willing?"
Enter the palace?
She can... she can enter the palace?!
Xiao Qingwan's eyes lit up with ecstatic joy, and she nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes! I am willing!"
But then she remembered something, turned her head to look at Tong Su, and laughed maliciously. "So, elder brother, what will you do about sister Qingwan?"
"Qingwan? Who said she is Xiao Qingwan?"
Xiao Lingchen raised an eyebrow.
Xiao Qingwan was taken aback.
Xiao Lingchen said indifferently, "Although she is my step-sister, we have no blood relation after all. Why not remove her from the Xiao family tree and return to her mother's surname. From now on, she will be known as 'Ji Bai Zhu'."
Ji Bai Zhu!
Xiao Qingwan accidentally knocked over her tea cup, her face paled as she exclaimed, "Ji Bai Zhu! How could she also be called Bai Zhu? This is not right— this is not—"
Isn't this just blatantly telling everyone that she, Xiao Qingwan, stole "Xiao Bai Zhu's" identity?
Tong Su softly laughed, "I have a story I'd like to share with everyone."
Xiao Qingwan suddenly felt uneasy, staring at Tong Su warily, and listened as her cool, indifferent voice began.
"When I was young, I had an older sister. From an early age, she would command me and make me obey her. She would say that the meals I made were delicious and tell me to cook for her. However, she would then serve the food I made to others, claiming that she was the one who made it..."
"Shut up! Stop talking nonsense! I'll rip your mouth!" Xiao Qingwan's face turned ashen, and she screamed as she lunged at Tong Su, only to be toppled by a kick from Xiao Lingchen and unable to stand up.
She glared at Tong Su resentfully, "You're lying..."
Seeing her reaction, who couldn't guess who Tong Su was talking about? Everyone in the room gasped, their eyes full of disdain as they swept over Xiao Qingwan.
How could there be such a disgusting person!
Tong Su calmly recounted all of her original experiences, and Xiao Lingchen tenderly held her hand, his gaze on Xiao Qingwan even colder.
The tent door moved, and Little Thirteen entered with his men. He politely, but firmly, addressed the noble ladies and attendants in the tent: "The Xiao residence has urgent matters to attend to. I ask that everyone please leave."
The head of the courtyard worriedly glanced at Tong Su, then nodded and led everyone out.
The guards from the Prince He Lian's mansion grit their teeth and helped the still unconscious heir. They said, "The Zhenbei royal mansion thanks Miss Xiao. If Miss Xiao needs anything, feel free to approach us," before leaving as well.
Seeing this, the others could only say their goodbyes, and in no time, only Emperor Xuanyi and the Xiao family members were left in the tent.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty--"
Xiao Qingwan was trembling all over, and her eyes brightened as she looked at Emperor Xuanyi. At this point, only Emperor Xuanyi could help her!
What was Xiao Lingchen? Just a subject, while Emperor Xuanyi was the emperor--
"Was this all your scheme? From the beginning to the end, you were deceiving me, weren't you!"
To Xiao Qingwan's surprise, Emperor Xuanyi angrily shook her off and even pointed his finger at her nose to reprimand!
"I really thought you were a poor soul being bullied last night. Was this scheme of yours all just to get into the palace? I really misjudged you, you deceitful and disgusting woman!"
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