Transmigration into a Book: My Lord, Your Wife Has Taken Another Concubine for You

Ma Mingzhen's face flushed red with anger, and the words slipped out uncontrollably, "How do you know my cousin doesn't like me?"

Chu Xiyao anxiously scolded Ma Mingzhen, "Zhen'er, you are not allowed to be disrespectful in front of Her Majesty."

Lin Yanran glanced at Ma Mingzhen indifferently, showing no intention of arguing with a ten-year-old child. She then went back to eating her pastries, as if the argument had never happened.

The Empress smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "Miss Ma is still young, she can take her time choosing, there's no rush."

Although the Empress said this, she was thinking that the Crown Prince's principal wife should be decided in the next two days, and she couldn't let anyone with ulterior motives take advantage of the situation.

Although military power is desirable, with such a troublesome in-law family, it becomes a hot potato.

The Empress secretly felt that if General Ma had readily handed over his military power from the beginning, he might have had another chance to go to the battlefield.

But he dragged his feet and didn't want to give it up. Once the emperor had given up military power, General Ma would probably never have the chance to touch it again.

Seeing that the Empress did not punish her daughter for her disrespect in front of the palace, Chu Xiyao immediately bowed and thanked her for her grace.

Afterwards, the Empress showed concern for Chu Xiyao's three children separately, and when she left, she gave Chu Xiyao and her three children generous rewards.

Of course, Lin Yanran was also there to accompany them, but Chu Xiyao and her three children left first, while the Empress kept Lin Yanran to talk for a while longer.

After Chu Xiyao and her three children boarded the carriage leaving the palace, Chu Xiyao felt that her entire back was soaked with sweat.

Years later, she finally understood the persuasive power of her elder brother's words, "Your sister-in-law's family is very supportive."

She was extremely cautious when she entered the palace, afraid of making a single wrong move.

But when the eldest sister-in-law entered the palace, it was like coming home; she acted so casually in every way.

Chu Xiyao looked at the three children and solemnly instructed them: "From now on, you should be more enthusiastic towards your aunt and also visit the main courtyard to pay your respects more often."

Ma Mingzhen was the first to disagree, saying, "Even my aunt doesn't approve of my daughter, so my daughter won't go."

Both Ma Zhongzheng and Ma Zhongshuai looked unhappy.

Chu Xiyao looked at her daughter with a cold face, "Not only did your aunt not like you, do you think the Empress did like you? In that kind of situation, what right do you, a girl, have to speak?"

This is also my fault. Over the years, while I was stationed at the border, there weren't many people around me that I needed to socialize with. Your father and I raised you to be all talk and no action.

But this is no longer the border; this is Cangming. Even a tile falling from the eaves could hit a high-ranking official. Even if your father is in Cangming, you must keep a low profile.

So you three understand what I mean, right?

Ma Mingzhen and Ma Zhongzheng were raised with good upbringing, but they were used to being pampered by those around them when they were at the border, and they didn't change when they came to Cangming.

So when Chu Xiyao said that, the two of them could only nod reluctantly.

Ma Zhongshuai was still young, and being the youngest son, he was always pampered. He was the least understanding. "Mother, I want to go back to Father's side."

Thinking about the Empress's implied meaning today, Chu Xiyao realized they probably couldn't go back. Chu Xiyao reached out and stroked her youngest son's head.

"Be a good boy, Shuai'er. In a while, we'll have your father come back to see our Shuai'er too."

Chu Xiyao was already considering whether to write a letter to her husband, urging him to return to Cangming and relinquish his military power.

With all four of them—her mother and children—held hostage in Cangming, Chu Xiyao couldn't care less about the bigger picture her husband was talking about; all she wanted was for her family to be safe and sound.

At this moment, Chu Xiyao wished she could slap herself twice for offending her sister-in-law as soon as she came back yesterday.

As for Chu Mode and his group, in Chu Xiyao's view, it's okay to offend such good-for-nothings.

Chu Xiyao made up her mind that she would reconcile with her sister-in-law.

Chu Xiyao was planning in her mind that when she got back, she would take out one or two of the good things she had brought and use them to apologize to her sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law should not hold it against her, right?

After Chu Xiyao and her three children left, Lin Yanran was about to ask the Empress what else she wanted to see her about when she heard the sound of someone clearing the way outside. Lin Yanran immediately stood up.

The Empress found it amusing to see Lin Yanran suddenly stand up, wipe her mouth with a handkerchief, and carefully straighten her skirt, looking as if she were facing a formidable enemy.

"That's Yi-xian's own uncle. You've met him before, so why are you so nervous?"

"Your Majesty's wife, you don't know, every time Your Majesty's husband sees me eat two extra pieces of pastry, he laughs at me for only having eyes for food."

Lin Yanran explained with a smile, and then went directly to where Chu Xiyao had been sitting, because no one had touched the snacks there.

The Empress found Lin Yanran's childish behavior even more amusing.

When the emperor entered, he saw the two of them bowing with impeccable manners.

The Emperor was momentarily stunned. "Empress, Yi Xian, what has happened to you two?"

"Couldn't I, your Majesty, be seen as a lady of impeccable manners?"

The Empress chimed in, "Since Yi Xian is like this, as an elder, I can't appear inferior to the younger generation, can I?"

The Emperor paused for a moment upon hearing this, searching his memory for any recollection of his niece. There were only two: one who pursued love, and one who loved to eat. She certainly wasn't unladylike!

The Emperor doted on this niece quite a bit. "Our Yixian is indeed a lady. As for her elegant demeanor and such, you are a princess, so you don't need to pursue those things. Just be presentable."

How is Marquis Wenxuan treating you now? If he's not treating you well, and you're too embarrassed to tell me, you can tell your mother and ask her to back you up.

Your mother's whip dance is superb.

"We, the daughters of the royal family, cannot be bullied by anyone."

After giving his instructions, the Emperor thought for a moment about his niece's personality and what kind of true love she was pursuing, and said, "Never mind, I'll have your mother visit you more often."

"Your Majesty, please summon this child to the palace more often for a chat."

Lin Yanran was not the original owner of this body, so of course she knew that the Emperor was saying these things to support her.

As for whether the Emperor did this out of genuine affection for his niece or for other reasons, Lin Yanran didn't care; as long as it was practical, that was enough.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I have now seen through the illusions of the world and will not upset my mother."

"But may I ask for a favor?"

Lin Yanran's main strength is her thick skin. As for what to do if the emperor rejects her? So what if he rejects her? She had no intention of asking for any unreasonable favors.

The Emperor and Empress both looked at Lin Yanran with new respect. Lin Yanran wasn't as shameless as she was before. The Emperor looked at Lin Yanran with a kind expression and said, "What favor does Yixian want? Tell me."

Lin Yanran quickly stated her expectations, "My wife and my sister-in-law don't get along, and I don't want her daughter to be my daughter-in-law, is that alright?"