Chapter Forty-Seven: Do You Dare Call His Majesty a Fool!

Being tugged at the hem of her dress by a child was something Liu Ling’er could tolerate, but this little rascal was actually trying to climb her like a bamboo pole, which she found utterly unacceptable. The culprit behind Liu Ling’er’s darkening expression was none other than the little Shuangshuang she had met yesterday. At this moment, Shuangshuang resembled a little monkey, nimbly grabbing at Liu Ling’er’s clothes and thigh, and in no time at all had scrambled halfway up her waist.

But however agile Shuangshuang might be, her three- or four-year-old body could only take her so far; she reached Liu Ling’er’s waist and could go no further. She then gazed up at Liu Ling’er with big, dewy eyes and called out in her childish voice, “Mommy, hug me!”

Liu Ling’er was dressed in a white skirt today, but now half the skirt was covered in Shuangshuang’s black handprints. Little Shuangshuang was blissfully unaware that she had nearly ruined Liu Ling’er’s favorite dress—a privilege of youth, no doubt.

Beside them, Su Yunyun was even more dramatic. First she widened her eyes, then her mouth fell open, and she took two or three steps back, exclaiming, “Well, well, Liu Ling’er, you already have a child? Not bad! Looks like your kid is old enough to run errands for you!”

Liu Ling’er swore that if she ever had the chance, she would tear Su Yunyun’s mouth to pieces—or better yet, stuff it with her father’s sweaty socks!

Seeing little Shuangshuang about to slip down, Liu Ling’er sighed, picked her up, and wiped her face—now smudged like a little kitten—with her handkerchief. “Shuangshuang, what are you doing here?”

Shuangshuang tilted her head, thought for a moment, and answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world, “Uncle gave me to the nursemaid, and she brought me here!”

Madam Ruyan, lying on the ground nearby, almost coughed up blood again. Little ancestor, that’s not what you said yesterday! If she remembered correctly, yesterday Shuangshuang had declared, “I want to eat Fourth Lady’s date cake. If she won’t make it for me, I’m not leaving.”

To say that Madam Ruyan was unlucky was no exaggeration. Yesterday, Shuangshuang had chased a butterfly all the way to the back garden, where she happened to run into Liu Ling’er. Liu Ling’er handed her over to Baili Xian, who instructed Yin Wula to take her for her feeding.

The nursemaid herself wasn’t sure who was supposed to care for Shuangshuang today, so after feeding her as usual, she delivered her to Madam Ruyan’s courtyard. Madam Ruyan returned, already in a foul mood, only to be surprised to find Shuangshuang in her room.

When she questioned her, Shuangshuang showered her with praise for her skill in making date cakes, and that was the start of the trouble. The third lady had spent a sleepless night worrying that if Shuangshuang went missing, Prince Xian would have her hide. In the morning, she made the rounds to greet the other consorts. When she reached Ruyan’s courtyard last, she saw Ruyan carrying a tray of date cakes, coaxing Shuangshuang to call her “Mother” like a sly old fox.

Her temper flared instantly and the two got into a fight. Servant girls and attendants passing by saw the commotion, and soon the story spread like wildfire. All seven consorts gathered in Ruyan’s quarters for a conference.

Hearing Su Yunyun’s teasing, Liu Ling’er’s face darkened immediately. Shuangshuang quickly wrapped her arms around Liu Ling’er’s neck and affectionately called out, “Good sister, I said it wrong, please forgive me!”

This talent for changing sides left the ladies’ eyes nearly popping out of their heads. When had this little ancestor ever been so agreeable?

Among them, Lady Wen Wan’er was the most astonished. Baili Xian had raised Shuangshuang in the household, and even the prince’s four guardians showed her no deference—how had Liu Ling’er managed it?

Casting a glance at Ruyan, who had fainted on the ground, Wen Wan’er cautiously asked Liu Ling’er, “Princess, are you sure Ruyan really did those disgraceful things?”

Liu Ling’er’s cheeks flushed and she scratched her head awkwardly. “It’s a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. Maybe I was seeing things, mistook her for someone else! I really owe Ruyan an apology. I’ll go fetch the best physician to treat her right away!”

Su Yunyun rolled her eyes. She saw right through Liu Ling’er’s excuse—it was just an attempt to watch her make a fool of herself.

At that moment, Ruyan slowly regained consciousness, and upon hearing Liu Ling’er’s explanation, she was so stifled with indignation that she fainted again.

An hour later, Liu Ling’er carried Shuangshuang to the main gate of Prince Xian’s mansion. She glanced at Su Yunyun, her look clearly warning her to honor her bet without causing any mischief.

Su Yunyun bristled with resentment. Though her appearance was feminine, she was in fact a man. Admitting defeat was simply impossible for her.

It was as if she were being led to the gallows—she dragged her feet miserably the whole way. If only Liu Ling’er would say “forget it,” she would have been grateful to her ancestors for eight generations, but Liu Ling’er showed no such mercy.

Shuangshuang nibbled at Liu Ling’er’s ear and whispered, “Good sister, what is that lady going to do?”

Liu Ling’er stifled a laugh. “Shuangshuang, that’s not a lady—you can call him ‘big brother’ or ‘uncle’; do you understand? He’s about to do something very important, so let’s just watch.”

Shuangshuang nodded. Just then, two people approached from the opposite direction. The one in front wore a yellow robe, and as soon as Shuangshuang saw him, her body began to tremble, arousing Liu Ling’er’s curiosity.

Baili Xian, accompanied by Tie Wula, had not yet reached the gate when he saw Liu Ling’er holding Shuangshuang. He seemed to realize something, and his expression changed as he hurried over.

Seeing them approach, Su Yunyun’s heart sank halfway to her stomach. She vowed never to get involved in such matters again. She closed her eyes and, resigning herself, declared loudly, “I’m an idiot, you’re a fool; we’re a perfect pair!”

The two men across from them were stunned. The chubby servant behind immediately rushed forward, shouting, “How dare you, insolent commoner! How dare you call His Majesty a fool!”