Reborn Lady - Chapter 451

Ji Xianxian thought about how frequently her family lost face, so she didn’t care about it anymore. She said helplessly to Yin Hui, “Er Lang got up late this morning and offended the Emperor. The Emperor didn’t take him for the horse race.”

In ordinary households, this might not be a big deal. But among the nobles in the royal family, face mattered greatly. Sometimes, losing face was more serious than losing status.

Wei Luo’s decision not to take Er Lang for horse racing was seen as a losing face in the eyes of their relatives. It was akin to the Empress Dowager holding a flower party and inviting everyone except Concubine Li. So, where did Concubine Li’s face go?

The Empress Dowager, Concubine Xian, and Concubine Shu all looked sympathetically at Concubine Li.

Concubine Li pursed her lips.

She had anticipated having a great-grandson, but she didn’t expect her grandson to falter in family matters and start a business, bringing her embarrassment.

If Er Lang were still young, she could scold her daughter-in-law for not being able to teach the children. But now that Er Lang was a father, criticizing Ji Xianxian for not waking Er Lang up on time would only add to her embarrassment.

“Why did he get up late? Was he sick?” Concubine Li helped Er Lang find a way to save face.

Ji Xianxian hurriedly explained, “Yes, he had a bit of a cold the day before yesterday, and he took medicine at night, so he fell asleep easily.”

Concubine Li shook her head and said nothing more.

Yin Hui smiled and said, “Since he was sick, it was better for him if he informed the Emperor in advance. Why bother to be brave? Second sister-in-law, don’t worry. I will explain clearly to the Emperor.”

Ji Xianxian breathed a sigh of relief.

The two sisters-in-law stayed with the elders for a while. When they left side by side, Ji Xianxian took Yin Hui’s arm and pleaded with her in a low voice to speak well for Er Lang in front of Wei Luo.

Although he wouldn’t inherit the throne in the future if he did nothing, the disparity in status and glory between a favored prince and a disfavored one was immense.

Ji Xianxian hoped her son could lead a prosperous life, rather than being reduced to the point where everyone could mock him.

Her son lacked skills, but fortunately, she had a good relationship with Yin Hui, so she could ask for her help.

Yin Hui didn’t placate Ji Xianxian any further, and said seriously, “If Er Lang makes some small mistakes, I can help him in front of the Emperor. But if Er Lang wants to stand out and be favored by the Emperor, he really can only rely on himself. The Emperor distinguishes between public and private matters clearly, and the Second Sister-in-law should also understand this.”

Ji Xianxian replied, “I understand, I understand. I’m just afraid that the Emperor won’t give Er Lang any chance to redeem himself because of this morning.”

Yin Hui chuckled and said, “That won’t be the case. Er Lang will dedicate himself to his duties in the coming year, and his achievements will be recognized by the Emperor.”

On the Empress Dowager’s side, the four sisters were also discussing this matter.

Concubine Xian sincerely said to Concubine Li, “Please talk to Er Lang. The late Emperor looked at him indulgently. But in reality, indulging him means giving up on him. Giving up means that you won’t bother to discipline him. The Emperor may seem cold and strict, but in truth, he’s willing to make an effort for Er Lang’s sake.”

Concubine Li was stunned upon hearing this.

So, indulgence meant giving up?

In that moment, she remembered the late Emperor’s fondness for her and his leniency towards his son, Wei Yan.

In the past, she had seen this leniency as favoritism, believing that the late Emperor treated her differently.

But now, awakened by Concubine Xian’s words, she realized that the late Emperor’s indulgence was actually a form of abandonment. It was a harsh realization, and tears rolled down Concubine Li’s face.

The Empress Dowager, Concubine Xian, and Concubine Shu were all dumbfounded. Was this little thing really worth crying about?

Concubine Li continued to cry, and suddenly cursed, “Old man!”

The Empress Dowager was speechless.

Although her son Wei Luo was also in his early forties, he wasn’t considered an old man, was he?

Concubine Shu quietly pointed to the sky.

The Empress Dowager suddenly realized that Concubine Li was actually scolding the late Emperor.

In that case, it had nothing to do with her. She was free to scold as she pleased.

—–

“Why were you so fierce? You didn’t give Er Lang any face,” Yin Hui remarked that night, leaning against Wei Luo’s arms, feeling embarrassed for Er Lang.

Wei Luo held her shoulders firmly, showing no sign of softening his stance, saying, “I haven’t liked them for a long time.”

Yin Hui asked in surprise, “Them?”

Wei Luo began listing faults from Da Lang all the way to Jiu Lang of Wei Yan’s family, conveniently leaving out Wu Lang and Qi Lang. In Wei Luo’s eyes, these older nephews all had significant flaws that needed correction.

Being the Emperor, Wei Luo didn’t feel obligated to refrain from criticizing his brothers’ parenting methods after pointing out his nephews’ faults one by one.

“Father was too busy, and it was not his duty to educate his grandsons. I blame my brothers for not fulfilling their teaching duties,” Wei Luo remarked.

From Wei Luo’s perspective, their father’s willingness to invite his grandsons to the palace for education had saved the five brothers a lot of trouble, so there was no fault in it.

Yin Hui didn’t see any fault in the late Emperor’s actions either, so she patted Wei Luo’s back with a smile, saying, “You’re the best. You’re doing great with the children. I trust you to take care of the kingdom.”

Wei Luo glanced at her, his eyes softening under the warm yellow light. “You’re great too. Otherwise, I couldn’t handle three children on my own.”

Yin Hui teased, “Are you saying my kindness contributes to the children’s goodness, but yours has nothing to do with me?”

Wei Luo kissed her on the forehead. “It’s all related.”

If he hadn’t married her, his life would probably still be like a pool of stagnant water, calm and uninteresting.

“What’s the matter?” Yin Hui asked, intrigued by the change in his demeanor.

Wei Luo pondered for a moment, then took her hand and said, “Before you married me, others treated me like a block of ice. But not anymore.”

Yin Hui smiled. “You don’t think they still see you that way?”

Even the children were still in awe of him besides her. Did Wei Luo believe that others felt a warm breeze when they saw him?

Wei Luo had self-awareness.

What he meant to express was that previously, he too felt like a block of ice, but with Yin Hui, the frost in his heart had melted.

Others may not perceive it, but he was aware of the change within himself.

Whatever others think is irrelevant to me, as you well know,” Wei Luo asserted.

Yin Hui scoffed, retorting, “I’m not so sure. There doesn’t seem to be much of a difference between you now and when we were newly married.”

Wei Luo chuckled softly and murmured in her ear, “Is that meant to be a compliment?”

Yin Hui: …

Which word was a compliment to him?

Wei Luo proved, through his physical strength, that he was indeed akin to the twenty-year-old Wei Luo, who could inspire infinite enthusiasm.