Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 527: Xu Ying: It Seems I Came at the Wrong Time
"Xiaotiantian..."
Upon hearing this nickname, Madam Xiao couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth.
Isn’t this something only children are called?
And is she one?
In terms of age, she was at least ten years older than Chen Mo.
Now being called like a child by him, Madam Xiao couldn’t hide her shame and anger: "Don’t call me Xiaotiantian."
"Okay, Xiaotiantian," Chen Mo teased.
If she were officially married with status, she would have hit him twice right then, but now she could only pretend not to hear, ignoring Chen Mo.
Seeing Madam Xiao play deaf, Chen Mo also lost interest in joking around and busied himself with his own matters.
After an unknown amount of time, Madam Xiao lay in Chen Mo’s arms, her hair disheveled, strands of sweat sticking to her radiant face. In a sweet and seductive voice, she pulled a nearby quilt over herself and tentatively asked, "What if I get pregnant?"
Chen Mo was deep in thought and, upon hearing this, glanced down at her and asked, "Do you want to?"
Madam Xiao’s cheeks flushed. She did want to; living in Copper Sparrow Garden without status, having a child would provide security. But instead, she said, "I’m just an old woman who’s recently divorced. If I got pregnant, wouldn’t people laugh at me?"
"Aren’t people laughing at you now?"
Madam Xiao: "..."
She was indeed a bit angry.
Is this how you see me, you bastard?
Just now you were calling me Xiaotiantian.
Chen Mo chuckled and said, "Don’t be mad, I’m just joking. If you want a baby, have one. It’s not like we can’t afford it."
Now that Madam Xiao is single, if it happens, it happens — after all, the Chen Family is not flourishing.
Madam Xiao’s heart filled with joy, and she softly asked, "Really?"
Just as Chen Mo was about to answer, a voice came from outside: "Madam, Duke An, Madam Xu requests an audience."
It was the voice of Madam Xiao’s maid.
Having lived in Copper Sparrow Garden for some days, Madam Xiao knew that the Madam Xu referred to by the maid was former empress Xu Ying, and she hurriedly said, "Not available."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Chen Mo said, "Let her in."
"You..." Madam Xiao looked up at Chen Mo.
"Perhaps she has something important to discuss," Chen Mo said.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xiao immediately understood what Chen Mo was thinking and hurried to get dressed, but was stopped by Chen Mo.
Having no choice, Madam Xiao could only wrap herself in the quilt.
...
Xu Ying, having come from the palace and been an empress, still had some tricks up her sleeve. During this time, she managed to get all the servants of Copper Sparrow Garden on her side.
Of course, saying "bribed" might not be quite right, perhaps "greased the wheels" is more accurate, but even that doesn’t fit perfectly.
Anyway, as soon as anything happened in Copper Sparrow Garden, she would know.
She naturally knew that Chen Mo had come to Copper Sparrow Garden that afternoon and found out he went to Madam Xiao’s place.
She naturally couldn’t accept this.
While Chen Mo and Madam Xiao were tangled up together, Xu Ying immediately had her maid prepare hot water, took a bath, and scented herself with incense.
She then put on a custom-made imperial palace skirt, dressing up beautifully, and came looking for them.
Outside Madam Xiao’s room, Xu Ying raised her hand and knocked at the door: "Duke An, may I come in?"
Although Xu Ying was no longer an empress, she knew Chen Mo liked that kind of tone.
Inside, Madam Xiao was stunned upon hearing Xu Ying referring to herself as "ben gong." Her expression was like that of an old man watching a smartphone on the subway.
Chen Mo gently brushed a strand of the beautiful woman’s hair by her ear and said, "Come in."
Soon, Xu Ying, dressed in an elegant palace skirt that highlighted her noble grace, walked in with composed steps.
Madam Xiao was taken aback. After all, she used to be a consort to Prince Huai and immediately recognized Xu Ying’s attire as that of an empress.
"She... what is she trying to..." Madam Xiao didn’t know what to say anymore.
"Why has the Empress graced us with her presence?" Chen Mo smiled.
Xu Ying closed the door behind her, walked over to the bed, and in a gentle voice said, "Ben gong missed Duke An."
Very direct, without any beating around the bush.
Chen Mo was naturally not obtuse, holding Madam Xiao in his arms, he said, "I missed you too, Your Majesty."
"Ben gong knew it." Xu Ying sat down at the edge of the bed, her cheeks flushed with shyness, gave a glance at Madam Xiao, and coyly said, "Just seems I’ve come at a bad time."
"No, Your Majesty, you’ve come at just the right time." Chen Mo took Xu Ying’s delicate hand, pulling her into his embrace.
Xu Ying did not pretend to be reserved; instead, she took the opportunity to act a little coquettish, saying, "Previously, Duke An had the servants inform ben gong to come another day, yet so many days have passed without a word. Today, ben gong finally comes over, and still no one informed ben gong."
And clearly, Chen Mo is taken by this act, as he easily hauled her onto the bed, holding one in each arm, and effortlessly lied: "Wasn’t it Xiaotiantian... er, Madam Xiao who sought me for something? I thought I’d deal with Xiaotiantian’s matters and then come to see Your Majesty."
"Xiao... tiantian." Hearing this, Xu Ying raised her brows, staring blankly at Madam Xiao.
Such a mature woman, called Xiaotiantian?
Madam Xiao’s face turned red, her beautiful eyes widened, her heart full of indignation and embarrassment, wishing she could dig a hole and hide, it was so humiliating.
"You only say sweet words to coax me." Xu Ying kicked off the embroidered shoes, curling herself directly into Chen Mo’s embrace.
Seeing this, Madam Xiao internally screamed: "Outrageous."
...
Normally, Chen Mo would have been able to return to the residence before dark, but Xu Ying’s visit prolonged his stay, and it was not until 9 p.m. that he returned to the residence.
When he reached the back courtyard, Chen Mo instructed the maid to prepare hot water.
"You’re back." Xia Zhi Ning approached, her eyes narrowing into slits, arms crossed, mockingly speaking.
Chen Mo said, "Zhi Ning, were you waiting for me all this time?"
Xia Zhi Ning leaned in to sniff Chen Mo’s robe, saying, "As expected, you ran off to make mischief at Copper Sparrow Garden, a wedding in just a few days and you still can’t restrain yourself."
"Wasn’t it Xiaotiantian... er, Madam Xiao who sought me for something?" Chen Mo corrected himself, damn, it had become a habit.
"Xiaotiantian? Wow, you’re really playing the field," Xia Zhi Ning said in a sarcastic tone.
"Ahem ahem." Chen Mo coughed lightly twice, quickly changing the subject: "Zhi Ning, did you need something from me?"
"I don’t want anything, it’s your precious son and daughter who were crying out for daddy," Xia Zhi Ning huffed.
"Where are Nu’Er and Youyou?"
"My sister’s taking care of them."
"Come on, let’s go see them."
Chen Mo reached out to wrap his arm around Xia Zhi Ning’s waist, but she refused, disgusted: "You smell like another woman. Wait until the scent is gone before you touch me."
Chen Mo paused, well, he’d better take a bath before seeing the kids.
While they were talking, the maid who had been instructed walked over: "Master, the hot water is ready."
Chen Mo took Xia Zhi Ning’s small hand: "Come, help me with my bath."
"I said don’t touch me until the scent is gone." Xia Zhi Ning was disdainful.
"Having you help me means I’ll get even cleaner, no more scent," Chen Mo smiled.
