The mother and daughter went their separate ways.
Each busy with their own affairs.
The nanny returned to the Prince’s residence and relayed Mrs. Han’s words to the Princess Consort.
The Princess Consort was quite composed, whereas Chu Lilan burst out angrily, "What does she amount to, anyway? I invited her over out of respect. If she..."
"Hold your tongue!" the Princess Consort shouted in anger.
"Mother Consort..." Chu Lilan protested softly.
"Is this how you educate your daughter? No wonder we’ve been back for so many days yet no one from the Zeng Family has come to fetch her, nor has the son-in-law visited!" the Prince shouted angrily before turning to Chu Lilan, "You, pack up your things immediately and return to the Zeng Family. Since when does a married daughter celebrate the New Year at her parents’ home!"
"Father!" Chu Lilan cried out in panic.
She didn’t want to return to the Zeng Family; they all looked down on her.
"If you’re not going back to the Zeng Family, then go to the ancestral temple. You choose!" the Prince said before turning and walking away.
Upon returning to his study, he immediately sent someone to the Zeng Family.
Soon after, the son-in-law from the Zeng Family came in person to visit.
A very handsome and elegant young man, with the air of a scholar, tall and handsome, with eyes like phoenixes, very affectionate.
But he was too affectionate; he pitied the weak and had already taken several concubines.
Because of this, Chu Lilan had already killed several of them, yet after a few died, more would quickly take their place, each more beautiful and more skilled than the last.
If not for her powerful family background and the fact that she was a Commandery Princess herself, she really wouldn’t be able to cope.
Reluctantly, Chu Lilan returned to the Zeng Family, but as it was the New Year period, even if the Zengs were displeased, they would not stir up trouble at this time.
After the Prince had seen his grandson An’er, he agreed for Yun Jinnian to come back on the sixth day of the lunar new year. Learning that the Princess Consort had only sent a shabby carriage to take Yun Jinnian back, he immediately had Chu Xinkai personally make a trip, sending several large boxes of gifts, and a large chest of medicinal herbs as well.
The Princess Consort spoke, her words trailing off.
The Prince looked at her, "I’ve always thought you were clever, but only today did I discover that your vision is shortsighted. If it weren’t for your pettiness today, sending a rickety carriage to take someone home during the New Year, and not even preparing a gift, would their mother have said those things? Have you forgotten that she just saved your grandson? And don’t forget, she is the Commandery Princess Yijia, personally titled by the Emperor, with her own Princess Residence and her estates. Moreover, her honorable refusal of the estates, just these facts alone put her beyond comparison with Lilan and Lixiu!"
The more he spoke, the angrier the Prince became.
"Your Highness, there were too many things happening in the residence, and I was so occupied, I simply forgot!" the Princess Consort hurriedly explained.
She felt ashamed, outraged, annoyed, and resentful in her heart.
Blaming Mrs. Han and also blaming Yun Jinnian.
"If there’s so much to do that you’re overwhelmed, then let the daughter-in-law manage the household affairs, to avoid making such a low-level mistake again!" the Prince said and then strode away.
The Princess Consort remained frozen in place.
This was the first time in many years that she had been scolded by the Prince .
Without the slightest bit of courtesy.
She quickly followed, seizing the sleeve of the Prince’s robe, "Your Highness, how can you speak to me !"
The Prince looked at the still pretentious Princess Consort and asked sternly, "Why do you think I spoke to you this way? If you hadn’t colluded with the Noble Consort and wanted to support the Second Prince, would you have brought Le Xun back? If you hadn’t made Le Xun drink Barrenwort before entering the palace, would she have fought back?"
The Princess Consort instantly turned as pale as paper.
Her face became deathly white, and she stammered, "I did it because she was indecent..."