Chapter 24: Baby, Your Uncle Is Very Smart

Chapter 24: Baby, Your Uncle Is Very Smart

"Was life at the General's Mansion any better?" Xiao Yin gently patted the child in his arms and asked.

"Not really!" Xiaoyao shook her head and then lowered it.

"Oh, I'm just here to watch the show!" Ruo Xi stretched lazily, thinking to herself.

Xiaoyao looked at the little girl, somewhat speechless.

Xiao Yin lowered his head and smiled, "This little girl is a lucky star."

"Hmm?" Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow slightly.

"If not for what happened when you gave birth to her, perhaps you wouldn't have woken up until now, and the Shangguan family would have skinned you alive before you even realized it!" Xiao Yin said.

"Uncle is right! My mother finally started using her brain!" Ruo Xi agreed.

Xiao Yin almost couldn't help but laugh; he truly adored this little one, finding her more interesting than any of his own children, with her amusing words.

For now, these were just thoughts, but if this little girl grew up to be as talkative as she seemed, she'd be a chatterbox.

"Before, Yue'er was foolish and blinded herself. When I came to my senses, I found that Xiao Xi'er was nearly killed, and Lin'er had been mistreated all along!" Xiaoyao said, her eyes welling up again.

"If I say you deserve it, it feels unfair to Lin'er and Xiao Xi'er!" The emperor looked at the baby in his arms and said, "The Shanguan family has shown such disrespect; they deserve extermination. Why do you tolerate them?"

"Your Majesty!" Xiaoyao glanced at the drowsy baby and said, "I believe Shangguan Jinghong must have a grand scheme, and he might not be the mastermind behind it."

"Do you mean someone else is plotting against me?" The emperor patted the little niece and asked.

"Mama is smart; I wonder if Uncle is too!" Ruo Xi thought drowsily, blowing a bubble before drifting off to sleep.

"..." The emperor almost wanted to shake the baby and shout, "What do you think? I fought tooth and nail for this throne; how could I not be smart?!"

"If Shangguan Jinghong only craved high office, he could have courted me, smoothed over the relationship between me and Your Majesty, and then fully supported Your Majesty. Wouldn't Your Majesty like him then?" Xiaoyao asked.

"Yes, I am not unreasonable!" Xiao Yin nodded.

Even if he disliked Shangguan Jinghong, if the man genuinely cared for his sister and assisted him, he would entrust him with important tasks.

As for the current general, it was just a title; the real military authority lay in his own hands.

"Uncle is smart. He probably appointed my scumbag father as general to make him treat Mama better, but... he's just a useless scumbag!" Ruo Xi pouted, blowing another bubble before sighing, "Why will Uncle be destroyed in three years despite being so smart and smelling so good?"

"..." Xiao Yin paused slightly while patting the baby.

Xiaoyao had heard this from the baby many times this month and was no longer surprised.

"The Shanguan family poisoned Lin'er to prevent me from contacting Your Majesty and Empress Mother. They attacked Xiao Xi'er to break my spirit and control me. They know Your Majesty and Empress Mother's weaknesses. By then..." Xiaoyao sighed, "I awakened too late!"

"Not too late!" Xiao Yin looked at the sleeping baby and said, "At least, you gave birth to such a lovely little girl, which is great!"

"Your Majesty..." Xiaoyao smiled at the emperor, "Your Majesty has always loved me, and now, you love Xiao Xi'er too!"

"Yes, I really like Xiao Xi'er!" The emperor decided to use this as an excuse to spend more time with her.

Regarding Xiao Ruilin, the emperor also discussed it with Xiaoyao.

"Now Lin'er can make his own decisions. Wen Xu is skilled and takes good care of him. As long as Lin'er is willing, I have no objections!" Xiaoyao said.

In the General's Mansion, she constantly worried about neglecting her son while caring for her daughter. Bringing him to the palace might be better.

At least, Empress Mother would ensure Lin'er wasn't disadvantaged.

"Alright, we'll ask Lin'er what he wants!" Xiao Yin nodded, "You're foolish. You don't realize that I've never cared about what others say. Even if Lin'er's condition wasn't due to poisoning, I would still find it acceptable. My child, my love; I don't need others to raise him!"

"By the way, did Wen Xu tell you that the poison in Lin'er is extremely rare in the Western Regions? It was used once during a succession struggle but was later banned because it was too bizarre and had no antidote. No one is allowed to study its components or make it privately." Xiaoyao paused and continued, "That's why I want to investigate Shangguan Jinghong thoroughly."

"Yes, Wen Xu told me, and I was quite surprised. I thought you were just interested in a vain fool, but this incident shows I underestimated him." Xiao Yin nodded.

Outside, a eunuch from the Inner Palace Service Department approached Eunuch Gao.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has already gone to the banquet hall," Eunuch Gao whispered.

"Let's go over there!" The emperor stood up, still holding the baby.

"Your Majesty, let me carry Xiao Xi'er!" Xiaoyao tried to take her daughter.

"No, Xiao Xi'er just fell asleep. Let her rest more!" Xiao Yin immediately refused, "Xiao Xi'er works hard for Great Wei; let her sleep more!"

The royal banquet hall in Chaoyue Palace was spacious and luxurious.

It was usually reserved for banquets hosted by the Empress Dowager or the emperor. Lesser-ranked concubines didn't have the privilege to host events here.

Even the empress, who celebrated her thirtieth birthday last year, couldn't hold her banquet here.

Thus, the empress accompanying the Empress Dowager appeared visibly unhappy.

"Has the emperor arrived yet?" The Empress Dowager entered the hall, and the officials and their families knelt and bowed. She looked around and asked.

"Empress Dowager, the emperor will arrive shortly. He said the little princess just fell asleep and wanted her to rest more, as the noise at the banquet might disturb her!" Eunuch Gao explained beside her.