Chapter 136: Softly Making a Mistake

Tao Ming and Su Nanxing returned to the Qin residence. As soon as they stepped through the courtyard gate of the Silken Web Cave, Tao Sisi’s loud voice rang out: “An invitation from Qiao Qingyao? What does this mean?”

Su Nanxing’s heart tightened. What mischief was this Qiao Qingyao planning?

Tao Ming had never heard the name and paid it no mind. She called into the house, “Mother, we’re back.”

Tao Sisi handed the invitation to Tao Ming. “Mingming, Qiao Qingyao is inviting you to the Lotus Viewing Banquet tomorrow at the Sixth Prince’s mansion.”

“Me?” Tao Ming flipped through the invitation. It was clearly addressed to Tao Shi, daughter of Qin Siyu of the Qin family on Great Qin Street in the Heavenly Sacred Imperial City. But Tao Ming was not interested in such affairs. “I don’t even know her. Can I not go?”

Tao Sisi glanced at Su Nanxing with a meaningful look. “After all, she carries the title of princess. You should show some face. Besides, it’s a good chance to meet more noble ladies of the imperial city.”

“Uh… alright then.” Tao Ming pouted. Noticing the two little ones were missing, she asked, “Where are Ruanruan and Nuonuo? I don’t see them.”

Tao Sisi glanced at Su Nanxing again. “Kong Qing took them to the backyard pond.”

“I’ll go check on them.” Tao Ming took a few steps before turning back awkwardly. “I don’t know the way.”

Su Nanxing took Tao Ming’s hand, smiling, “I know.”

“How do you know?”

Su Nanxing lowered his voice, “I actually snuck in from the pond side today.”

Side by side, the two walked toward the pond. Hesitantly, Su Nanxing said, “Wife, there’s something I’m not sure if I should tell you.”

Tao Ming, worried, replied, “Then don’t say it.”

Su Nanxing added, “It’s about Qiao Qingyao.”

“In that case, tell me.” Tao Ming’s curiosity piqued at the mention of tomorrow’s banquet hostess.

Su Nanxing stared intently at Tao Ming’s profile, then hesitated before saying, “My mother… well, she’s been trying to match me with Qiao Qingyao.”

“Why?” Tao Ming turned toward him, curious. Su Nanxing certainly seemed popular among women.

Seeing Tao Ming’s calm reaction, Su Nanxing breathed a sigh of relief. “My mother is Qiao Qingyao’s great-aunt.”

“What’s your mother’s relation to the Heavenly Emperor?” Tao Ming was surprised, having never inquired about Qiao Ruowei’s family background.

Su Nanxing’s eyes grew dim and vague. “My maternal grandfather was the Heavenly Emperor’s older brother.”

Tao Ming pieced together the clues from the Seventh Prince’s words earlier and formed a rough guess. “Sounds like there’s quite a story behind this.”

“That’s a long tale. Let me start with Qiao Qingyao.” Su Nanxing changed the subject. “Qiao Qingyao is the Sixth Prince’s daughter. In the entire imperial family, she’s the only princess still alive and unmarried.”

Tao Ming knew well that those other princesses had all perished by the Heavenly Emperor’s hand.

“My mother thinks Qiao Qingyao is gentle and refined, while I’m lively and restless. So she wants me to marry her to help me settle down.”

Tao Ming understood Qiao Ruowei’s intention. “Your mother has good reason. Why don’t you marry her?”

Seeing Tao Ming’s approving look, Su Nanxing suddenly felt a bit frustrated. “Wife, you haven’t met these noble ladies of the imperial city. They all look alike and cry at the drop of a hat. Honestly, I’m terrified of them!”

“Have you met many?” Tao Ming thought she had only seen a handful of women since arriving.

Su Nanxing hesitated again. “Well, my mother often arranges so-called ‘chance encounters,’ so I’ve seen about eighty, maybe even a hundred.”

Tao Ming thought to herself, I’ve only been on a dozen or so blind dates, and he’s already close to a hundred. She shook her head. “That’s quite picky. Haven’t you found a single one to your liking?”

“Honey, none compare to you.” Su Nanxing knew better than to miss any chance to flatter his wife. He saved these moments to soften her whenever he made mistakes.

Tao Ming pouted. “I cried buckets last night too. Didn’t you find it annoying?”

Su Nanxing scratched her palm. “Seeing you cry just makes me want to comfort you. How could I be annoyed?”

Turning a corner, they heard Ruanruan’s laughter from afar. Tao Ming quickened her pace and soon saw the pond.

A small boat floated on the water. The Seventh Prince and Nuonuo each rowed backward with a single oar, while Ruanruan stood at the bow, tossing fireballs into the water.

As the fireballs hit the pond, the water boiled and steam rose in wisps. Dead fish floated on the surface.

Ruanruan laughed gleefully as she threw fireballs again and again, clearly enjoying herself.

Tao Ming’s temper flared. She stood at the pond’s edge and formed a water ball, hurling it at the boat.

The water ball splashed right onto Ruanruan’s head. She turned angrily. “Mom, you’re bullying me again!”

Tao Ming shouted, “You’ve grown bold! Now you’re bullying little fish! Come here this instant!”

Ruanruan stepped down from the bow. “I’m not going!”

Tao Ming threw another water ball. “Looks like your butt’s itchy again!”

The Seventh Prince shook the water from his hair. “Mingming, it’s just play.”

“Play? That’s a life you’re ending!” Tao Ming was furious. The Seventh Prince was clearly sent by heaven to torment her.

The Seventh Prince retorted, “Did you think about that life when you ate fish?”

Tao Ming wanted to strangle him. “That’s not the same! Eating fish satisfies hunger; Ruanruan’s actions are pure cruelty!”

The Seventh Prince held Ruanruan in his arms. “That’s harsh. She’s still little and doesn’t understand.”

“Because she doesn’t understand, she needs to be taught properly!” Tao Ming insisted.

The Seventh Prince opened his mouth to reply, “Mingming—”

“Shut up! I’ll deal with you later!” Tao Ming noticed Ruanruan sticking out her tongue at her from the prince’s arms and shouted again, “Su Nanxing, come here!”

Ruanruan turned away. “I’m not going!”

Tao Ming grit her teeth and threatened, “Fine, I’ll wait right here. Tonight, you’ll sleep on the boat!”

Su Nanxing called to the Seventh Prince, “Row the boat over quickly. My wife’s about to blow her top!”

The Seventh Prince rowed to the other side and, scooping up the two little ones, ran off, saying, “Don’t be afraid. Uncle’s got your back!”

Tao Ming chased after them but couldn’t catch up. Watching the three wind through the paths and vanish, her chest ached with fury. She stopped, clutching her chest, gasping for breath.

Su Nanxing looked at her pale face and softly offered, “Wife, want me to rub your shoulders?”

“No way!” Tao Ming snapped.

Su Nanxing ran his hands along her back. “Wife, Ruanruan’s still young. Just teach her well and don’t get yourself sick.”

Tao Ming disagreed. “Don’t use her age as an excuse. If she’s wrong, she must admit it!”

Seeing Tao Ming still fuming, Su Nanxing coaxed her gently, “Alright, alright. You can scold her properly later.”

Tao Ming gave him a glare. “It’s all your fault for spoiling her!”

Su Nanxing felt wronged. How did it always come back to him? Still, he comforted her, “My fault, my fault. I’ll be stricter from now on.”

“That’s more like it.”

Together, they walked back to Silken Web Cave. Neither Ruanruan nor Tao Sisi was in the courtyard.

Tao Ming sat in the main hall, teeth clenched, muttering, “I refuse to believe they won’t come back!”

Su Nanxing wrapped an arm around her, coaxing her until her anger subsided.

Remembering Qiao Qingyao’s invitation, Su Nanxing’s eyes lit up with an idea. “Wife, why don’t you come back to the Su family with me? My mother has made you a new dress—perfect for tomorrow’s Lotus Viewing Banquet.”