"Grandmother, please don't misunderstand. I was merely speaking in the heat of the moment, there's no other meaning."
Ye Yuanlin glanced at Zhou Wanyou and smiled, "However, the General's wife has always been filial. If Grandmother truly wishes for more grandchildren, I'm sure the General's wife wouldn't object to the General taking another wife."
She paused, adding, "After all, the General's wife is not a jealous person."
Zhou Wanyou furrowed her brows and flicked her sleeves, "Princess, you are mistaken. I am indeed jealous."
Ye Yuanlin was momentarily stunned.
Old Madam Qian's gaze shifted between the two, sensing something was amiss.
She glanced at the maid, Cui Ping, who stepped forward and whispered a few words into her ear.
Old Madam Qian then frowned.
When she had left the capital, she had indeed heard that a certain princess had been pestering the fourth son and causing a great deal of trouble, forcing him to split from the family and live independently at an early age.
She had thought that after so many years, with the General's mansion having four children, that princess would have long since married and settled down. She hadn't expected her to still be waiting here.
"Sister, speaking like that is not good. General Su, no matter what, is a high-ranking official of the imperial court, deeply trusted by His Majesty. If it were known that the lady of the mansion is a jealous woman, it would undoubtedly damage his reputation."
Ye Yuanlin displayed a look of disapproval and turned to Old Madam Qian, "Grandmother must think so too, right?"
Having come today to deliver such a valuable gift and chatted with this old woman for so long, she was certain that their thoughts aligned and that a wife should be subservient to her husband.
Therefore, she was sure Old Madam Qian would disapprove of Zhou Wanyou's behavior.
Old Madam Qian cast a cool glance at her, straightened her posture, and said, "Your Highness Princess, you flatter this old woman. A princess has a noble status, and this old woman cannot bear your address of 'Grandmother'."
Ye Yuanlin was taken aback, her confident demeanor faltering, "What does Grandmother mean by this?"
"Princess, you are an intelligent person. Can you not understand what this old woman means?"
They were a happy family, and outsiders were not welcome to sow discord.
Ye Yuanlin's expression changed drastically.
Su Yunmo inwardly exclaimed, "Grandmother is mighty!"
A servant entered from outside, "Old Madam, Second Master is here."
Cui Ping waved her hand, "Old Madam is currently conversing with the Princess and it is inconvenient. Please escort Second Master to the rear hall to wait."
The servant looked troubled, "But Second Master said he must see Old Madam now, stating it is an urgent matter."
"What urgent matter could he possibly have?" Old Madam Qian frowned. "Very well, let him come in."
The servant bowed and exited.
Su Yunmo tugged at Old Madam Qian's lapel and tilted her head, "Grandmother, Grandmother, does 'inconvenient' mean you cannot see two people at once?"
Old Madam Qian stroked her hair, dotingly, "Momo is so smart. His Highness the Princess is a woman, and your Second Uncle is an outside official. They cannot meet privately."
"So that's how it is," the little dumpling muttered, biting her finger and looking puzzled, "But Second Uncle will be coming in soon. Why hasn't the Princess left yet?"
Ye Yuanlin's expression grew even more somber upon hearing this.
Was this brat now asking her to leave?
Old Madam Qian glanced at her, "Perhaps His Highness the Princess is straightforward and doesn't mind these things. Or perhaps she has something else to say."
"Is she here to tell Grandmother about finding other women for Father?" the little dumpling snorted and turned her head away, "Momo doesn't want any other women to be Momo's mother."
"Those women are so annoying. Don't they have anyone else? Why do they have to fight with Momo for Father? Shameful."
She traced her face with her index finger and stuck out her tongue, making a funny face.
Ye Yuanlin, being spoken to like this in public, couldn't help but feel mortified, even with her thick skin.
"It seems this Su residence does not welcome this Princess. If that is the case, then this Princess shall pretend she never came today!" She slammed her hand on the table and glared hatefully at Su Yunmo.
However, she didn't leave immediately, seemingly waiting to be persuaded to stay.
Old Madam Qian said faintly, "Princess, please take your time. This old woman's health is not convenient, so I will not see you off. Cui Ping, see the Princess out."
Cui Ping stepped forward and made a 'please' gesture.
Ye Yuanlin's face turned from pale to purple. Gritting her teeth, she turned to leave. As she passed Zhou Wanyou, she deliberately bumped into her.
Zhou Wanyou quickly dodged to the side.
Ye Yuanlin missed her target and stumbled, almost falling. Her anger intensified, and she left with a dark expression.
Su Yunmo stuck out her tongue at her retreating back.
Zhou Wanyou shook her head and smiled helplessly at the child-like behavior.
Old Madam Qian was also amused. She rubbed the little dumpling's face with both hands, "Look at our Momo, she's getting smarter and smarter, and also filial, knowing how to protect her mother."
She looked up at Zhou Wanyou and said dotingly, "You are blessed."
After returning to the capital, she had also sent people to inquire about Momo's background. She heard that when Momo was first brought back, some people from the Su family had caused trouble at the General's mansion.
It was thanks to Wanyou's kind heart that Momo was kept, and now she was reaping the rewards of her kindness.
Zhou Wanyou nodded, a hint of pride on her face.
She had already known that Momo was filial.
Su Chenghai strode in from the door, his expression not looking good.
Old Madam Qian saw his demeanor and a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes. She said softly to Zhou Wanyou, "Alright, there are many things to be busy with outside. You go, no need to stay here."
"Yes." Zhou Wanyou bowed and retreated.
As she turned to leave, she brushed past Su Chenghai and quietly called out, "Second Brother."
Su Chenghai did not reply. He let out a cold snort at her and heavily flicked his sleeve.
Zhou Wanyou frowned in confusion but didn't ask further, turning to leave.
Old Madam Qian witnessed this scene and her displeasure grew, "On this fine day of mine, are you putting on that sour face for me to see?"
Su Chenghai entered and stood in the center of the hall, cupping his hands, "Grandmother, this matter is not my fault. You must ask what the fourth son has done!"
Although Old Madam Qian did not manage the household affairs, she had heard about the recent troubles in the second branch of the family.
Seeing him come to her to complain, she didn't want to listen, "The fault of not disciplining lies with the father. If your son has done outrageous things, it is you, the father, who has failed to raise a good son."
"As for your daughter's current predicament, it is due to your wife's lack of propriety and her foolishness. It has nothing to do with others."
Before she could even reprimand him for raising a pair of ill-behaved children who disgraced the Su family, he had come to upset her.
"This old woman is happy today and doesn't want to deal with your family's petty affairs. Get out quickly!"
Su Chenghai, before he could even speak, was scolded. The anger in his heart was like water being poured on a fire, significantly doused.
He glanced at the little dumpling in Old Madam Qian's arms.
Su Xiayue was holding half a pastry and offering it to Su Yunmo. The little dumpling opened her mouth and took a small bite.
Seeing the two of them, Su Chenghai recalled yesterday's events, and the displeasure surged back, "Grandmother's scolding is correct. Xingzhe's matter is indeed my fault as a father for not teaching him well. But this girl is also not a simple one."