Master Xiao and Madam Xiao looked at each other. They came this time just to clear up their suspicions with their daughter and even prepared to recite an entire speech for her. After raising their daughter for a little less than 20 years, they knew of her behaviour very well— even if her heart resented them immensely, she would become soft-hearted once she met her parents and listened to their ‘regretful and pained’ wails.
But even if they couldn’t see their daughter, they should have at least been able to see their little granddaughter. The plan was to bask her with the love and affection of two older grandparents. Just like how Xiao Lan was able to regain her imperial favour through her daughter, the Fifth Princess was still young and appeared rather innocent, which was why they thought that it was the perfect time to cultivate a good relationship with the young girl.
But what could we possibly say to that fool? He wouldn’t even be able to understand anything! It can’t be that we have to use him to mend our parent-daughter relationship, right? This blatant act of rejection was like a harsh dismissal towards the work and effort that they have prepared before appealing to meet their daughter.
Mother Xiao’s expression faltered several times. Then, she turned her head and whispered to Father Xiao, “Perhaps the Honourable Lady does not wish to meet us.”
Now that they were still in the palace, Father Xiao did not dare to comment about how his daughter was unfilial and heartless. His expression soured and turned dark as he left begrudgingly under the smiling scrutiny of the satisfied palace staff.
As soon as the two left, Songyu went back inside to report the situation.
Lin Zhanyuan had already figured out what to name the cat. He happily pointed to the puppy and said, “It’s called Chang Er!” before pointing to the Persian cat, “and it’s called Duan Er!”
(T/N: Chang Er means ‘long ears’ in chinese. In the same method, because the cat had short ears, our MC’s adorable brother named it ‘Duan Er’ which is a translation for ‘short ears’)
Lin Feilu argued half-heartedly but intensely with him about the cliché name, but in the end she didn’t win the argument. Hence, she could only hold back and accept the name her brother had come up with.
After Songyu reported to her of the previous situation, she commented with slight worry in her tone, “Princess, Master Xiao and Madam Xiao are the Honourable Lady’s parents after all. Now that we have literally closed our doors in front of their faces, what if they were to spread rumours and hateful words about it? What if that affects the reputation of the Honourable Lady and your own?”
Lin Feilu stroked Chang Er’s head as it closed its eyes comfortably, “Don’t worry, they don’t have the guts to speak of such nonsense.”
If she assumed things correctly, the Xiao family still had to implement a ‘soft-stance’ policy at this stage.
Maybe after letting them have the experience of a few more ‘door-closing’ incidents, perhaps then the method of inciting public opinion may be adapted.
But before that happens, I want to let them have the same taste of their cold and ignorant treatment towards Xiao Lan all these years.
At any rate, Lin Feilu enjoyed the concept of a retaliating tooth for a tooth.
(T/N: Same meaning as ‘an eye for an eye’ or ‘fighting fire with fire’. Similarly, it can mean that whatever was done to them would be returned in the same way)
Songyu nodded clearly. Then, she took out a sachet from her cuff shyly and handed it over in embarrassment. She whispered, “Princess, this is your birthday gift that was prepared by this humble servant. I have been quite busy lately, so I never really had a chance to give it to you.”
Lin Feilu handed the Duan Er to Lin Zhanyuan, who happily took it over, “What is it?”
She opened the sachet and inside was a bracelet strung with small beads. The crystals were of a pink-purplish hue as they shimmered brightly under the light of the sun.