RMM -Chapter 276 The Su Siblings’ Farce

Just as Zhang Huaqing and Su Heng had been eagerly watching, Su Ruo finally appeared before them, accompanied by Xi Yuechen and little Xi Zi.

Upon seeing Su Ruo’s face clearly, both of them instinctively flickered a trace of awkwardness across their expressions, then quickly averted their eyes, pretending not to see.

They weren’t blind, after all. How could they not notice Su Ruo’s slightly reddened eyes and vividly flushed lips? Most importantly, her lips were slightly swollen!

They weren’t naive children either—just one glance, and they roughly understood what the young couple had been up to behind closed doors.

In short, Su Ruo had cried, which was understandable. After all, it’s perfectly normal to shed tears out of joy upon reuniting with one’s spouse. And then… well, the lips—cough, cough—after being apart for so long, a little affection was natural. That, too, could be understood.

Zhang Huaqing and Su Heng ignored Su Ruo’s face entirely and enthusiastically stood up.

“Yuechen, aren’t you tired? You came all this way without resting. Come, sit down, I’ll take Xi Zi from you.”

Zhang Huaqing cheerfully stepped forward, taking her grandson from Xi Yuechen’s arms. Her son-in-law had just returned; of course, he must be tired and needed rest.

“Brother-in-law, I poured you some tea—drink a bit,”

Su Heng, equally enthusiastic, hurried forward, eager to show his attentiveness.

Su Ruo frowned, watching the two of them excitedly ignore her, inwardly despising their shamelessness.

“Mom, I’m tired too, I need to rest. Why doesn’t anyone care about me?” Su Ruo spoke sweetly, then smiled at Su Heng. “Brother, pour some tea for your sister too. I want jasmine tea, not too much sugar, but not too little either, or it’ll taste bland.”

Having finally caught everyone’s attention (except for Xi Zi, of course), Su Ruo felt her chest relax and took small steps toward the sofa, lightly settling herself.

Zhang Huaqing and Su Heng, on the sidelines, felt the urge to reach out or speak, but restrained themselves because Xi Yuechen was present, shooting Su Ruo a quiet, sharp glance.

She really was spoiled—always thinking she could boss everyone around.

“All right, Sister, wait a moment,”

Su Heng forced a smile and stood to make the tea for Su Ruo, secretly fuming at how he had become the “servant” of a “princess.”

The world was crueler than ever, sob.

“Yuechen, why did you come back so suddenly? Are you on leave?”

Zhang Huaqing glanced at her well-behaved grandson and asked. He had only been gone for three months, and he had spent long stretches at home before—surely it wasn’t so quick for leave?

Su Ruo pricked up her ears, quietly waiting for Xi Yuechen’s answer. Just earlier, his heartfelt “I missed you” had left her dizzy with emotion. She hadn’t had the energy to question further, so now she listened intently.

“There’s nothing to do in the unit, so I came back to check in,”

Xi Yuechen’s words were concise and to the point, leaving the two nearby in silence, each with their own thoughts.

For Zhang Huaqing, it was as expected: of course he wouldn’t be on leave so soon. He had just returned to the unit and wouldn’t be idle. Yet, taking the time to come back was unprecedented. She felt satisfied—he was learning to care more for his wife.

For Su Ruo, though predictable, a sudden wave of disappointment still rose in her chest.

“Will you be going back tonight?”

Su Ruo asked softly, turning her head, her face showing displeasure.

“Yes,” Xi Yuechen nodded. He clearly noticed the disappointment on her face and his expression softened slightly.

Zhang Huaqing watched their interaction and smiled wryly. She understood her daughter’s feelings—she had been there herself.

“Do you think Yuechen is like you? Idle all day. It’s already impressive he managed to come back once. Besides, in another thirty or forty days, you’ll be following the troops. Why the long face? Why do you get more childish as you grow?”

Zhang Huaqing chided Su Ruo lightly, breaking the slightly somber atmosphere. It was a rare reunion—why sulk? If Yuechen saw her like that, it would have been better if he hadn’t returned at all.

Su Ruo, scolded, was naturally a little upset. But on reflection, it made sense. She wiped away the lingering sadness and smiled, her spirits lifting.

Thinking about soon joining the army again, Su Ruo felt full of fighting spirit—the family reunion was within reach. Truly exciting!

Seeing Su Ruo so happy, Xi Yuechen’s eyes flickered with helplessness. Her expressions changed faster than a June sky, yet her joy made him relax.

Zhang Huaqing, reassured by their happiness, finally felt at ease. But…

“Ruo Ruo, are you sure you can take care of the child alone?”

Zhang Huaqing couldn’t help but ask, concerned for her precious grandchild. This was Su Ruo’s first time as a mother—could she manage Xi Zi? What if her grandson was wronged?

Su Ruo, accustomed to this lack of trust from her mother-in-law, remained unfazed. She had heard it countless times: a blunt “I don’t believe you” that she could now take in stride.

Already numb from repeated doubts… ╯▂╰

“Mom, I’ll make it clear—don’t doubt me. Even if I starve, I would never let my son suffer. Such a little brat—I can handle him!”

Su Ruo said confidently, her eyes shining with determination. “I’ve studied and practiced diligently. How can you still doubt me? I’m Xi Zi’s real mother, right? Rest assured, I’ll raise a strong and capable grandson for you!”

Before Zhang Huaqing could respond, Su Heng’s calm voice interrupted.

“Xi Zi will be strong naturally—he’s following my brother-in-law. That’s in his genes. Don’t take credit for yourself, Sister.”

Su Heng, carefully holding Su Ruo’s tea, disparaged her with disdain. With a father like his brother-in-law, how could the son be anything but excellent?

Su Ruo choked on this, her eyes blazing with anger.

“Su Heng, you’re as stubborn as a rock! If Dad had made you copy the Disciplines for Students, you’d have doubled down, right? If I, a wise and virtuous mother, hadn’t guided him, would Xi Zi have grown up properly?”

Su Heng’s hand trembled, nearly dropping the tray, his expression a mix of restraint and contempt.

Zhang Huaqing and Xi Yuechen remained calm, though Zhang Huaqing couldn’t help internally scolding Su Ruo—truly, pregnancy had made her foolish for three years, utterly hopeless.

Xi Yuechen found it amusing—so childish—and his expression softened even more.

“Sister, you really say whatever comes to mind. You should copy The Book of Womanly Conduct and learn to be a virtuous wife and good mother. With your temperament, I worry for my nephew’s future.”

Su Heng sat beside Zhang Huaqing, placing the cup in front of Su Ruo, shaking his head in concern.

“Go away. My son likes a mother like me. You stay away from him or he’ll be led astray for life.”

Su Ruo picked up the cup, inhaled the tea aroma, and glared at Su Heng disdainfully. A small challenge—she could obliterate him in a second.

As expected, Su Heng immediately lost all his bravado, staring at her in frustration.

“Sister, can’t you reason a bit? I’m Xi Zi’s uncle; it’s natural for me to be close. How is that leading him astray? You’re just indirectly scolding me. Mom, look at your daughter—she’s trying to alienate me from Xi Zi!”

Su Heng sulked, upset that he could be distanced from his beloved nephew. Truly tragic.

Zhang Huaqing, tired of the siblings’ farce, shot them both a glance, then smiled at Xi Yuechen.

“Don’t mind them—they’re always ridiculous, shameless to the max.”

Xi Yuechen slightly curled his lips and shook his head at his mother-in-law’s words.

“It’s fine. They’re harmless.”

To the loving Xi Yuechen, Su Ruo was perfect. A little sibling quarrel was nothing embarrassing; it was good that they were so carefree—they had a close bond.

Zhang Huaqing smiled and stayed silent. Yuechen didn’t mind, and she was used to it anyway.

“I’m just causing a little rift—what can you do? I’m Xi Zi’s mother. Go ahead, try to have a wife of your own and give birth to one!”

Su Ruo smugly held her warm cup, eyes sparkling with mischievous light, deliberately taunting.

…Su Heng was silent.

Regarding this, he had no choice but to sulk. Find a wife? Impossible! He was only a few years old, still young—why bury himself in marriage so early? The world was waiting to be enjoyed first!

Marriage and children could wait—he’d just enjoy hugging his nephew for now.

Su Heng’s silence was tinged with fear. He worried that if Zhang Huaqing emphasized this, Su Ruo’s words could be dismissed as a joke, but the Empress Dowager’s decree could not be ignored. If she really wanted a daughter-in-law… he would have no peace.

Sob, Su Ruo, you cruel villain, you’ve pushed me into the fire.

However, Zhang Huaqing’s reaction was uncharacteristically calm, showing no opinion, just a faintly smiling glance at Su Heng before returning to Xi Yuechen.

That glance left Su Heng uneasy for a long time, heart racing. What exactly did it mean? What was the Empress Dowager up to?

He was utterly terrified—truly tragic.