Hearing her mother's words...
Ao Ying was at a loss for words.
What secret could she possibly have that required sending her own daughter away just to speak with Su Qing?
She wasn't going to tell more embarrassing stories from her childhood, was she?
That would be absolutely terrible...
Despite her reluctance, Ao Ying chose to listen to her mother.
She didn't know what her mother wanted to say, but she knew the woman was firmly on her side.
Still, the fact that her mother seemed to prefer her "son-in-law" over her own daughter left her feeling a bit dejected.
Who's the biological child here, anyway!
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving, okay?" Ao Ying pouted, making no effort to hide her displeasure.
Seeing this, the Dragon Mother stood up and gave her a gentle nudge. "Off you go, girl. Let me have a little chat with my son-in-law first."
Ao Ying felt even more depressed.
Actually, Ao Ying wasn't the only one who found it strange.
Su Qing felt odd as well, and even a bit apprehensive.
She had a sneaking suspicion that something unpleasant was about to happen.
She couldn't help but swallow hard, feeling like she was about to enter a situation she was ill-equipped to handle.
Just then...
...the Dragon Mother finally shooed the meddlesome Ao Ying away.
Once Ao Ying was gone, the Dragon Mother grabbed Su Qing's arm and whispered, "My dear son-in-law, tell me... have you put the knowledge from those books I gave you to good use? How did my daughter react? Or rather... is she expecting yet?"
Hearing this, Su Qing thought to herself, Just as I thought. I knew she wanted Ao Ying out of the way just to ask something weird.
Her lip twitched slightly, and she waved her hands in a hurry. "Ahem... No... definitely not."
"No? You mean you didn't use the knowledge? Or you used it, but there's no child yet?" the Dragon Mother pressed, looking confused.
Feeling incredibly awkward, Su Qing stammered, "Neither... of the two."
"Eh?" The Dragon Mother looked shocked and sighed in disappointment. "How can that be? I've already started sewing clothes and shoes for my future granddaughter, and yet you two haven't even started..."
"We haven't reached that stage yet."
"Not reached it? You should have reached it ages ago!" the Dragon Mother said sternly. "She's already living in your house, and you haven't done anything? Silly child, this won't do. You're the one losing out!"
Su Qing couldn't for the life of her figure out how she was the one "losing out."
She shook her head quickly. "We haven't even had the wedding ceremony yet! How could we just... do things? I... I am a person of integrity."
This made the Dragon Mother burst into laughter. "You aren't even a man, let alone a 'gentleman' of integrity. You silly girl... you're not just scared, are you? That really won't do. You need to seal the deal with my foolish daughter sooner rather than later. If you keep dragging your feet, when will I ever get to hold my granddaughter?"
"..." Su Qing nearly choked on her own saliva.
If the Old Mother was the type to help behind the scenes...
...then the Dragon Mother was definitely the type to launch a direct, overwhelming frontal assault.
She left Su Qing completely at a loss for words.
Taking a deep breath, Su Qing managed a wry smile. "Mother-in-law, don't you have other children? Surely they have children of their own by now?"
"I know what you're trying to say, but Ao Ying is my only daughter."
The Dragon Mother curled her lip and continued:
"You don't think that old lecherous dragon would settle for just one wife, do you? So, girl, you've got to hurry up. That way, I can take my granddaughter and show her off to everyone else."
Su Qing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The Dragon Mother was definitely one of the hardest people for her to deal with.
"I... I'll do it as soon as possible."
"Good, good. That's the spirit!" the Dragon Mother said with a beaming smile. "But we also need to get the wedding on the schedule soon. It's not good to keep stalling. Even though I wouldn't mind if you had a child before the wedding, it's still better to do it after the ceremony."
"There's no rush... no rush."
"What do you mean 'no rush'? You must rush!" The Dragon Mother interrupted Su Qing and poked her on the forehead. "If you don't secure her soon, what if my daughter runs off with someone else? So, you have to be quick!"
"Yes, ma'am..."
Su Qing really wanted to run away.
She also regretted not leaving with Ao Ying, or at least making sure Ao Ying stayed.
She knew that if Ao Ying were present, the Dragon Mother wouldn't be speaking so bluntly or asking such direct questions.
Su Qing smiled bitterly, thinking to herself, Why are parents the same everywhere in the world?
She recalled her past life... a friend of hers had gone through the exact same thing and had spent ages complaining to her about it.
Su Qing was helpless. It was just her and the Dragon Mother; who could possibly come to her rescue?
As she was thinking, it suddenly dawned on her...
Wasn't Leng Xiang still resting on her head?
With that thought, Su Qing quickly sent a telepathic message, asking Leng Xiang to help bail her out.
However, after hearing Su Qing's plea, Leng Xiang replied:
"Master... I won't butt in on this one. You'll have to handle it yourself. I... I don't feel like I'm a match for the Dragon Mother. She's too powerful... I can't win an argument against her."
Su Qing: "..."
Great. Even Leng Xiang had abandoned her.
In the end, she had to face the Dragon Mother alone.
"Good luck, Master!" Leng Xiang sent another message.
In truth, Leng Xiang had her own little agenda.
Her refusal to help was because she stood to gain if things continued this way.
After all... Su Qing had once promised her.
That when she married another woman, she would marry Leng Xiang as well.
So, this time, she chose to be a mere spectator.
Although she felt a bit sorry for her master, it was for the best. She could always make it up to her later! Any kind of compensation would do.
Hearing Leng Xiang's "encouragement," Su Qing's lip twitched.
She had no choice but to pull her straying thoughts back and continue the conversation with the Dragon Mother.
No matter what, she certainly couldn't just walk away.
After Su Qing had endured a relentless barrage from the Dragon Mother...
Ao Ying finally returned to the pavilion.
"My girl, why are you back so soon?" Seeing her daughter return, the Dragon Mother stopped her onslaught on Su Qing and turned to ask.
Seeing Ao Ying, Su Qing felt as if she'd found a savior and hurriedly beckoned her over.
She made sure Ao Ying wouldn't leave again, no matter what.
Dealing with the Dragon Mother alone... she really couldn't handle it.
Seeing the look on her face, Ao Ying sat down beside Su Qing and said:
"Mother, I've already walked around the entire back garden. I've been gone for ages. How is that 'soon'? Anyway, Mother, what on earth did you talk about with Sister Xiao Qing? Why wouldn't you let me listen?"
Hearing this, the Dragon Mother sighed and gave Ao Ying a look of deep disappointment.
"I was talking about you! About how you're so dim-witted and useless!"
Ao Ying was completely bewildered. What had she even done?
"So... Mother, what are you actually talking about?" Ao Ying asked, clearly confused.
"Forget it, never mind. Girl, come to my room tonight. I need to have a proper talk with you." The Dragon Mother directed this at Ao Ying. "You've forgotten every single thing I've taught you."
Ao Ying: "...??"
Being scolded out of the blue left Ao Ying feeling utterly dazed.
Rate on N.U.
