Dugu Zixuan returned and sat back in her seat, arms folded across her chest, wearing the posture of an elder.
"Since you've said it too, Jingyi, that our two families are forming good ties, the rules of marriage etiquette cannot be discarded.
"Once we leave this great hall, when we're in front of others, you can call me Hall Master Zixuan, and I won't nitpick your manners.
"But on occasions like this, when there's no one around... shouldn't you learn a little from Yutong too?
"Even if... you just answer me a couple of times."
Answer... answer her?
Uh, this...
"( ˙ε ˙ ) Mo... Mother-in-law!"
Jiang Jingyi's face showed a trace of embarrassment as she whispered timidly.
Her toes were curling tight against the floor, and she felt unbearably awkward and ashamed.
She was the Female Emperor, yet she actually had to call Dugu Zixuan Mother-in-law like Dream Salted Fish did.
This... gave the strong impression of an older woman suddenly acknowledging a young woman as her mother-in-law.
After all, Jiang Jingyi was even older than Dugu Zixuan.
Where was there any logic in a mother-in-law being younger than her daughter-in-law!
It was like an "old old ox" eating tender grass!
Haha...
Dugu Zixuan rejoiced inwardly. It worked! Her authority as mother-in-law had been established!
She knew this was the time to strike while the iron was hot.
"Ahem! Since you acknowledge me as your mother-in-law, shouldn't you listen to what your mother-in-law says?"
"I'm not trying to take sides, it's just that the matter of the Imperial Office brooks no delay. We still have to use Xiao Heng to finish the proper business first.
"Afterward, you daughters-in-law can sit together and have a proper chat, talk things through, and stop drawing blades at the drop of a hat.