Chen Ruoyan took Ji Ruxue's hand, a trace of reproach on her face as she said, "You child—when your father emperor arranged your engagement to Mo Yunxuan, you said you didn't like him and would rather die than marry him."
"Now that you've fallen for him yourself, you're being so secretive about it. Just keep at it! When the day comes that he has a whole flock of wives and concubines, let's see if you'll still have the nerve to squeeze your way in."
As she spoke, she even raised a finger and firmly poked Ji Ruxue in the forehead, rolling her eyes at her.
Ji Ruxue's mood sank slightly at those words, and she weakly retorted, "Didn't you used to like Jun Tianxiao too? You practically raised him as your own son!"
Chen Ruoyan paid no heed to her little sulk and gave a cold snort.
"Hmph. If it hadn't been for you, would I have treated him that well?"
Hearing that, the breath Ji Ruxue had just summoned deflated again, and she slumped limply against the backrest.
But she quickly came back to herself, realizing how she had just lost her composure, and hurriedly changed the subject.
"Mother Empress, you still haven't told me how Su Wan should be dealt with."
Seeing her change the subject and recognizing her embarrassment, Chen Ruoyan gave another soft snort and did not press her further.
Instead, she calmly picked up her teacup, took a light sip, and said casually, "What else can be done? Kill her directly and arrange for her to die of illness. What's there to agonize over?"
"But won't that provoke a backlash from the Su Clan?" Ji Ruxue asked with a frown.
Chen Ruoyan raised a brow and set down her teacup.
"You worry over nothing. If