3273 Stripping Your Rank

"Madam Chen and Madam Gao, do they always behave so rudely towards you, shouting orders?"

"It's not as exaggerated as you say," Qiaomu said, exasperated. "What does this have to do with the Right Prime Minister's wife?"

She had met Madam Gao that morning at the entrance of Zhenhui Square. While Madam Gao was indeed eager to buy the beauty elixir, she hadn't acted like that Madam Liu He, who had blocked her path, throwing a tantrum and refusing to let her leave.

Madam Gao didn't deserve that blame; others were quite well-mannered.

Mo Lian reached out, cupped her small chin, and carefully examined her. Seeing that the little one's eyes weren't red or tearful, he finally relaxed.

Qiaomu looked utterly bewildered, raising her small hand to swat his away. "What are you doing?"

Their natural way of interacting left the entire Mu family somewhat dumbfounded.

The young Crown Princess had just unceremoniously smacked away the Crown Prince's hand?

Old Madam Mu was the first to recover, quickly leading everyone forward to pay their respects.

Mo Lian then withdrew his hand and instead reached out to help the Old Madam who was bowing, saying softly, "Grandmother, there's no need for such formality. Your grandson-in-law should be paying respects to you."

"Oh no, no, no," Old Madam Mu quickly held him back, smiling and exchanging a few pleasantries, secretly observing the Crown Prince. She nodded inwardly.

Peerless in appearance and extraordinary in demeanor.

Her granddaughter's judgment was truly exceptional.

Qiaomu stretched out her small hand and secretly tugged at his sleeve. "Have you finished inspecting the market?"

Crown Prince Mo turned back to her, nodded slightly, smiled, and then reached out to pull her closer and embrace her. "Qiao Qiao, I missed you."

Everyone was dumbfounded, feeling as if they'd just been force-fed a mouthful of dog food, leaving them quite uncomfortable.

What was going on? Was this how the Crown Prince usually behaved with the young Crown Princess?

Lord Qiao Qiao secretly glanced at her grandmother and the others, feeling a bit embarrassed as she reached out to push Crown Prince Mo away.

"Don't push." Crown Prince Mo glared indignantly at the little one. "You promised you wouldn't push me anymore."

Qiaomu was a little exasperated. She secretly pinched his waist and whispered, "Everyone's here."

Mo Lian hummed in acknowledgment, but his hand didn't release her small waist. He simply turned to look at Chen Chaozhi and roared, "Chen Chaozhi!"

Chen Chaozhi was secretly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead when he was suddenly called out by the Crown Prince, making him feel completely flustered.

He froze for a moment, then quickly stumbled forward, his body rigid, and bowed. "Your, your humble servant is here."

"You heard what your wife said just now, didn't you?" Mo Lian cast a cold glance at him. "Any thoughts?"

Thoughts? What thoughts could he possibly have?!

Chen Chaozhi felt the cold sweat on his forehead become even more profuse.

"Your wife spoke disrespectfully and slandered the Crown Princess. I will submit a memorial to His Majesty to strip her of her second-rank noble title. You have no objections, do you?"

Although it was phrased as a question, Chen Chaozhi knew very well that this was the Crown Prince's decision.

"You have no objections, do you?" Actually meant, "You have no objections!"

Chen Chaozhi's face stiffened. He was a prime minister, yet his wife was about to be stripped of her second-rank noble title. In future gatherings of officials' families, his wife would be many ranks lower than the Right Prime Minister's wife, Madam Gao.

Madam Chen's eyes widened even further, and she couldn't help but blurt out, "Your Royal Highness, where have I slandered the Crown Princess?"