My Sexy CEO Wife

At dusk.

The Tenth Princess Dugu Xiu received a message from the guards, saying that the Emperor wanted to see her.

"I won't go," Dugu Xiu huffed.

"Oh my princess, can you please not be so petulant?" Dongfang Jian said with a wry smile, "When the Emperor summons you, it's definitely for something important. Stop being so stubborn and just go quickly."

"If I say I won't go, I won't go!"

"Do you want to infuriate me to death!"

"A few days ago, he rebuked me in front of everyone, drove me out of the great hall, and made me lose face. I will never see him again in my life."

"You… don't forget, the Emperor is about to pass away, and you may never see him again in your life… Listen to me, go quickly! Be good! When you come back, I'll reward you handsomely!"

After a long, earnest persuasion, Dongfang Jian finally managed to get through to Dugu Xiu.

"For your sake, I'll go this once," Dugu Xiu said with a face full of reluctance as she left.

"She's simply a great-grandmother indeed!" Dongfang Jian said with a rueful smile, "Every day I'm careful and cautious, afraid to say something wrong and displease her. She throws a temper and scolds people at the drop of a hat… Life really is dull this way." Dongfang Jian missed Bai Mudan a little; although she too had a temper, she would submit to him and would not make him embarrassed.

…

Dugu Xiu slowly made her way to Taiji Hall, took one look at Dugu Jingtian sitting on the dragon throne, her little face darkened, and she said stiffly, "What do you want with me?"

"Hehe…" laughed Dugu Jingtian, "Still angry?"

"Hmph," Dugu Xiu turned her head away, "How dare I be angry with you."

"Alright, don't be angry," Dugu Jingtian waved his hand, "I reprimanded you for your own good, because I didn't want you to have too deep a grudge with He Hentian." He paused before continuing, "Besides, you are He Hentian's little aunt, his elder. You should give in to him a little."

"I should give in to him?" Dugu Xiu's eyes widened as she shouted, "He points at my nose and curses me, and I should still give in to him? Am I supposed to be that lowly!"

"Calm down," Dugu Jingtian frowned, "Speak properly, don't shout, it's not good if people outside hear you."

"I can't be calm," Dugu Xiu said furiously, "Father! You're unfair, you're too biased. He Hentian is your grandson, and I am your daughter. Even if you can't treat us equally, you shouldn't blatantly favor He Hentian, right? Just because he's a man? I'm a woman? Your bias between the sexes is way too severe!"

"Nonsense!" Dugu Jingtian's face darkened, "When have I ever favored He Hentian?"

"You did favor him! When he and I argued in the hall, you only drove me out but let He Hentian stay. Later, you even proclaimed He Hentian as the Crown Prince. Isn't that favoritism? Anyone with eyes can see that you deliberately favored He Hentian," Dugu Xiu, fiery by nature, dared to say anything when she was angry.

"Enough, I don't want to argue with you," Dugu Jingtian waved his hand, "Originally, I didn't want to explain to you, but you... Well, I will explain anyway. My most beloved is you!"

"I don't believe it!"

"Believe it or not, what I'm saying is the truth!"

"Then why do you favor He Hentian?"

"I'm not favoring him! I'm considering the overall situation, thinking of the future of the Dugu Family."

"Excuse!"

"I ask you, among many descendants, who can surpass He Hentian? Is there? Not even one, right?"

"..."

"I have raised so many children, yet not a single one can take up the heavy burden. In desperation, I had no choice but to appoint He Hentian as the Crown Prince! No matter what, He Hentian is after all a descendant of the Dugu Family. He is intelligent, eager to learn, and possesses great Talent for cultivation. Once he ascends the throne as the emperor, he will surely be a wise ruler and will definitely continue the glory of the Dugu Family."

"..."

"Don't forget, you are a part of the Dugu Family. As long as the Dugu Family continues to thrive, your status will remain stable, and you can live happily ever after. Conversely, if the Dugu Family falls, you will suffer along with it. There's a saying: How can the eggs under an overturned nest be intact?"

"...fair enough! But I've already offended He Hentian, and once he becomes the emperor, he definitely won't let me off."

"That's something you'll have to resolve on your own. Strictly speaking, the conflict between you two isn't all that serious. Besides, you share blood ties. If you lower your stance appropriately and apologize to He Hentian, this matter can be put to rest."

"Apologize to him? Not a chance!"

"If you don't apologize, He Hentian won't forgive you. Over time, your relationship will only become more strained. Once He Hentian takes the throne, he will certainly sideline you, and then you'll have a hard time. Take my advice and apologize. Isn't it just a matter of a few words? You won't lose a piece of flesh!"

"I..."

"Have you been getting close to Liu Yifei recently?"

"I..."

"I know exactly what you're thinking. Let me tell you one thing: It's better to rely on oneself than on others!"

"I've grown up, I know what to do now."

"I've said what should be said, and what shouldn't have been said. What you do next is up to you." Dugu Jingtian waved his hand, "Go back, think it over carefully. Once you've made up your mind, go and apologize to He Hentian. If you can't figure it out... well, then brace yourself for the consequences."

Without a word, Dugu Xiu turned and left.

"Ah...." Dugu Jingtian let out a gentle sigh, "The ancients said: 'Pride before fall.' Xiu'er, I hope you can put aside your pride and make amends with He Hentian. Family will always be family; there's no need to become too estranged."

...

After returning to his residence, Dugu Xiu told Dongfang Jian what had happened: "It's infuriating, utterly infuriating! My father actually wants me to apologize to He Hentian? That's absolutely impossible! A man would rather die than be humiliated!!!"

Dongfang Jian did not rush to express his stance; instead, he weighed the pros and cons in his heart. What would happen if he apologized? And what if he didn't?

"Hey, why aren't you saying anything?" Dugu Xiu nudged Dongfang Jian.

"Hmm..." Dongfang Jian snapped back to reality, looked up at the fuming Dugu Xiu and asked, "Why are you unwilling to apologize? Afraid of losing face?"

"Yeah, it's embarrassing for me, an elder, to apologize to a junior."

"Have you ever heard the saying: 'Pride before fall'?"

"What do you mean?" Dugu Xiu glared, "Are you suggesting that I should apologize to He Hentian?!"

"No, that's not what I mean." Dongfang Jian quickly shook his head, "I respect whatever you choose to do, and I will fully support you." He paused for a while and added, "As long as we foster a good relationship with Liu Yifei, we won't need to fear He Hentian."

"I'm relieved to hear you say that," Dugu Xiu exhaled a breath of frustration, "People live for their face! If you lose even that basic dignity, what's the point of living? Might as well bash my head against tofu and end it all!"

"Mm, don't apologize." Dongfang Jian smiled and nodded, "But you need to step up the pace and use all possible means to win over Liu Yifei. We need Liu Yifei's protection."