Chapter 161: The Young General and the Handsome Emperor (14)

Wei Jingyu's tone was dripping with disdain.

His cold gaze caused tears to well up in Aunt Yue's eyes, dropping pathetically one by one.

This completely broke the heart of Lord Wei sitting nearby. He immediately slammed his chopsticks down and reprimanded, "Jingyu, is that any way to speak to your aunt? Apologize to her! And you too, Asu, you have not an ounce of a young lady's decorum, wearing men's attire like that—go change out of it immediately! Both of you, apologize to your aunt right now!"

Lord Wei wore a stern expression.

Madam Wei also set down her chopsticks. Looking at the smug Aunt Yue beside him, a sharp pain pierced her heart. She spoke up, "My lord, Jingyu and Asu have just returned from the battlefield. To treat them like this—"

Before Madam Wei could finish, Lord Wei cut her off.

"You have no place speaking here!"

Lord Wei said coldly.

Asu sprang to her feet, her dark eyes widening as she glared angrily at Lord Wei.

"Why are you shouting at her like that?"

The young girl pressed her lips together, her eyes swimming with moisture, her expression fiercely defiant.

She glanced at her mother, who was usually so gentle with her, only to see her mother lowering her head with a wronged expression, tears trembling on the verge of falling.

Asu was utterly furious.

She walked over to Madam Wei's side, looped her arm around her, and pulled her up.

"Hmph," she said angrily, "the food in this house is disgusting, and servants are allowed to sit at the same table as their masters without a shred of etiquette! I won't eat another bite here!"

While holding Madam Wei's arm, the young girl did not forget to nudge her older brother with her other hand.

"Brother, let's go. We don't want to eat here anyway. We'll go roast a chicken for Mother."

Wei Jingyu put down his chopsticks and offered Asu an indulgent smile.

Lord Wei, on the other hand, was beside himself with rage.

"You two, stay right where you are!"

Madam Wei's body trembled, clearly terrified.

Asu grasped her mother's hand, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

Then she turned her head, pressed her lips together, and defiantly declared, "We will not!"

-

Early the next morning.

Asu went to Madam Wei's chambers bright and early.

The young girl was once again dressed in practical, neat brocaded robes, her hair tied up high into a ponytail, her face completely free of makeup.

Her dark eyes were bright and clear.

The moment Asu saw Madam Wei, the corners of her mouth curved up into deep, incredibly cute dimples.

"Mother."

Asu stood hesitantly to the side for a moment, but seeing Madam Wei reach out to her, she immediately threw herself into her mother's embrace.

Her eyes were filled with deep adoration and attachment.

After a short while, Wei Xiaorui and Wei Jingbao arrived as well.

They sat down in the lower seats. Wei Xiaorui was styled as exquisitely frail and delicate as weeping willow in the wind, while little Bao looked full of spirit, his dark eyes darting back and forth between Asu and Madam Wei with undisguised envy.

"Brother, you sleepyhead, why are you only just getting here?"

Asu had been snuggled close to Madam Wei the entire time and showed no interest in conversing with Wei Xiaorui and the others.

The moment she saw Wei Jingyu walk in, her energy surged. She scrambled out of Madam Wei's arms and ran over to Wei Jingyu's side.

Her delicate, fair hand tugged at his sleeve, gently shaking it.

"Brother, you went out for morning drills again! Why didn't you wake me up?"

The young girl pouted, casting an accusing look at him. Wei Jingyu bent down, ruffled Asu's hair, and chuckled, "If I had called you, would you have actually gotten up, you little sleepyhead?"

"How would you know I couldn't get up if you didn't even try?"

Asu turned away, refusing to look at Wei Jingyu.

Madam Wei sat at the head of the room, watching her children with a knowing, fond smile.

"Asu, the moment you see your brother, you completely forget about your mother. Mother's feelings are quite hurt."

Hearing this, Asu hurried right back over, casting one last glare at Wei Jingyu. "Who says? I don't like my brother at all!"