Initially, Shen Ningning and Xie Suzhi were talking from behind a folding screen.
The father and daughter had been speaking in hushed tones at first, but Shen Ningning couldn't help but raise her voice for that last sentence.
In the outer room, the members of the Xie family and Mo Lingwei, who had been quietly sipping their tea, heard every word.
"Pfft." Xie Ming'an sprayed out the tea in his mouth.
Xie Mingxu shot him a disdainful glance and tossed a handkerchief at his younger brother.
For Shen Ningning to say such a thing was, by the standards of royal etiquette, an act of outrageous disrespect.
He was the Crown Prince. How could she talk about striking him dead with lightning?
Just as they were about to try and smooth things over, Mo Lingwei quietly nodded. "A fitting punishment."
The Xie family was stunned. This time, even the composed Xie Mingxu was taken aback.
Mo Lingwei lifted his teacup, a faint smile gracing his otherwise stern features.
