Let Them Choke

The Old Madam’s most beloved parrot had been eaten by the cat.

This was a major matter in the Chancellor’s residence. The First Madam soon arrived at Hexiang Courtyard. Li Changle had just entered with her cherished Mandarin Duck Cat when she heard the Old Madam snap, “You dare bring that beast in here?”

Li Changle froze and glanced at everyone in surprise, but they all held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

At this, the First Madam coughed twice. “Old Madam, it may not have been Changle’s cat that ate your parrot. Perhaps someone let a stray cat in...”

“A stray cat? Where did this stray cat come from? Go on, catch one and show me!” The Old Madam’s expression was rarely so stern; she was so furious she could barely speak.

The First Madam had never seen the Old Madam so angry and fell silent at once.

Li Changle quickly set down the cat and hurried forward. “Old Madam, the Mandarin Duck Cat was a precious gift from Eldest Brother. It’s gentle and well-behaved. It would never do such a thing...”

Before she could finish, the Old Madam showered her with spittle. “It tried to eat my parrot this morning, and I haven’t even settled that with you yet! And now you’re telling me it’s gentle and well-behaved? I told you not to keep beasts like this in the courtyard. They’ll frighten my birds! And yet you insist on keeping a cat. Are you trying to anger me to death? And your cat ruined your younger sister’s brocades before she even got to wear them. How are you going to make up for that?”

Li Changle was taken aback. Li Weiyang stood quietly to one side, looking thoroughly wronged. Li Changle’s expression shifted slightly. “Something happened to Third Sister’s brocades too? What a coincidence.”

Li Weiyang pretended not to catch the insinuation in her words. “Eldest Sister, you must keep a close watch on this cat. Today it ate the Old Madam’s parrot and ruined the brocades. Who knows which noble guest it might offend next? If a troublemaker deliberately picks a fight, even ten thousand deaths wouldn’t atone for the cat’s crime.”...