Chapter 109: A Special Affection
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Imperial Consort Min’s heart skipped a beat as she looked at Empress Dowager Min, who stared back with chilling eyes. Imperial Consort Min realized Empress Dowager Min resented her and her son and couldn’t help but feel distressed. She understood why Empress Dowager Min approached her like this—it was because she couldn’t afford to offend the Great Empress Dowager and the Fu family directly, so she directed her ire at her instead.
There will definitely be a struggle at this palace banquet. Although she may not be satisfied with this marriage, she cannot afford to see Mingzhu in trouble, let alone promise Empress Dowager Min. However, if she doesn’t promise, who knows how much Empress Dowager Min will do behind her back to make her uncomfortable.
Imperial Consort Min carefully chose her words and said, “Your Majesty is joking. How am I someone who hides things? To be honest with you, I haven’t seen her in a long time. According to the Great Empress Dowager’s intention, the marriage will take place next month, and she is not allowed to go out, she has to stay at home and focus.” It means, “You can’t rely on me, go find the Great Empress Dowager yourself.”
Empress Dowager Min’s expression turned cold. “Some say that Ying Wang has the ability to arrange such a marriage, so Imperial Consort doesn’t regard us mother and son highly?”
Imperial Consort Min was alarmed. “Who told you that? They must have malicious intentions. Empress Dowager is the Great Empress Dowager’s own daughter-in-law, the emperor’s mother. Even if the Great Empress Dowager dotes on her niece, how could she favor her over her own grandson? Not to mention, Fu family’s prosperity today is thanks to the emperor. Who would dare not to respect the Great Empress Dowager and the emperor?”
Empress Dowager Min liked hearing this and said lightly, “You’re perceptive, but not everyone is. Just say whether you can invite her or not.”
Imperial Consort Min felt pressured by her persistent gaze. “I’ll give it a try. If the girl is too shy…”
Empress Dowager Min sneered, “I don’t usually believe in idle gossip, but if Imperial Consort refuses such a simple request, I can’t help but think twice.” She paused. “I don’t want to trouble Imperial Consort, but because of some recent mischief, there have been misunderstandings between us. Some even say I’m unfilial and disobedient to the Great Empress Dowager. If I have a birthday celebration and Mingzhu doesn’t come, how would others view me? I don’t mind if others look down on me, but I’m afraid the young emperor, being naive, might take instigation to heart.”
The threats, both overt and covert, are simply relying on her son occupying the rightful position on the throne and having support from within the imperial family and the military. Seeing Empress Dowager Min acting so arrogantly, Imperial Consort Min didn’t argue with her, but smiled and said, “Your Majesty is considerate. As for me, I’m already old and foolish. Rest assured, I will do my best.”
“I’ll be waiting for Imperial Consort’s good news then.” Empress Dowager Min served tea to see off her guest. Watching Imperial Consort Min leave, she sat alone for a while, a cold smile appearing on her lips. “That old hag is playing a clever game, willing to use her niece as bait, yet not afraid of others taking advantage to scheme for the throne! She’s utterly foolish, not realizing her own grandson from a concubine is no match for a legitimate heir!”
The target of her criticism was Great Empress Dowager. Hai Momo, standing nearby with lowered eyes, pretended not to hear. After venting her frustration, Empress Dowager Min asked, “How are those little brats doing?”
This referred to the Second Prince and others. Hai Momo hurriedly replied, “They are all doing well. According to the new Great Scholar Zhou, the princes are intelligent and diligent in their studies.”
Empress Dowager Min slammed the teacup down forcefully, gritting her teeth. “That old hag just can’t stand my peace of mind. Those little brats are also unscrupulous. Why are they trying so hard to please? No matter how well they study, they can’t become the top scholar. Who do they want to surpass?” She recalled that Mingzhu was the instigator of this matter and cursed her again. “Last time, such a good opportunity slipped through our fingers. A bunch of fools!”
Hai Momo’s eyes flickered. “If we want to delay or even prevent this marriage proposal, there are ways.”
Empress Dowager Min looked at her eagerly. “What plan do you have?”
“There’s a strategy that kills two birds with one stone. If successful, we can get rid of both your thorns. If unsuccessful, at least we escape from one and not the other…” Hai Momo leaned in and whispered a few words, then smiled. “If, um, that person gets into trouble, he’s still a prince, the late emperor’s bloodline. Ying Wang, as his uncle, should maintain decorum, right? We can delay the wedding first and then figure out another way.”
Although the risk was great, it was worth taking, unexpected, and the potential rewards were huge. Empress Dowager Min pondered for a while before smiling. “It’s a good plan. Why didn’t you mention it earlier?”
Hai Momo remembered Jiang Shanshan’s advice to be cautious and said carefully, “It’s not that I withheld it; I just hadn’t thought it through earlier. This plan is too audacious, and I didn’t dare to mention it rashly.” Last time, when she suggested the plan to undermine Mingzhu’s marriage, she was already sweating profusely. Fortunately, Empress Dowager Min didn’t blame her too much, just resenting Yuwen Xue’s disobedience and Yuwen Chu’s interference.
Empress Dowager Min, not suspecting anything, merely said, “Your previous plan to have Fu Mingzhu’s marriage to the Wusun was also good. It’s a pity it failed. If this one succeeds, I’ll reward you.”
Hai Momo quickly knelt down to thank her. “Your Majesty, it’s a blessing that you did not punish me for my previous plan failing, how can I dare to ask for a reward?”
Empress Dowager Min glanced at her and said, “The plan itself wasn’t bad, but we underestimated Yuwen Chu and didn’t anticipate Fu Mingzhu’s unexpected move, which led to inadequate preparation and allowed Fu Cong and Yuwen Chu to take advantage of the situation… By the way, I asked you to test Jiang Shanshan’s reaction to the news of the Great Empress Dowager bestowing the marriage to Anyang Wang. How did she react?”
Hai Momo took out a delicately carved box from her bosom and smiled, “Second Miss Jiang isn’t very keen on this marriage…”
Empress Dowager Min coldly smiled as expected. “Is that so? Is it because she still has feelings for Yuwen Chu and doesn’t want to accept it?”
Hai Momo smiled, “Your Majesty is truly insightful. When Second Miss Jiang heard about it, she was so scared that she cried, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing, begging for mercy and a way out from you.”
Empress Dowager Min sneered coldly, “What do you want me to do? The Great Empress Dowager makes the decisions, why doesn’t she go beg the Great Empress Dowager?” She continued, “Marrying Yuwen Long is already a top-notch marriage opportunity. If she refuses, does she want to leave the position of the main wife vacant and suffer as a concubine in someone else’s household?”
Hai Momo smiled apologetically and said, “It is said that love is inexplicable. Your Majesty, as an experienced person, should know that the word ‘love’ is the most difficult to explain and the most irresistible…”
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