Chapter 148 Another One
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“Very well.” Rong Eunuch opened his eyes, his round face calm and expressionless. He stood up, bowed respectfully, and quietly withdrew, leaving the room. The cold autumn light stretched his chubby figure, faintly reminiscent of his slim and handsome appearance in his youth. The Empress Dowager greedily watched him go before sharply turning her head away.
She recalled many things from many years ago, becoming somewhat absorbed in her thoughts. Suddenly, she heard a slight sound outside the hall and was startled, sharply asking, “Who’s there?”
“Your Majesty, it’s me,” the palace maid Hui Ru hurriedly entered, bowing at the door, “There’s news from the Chongming Hall. After the Empress Dowager went there and cried, the Emperor has ordered the proper burial of the palace maid who died from punishment.”
The Royal Mother and son were truly making people speechless. The son only knew how to torture palace maids all day long, while the Royal Mother, at such a critical moment when her son was taking lives casually, still had the mind to engage in some underhanded actions behind the scenes. They were both worthless! The Great Empress Dowager’s heart churned, her brows furrowed as she said, “Inquire about the palace maid’s family. Offer them more silver, and ensure proper rituals are performed for her, so she may be born into a better life in her next incarnation.”
“Yes,” Hui Ru lowered her head and retreated, arranging things outside the hall. She couldn’t help but stare blankly in the direction where Eunuch Rong had left. That was a eunuch! With the Great Empress Dowager’s noble status, how could she be with a eunuch…
“What are you daydreaming about, girl? Her Majesty needs to rest now. Hurry up and prepare,” Mu Gugu hurriedly approached, giving a quick instruction before rushing into the hall. She whispered, “Your Majesty, I couldn’t catch up. Ying Wangfei and Princess Funing, along with Second Miss Jiang, have encountered each other. I saw that Wangfei handled it properly, so I didn’t intervene. I left someone to watch, and if anything goes wrong, they will report immediately.”
“You did the right thing. Too much interference might make Imperial Consort Min and her son uncomfortable. Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships are the hardest to handle. Since she’s married into their family, we need to consider her interests a bit more.” The Great Empress Dowager stood up, saying, “I’m a bit tired. Help me inside for a rest.”
In the imperial garden, Mingzhu arrogantly glanced at Princess Funing and Jiang Shanshan in front of her.
Jiang Shanshan wore a light pink dress, with a hint of makeup, looking pitiful, lowering her head and frowning, clearly displeased, trying to push away Funing’s hand, pleading softly, “Your Highness, please don’t do this.”
Funing, on the other hand, tightly held Jiang Shanshan’s hand and exclaimed, “Second Sister Jiang, why are you afraid of her? Since the Empress Dowager ordered you to deliver things to my Royal Mother, you should go! That’s not her home, why should you avoid her? I want to see, in front of my Royal Mother and my sixth brother, if she dares to do anything to you!”
Jiang Shanshan’s face turned red, angrily pushing Funing’s hand away, her face darkening as she said coldly, “Your Highness, are you trying to harm me?”
Funing was shocked, taking a while to understand, “Second Sister Jiang, why would you say that? I mean well. She snatched away your position as the rightful wife. She’s the one who’s shameful. Why are you lowering yourself in front of her?”
Tears welled up in Jiang Shanshan’s eyes, humiliated, she said, “I can’t explain it to you.” She wiped away her tears and turned to bow to Mingzhu, “I haven’t had the chance to pay my respects to the Wangfei.”
Mingzhu’s mood was really bad, she said faintly, “No need. Since there’s nothing for me to do here, I’ll leave first.” She turned to leave, but Jiang Shanshan grabbed her sleeve, forcing her to turn back. Jiang Shanshan bit her lip, looking embarrassed as she whispered, “Whether you believe it or not, today’s matter was not my intention.”
“I know.” After the sudden provocation from Yuwen You earlier, encountering Jiang Shanshan now wasn’t surprising. Mingzhu felt disdainful. Could Empress Dowager Min’s methods be so limited? They were not very effective, but they were quite disgusting.
“As long as you know.” Jiang Shanshan smiled through tears and whispered, “I wish you and him a lifetime of happiness.” Tears finally couldn’t be restrained, falling heavily. She quickly turned and hurried away.
“Second Sister Jiang! How can you leave? Even if you’re afraid of her, the Empress Dowager’s order hasn’t been fulfilled yet. Aren’t you afraid the Empress Dowager will blame you?” Funing glared fiercely at Mingzhu, pulling Jiang Shanshan, “You came with me so boldly this time. Royal Mother actually cares about you and is worried about you, but because of…”
“Please, stop,” Jiang Shanshan panicked, raising her hand to cover Funing’s mouth. As her wrist lifted, her sleeve slid down, revealing a section of her fair arm adorned with a crystal-clear and glossy jade bracelet, which stung the eyes.
So, the other bracelet was here! Presumably, it was the one given to Jiang Shanshan by Imperial Consort Min when her engagement to Yuwen Chu was still valid, right? If nothing unexpected had happened, both bracelets should be on Jiang Shanshan’s wrists by now.
What could Imperial Consort Min’s intention be in giving each of them one jade bracelet? Mingzhu suddenly felt bored and tasteless, with a bunch of evil thoughts surging up in her heart. She smiled faintly, neither friendly nor hostile, and said, “Second Miss Jiang, since you’ve come here on orders, you might as well accompany me to see the Imperial Consort. Otherwise, if the Empress Dowager blames you for it, wouldn’t it be my fault?”
“No need, I’ll go later,” Jiang Shanshan quickly shook her head. The sunlight shone on the jade bracelet, emitting a crystal-clear light.
“Then suit yourself.” Mingzhu didn’t want to look any further. She turned around and left, wishing she could tear off the bracelet from her wrist and smash it in front of Jiang Shanshan.
Funing clung to Jiang Shanshan stubbornly. “Royal Mother has been mentioning you all the time. She’s heard you’re sick and is very worried, but unfortunately, she can’t go see you. I know you mean well, afraid of embarrassing her, but you also need to consider Royal Mother and my Sixth Brother. If the Empress Dowager knows you haven’t gone, she might blame my Sixth Brother and Royal Mother. You wouldn’t want the Empress Dowager to misunderstand us, would you?”
Jiang Shanshan hesitated for a long time before whispering, “Then promise me you won’t provoke her anymore.”
Funing chuckled, “I promise. Now, come with me.”
Jiang Shanshan took two steps, then hesitated and stopped. “I think I’d better not go to avoid causing misunderstandings with Ying Wang.”
Funing urged, “Why would he? He’s not stupid! You didn’t just decide to come to the palace on your own. Don’t worry, I’ll help you explain things clearly. Come on, stop hesitating!” With that, Funing grabbed Jiang Shanshan and dragged her forward to catch up with Mingzhu.
Mingzhu knew she shouldn’t be angry, but she was very angry and frustrated. Hearing the footsteps behind her, she walked faster and faster. With her good physical condition, she walked swiftly, soon leaving Funing and the others far behind.
Funing couldn’t get angry at her, feeling quite aggrieved. “Tch! Truly an uncultured wild girl, which lady walks like her!”
“That’s your sister-in-law, stop speaking like that!” Jiang Shanshan looked around anxiously, whispering, “It wouldn’t be good if someone overhears.”
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