Chapter 61: Summons
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Mingzhu knew the Great Empress Dowager’s temperament and realized that this statement had hit home for her. Without explaining further, she obediently said, “Auntie is right, I’ll remember, and I’ll tell Sister Changhua what you said.”
Suddenly, a palace servant announced from outside the hall, “Your Majesty, Xia Yan Gugu from Imperial Consort Min’s side has brought something for you.”
The Great Empress Dowager stopped the conversation and said loudly, “Come in.”
“It’s a gift from the second Miss of the Changxing Marquis’s family to Your Majesty.” Xia Yan Gugu uncovered the tray, revealing an exquisite golden necklace on apricot-colored satin. At the bottom of the necklace was a pendant in the shape of a peach heart, set with red and blue gemstones.
Although the design was uncommon, there was nothing particularly remarkable about it. The Great Empress Dowager, who was accustomed to seeing fine things, just smiled lightly, “Not bad, it’s rare that she put some thought into it. Put it away.”
Xia Yan Gugu hurriedly said with a smile, “Your Majesty, this pendant is ingenious.” She pressed the pendant, and the outer shell popped open, revealing a small portrait inside. It was unclear what medium was used for the portrait, but it was vividly drawn in black lines against a white background, depicting the Great Empress Dowager herself with astonishing realism.
The Great Empress Dowager exclaimed in surprise, “Oh,” and reached out, “Let me see.” Upon seeing it, she couldn’t put it down and asked Mingzhu, who was curiously looking at it, “What technique is this? To paint a person so meticulously and realistically, I’ve never seen it before.”
Mingzhu examined it for a while and had to admit her ignorance, “I don’t know, but it looks like a very fine and hard brush was used. If Your Majesty wants to know, why not summon her to ask?”
The Great Empress Dowager said, “Another time, it’s late today.” Seeing that Mingzhu liked it, she handed it to her, “Take it and play with it.” Then she turned to Xia Yan Gugu, “By the way, I remember that Miss Jiang from the Jiang family is not young anymore. Why hasn’t she married Ying Wang? Isn’t the Imperial Consort in a hurry, too?”
Xia Yan Gugu was waiting for this question, “The Imperial Consort is indeed in a hurry. Just now, we are waiting for the Empress Dowager to make a decision.”
The Great Empress Dowager thought that Yuwen Chu must actually not be satisfied with this marriage, and Imperial Consort Min and the Changxing Marquis’s mansion were hinting that she should intervene to pressure him. She frowned slightly and said, “I remember. You may leave.”
Xia Yan Gugu bowed deeply, then quietly glanced at Mingzhu, who was standing by the window studying the small portrait in the sunlight, before lowering her head and leaving.
After a while, the evening meal was brought in, and Mingzhu lounged beside the Empress Dowager to enjoy dinner.
She eagerly pulled out a bunch of small trinkets brought from outside the palace to show to the Great Empress Dowager, and the aunt and niece laughed and chatted until it was time to retire for the night. They went to bed feeling satisfied.
The next morning, Mingzhu woke up early on her own initiative and volunteered to serve the Great Empress Dowager breakfast. The Great Empress Dowager smiled and said to her most trusted attendant, “Look at her, has she really grown up?”
Mu Gugu also smiled and said, “Isn’t it said that when a child experiences an illness, they become more sensible? Mingzhu has grown and matured; she should be like this now.”
Wan Ru also chimed in with interest, “Exactly, this time seeing the young lady, I almost thought she was a different person.” She offered a pair of shoes to the Great Empress Dowager. “These are made by me for Your Majesty. Please try them on and see if they fit.”
The shoes were indeed made with care, and the Great Empress Dowager smiled kindly. “Quick, let me try them on. Over the years, with so many people and so many shoes, yours are the most comfortable.” She praised Wan Ru highly and even rewarded her, completely ignoring what Mingzhu had said the day before.
Mingzhu felt annoyed and decided to turn around and water the plants instead, out of sight, out of mind. But then she heard the Great Empress Dowager speak kindly, “Wan Ru, I heard that Changhua is seriously ill. Take these things with you and go see her for me. Tell her to relax and recover from her illness soon, so she can come and serve me. Also, ask her what she needs, see if the people in her palace are taking good care of her, and if there are any dishonest ones, you take care of them and report back to me.”
This was a delicate task, and Wan Ru happily went off to do it. Mingzhu couldn’t help but run over and grab the Great Empress Dowager’s sleeve, “Auntie, what kind of medicine are you selling?”
The Great Empress Dowager ignored her and simply said, “Behave yourself, the Empress Dowager and the others are coming to pay their respects.”
Sure enough, shortly after, the palace consorts came to pay their respects to the Great Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager Min warmly greeted Mingzhu, “Since you’re here, spend some more time with Royal Mother. I have some fine goods from foreign lands. I’ll have them sent to you to keep you entertained.”
Mingzhu respectfully thanked her and stood quietly on the side, observing the conversation between the palace consorts and the Great Empress Dowager. After a while, the consorts dispersed, leaving only Imperial Consort Min and Consort Xiao.
Consort Xiao smiled at Mingzhu before leaning in to speak softly with the Great Empress Dowager, occasionally casting a smile in Mingzhu’s direction. Mingzhu wished she could eavesdrop on their conversation, but since the Great Empress Dowager didn’t call her over, she didn’t dare to intrude and could only stand aside anxiously.
After Consort Xiao had said her piece, she bid the Great Empress Dowager farewell with satisfaction and walked over to Mingzhu, grasping her hand warmly. She invited her affectionately, “I have some excellent summer orchids. They’ve bloomed beautifully these past few days. When you have the time, come and take a look.”
If she went to Consort Xiao’s palace to see the orchids, she would likely “bump into” Yuwen Long. Just thinking about Yuwen Long made Mingzhu feel nauseous. She was about to pull her hand away from Consort Xiao when the Great Empress Dowager gave her a cold stare. Mingzhu had no choice but to reluctantly say, “Thank you for your kindness, Consort. I’ll come by when I’m free.”
Consort Xiao was satisfied and left. Mingzhu felt very annoyed and was about to cozy up to the Great Empress Dowager when she heard her ask Imperial Consort Min, “Regarding that matter, pick a day and have someone come and inform me. I will arrange it.”
Imperial Consort Min smiled and said, “Yes.” Just as she was about to say something else, Mu Gugu arrived and bowed, “Your Majesty, Ying Wang has come to pay his respects.”
Imperial Consort Min’s expression changed slightly, but she quickly smiled again, “This child doesn’t know to come earlier to pay his respects. He arrives when the sun is high.”
“I asked him to come at this time.” The Great Empress Dowager smoothed her hair and said amiably, “I have something to ask him. You may leave now.”
Imperial Consort Min obediently responded and retreated, discreetly sighing as she glanced at Mingzhu.
Mingzhu didn’t notice and just kept thinking. Wan Ru had been sent out, and it would take her a short while to return. Consort Xiao had been pacified, and now Yuwen Chu had come alone to pay his respects…
Auntie had all their words stored in her heart. She was calmly handling Consort Xiao, Yuwen Long, and the others, and then she would summon Yuwen Chu to ask about the situation! The next step must be decisive.
Feeling pleased, she scolded, “Auntie, why didn’t you tell me earlier? I’ve been on tenterhooks the whole time.”
The Great Empress Dowager said, “Haven’t you always been impatient with these matters? What did I tell you to do? Your temperament is not stable, all your emotions are written on your face. Wouldn’t that attract attention? If you really want to learn, just quietly observe and listen.” After speaking, she motioned for her to go behind the screen. “Without my instructions, you are not allowed to come out.”
Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get up to 10 more chapters of Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix right away ! Or go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
