How could Empress Dowager Zhao let go of such a good opportunity to find fault?

“Today is a good day for Xianfei and Su Fei. Even the Ai family came early.” Empress Dowager Zhao turned to Emperor Yongjia and said, “But the Second Prince and Lu Shi have yet to arrive. It seems they do not regard me and His Majesty highly. Not to mention the Empress and Su Fei.”

Empress Dowager Zhao looked unhappy and her words were full of dissatisfaction.

Given the status of Empress Dowager Zhao, if you want to find fault with anyone, just open your mouth and there is no need to worry. However, when everyone thought of the teacup that was broken into powder, they secretly broke into a cold sweat for some reason.

Emperor Yongjia smiled to appease the dissatisfied Empress Dowager Zhao: “Perhaps there is something that delayed them.”

“What could be more important than such a significant event?” Empress Dowager Zhao’s tone was sharp, indicating that she intended to get to the bottom of the matter. It seemed she wanted to air out the grievances from the day of the tea ceremony. “It’s clearly a lack of respect for elders!”

Empress Qiao moved her brows and said warmly: “Mǔhòu ^[1]Mother, don’t be angry yet. When the couple comes, ask them and you will know what’s going on.”

Empress Dowager Zhao snorted and glanced at Empress Qiao: “The Empress has been the daughter-in-law of the Ai family for twenty years and has never disobeyed the Ai family. Now that her daughter-in-law has entered the house, the Empress does not enjoy the blessing of being a mother-in-law. She has to worry about her daughter-in-law. It seems that the Ai family is more blessed than the Empress!”

Even though Empress Dowager Zhao was not well-educated, her ability to poke people’s hearts was definitely second to none.

Empress Qiao was angry, but she could not argue with Empress Dowager Zhao in public: “In terms of blessings, how can a daughter-in-law be as good as her mother?”

Empress Dowager Zhao raised her head proudly.

Wasn’t it?

From a commoner girl, she became the second wife of the Li family patriarch, giving birth to a direct son to gain a foothold. At that time, her greatest wish was for her son to inherit the family business as soon as possible. She never thought that her son was so promising, he started as a military strategist to become the Emperor, and she became the Empress Dowager naturally.

She was the most blessed woman in the world, who could compare with her?

Qin Xianfei was accustomed to flattering the Empress Dowager Zhao, and she immediately answered the question with a smile: “I often go to Shouning Palace, just because I want to enjoy the good fortune of the Queen Mother!”

What a flattered!

Meng Guifei sneered in her heart but said with a smile: “The Queen Mother is blessed with great blessings, and blessings are not something anyone can get. From my perspective, the Xianfei may need another ten or twenty years of refinement.”

Qin Xianfei was in a very good mood today, covering her mouth and laughing: “I’m not a fox spirit; what is there to refine? Should I grow a fox tail as well?”

Her witty remark amused everyone, and they all laughed together.

Su Fei, who was sitting aside, felt extremely depressed.

No surprise at all. Qin Xianfei really stole all the limelight from her. She was sitting here, and everyone seemed not to see her.

Not willing to remain silent, Su Fei opened her mouth with a smile: “I also want to go to Shouning Palace to be filial to the Empress Dowager. Next time I will shamelessly follow Xianfei. It would be better if the Empress Dowager doesn’t chase me out.”

Empress Dowager Zhao looked down upon Su Fei the most.

A courtesan who traded her favors, she had likely been with countless men. Constantly wearing a pitiful expression, she cried and wiped her tears as if feeling wronged, but it was unclear where she found the audacity to act so aggrieved.

Before Su Shi entered the Li family, she had had an ambiguous relationship with the Marquis of Guangping. Now, not only had he become their in-law, but he also advocated for Su Fei to be elevated in status.

Pooh!

Empress Dowager Zhao, accustomed to being the sole authority in the palace, never cared about anyone’s face. She spoke bluntly, “I prefer tranquility. Too many people will give me a headache. Just stay in the Yihua Palace and don’t come to the Shouning Palace.”

Su Fei: “…”

Su Fei’s face suddenly turned red.

Meng Guifei and Qin Xianfei watched the show. Empress Qiao had no intention of rescuing Su Fei.

Originally, it was not the junior’s turn to open his mouth on such occasions.

However, how could Li Hao watch his mother in embarrassment, so he immediately opened his mouth and said: “The filial piety of Concubine Mother is commendable. However, our Imperial Grandmother is used to the company of the Xianfei. Even Imperial Mother and Guifei Niang Niang rarely go to Shouning Palace. So Concubine Mother, please don’t disturb our Imperial Grandmother’s peace.”

Yes, Empress Dowager Zhao didn’t even want to see Empress Qiao and Meng Guifei more often. So how was it embarrassing for her if she couldn’t go to Shouning Palace?

Su Fei’s face softened slightly and she smiled at her son.

Li Hao’s heart fell back to where it was before.

It was common for Empress Dowager Zhao to embarrass Su Fei and others, but her temper towards her Imperial grandchildren was much gentler. Li Hao opened his mouth to help Su Fei, but Empress Dowager Zhao just curled her lips and didn’t make things difficult for him.

At this moment, the palace people came to report.

The Second Prince and the Second Huangzifei were here.

Empress Dowager Zhao squeezed out a sneer from her nose.

Yo! There was something fun to watch again.

Except for the worried Empress Qiao, everyone else pretended to be watching the show. Even Princess Hui’an had time to wait and watch the excitement.

Wasn’t Lu Mingyu amazing? Today she wanted to see how she would deal with Empress Dowager Zhao!

…

A moment later, Li Jing and Lu Mingyu entered the main hall.

Everyone’s eyes turned to them.

At one glance, they immediately saw some clues.

Lu Mingyu didn’t apply makeup, but her complexion was extremely rosy and delicate, like a flower moistened by dew. Li Jing was also in high spirits, but his steps were a little weak…

Li Hao was stung by this scene and was the first to look away.

Empress Dowager Zhao had been a widow for many years, so she didn’t think much about it and asked, ” Lu Shi, why are you so late today?”

Lu Mingyu couldn’t explain the reason, no matter how thick-skinned she was. Li Jing stepped forward without hesitation and said, “It’s all my fault. I went to bed late last night and woke up late today. That’s why we came late.”

The newlyweds slept late and woke up late…

Empress Dowager Zhao finally came to her senses and convulsed. She twitched the corners of her mouth, unable to say anything else.

It was inevitable for newlyweds to be greedy for happiness. Do you want to point at your granddaughter-in-law’s nose and call her a “hú mèizi” ^[2]vixen, seductress?

Empress Dowager Zhao was always picky and mean, but she was not unreasonable enough to do so.

Princess Hui’an wanted to talk more, but Empress Qiao glanced over in time. Princess Hui’an curled her lips slightly and swallowed back the words that came to her lips.

After being looked at with meaningful glances by everyone, they became so thin-skinned that they now wanted to find a hole in the ground to crawl into.

Lu Mingyu cursed in her heart that she had been dazzled by the beauty, but with a smile on her face as usual, she stepped forward and saluted. Then he congratulated Qin Xianfei and Su Fei and presented them with appropriate congratulatory gifts that were neither too thick nor too thin.

Qin Xianfei received the congratulatory gift and smiled affectionately at Lu Mingyu: “It is a good thing for a husband and wife to have strong love. Maybe there will be good news soon.”

Lu Mingyu smiled generously: ” Qin Xianfei’s kind words are greatly appreciated. I too hope for good news to come soon.”

As long as she was not embarrassed, others will be embarrassed.

With Lu Mingyu being so open and straightforward, others found it difficult to mock her over this matter again.

This late episode just passed and no one mentioned it again.

(End of chapter)