Chapter 215: Twisting the Concept

Su Wan’s anger had long subsided. She refused to come out for meals, only wanting Ji Xuan to understand her resolve.

For more than twenty years in her previous life, she had lived without parents and had already grown accustomed to it.

If their hearts held only each other, without considering the thoughts of their children, she would certainly never give them her true feelings.

No matter what happened in the future, it would not break her heart.

The arrival of Master Mingjue had put her at ease.

After finishing her meal, she was about to read some medical books when someone came to summon her.

“Young Lady Su, the Empress Dowager has returned to the palace and requests your presence,” the female attendant said respectfully. She was well aware of the relationship between Wei Yang and Qi Min, and thus knew Su Wan’s true identity.

Su Wan raised her eyebrow, only then remembering that she had a grandmother.

“Lead the way.”

Su Wan did not feel intimidated in the slightest.

The female attendant had expected Su Wan to inquire about the Empress Dowager’s character, but to her surprise, Su Wan asked nothing and went directly to meet the Empress Dowager. As a trusted aide of the Empress, she was well aware of the Empress Dowager’s prejudice against Great Zhou.

While holding a lantern, she led the way to the Jingan Hall. As they neared their destination, she suddenly slowed her pace and offered Su Wan a few words of advice: “Young Lady Su, the Empress Dowager has a domineering temperament and dislikes being contradicted by others.”

As a servant, it was not her place to criticize her masters, but the female attendant couldn’t help herself out of pity for Qi Min. She lowered her voice and whispered in Su Wan’s ear, “The Empress Dowager has a prejudice against the Great Zhou royal family.”

Su Wan nodded slightly. If the Empress Dowager was difficult to get along with, she could simply avoid further interaction in the future.

After all, they did not plan to stay in Xiliang.

Su Wan stood outside the door, watching as the female attendant went inside to announce her arrival.

After a short while, the female attendant came out: “Young Lady Su, please come in.”

Su Wan entered the hall, feeling the warmth wash over her, dispelling the chill from her body. She looked toward the Empress Dowager, who was seated in a chair, dressed in dark, patterned everyday attire that contrasted with her face, which did not show much sign of age. Su Wan noticed that they shared some similarities in their facial features, though the Empress Dowager’s features were much sharper, giving her an unapproachable demeanor.

“May the Empress Dowager enjoy great peace,” Su Wan respectfully bowed her head in greeting.

The Empress Dowager also sized up Su Wan. Seeing that she was neither fearful nor arrogant, the expression on the Empress Dowager’s face relaxed slightly.

“Sixteen this year?” The Empress Dowager, noticing the resemblance between Su Wan and Qi Min, felt a slight sense of familiarity. Her gaze fell on Su Wan’s hair bun, and she frowned. “Are you married?”

Su Wan answered each question in turn, “I am sixteen in full years, turning seventeen by nominal age after the New Year, and I am married.”

“Not to the Crown Prince?” The Empress Dowager recalled that Qi Min had arranged a marriage for Su Wan, precisely with the Crown Prince of Great Zhou.

“No.”

The Empress Dowager let out a cold laugh, as if to say, “I knew it.”

“My biological father is the Regent, so how could I marry the Crown Prince? My father arranged a new marriage for me, to his adopted son.” Su Wan, without waiting for the Empress Dowager to ask further, explained proactively, “Though he comes from humble origins, his abilities are exceptional. His mentor is the Grand Chancellor of Great Zhou, and his adopted father is the Regent of Great Zhou. Even without pursuing the imperial examination, he could navigate the officialdom with ease. He has chosen to take the imperial examination path, and in the upcoming spring metropolitan examination, he ranked first in both the prefectural and provincial exams.”

The Empress Dowager listened quietly, not surprised to hear that her father was Ji Xuan. Noticing the pride in Su Wan’s eyes when she spoke of her husband, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly.

Su Wan observed her expression and continued, “I know you value equal status in marriage. I have the blood of the Great Zhou royal family flowing in my veins—who could possibly have a status higher than that of the royal family?

Since no one can truly be my equal, anyone I marry would be considered reaching above their station, so why should I care whether they come from a noble family or humble origins?”

“You’re twisting the concept,” the Empress Dowager replied sternly. “Children of noble families are cultivated with the full support of their families from birth, excelling in every aspect.”