CHAPTER 604: CHAPTER 604: THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE EMPRESS DOWAGER

Xia Ruqing bowed slightly.

"I bid Noble Consort farewell!"

That neither servile nor overbearing yet respectful attitude suddenly ignited a fire in Noble Concubine Shih’s heart.

Damn Lady Xia, sly as a fox.

Always elusive!

But...HMPH!

My today will be your tomorrow. See if you can remain favored for your entire life! Otherwise, on the day you fall out of favor, watch how I deal with you!

Noble Concubine Shih gritted her teeth, her steps quickening.

「Jiaofang Hall」

After everybody had left, the Princess had been carried down, and Palace Attendants naturally started to clean up the hall.

Inside the chamber, the Empress was reclining on the couch, massaging her temples.

Today’s banquet was good, but also not good.

Everything prepared was of high quality, but it felt...dry, as if something was missing.

But she was too exhausted to think about it anymore.

As she was resting, Yu Fu came in from outside.

"Empress, Sister Qing from the Empress Dowager’s side has arrived!"

The Empress quickly got up.

"Sister Qing?"

This is one of the most respected Old Sisters by the Empress Dowager’s side. Even the Emperor shows her deference. Naturally, I dare not neglect her.

"Please, let her in quickly!"

The Empress immediately stood up, fixing her attire.

Fortunately, her makeup was still intact.

Sister Qing entered, beaming, escorted by Yu Fu and the others. After the initial greetings, the reason for her visit was made clear.

It turned out, besides the gifts presented at today’s banquet, the Empress Dowager had also sent a few sets of children’s clothing.

Sister Qing said with a smile, "These were personally made by the Empress Dowager and me! The Third Princess’s status is special, and now she’s officially acknowledged as legitimate. The Empress Dowager is so fond of her!"

Hearing this, the Empress’s eyes visibly brightened with delight.

"I thank the Empress Dowager on behalf of the Princess!"

Saying so, she took the clothes with both hands.

"Please sit, Sister!"

The Empress was very enthusiastic.

Sister Qing smiled and took a seat beside the Empress, clearly with something to say.

After looking around, the Empress had all the Servants dismissed.

Only the two of them remained in the inner chamber.

Once everyone had left, Sister Qing began to speak. "Empress, the Empress Dowager has some personal words that she’s never had the chance to say! Now that I have come today, I cannot help but speak on behalf of the Empress Dowager, no matter how bold it may seem!"

The Empress immediately replied, "There’s no need for such formalities, Sister. The Empress Dowager is the Emperor’s mother and also my mother-in-law. Whatever orders she has, just say them, and I will unquestionably comply!"

Sister Qing smiled, thought for a moment, then slowly said, "Since the Empress puts it this way, I will not beat around the bush and will speak directly. As you know, the Empress Dowager has always been a strong-willed person throughout her life! In the first few years after the Late Emperor passed away, the Empress Dowager couldn’t bear the blow and fell ill. Later...when the Emperor ascended to the throne, the Empress Dowager became the Empress Dowager, and you became the Empress! The Empress Dowager, with her high spirits and pride, was not easily placated! This led to...previous...unpleasantries!"

Sister Qing was referring to the Empress Dowager’s unwillingness to retire from the limelight and her constant interference in the Harem’s affairs.

The Empress maintained a very composed facade, her expression very calm, without saying a word.

Sister Qing continued, "Now...as the Empress Dowager is getting on in years, her health gradually isn’t what it used to be. Thus, some previously held desires have been let go..."

Sister Qing, holding the Empress’s hand, went on for quite a while.

The gist was: The Empress Dowager previously couldn’t accept her retirement from center stage, so she meddled in many affairs. Now, as she has aged, she no longer wishes to fight. She wants to enjoy the happiness of family life. The Third Princess has been entrusted to your care, so you need to take the child frequently to see the Empress Dowager. The hope is for everyone to be motherly and filial, together creating a harmonious Harem.

The Empress maintained a gentle and obedient demeanor, listening attentively and carefully.

In the end, after Sister Qing finished speaking, she looked at the Empress expectantly. "This servant knows she should not speak of such matters, but... the Empress Dowager’s health is truly not as good as before, Empress..."

The implication was: Are you willing to accept the Empress Dowager’s offer of peace?

Without a second thought, the Empress eagerly agreed. "Sister, what are you talking about! As for Mother... At that time, when I had just entered The Central Palace, there were myriad affairs. Without Mother’s guidance, I wouldn’t have known what to do! So, I must thank Mother for her guidance! As for... the matter of the Third Princess! That is even more my duty! In the future, I will visit the Empress Dowager more often!"

Sister Qing looked at the Empress. Her eyes seemed full of sincerity; it didn’t look like an act.

She smiled. "The Empress truly comes from a distinguished family and is the very epitome of propriety! The Empress Dowager will surely be overjoyed to hear this!"

Flattered by Sister Qing’s compliments, the Empress felt a little embarrassed. "Sister, you’re too kind. To be filial to Mother is only natural and right!"

Sister Qing chuckled. "Since that is so, Empress, this servant will take her leave first!"

The Empress hastened to get up.

Sister Qing quickly said, "There’s no need for Your Majesty to rise; this servant is most anxious!"

The Empress smiled and then instructed Yu Fu to escort Sister Qing out properly.

She herself, under Yu Lan’s care, removed her clothes, took off her makeup, and lay down in bed.

The Empress was extremely tired. Thinking of Sister Qing’s words, she let out a cold laugh.

Strong-willed? Unpleasantries? HMPH! As if all those matters can be settled with just a word?

When I first entered the palace, I knew nothing. All of the palace’s miscellaneous affairs and connections were in the Empress Dowager’s hands. She helped the Noble Consort suppress me. She once left me so embarrassed I had nowhere to stand. Now... seeing that the Noble Consort is of no use anymore, she comes to make amends with me?

HMPH! Indeed, the older, the craftier. She’s played her cards well!

Sister Ji, having understood the situation, also sneered. "Exactly! In the beginning, Her Majesty barely had a place to stand in the palace! And now, with just a word, she wants to erase all that? What a joke!"

The Empress sighed. "Alas! It’s a pity! I am the Empress, and she is the Empress Dowager! No matter how much resentment I hold, I can’t do anything to the Empress Dowager!"

Sister Ji was somewhat worried. "Your Majesty, what do you plan to do then? Can we really swallow this grievance?"

The Empress scoffed lightly. "Even if I can’t swallow it, I must! Sitting on the throne of the Empress requires enduring what others cannot. Throughout these years, whether at home or in the palace, there hasn’t been anything I couldn’t endure! As for the Empress Dowager, since she has reached out, it won’t hurt for us to visit her more often! The reputation of being virtuous and good is something I’ve never minded having too much of!"

It’s all just mutual exploitation. Who’s afraid of whom?

After listening, Sister Ji said no more.

Yu Lan came in with the clothes sent by the Empress Dowager and asked, "Your Majesty, what should we do with these clothes?"

The Empress glanced at them indifferently. "Store them at the bottom of the chest!"

"Yes!"

Yu Lan went out again.

「From that day on」

Whenever the weather was warm, the Empress would take the Little Princess to visit the Empress Dowager.

Noble Concubine Shih was also often called by the Empress Dowager to accompany her for meals.

The Empress Dowager no longer secluded herself in Ningshou Palace. She frequently stepped out with Palace Attendants to the Imperial Garden, showing more affection to the few children in the palace.

The Harem was truly a picture of prosperity and harmony!