CHAPTER 660: CHAPTER 660: JOINING HANDS

Consort Ning’s words, already on the tip of her tongue, were forcefully choked back.

Indeed, they weren’t saying she had a slim waist and long legs, or a perky behind; they were talking about her regal and dignified bearing.

What does regal and dignified mean? It means an ample figure.

What does an ample figure mean? It means fat! That’s the blunt truth.

If Consort Ning were to throw another fit, she would be denying her own regal and dignified bearing!

How could she allow this!

Therefore, she couldn’t say anything! All she could do was grind her teeth and let out a cold laugh.

"Thank you for the compliment, sister!"

Having said this, she stopped paying attention to Xia Ruqing and angrily took her own seat.

Xia Ruqing leisurely took a sip of her tea.

She can only put on airs in front of me! she sneered inwardly.

A quarter of an hour later, the Noble Consort also arrived.

Afterward, the Empress entered, and everyone quickly stood up to pay their respects.

These days, because of the matter with Consort Xian Pin, the entire palace was unsettled, inside and out.

She had also vaguely heard some rumors about the Fan Family’s matters and was feeling quite troubled.

Looking at everyone below, the Empress massaged her temples.

"Rise! All of you, take your seats."

Her voice remained as dignified and noble as ever, only slightly tinged with fatigue.

No one dared to say more and took their seats.

The Empress scanned the room, and her gaze finally landed on Xia Ruqing.

After watching her for a good while, she finally spoke languidly.

"In a few days, the Emperor will go hunting, and this time he intends to take no one with him!

"There’s no need for you all to look forward to it; it’s more important for you to spend your days properly within the palace!"

Everyone was surprised, Xia Ruqing included.

Putting aside the meaning of the words, the Empress’s tone sounded almost like a warning to her.

Not taking anyone—isn’t this a warning to me not to harbor any undue expectations? The Empress really knows how to belittle people whenever she finds an opening!

"Yes! This concubine will heed the Empress’s teachings!" Xia Ruqing was the first to respond.

Her gaze and expression showed not a hint of reluctance, but rather utmost compliance.

Not seeing the hoped-for disappointment, the slight sense of satisfaction that had just risen in the Empress’s heart vanished. She simply waved her hand.

"As long as you all understand."

Everyone sat down and didn’t dare to speak.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Only Consort Ning’s incessant prattling of tasteless jokes gradually broke the ice.

The Empress, having no desire to listen further, exchanged a few words before dismissing everyone.

Watching the various beauties leave one by one, the Empress momentarily drifted into a daze.

Yu Lan stepped forward to support her.

"Empress, let’s go!"

The Empress sighed and then commanded, "Let’s go, to Ningshou Palace!"

"Yes!"

「In Ningshou Palace.」

The weather was growing cooler, and the Empress Dowager lay on the kang bed with her eyes closed, resting.

She was covered with a cashmere blanket, and two little palace maids held Beauties’ Mallets, gently massaging her legs.

The atmosphere was very quiet.

When the Empress came in, the Empress Dowager happened to awaken.

The little palace maids withdrew, and Sister Qing came up to make tea.

The Empress Dowager sat up straight, took a sip of tea, and then asked, "Where did the Imperial Son rest last night?"

The Empress hesitated but still answered, "Qingya Residence!"

The Empress Dowager snorted coldly. "Really, I don’t know what’s so special about that Consort Xian Pin! To have the Imperial Son so captivated!"

The Empress felt somewhat alarmed.

Empress Dowager, you... When did you become enemies with Consort Xian Pin? I’ve never heard of it!

The Empress Dowager just snorted coldly. "What’s wrong with me?

"What I detest most are such bewitching vixens, born with the face of a fox spirit, clinging to the Emperor and not letting him go elsewhere, yet themselves unable to bear offspring!

"The Emperor is the ruler of the nation. How can he be tied down by her every day?

"If it were always like this, would the Royal Family still flourish and spread its branches?!

"There are three unfilial acts, and to die without an heir is the greatest. With few offspring in the Royal Family, I will die with regret, and once in the Underworld, I will have no face to meet the late Emperor!"

The more the Empress Dowager spoke, the more agitated she became, and in the end, she even began to wipe away tears.

The Empress was frightened and promptly knelt on the ground. "Mother, this is all my fault. Please, you must take care of your health!

"Otherwise, even if the Emperor sees you, he will be uneasy!"

These words were three parts truth and seven parts performance, meant merely to sound pleasant.

The Empress Dowager wiped her tears, still filled with anger. "He’s uneasy? Even if I worry myself to death over him, he wouldn’t feel the slightest bit of unease!"

The Empress, while dabbing her tears with a handkerchief, picked comforting words to console the Empress Dowager, saying things like, "The Emperor is incredibly busy attending to state affairs every day!" and, "With two Princes, the succession cannot be considered scarce..." and so on.

After consoling her for a while, the Empress Dowager’s emotions finally began to stabilize.

The Empress Dowager, holding the Empress’s hand, said earnestly, "Good child, all these years it was I who was wrong!

"They say time reveals one’s true nature. After all this time, I have realized that you are the best!

"Seeing that the Emperor has been on the throne for so many years yet heirs are still scarce!

"I am anxious in my heart, only hoping the Harem is harmonious and the Emperor has more children!"

Hearing the Empress Dowager say this, the Empress’s heart stirred, and she spoke with some grievance, "Mother, this is all my fault, but... I have indeed tried my best!"

The implication was that the Emperor just did not fancy her; he preferred Consort Xian Pin, and there was nothing she could do.

The Empress Dowager seemed to have been waiting for these words.

Her eyes lit up, and she eagerly grasped the Empress’s hand, saying earnestly, "Fortunately, it’s time for the Imperial Selection next year. You should pick some gentle and kind ones. I have my ways to help you!

"After all... instability brews in the court whenever the Central Palace is childless. It’s ultimately the root of disaster!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress’s eyes brightened.

What does this mean? Is this a promise that if more children are born, they will be given to me to raise?

She looked at the Empress Dowager, a puzzled expression on her face. "Mother, do you truly mean what you say?"

The Empress Dowager smiled. "Naturally, it’s true. I’ve resigned myself to the fact. Neither Wanxin nor Wanying, those two sisters, had such fortune!

"I am getting old, and I’ve been fighting all my life. I’m too tired to fight anymore. I just want to see harmony in the Harem and be surrounded by my children and grandchildren!"

These words were too good to be true, and the Empress did not believe them.

The Empress Dowager must have ulterior motives.

But the Empress couldn’t care less. Now, other than the empty title of Empress, she had nothing left.

A daughter didn’t count; she needed a son.

Having a son, a legitimate son, would allow him to be rightfully established as the Crown Prince.

Only then could her position be secured.

Only then could she continue to live gloriously, untrampled by others.

So, teaming up with the Empress Dowager was her only way out.

The Empress knelt solemnly on the ground. "This concubine carefully heeds the Empress Dowager’s teachings."

This was a pledge of allegiance; there was no need to make it explicit between such intelligent women.

The Empress Dowager smiled as she helped her up. "Good child, I knew you would understand!

"When you have your own children in the future, do not forget to show filial piety to me!"

The Empress hastily replied, "Mother, you jest.

"If that day truly comes, everything I have will be thanks to the Empress Dowager. I shall naturally know gratitude and repay it!"

The Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction and commanded her attendant, "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and serve another cup of good tea!"

Sister Qing, standing by, smiled and brought over a pot of Maple Dew Tea. "This is a new tribute from outside, just freshly brewed. Your Highnesses, please try it quickly!"