CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 4: DANCING PRINCESS (4)

Although Gu Youran was somewhat arrogant and brainless, the words of Li Shuning still gave her a scare. If things continued like this, she would surely offend the Empress Dowager.

She had to remember, she wasn’t a part of the Royal Family yet.

If her father found out, it would be a disaster. No, she absolutely could not go looking for the Empress Dowager.

Gu Youran thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "We were just teasing Miss Li. Miss Li dances so well that we sisters wanted to get to know you. We meant no harm."

Gu Youran directly dragged the others into this as well.

Those ladies were seething with anger; coming here was Gu Youran’s idea, as was losing her temper. Why, in the end, should they bear the blame too?

But they could only grind their teeth in anger, not daring to contradict her.

Li Shuning also laughed. No matter what, these ladies from aristocratic families do become reasonable when their interests are at stake.

"Miss Gu, you’re too kind. We are merely Dancing Girls. Should Miss Gu wish to see us again, after you marry His Highness Prince Yu, you are welcome to the palace anytime, where we sisters will perform any dance you like for you. Miss Gu, Shuning has to visit the Empress Dowager later, so I must take my leave now."

Li Shuning departed with her entourage, leaving Gu Youran to breathe a sigh of relief. She was somewhat annoyed at her own show of weakness, but there was no choice. Luckily, Li Shuning hadn’t further insulted her and spoke kindly.

But in her heart, she secretly resolved that once she became Princess Consort, she would seek revenge on Li Shuning.

Today’s humiliation was something she couldn’t bear.

The little eunuch hiding in the shadows thought things hadn’t quite turned out as expected, but it seemed this future Princess Consort Yu was indeed easily manipulated.

Li Shuning returned to Yunfei Pavilion to change her clothes and eat a little, then headed towards the Purple Cloud Palace.

She knew there was still a grand show waiting for her.

Sure enough, halfway there, she saw someone up ahead strolling gracefully, laughing and talking, accompanied only by a little eunuch.

That little eunuch was the same one who had quietly left the Imperial Garden earlier.

Li Shuning quickly performed a half-squat salute towards Prince Yu.

"So it is Miss Shuning, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

By now, the smile had disappeared from Prince Yu’s face, replaced by a slightly embarrassed and worried look.

"Miss Shuning, I heard just now that Youran was causing you trouble? I’m truly sorry, Youran is quite spoiled at home and a bit willful."

Li Shuning quickly bowed her head and said, "Your Highness overstates it. Miss Gu is the daughter of Minister Gu’s household, and Shuning is just a Dancing Girl, unworthy of Your Highness’s apology."

Prince Yu hadn’t expected her to say such words herself before he had even steered the conversation that way. But this was good; she knew her place.

"Miss Shuning, do not belittle yourself. The Empress Dowager is so fond of you and genuinely likes you. His Majesty the Emperor is not young anymore and is about to be married. I imagine the Empress Dowager wants someone empathetic by his side."

"Although today you were bullied by other court members, one day, I imagine they will treat you with the utmost respect."

Li Shuning glanced at Prince Yu, then fell silent, saying nothing, though her eyes seemed to flicker with a certain brightness.

Prince Yu said no more, but merely smiled, "Miss Shuning, you’d better hurry to accompany the Empress Dowager. I won’t delay you further."

As they brushed past each other, Prince Yu seemed to catch a glimpse of a smile at the corner of Li Shuning’s mouth, indicating his plan had succeeded.

No one in the Imperial Palace could resist this kind of temptation.

He had said nothing explicit, but these words surely led Li Shuning to indulge in fantasies. In history, there had always been palace maids or Dancing Girls who rose through the ranks. Once they did, there was no longer any reason for court members to bully them. Not to mention, should they bear a child, the future would be exceedingly bright, and who knows who might end up in trouble then.

Initially, the plan was to have Gu Youran trample on Li Shuning’s dignity, but it turned out that woman was too foolish, overtaken by Li Shuning. Yet, looking at the results, it was satisfactory.

Li Shuning reached the Purple Cloud Palace, where she was then guided to the Great Hall.

The Empress Dowager had removed her makeup and was dressed casually, sitting there.

"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager."

"Ah, Xiao Ning is here. Come and sit beside me," the Empress Dowager smiled, waving Li Shuning over.

Li Shuning sat on a small round stool by the Empress Dowager’s knees, reached out, and gently massaged her legs.

All the palace maids in the hall silently withdrew; even the chief maid didn’t stay behind.

"My dear, I heard someone troubled you today?"

"Empress Dowager, who would dare spread rumors like this? With your favor, who would dare bully me? It was just a misunderstanding."

As the Empress Dowager looked at the unruffled Li Shuning, she secretly nodded in approval. Shuning was a good child. As she pondered, she realized she owed her too much; for even the daughter of the Minister of Rites dared to bully someone under her protection within the Imperial Palace. This was really disregarding her authority.

"What do you think of that girl from the Gu family? I used to think she was quite innocent and well-suited for Prince Yu, but now I see it’s not innocence but naivety."

Li Shuning, however, laughed and said, "Empress Dowager, I heard this engagement was personally sought by Prince Yu back in the day. It seems His Highness is very fond of Miss Gu. The main point is, with several years of engagement, if the Empress Dowager feels Miss Gu is unsuitable and annuls the marriage, it would be quite awkward for Miss Gu. After all, Mr. Gu is a pillar of the court."

The Empress Dowager had just been musing, but Li Shuning’s persuasion made her smile, "Our little Ning is indeed sensible, being bullied yet still speaking up for her. Fine then, if Prince Yu likes her, I won’t be the villain."

In the past, Prince Yu’s engagement with the daughter of the Minister of Rites was for a purpose. Now that the purpose had been achieved, he no longer desired a woman like Gu Youran, but she refuses to let him have his way. Now, her goal was to feign cooperation with Prince Yu, but also to find a chance to expose his true face as well as uncover why the Empress Dowager was so attentive to her.

Prince Yu’s words, she believed not a bit. The Empress Dowager’s kindness was not intended to place her beside the Emperor.

And in the narrative, Li Shuning did believe Prince Yu’s words.

Especially after being bullied and her dignity trampled by Gu Youran, when she came to the Empress Dowager’s Palace, naturally she didn’t speak kindly of Gu Youran.

Spurred on by Prince Yu, the Empress Dowager really did issue an edict annulling the marriage.

The Gu family had no recourse. If the monarch wished the minister dead, what could they do? Moreover, Gu Youran herself had poor conduct.

Yet even knowing the matter wasn’t entirely the Empress Dowager’s fault, Minister Gu harbored resentment in his heart.

Especially considering Prince Yu, in less than a month, found a new fiancée from another influential family, causing Minister Gu to be even more displeased.

Ultimately, Prince Yu gained an excellent ally, and the Empress Dowager shielded him from negative fallout. This time, the events couldn’t be allowed to play out the same way.