Chapter 135 The Divorced Heiress of a Noble Family—Anger

Yao Yao's appearance not only attracted the attention of the audience but also of some people on stage.

Now, Yaoyao is top-notch in both appearance and looks. Coupled with her age advantage, her appearance immediately aroused the fear of the concubines on stage.

Others might not recognize Yaoyao, but the Empress did.

When the Empress turned her gaze to the audience, she was immediately drawn to Su Yaoyao's appearance.

She initially thought it was another official's daughter brought into the palace to try and attract the emperor's or her attention, but it wasn't until she saw the person next to the woman that the empress recognized Su Yaoyao.

The shock flashed across the Empress's eyes for a moment, then she quickly looked away, not taking Su Yaoyao to heart.

She was just a woman with some beauty. Everyone in the capital knew that she had been divorced because of her wickedness, and her reputation was ruined. She couldn't cause any trouble.

However, the Empress did not expect that she would have the audacity to step out of her house; she really had a thick skin.

The Empress chuckled inwardly, and when no one was looking, she gave a mocking smile.

The envoys and nobles below the stage presented gifts one after another.

After this round of gifts, it will be the turn of the various marquisates and high-ranking civil and military officials to present their gifts.

The Marquis of Weiwu's mansion is now the most prestigious in the capital. Not only is the Marquis of Weiwu himself capable of doing no less than other marquises, but his heir has also achieved outstanding military exploits. The heir's wife also comes from a distinguished family background: her father is the emperor's brother-in-law, and her aunt is the empress. The whole family are formidable figures.

Among the prominent families in Beijing today, there are very few who can rival it.

The first to present a gift was Marquis Weiwu, who presented a longevity-offering child carved from the finest jade. It was small in size but lifelike in appearance, making it instantly appealing.

The Empress Dowager was very pleased and praised, "Marquis Weiwu is very thoughtful."

Upon hearing this, Marquis Weiwu knew that the gift was appropriate, and he quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!"

The Empress looked at the Empress Dowager, and the two exchanged a glance. The Empress then added her praise:

"The birthday gift prepared by the Marquis's mother must have taken a long time to prepare, right?"

Marquis Weiwu continued to bow and say, “Your Majesty, the time is still available. I am honored that Your Majesty is satisfied.”

The Empress smiled and said, "You are very kind, Marquis."

Marquis Weiwu: "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."

After he finished speaking, no one in the hall spoke again, and the atmosphere became slightly tense.

Emperor Xiao Heng leaned lazily against the dragon throne, holding a wine cup in his left hand and sipping it, seemingly uninterested in what was in front of him.

Marquis Weiwu only bowed and took his leave when the eunuch in charge of the process called for the next official to present the offering.

After several others, it was Su Huan's turn to present a gift. He presented a birthday greeting written by Master Puyun, which was a treasured item from the Su family collection.

Before the Empress Dowager could speak, the Emperor expressed his satisfaction.

Xiao Heng said jokingly, "Minister Su, I'm a little jealous. Why didn't you send this gift as my birthday present last year?"

Su Huan hurriedly bowed and apologized: "Your Majesty, I did not mean to, it was...it was..."

Su Huan was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead.

The Empress Dowager scolded, "His Majesty loves calligraphy the most. Why don't I borrow this gift from Marquis Cheng'en and present it to you instead?"

The Emperor laughed: "Your Majesty, you flatter me. How could I possibly take away someone's favorite thing? I was just joking with Minister Su."

The Empress then brought up Su Huan, whom the mother and son had forgotten:

"What were you thinking just now, Lord Su? Didn't you prepare this birthday gift?"

Su Huan secretly wiped his forehead with his hand, closed his eyes tightly, then quickly opened them again, and replied calmly:

"Your Majesty, this birthday gift was indeed not prepared by me. It was originally left by my mother for my daughter. When I was at home talking about the Empress Dowager's birthday and thinking about what gift to prepare, my daughter immediately thought of this gift. She said she wanted to give it to the Empress Dowager and that you would definitely like it!"

"Oh? Which unmarried daughter is Your Excellency referring to? With such filial piety, who can share Your Excellency's burdens, why not bring her here?"

After hearing Su Huan's words, the Empress continued to press for answers, glancing at Yao Yao with interest in her eyes.

Yao Yao sensed the hidden meaning in the Empress's words, but she maintained her calm demeanor. In this world where imperial power was concentrated, she was not allowed to step forward and refute her.

She didn't even have the right to look directly upwards!

Su Huan replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your Majesty, I am referring to none other than my eldest daughter, Su Yaoyao."

The Empress's eyes widened in surprise: "..."

When the Empress Dowager heard that it belonged to Su Yaoyao, her eyes were filled with disgust.

"How dare you, Su Huan! You actually present the belongings of a woman who has been divorced by her husband to the Empress Dowager! What is your punishment?"

Liu Zhaoyuan directly rebuked her.

Su Huan immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, I have no intention of offending the Empress Dowager. Whether my daughter marries someone else or not, she is still my daughter! Although my daughter has met the wrong person, she has always been an honest person! Her character is not despicable in any way!"

Yaoyao was angered by the unknown imperial concubine. She was so angry that she wanted to get up and argue with her, but her mother pulled her back.

Su's mother gestured to her daughter with her eyes, telling her not to act impulsively, assuring her that her father would support her.

Xiao Heng frowned, his voice authoritative despite his lack of anger: "Guards, take Consort Liu away and lock her up in confinement. Let her learn the rules of the palace. She's ignorant and disrespectful! What kind of behavior is this!"

"yes!"

"Your Majesty, I was wrong, I..."

Consort Liu regretted her actions and begged the Emperor for mercy, but was frightened by Xiao Heng's fierce gaze.

She was completely silenced.

Yao Yao smiled secretly, glancing furtively at the stage where the Empress and Empress Dowager looked displeased.

Yao Yao really liked the Emperor's approach; for someone who couldn't speak properly, the best course of action was confinement!

The Empress Dowager's face darkened further. Seeing the Empress Dowager's displeasure and then the Emperor's anger, the Empress had no choice but to apologize.

“Your Majesty, Consort Liu’s words are nonsense. It is because I have not disciplined her properly. I will definitely strengthen the management of the harem in the future.”

The Emperor simply gave a faint "hmm," looked down at the prayer beads in his hand, and didn't say another word.

The pace of the gifts being presented quickened considerably, and the people on the stage did not look too pleased. Those below were naturally more perceptive, afraid of provoking the wrath of those in power.