Chapter 767 Jiang Fenghua's Worries

After Granny Wang led Granny Xi away, Hongxiu said, "Why is Your Majesty unwilling to let Granny Xi stay? Granny Xi did help us a lot in the past. Now that the Empress Dowager is ill, she always takes her anger out on Granny Xi because she knows that Granny Xi was disloyal to her."

"It's not that I'm ungrateful to her. My princes and princesses are still in Kunning Palace, and their safety is the most important thing. Granny Xi has always served the Empress Dowager, but suddenly she ran to my palace and became a steward. Everyone will only suspect that I bribed Granny Xi, or that Granny Xi is a spy I planted by the Empress Dowager's side, which is why the Empress Dowager is like this now."

Hongxiu was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "It was my oversight. I saw that Granny Xi looked a little unhappy when she went out, so I thought she was the same as Granny Wang."

“Wang Mama is not the same as her.” Jiang Fenghua also saw the fierce look in Xi Mama’s eyes. How could she dare to keep such a person by her side?

Jiang Fenghua didn't say anything more. "How did you handle your relationship with Cheng Feng? If you and he are in love, I will give you a dowry and marry you off to the Cheng family in a grand manner. His mother won't dare to say anything then."

A hint of indifference flashed in Hongxiu's eyes. "To be honest, Your Majesty, during the time I was outside the palace, Cheng Feng did come to see me often and mentioned many times that he wanted me to marry him. He also said that he was determined to marry me and that even if his mother disagreed, he would still insist on marrying me."

"He really likes you, doesn't he?"

Hongxiu added, "It's true that he likes her, but he cares more about his parents' opinions and views. A servant's status will always be that of a servant, and in the future, his family or he himself will inevitably bring up her status as a servant."

Hongxiu smiled bitterly, "I know that Mother Cheng looks down on me because I am a maid. Although Cheng Feng's family is also a servant of the Cheng clan, they are still servants of the Cheng clan and are not much more noble."

Mother Cheng also said that being a servant to the emperor is incomparable to being a servant in an ordinary household. In short, their family won't go against Cheng Feng's wishes, nor will they genuinely want me as their daughter-in-law. So why should I cause them trouble? I've already made things clear with Cheng Feng, Your Majesty, please rest assured.”

Jiang Fenghua hugged Hongxiu tightly and comforted her, "You've been wronged."

Hongxiu smiled and said, "I don't feel wronged. I've thought it through. I will never marry and will stay with Your Highness for the rest of my life."

"Who said you wouldn't get married? From now on, I will personally find a husband for you. You are no longer allowed to call yourself a servant. You are now my lady-in-waiting, and everyone must respectfully address you as Lady-in-waiting. Wasn't Cheng Feng only called a lady-in-waiting because the Emperor appointed him as the head of the Imperial Household Department?"

"Neither you nor Lianye are allowed to underestimate yourselves. In the Jiang family, you are daughters of the Jiang family!"

Hongxiu's eyes reddened upon hearing these words, "Your Majesty, this servant..."

"Just say 'I am a lady-in-waiting,' and stop referring to yourself as a slave."

Hongxiu was moved by her words, "In front of Her Majesty the Empress, Hongxiu dares not refer to herself as this lady-in-waiting."

Lin Yu and Ao Xue stood quietly to the side. Lin Yu said, "Our beautiful Hongxiu will definitely have a glorious marriage in the future. No matter how good Cheng Feng is, he has such a family. You won't be happy if you marry him. It's better to end it sooner and find someone who loves you wholeheartedly."

Jiang Fenghua wasn't thinking about Xie Shang right now. Since there were some things he didn't want her to know, she didn't want to delve into them either. He would find out when he came back.

"Now that the Jiang family is out of danger and Jin Ji has been rescued, it's time to start planning your weddings." Jiang Fenghua continued, "I heard that Guo Xiao's parents also disagree with you being with Guo Xiao. Ayu, what are your plans now?"

“Of course I’ll marry Guo Xiao. I’m different from Hongxiu. Guo Xiao doesn’t listen to his mother, otherwise he would have married the girl his mother arranged for him long ago.” Lin Yu smiled. “His mother can’t do anything about me.”

Jiang Fenghua felt confused again and deliberately asked, "What's so good about Guo Xiao that made you decide to marry him?"

"Perhaps it was his sincerity that moved me," Lin Yu said calmly. "After considering all my options, Guo Xiao was the only one who truly caught my eye!"

Aoxue saw that her younger sister was living a very happy life. Even if she might not truly love Guo Xiao, Guo Xiao really loved her very much. Aoxue had also met Guo Xiao; he was a bit silly, but quite handsome.

On this day, Jiang Fenghua sent someone to the Guo residence to invite Madam Guo to the palace.

Madam Guo was only forty years old, but her son was about to turn twenty-five and should have been married and had children long ago. She didn't know why the Empress suddenly wanted to see her.

Jiang Fenghua sat gracefully in the main seat, a smile playing on her lips. "Madam Guo, please have some tea. This is this year's new tea; it leaves a lingering fragrance and an unforgettable aftertaste."

Lady Guo was very reserved. "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty the Empress."

Madam Guo was a very straightforward person. After taking a sip of tea, she asked, "I wonder why Your Majesty has summoned me to the palace?"

"I would like to invite Lady Guo to take a tour of the palace. Would you be willing to accompany me?"

Madam Guo was stunned, and quickly said, "Of course I am willing, but I still don't understand."

Jiang Fenghua knew from her reply that Lin Yu must not have said that she knew the Empress.

"Please come, Madam Guo. Spring has arrived, and the outside world is full of springtime beauty," Jiang Fenghua said again.

When Jiang Fenghua brought Madam Guo to the training ground, she saw that all eighteen kinds of weapons were neatly arranged in several frames, and a group of children were surrounding several female guards dressed in tight-fitting clothes, clamoring for them to teach them boxing and martial arts.

When Madam Guo saw the scene on the field, her eyes lit up. She said to herself, "My husband is the Vice Minister of War. He usually likes to practice martial arts. Our house is full of all kinds of weapons. He practices every morning and evening. Sometimes I accompany my husband to practice martial arts, and he teaches me a few punches."

Madam Guo stopped halfway through her sentence, a look of worry creeping onto her face.

Jiang Fenghua asked gently, "Is something troubling you, Madam?"

"To be honest, Your Majesty, I have a son. Before, he was a notorious playboy in Shengjing City, always idling around and not learning anything good. He didn't learn a thing or two from his father." When Madam Guo spoke of her son, a hint of pride flashed in her eyes. "Now, he has suddenly come to his senses and secretly went to join the army. He even received praise from the Emperor and was promoted to captain. His father and I are overjoyed."

"Congratulations, Madam Guo, on the birth of a fine son," Jiang Fenghua said.

Madam Guo sighed, "But my son is very opinionated and doesn't listen to us. Now he's getting married, but we're not very satisfied with the girl."

"Oh! Madam Guo, may I ask what you find unsatisfactory?" Jiang Fenghua continued, "To be honest, I also have several younger sisters of marriageable age in my family! Knowing that Minister Guo's son is talented in both literature and martial arts, I would like to arrange a marriage between them!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Guo quickly waved her hand, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. My son is stubborn. Once he sets his mind on a girl, he must marry her. Even if a knife is held to his throat, he will never give up."