"Why is the Empress Dowager making things difficult for me? I went to the north to investigate the disaster on behalf of His Majesty. Even if I didn't achieve anything, I still put in a lot of effort." Chu Jinjin said innocently.
Although the matter is obvious, the Emperor has not yet stated it explicitly.
Eunuch Zhao really wanted to say it out loud, but he smiled wryly and changed the subject: "In short, Miss Jinjin, remember what the Emperor said: the Empress Dowager is the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor is the Emperor."
Chu Jinjin didn't make things difficult for him.
It's meaningless.
Her mood suddenly improved, putting the Empress Dowager in a difficult position. "Great! I couldn't be happier!"
The Empress Dowager cannot wait too long.
Lady Liu was already dressed in her finest attire. One reason she was worried about Chu Jinjin when she went to the palace was that she wanted to broaden her horizons and see what the nobles were really like.
Chu Jinjin was both amused and exasperated: "I didn't know you were going to participate in the selection of imperial concubines."
Liu perfectly exemplifies what it means for someone with a simple mind to look young. Dressed like this, people who don't know them could easily mistake the two of them for sisters.
Liu proudly puffed out her chest and raised her head: "Your father said the same thing. I just didn't come from a good family. If I were an official's daughter, you might be called a princess now."
Eunuch Zhao: "..."
I really want to say, if you go to the harem looking like that, forget about getting pregnant, you probably won't even know how you died.
However, he suddenly understood why the emperor was so moved.
The imperial harem is like a giant theatrical troupe, where everyone is acting, including himself. Over time, he almost forgets what he was originally like.
This mother and daughter are so vibrant.
The Empress Dowager's residence was located on the westernmost side of the palace, next to the Imperial Garden. It was already quiet, like a retirement home. In addition, she was old and preferred quiet, and she did not allow the concubines to come and pay their respects, which made her seem even more gloomy.
But you usually don't feel it yourself.
The Empress Dowager's maiden name was Xia, and her story is quite legendary. She was originally a concubine who was not favored by the late emperor, and no one expected that she would be the one to end up in the end.
At this moment, the old nanny beside Empress Dowager Xia gently massaged her legs while whispering, "Empress Dowager, what you are doing may displease the Emperor."
She had served her master for decades, and the young woman, who had never married, was now old. Although nominally a master and servant, they were more like family, and could talk about almost anything.
"So what if he's unhappy? I've spoiled him too much these past few years. Such a big thing as establishing an empress, and I was the last to know. Does he even respect me as the Empress Dowager anymore?" Empress Dowager Xia smiled coldly, her cloudy old eyes turning fierce. "He thinks that once he becomes emperor, he's all set. I'm not dead yet."
The old nanny listened quietly, her massage pressure just right, and her words were perfectly timed. She sighed, "A son grows up and is no longer under his mother's control, Your Majesty. I think this time the Emperor is truly moved and truly determined."
Empress Dowager Xia wanted to laugh out loud, but her throat wouldn't allow it, and she choked on a mouthful of phlegm.
The old palace maids nearby were already prepared and immediately came up to serve him.
The old nanny said with a pained expression, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health."
Empress Dowager Xia waved her hand and gasped for breath: "Where is Chu Jinjin?"
"The messenger I sent has left. Judging by the time, he should be almost at the palace gate." The old maid paused, then smiled and said, "Before I could even tell the Empress Dowager, Chu Jinjin's birth mother has also arrived. Hehe, isn't it ridiculous? She hasn't even become Empress yet, and she's already a petty person who has achieved her goal."
She knew what to say to please the Empress Dowager.
Empress Dowager Xia laughed: "No matter how rich a merchant's concubine is, she can't shake off her petty nature."
Just as everyone thinks.
Being favored by the Emperor as Chu Jinjin is an unparalleled honor, and there is absolutely no reason for her to refuse.
As for Lady Liu, she couldn't wait to enter the palace to bask in its noble aura, but when she returned home, her status would be quite different.
Xia Tai smiled enigmatically: "Find a reason to make this mother and daughter kneel for an hour, but don't let the Emperor know."
The old nanny hesitated, then said, "But the Emperor will find out sooner or later, Empress Dowager. I've heard that Chu Jinjin is very filial. It's one thing to punish her, but if her birth mother is punished, and she goes to the Emperor to complain, then I'm afraid..."
"There's nothing to be afraid of. This time, neither my son nor I have a way out." Empress Dowager Xia glanced at her indifferently. "You're acting strangely today. Why are you always speaking up for the Emperor?"
The old nanny was so frightened that she knelt down on the ground with a thud: "Your Majesty, this old servant is doing this for your own good. In the past few years, the Emperor's attitude towards you has seemed respectful, but in reality, this old servant has seen it all. It seems more like he's putting on a show for others."
She gritted her teeth, her voice almost inaudible: "The Emperor now has his own power base; what if he really investigates back then..."
She didn't dare say anything more and buried her head in the ground.
That's all I can say.
At the same time, the carriage entered the palace gate.
When Lady Liu entered the palace for the first time, she was overwhelmed with what she saw; everything was new and exciting.
"Mother, you should go with Eunuch Zhao later and let him show you around." Chu Jinjin already had a preliminary plan. Her own mother would only cause trouble if she came along, so she asked Eunuch Zhao to arrange a day trip to the palace.
Just like Li Dahua last night, Lady Liu was extremely conflicted. In the end, she couldn't resist the temptation of the palace and said apologetically, "Then, then be careful. Don't be temperamental when you see the Empress Dowager. It's normal that she doesn't like us. Just listen to whatever she says."
Chu Jinjin nodded, lifted the curtain and gave Eunuch Zhao a few instructions when she saw the palace maid running towards her from afar.
Having entered the palace twice, he had gained some experience.
The palace maid who ran over was quite old, and judging from her clothes and demeanor, she was definitely not ordinary.
Eunuch Zhao politely cupped his hands and asked, "Aunt Wang, have you come to convey the Empress Dowager's imperial edict?"
"Indeed, the Empress Dowager was pleased to learn that Miss Chu's mother had also come." Aunt Wang glanced at Madam Liu, who was curiously peeking out, and curtsied. "You must be Madam Liu. The Empress Dowager is very happy to hear that you have also come and would like you to come over for a chat."
Lady Liu dared not agree directly.
Chu Jinjin really wanted to refuse.
However, even if Xiao Huai were here, he could not disobey the Empress Dowager's decree.
Eunuch Zhao was also helpless.
He wasn't worried about Chu Jinjin being in any danger. What a joke! They couldn't even capture her with an army of 30,000. He was afraid that Chu Jinjin would be unhappy.
Along the way, Liu tried to get closer to him and probe his intentions. Seeing that no one was around, she secretly slipped him a purse.
This is what the master taught her.
Use money to pave the way.
The rejection was quite decisive.
Aunt Wang said calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam Liu, but I have done nothing to deserve such a reward."
"You know you're a servant?" Chu Jinjin saw the disdain in her eyes. She didn't want to break off relations so soon, but her mother was always her bottom line. She didn't care about suffering a little grievance. "Your master has bestowed a reward upon you. You're lucky. Hurry up and kneel down to thank him."
Having become a champion of palace intrigue by following the Empress Dowager, even the Emperor had to treat her with utmost respect. Aunt Wang couldn't remember the last time anyone dared to speak to her like that, and she was so angry that she almost sneered: "This servant has only one master—the Empress Dowager."
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