Hearing this, Rong Qingqing finally understood. It turned out that the old woman had suddenly decided to invite both her and Huayin today because she wanted to add people to the harem.
Her expression softened. "I think things are fine as they are now; it's quieter. If we brought some shady characters into the palace, it would be a complete mess."
Upon hearing this, Hua Yin clenched the handkerchief in her hand, glanced quickly at Rong Qingqing, and then lowered her eyes again.
She wasn't stupid; the "neither fish nor fowl" that Rong Qingqing was referring to was naturally her.
Her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
The Empress Dowager naturally knew who Rong Qingqing was alluding to, and her expression immediately turned ugly. Especially when she saw Hua Yin's aggrieved and sad look, she felt even more angry.
Does Rong Qingqing think that just because she's been empress for a few days, she can disregard her?
Her face darkened, and she simply said, "The harem is all about distributing favors equally. Before entering the palace, the Empress must have done her homework. Moreover, as the Empress, you should be magnanimous and tolerant. Your words are so sharp and mean, and you cannot tolerate others. It is unbecoming of an Empress. Fortunately, everyone here today is one of our own. Let it go this time, but please don't say such things again next time."
Upon hearing this, Madam Hua glanced at Rong Qingqing, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
When she was young, she had a good relationship with the unmarried Empress Dowager. Over the years, the Empress Dowager still cherished the old friendship and took good care of the Hua family. Moreover, the Empress Dowager liked Yinyin and intended to let her enter the palace. Now that she saw Yinyin's eyes were red, she naturally had to speak up to protect her.
Rong Qingqing was not alarmed by the Empress Dowager's stern words. Her expression remained calm, and a smile played on her lips as she calmly said, "So the Empress Dowager doesn't like to hear the truth. I've offended the Empress Dowager. Please forgive me."
What does it mean that the Empress Dowager doesn't like to hear the truth?
What is the truth?
Is Huayin neither fish nor fowl?
Madam Hua and Hua Yin's expressions changed instantly.
However, given Rong Qingqing's status as Empress, the two could not vent their anger on her, even if she had such intentions, she did not name names.
The Empress Dowager was speechless for a moment.
Rong Qingqing glanced around, seemingly unaware of the anger in their eyes, and said softly, "The Empress Dowager finds the harem not lively enough and wants to bring in new concubines. I cannot make that decision for the Emperor. The Empress Dowager need not speak to me directly; you may speak to the Emperor directly."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was so choked up that she could neither choke nor catch her breath.
How come she never noticed before that this brat was so quick-witted?
If the emperor were willing to listen to her, why would she waste her time saying these things to this lowly girl?
Seeing that she looked very unwell, Rong Qingqing was afraid that she might suddenly have a heart attack, so she said at the right time, "I am not feeling well, so I will take my leave now." With that, she stood up, bowed to the Empress Dowager, and prepared to leave.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager's expression darkened, and she coldly shouted, "Did I say you could leave?"
Rong Qingqing stopped and said helplessly, "Then what other instructions does the Empress Dowager have?"
The Empress Dowager had nothing else to say, but today, in front of the Hua family grandfather and granddaughter, Rong Qingqing had embarrassed her, and how could she swallow this insult?
Soon, she said in a calm tone, "The Empress's temperament is rather impetuous. Copying scriptures is the best way to cultivate a peaceful mind. Lin Mama, take the Empress to the Buddhist hall and have her kneel before the Bodhisattva and copy the Buddhist scriptures properly. This will not only bring blessings but also help to calm her impetuous nature."
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