After a moment's thought, Jiang Luoluo calmly said, "Your Majesty, it is not easy for a woman to live in this world, let alone me, who is just an orphan with no parents and only an elder brother who is not in the capital for most of the year."
In many matters, I have no control over my own life, and my marriage is even more beyond my control.
Her tone was calm, but then she changed the subject, lowering her eyes slightly, as if with a hint of helplessness and caution: "Otherwise, why would I bother to inquire about the Empress Dowager's preferences in private?"
I was merely hoping that if I could receive some protection from the Empress Dowager, perhaps my life would be a little easier, which would be a blessing for me.
Her words were soft and tinged with self-deprecation, portraying her situation as both helpless and harmless.
She was both compliant and subtly wise, seemingly without any intention of competing with others; she was simply a young woman in adversity who still tried her best to protect herself.
Empress Dowager Du felt as if she had punched cotton. She had thought that by angering Jiang Luoluo, she could find fault with her and punish her.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Luoluo spoke of her flattery in a frank and open manner, leaving Empress Dowager Du unable to find a reason to refute her.
Empress Dowager Du frowned, her tone tinged with embarrassment, "You're quite adept at currying favor, but don't think that I'll let you off easily just because of that."
Jiang Luoluo stood obediently to the side, still responding gently and respectfully: "If I could be protected by the Empress Dowager, I would be eternally grateful and would follow the Empress Dowager's lead in everything from now on."
Empress Dowager Du gave a cold laugh, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes, and raised an eyebrow as she rebuked, "Insolence! I have no need for a daughter-in-law like you who is like a weather vane."
His words were sharp and his aura imposing, but Jiang Luoluo remained with her head down and a smile.
Jiang Luoluo remained calm and composed, saying, "Your Majesty, you know best what kind of person Prince Yi is."
He only took a liking to me because I am the daughter of General Jiang Chengfeng, a fact I'm sure you understand.
"Slap!" Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Du slammed her hand on the carved wooden table beside her. The teacup trembled slightly, and the crisp sound echoed in the hall.
Her gaze was like a knife as she sternly rebuked, "Jiang Luoluo! Who gave you the audacity to spout nonsense in front of me?"
The hall fell into a deathly silence. The maids and eunuchs all lowered their heads and held their breath, fearing that they might get into trouble. Some of the more timid maids clenched their fists tightly.
Jiang Luoluo, however, remained calm and showed no fear, as if she had not been intimidated by Empress Dowager Du's majesty.
Jiang Luoluo lowered her eyes and gave a slight curtsy, her tone respectful yet firm: "I urge Your Majesty to reconsider. I am the most suitable candidate now."
Empress Dowager Du narrowed her eyes upon hearing this, and the rumors about Jiang Luoluo involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
Especially the time at the celebration banquet when she publicly framed the letter of annulment into a screen and gave it to Gu Boyuan.
"Tiger-like," Empress Dowager Du wanted to give these four words to Jiang Luoluo.
She is straightforward and doesn't beat around the bush. It would be a lie to say she has no scheming, but she's not particularly cunning either.
What surprised Empress Dowager Du the most was that Jiang Luoluo actually dared to treat her as a pawn with a price tag, putting her on the table to bargain.
However, Jiang Luoluo's statement made Empress Dowager Du feel slightly relieved.
Such people are actually easier to manipulate.
Because she has something to ask for, and those who have something to ask for will inevitably offer up their resources.
Empress Dowager Du sneered, "Jiang Luoluo, you are quite a clever person who knows how to seize the moment."
Jiang Luoluo lowered her eyes and sighed softly, a helpless bitter smile appearing on her lips: "Your Majesty, I really have no other choice but to protect myself now."
Empress Dowager Du was pleased with these words, but she showed no sign of it. She simply smiled coldly and said in a neutral tone, "You'd better remember what you said today."
"If you dare to deceive me in the slightest, I will surely make sure you are beheaded, wishing you were never born, never to die."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Luoluo knew that her goal for the day had been achieved. She knelt down and respectfully said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. If Your Majesty has any instructions, I will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life."
Empress Dowager Du narrowed her eyes slightly and snorted coldly: "In a few days, I plan to go to Yuanhua Temple to offer incense, and you will accompany me. At that time, I need to be fully aware of Prince Yi's recent movements."
Jiang Luoluo immediately showed a look of joy and respectfully replied, "This subject will certainly not fail the Empress Dowager's expectations!"
As they were talking, a eunuch suddenly rushed in and announced loudly, "Your Majesty, Prince Yi has arrived and is waiting outside."
Empress Dowager Du snorted coldly: "They've moved quite quickly. Did they think I would eat them alive?"
She then gave Jiang Luoluo a cold look and ordered, "I have nothing more to say. You may leave now. Remember what happened at Yuanhua Temple."
Jiang Luoluo's heart skipped a beat; she hadn't expected Xie Yizhi to come directly to Cining Palace.
Was he worried that she would be mistreated by the Empress Dowager, so he came to pick her up?
"Then I shall take my leave!" Jiang Luoluo said softly, and then walked out of Cining Palace accompanied by Rong Mama.
When Rong Momo saw that Xie Yizhi had arrived, she respectfully said, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager said that she is feeling a little tired and does not need to pay her respects today."
Seeing that Jiang Luoluo was safe and sound, Xie Yizhi's worries lessened considerably.
He strode forward and called softly, "Lolo?"
Jiang Luoluo smiled sweetly and replied, "Your Highness!"
The two walked side by side, leaving the Cining Palace and heading towards the main gate of the palace.
Although we didn't talk much along the way, the atmosphere was naturally smooth.
After Jiang Luoluo boarded the carriage, Xie Yizhi rode his tall horse and followed slowly beside it.
Jiang Luoluo lifted the carriage curtain, poked her head out, and said with a smile, "Your Highness, I'm hungry."
Xie Yizhi smiled gently and said in a deep voice, "Okay, what does Luo Luo want to eat? It's on me today."
Jiang Luoluo smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes, "Then I'll have to take advantage of Your Highness this time."
Xie Yizhi's smile grew even gentler, his tone tinged with doting affection, "Okay!"
The carriage gently rolled over the bluestone slabs and slowly drove towards Zuiyue Tower.
After a stick of incense had burned, the two were already seated in a private room on the second floor of Zuiyue Tower.
Xie Yizhi picked up a piece of Dongpo pork and put it in Jiang Luoluo's bowl, teasingly saying, "Luoluo is too thin, she should eat more meat."
Jiang Luoluo took a bite of the Dongpo pork, a slightly defiant smile on her lips, "Where am I thin? Have you even seen me? How can you say I'm thin?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Luoluo realized that she had misspoke, and she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
Her face flushed slightly, and she felt extremely annoyed.
However, Xie Yizhi rarely showed such a happy smile.
She even chuckled softly, "That depends on Luo Luo's willingness to let me see it!"
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