Empress Dowager Ashina felt a resemblance to Ashina Xue, and it wasn't just a filter of kinship reflecting her longing for her hometown.
In fact, Ashina Xue was not too far removed from Empress Dowager Ashina by blood.
My niece, Aunt Xiao, is perfectly normal.
In particular, Ashina Xue's brightly colored Turkic attire gave Empress Dowager Ashina an extremely familiar feeling.
More than twenty years ago, she married into the Great Zhou Dynasty, and she was about the same age and dressed the same way.
"Get up! You must be tired from the journey."
Empress Dowager Ashina got up and personally helped Ashina Xue to her feet.
"Auntie, don't be tired! It's you who are all alone, far from your hometown and family, that's what's hard for you!"
Ashina Xue raised her head, her eyes red, and her words were incredibly comforting.
Empress Dowager Ashina was already filled with longing, and hearing the caring words from her younger relatives in her hometown made her feel comforted.
It seems that my sacrifices over the past twenty years are still known to some people!
"By the way, have you seen your brother yet?"
Empress Dowager Ashina held Ashina Xue's hand, and the two, aunt and niece, knelt down together.
Ashina Xue was not quite used to it.
They were accustomed to high-legged furniture such as folding chairs on the grasslands.
Or sit cross-legged.
Kneeling?
I'm really not used to it.
Ashina Xue forced herself to remain calm and began to answer Empress Dowager Ashina's questions, "I've met him! My brother—"
Ashina Xue had some complaints when Ashina He was mentioned.
Don't misunderstand, she doesn't blame her brother, but she feels that Empress Dowager Ashina is unkind.
We're all family. Even if you can't let your brother return to the royal court, don't lock him up in jail.
As a result, the older brother was thrown into prison and stayed there for more than half a year.
A perfectly capable man who could lasso a horse was now as thin as a bamboo pole.
His skin was deathly pale; where was his former fierce and domineering appearance?
Ashina He's current predicament could be attributed not only to Helian Jue's inhumanity, but also to Empress Dowager Ashina.
She is Helian Jue's mother, and has been raised by him for over twenty years... Aren't people in the Great Zhou Dynasty supposed to be the most particular about etiquette and filial piety?
If Helian Jue had valued Empress Dowager Ashina even a little, he wouldn't have treated the Ashina family like this.
The Turks were a nomadic people who lived on horseback and traditionally believed in the survival of the fittest.
Admiring strength is human nature.
Looking down on the weak is also a habit of theirs.
In Ashina Xue's opinion, she, as a cheap aunt, was useless enough.
She was empress for over twenty years, and now she's even empress dowager, yet she can't even protect one of her own nephews!
Of course, Ashina Xue only dared to think these words in her heart.
Her slightly healthy-looking face was full of "admiration" and affection for Empress Dowager Ashina.
"Fortunately, my aunt took care of him, and my brother did not suffer."
“My brother is doing well, and he misses my aunt very much.”
“Originally, my brother wanted to go to the palace with me, but—” we can’t get in.
After a brief pause, Ashina Xue seemed to be looking for an excuse.
Then, with a hint of "understanding," she said, "When something important happens in the palace, everyone is busy. It's normal for the palace to be so secure."
Something big has happened?
Yes, something big is indeed going to happen in the palace.
Helian Jue is about to hold a coronation ceremony!
Xie Yuan will become the first empress to be established after the Great Zhou Dynasty unified the world.
She is destined to be recorded in history.
Not to mention, Helian Jue also bestowed upon her the highest honor—the investiture ceremony was held on New Year's Day, and she entered the main hall through the main gate!
Listen to how magnificent it is!
The Great Zhou Dynasty had already had three or four emperors, and including Ashina herself, no empress had ever enjoyed such an honor.
All the empresses knelt in the central palace to receive the imperial edict, and then completed the final investiture ceremony.
Xie Yuan, on the other hand, was able to stand in the imperial court!
The thought of Xie Yuan, a mere southern barbarian, enjoying such glory on New Year's Day made Empress Dowager Ashina clench her fists.
My fingertips pierced my palm, causing waves of pain.
"Yes! Something big is indeed going to happen in the palace!"
Empress Dowager Ashina gritted her teeth and revealed a cold smile.
Her original appearance was dignified and elegant; although she was older, she still exuded wealth and nobility.
But ever since Helian Jue ascended the throne and Xie Yuan entered the palace, one unpleasant thing after another has happened.
Empress Dowager Ashina's heart was twisted.
As the saying goes, "The face reflects the heart." With a twisted inner self, Empress Ashina's face showed a certain meanness and malice.
A cold laugh would only make her expression more terrifying.
As a young girl from a noble family, Ashina Xue should have been instinctively afraid when she first met someone who looked like an "old witch."
Even if the person is your relative.
However, Ashina Xue did not; a hint of expectation even flashed in her eyes.
Perhaps she understood the unspoken meaning behind Ashina's words.
Or perhaps, she was actually an insider of Empress Dowager Ashina's plan!
"The New Year is almost here, so let's stay in the capital for now."
Empress Dowager Ashina feigned politeness, saying, "It just so happens that you can keep me company! Alas, I have been away from the grasslands for more than 20 years, and it has been a long time since I have had any relatives from my hometown to celebrate the New Year with me!"
"Auntie, you've suffered so much! Don't worry, Xue will definitely stay with you!"
"That's good! I will speak to the Emperor. He is always filial and I'm sure he won't refuse my request!"
...
Helian Jue certainly wouldn't refuse.
It wasn't a big deal; it was just that Ashina Xue would come to the palace every now and then to chat with the Empress Dowager.
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