Empress Dowager Xiao was indeed unwilling to get involved in those messy affairs.
However, this does not mean that she will "swallow her anger".
What a joke! She is the Empress Dowager of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
As long as she doesn't do anything stupid, no one can make her suffer.
This includes the supreme couple, Helian Jue and Xie Yuan.
Of course, the Emperor and Empress would not provoke Empress Dowager Xiao, not because they dared not, but because there was no need.
They're all smart people; they all know the best way to get along.
How beautiful and harmonious are the scenes of loving mothers and filial sons, and harmonious mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law?
Empress Xiao was intelligent herself and could not stand fools.
Especially foolish women like the Princess Consort of Yan, who think they're clever and self-righteous.
"Mother? What...what do you mean by this?"
Princess Yan was completely startled, utterly unaware that Empress Dowager Xiao, who had been perfectly fine just moments before, had suddenly changed her expression.
And what did she mean by that sentence?
What does "give the cat a different mother" mean?
A mother is a mother; that's something you're born with. How can you easily change her?
Empress Dowager Xiao looked coldly at the Princess Consort of Yan, "I thought you were a smart person, but I never expected you to be so stupid!"
"What are you trying to achieve by forcing a two-year-old to memorize a text?"
"Hmph, do you really think you're the only smart one in the world, and everyone else is a fool?"
The princes born to the Emperor and Empress haven't even had a chance to boast about their "innate intelligence" yet, and you, the heir of a Prince's mansion, are already showing off.
The raccoon is so small, it definitely doesn't understand anything.
His every word and action reflects the thoughts of adults.
And the Princess Consort of Yan—
This woman's ambition is written all over her face. Does she really think everyone else is blind?
Empress Dowager Xiao was already very dissatisfied with the matter of Princess Yan demanding a divorce before the Lunar New Year.
However, seeing that the Wei family was sensible enough to send their daughter back and even advised the Princess of Yan to live a good life, Empress Dowager Xiao did not make a scene.
Between her son and herself, Empress Dowager Xiao did indeed value the latter more.
However, this does not mean that she does not love her son or care about him.
Helian Jing is not the same as Helian Jue.
Helian Jing was raised by her personally.
Even if Empress Xiao had a heart of stone, she still had some tenderness towards her own son whom she had raised for more than ten years.
Helian Jing lost to Helian Jue because he was less skilled and deserved to admit defeat.
What is W.K.?
How dare they look down on Xiao's son?
If it weren't for not wanting the Third Prince to "steal the limelight," Empress Dowager Xiao would have divorced Lady Wei last year.
However, it's not too late!
Empress Xiao herself was a woman, and it was by using her identity as a woman that she achieved a comeback and avenged her great grudge from years ago.
Therefore, she was well aware of the immense power a woman could wield.
In particular, Wei is both ruthless and stupid; he can accomplish nothing, but he's sure to cause trouble.
Empress Dowager Xiao no longer had high expectations for Helian Jing; she only hoped that he and his children could live a life of wealth and peace.
Do not covet what does not belong to you, and do not entertain unwarranted desires!
Otherwise, they will be met with endless hell.
Empress Dowager Xiao did not want her own flesh and blood to fall into such a situation.
Empress Xiao was a woman who had been navigating the treacherous waters of the imperial harem for many years, and she rose from the lowest level of female slaves to become Empress Dowager through trials and tribulations.
Such a champion of palace intrigue, her shrewdness and imposing presence, once fully unleashed, would be far beyond what a pampered noblewoman like the Princess Consort of Yan could withstand.
Princess Yan was terrified and immediately kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! I dare not! I am innocent!"
In her fear, Princess Yan dared not address Empress Dowager Xiao as "Mother" nor dared to refer to herself as her daughter-in-law.
Faced with the overwhelming presence of Empress Dowager Xiao, Princess Yan finally realized:
Empress Dowager Xiao and she were not just ordinary mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, but "ruler and subject".
If an ordinary mother-in-law is unhappy, she will at most beat or scold her, or force her son to divorce his wife.
But if the Empress Dowager were to fly into a rage, she could take her daughter-in-law's life with just a word.
It might even implicate the entire family.
"Innocent? Even now, you still dare to argue?"
Seeing that even though the Princess Consort of Yan was filled with fear, she still tried to argue, Empress Dowager Xiao became even more ruthless.
The Princess Consort of Yan, who was prostrate on the ground, felt a sharp killing intent, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
I'm scared!
She's really scared!
"Your Majesty, please forgive me! I know I was wrong! Please, Your Majesty, forgive me for the sake of my cat."
In desperation, the Princess Consort of Yan had no choice but to bring out her son to plead for mercy.
The King of Yan could indeed change his wives, but for a child, there is only one biological mother.
Empress Dowager Xiao stared intently at the Princess Consort of Yan.
Princess Yan lowered her head, unable to see Empress Dowager Xiao's fierce gaze, but she could still feel the two intense gazes burning her.
She swayed precariously, her heart pounding with fear, lest she hear Empress Dowager Xiao pronounce her death sentence at any moment!
Empress Dowager Xiao: ...Not bad, you know fear, there's still hope!
The most terrifying thing is a fool who has no sense of awe and no scruples.
Yes, the cat is still young and needs its biological mother.
Furthermore, the Third Prince has become a cripple, so if he were to remarry, it would be difficult for him to find a woman of suitable social standing!
"...How dare you mention Tanuki?"
Empress Dowager Xiao continued to curse, but her tone had softened.
"How old is he? Why are you pressuring him?"
Empress Dowager Xiao continued to berate her, but Princess Yan slowly began to see hope: as long as her mother-in-law was still willing to scold her, it meant that she could still be saved.
What she feared most was that the Empress Dowager would ignore her and simply kick her out of the Prince of Yan's residence.
"Yes! Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is right! It's all my fault! I will definitely take good care of the cat from now on!"
Knowing Empress Dowager Xiao's bottom line and that her son was her protector, Princess Yan truly dared not force Lin Nu any further.
At least not in the next few years, and it won't go too far.
Seeing that the Princess Consort of Yan was frightened, Empress Dowager Xiao's mood improved somewhat.
However, she still dared not let her guard down.
Empress Dowager Xiao had seen many women like Lady Wei, and she knew their tendency to forget past mistakes.
Besides Lady Wei, there is also the Third Prince, who also needs to be properly guided.
The Prince of Yan's residence needs a reliable person to oversee it.
"Someone, go and investigate what Granny Bai has been doing since she left the palace."
Empress Xiao had cultivated her influence in the inner palace for many years, keeping a low profile and being patient. Her network of connections was in no way inferior to that of Empress Ashina.
Even after Xie Yuan's "major purge," there were still some reliable people.
"Yes!" an inconspicuous eunuch replied and left.
Two days later, Empress Dowager Xiao received a detailed reply—
"After leaving the palace, Granny Bai used the Empress Dowager's reward and her savings to buy a small estate in the suburbs. She also adopted several abandoned babies and took in about a dozen divorced women."
"Farming and mulberry planting, raising silkworms and weaving cloth, life was quite peaceful."
"In addition, there is another matter. The Empress's most trusted physician, Physician Feng, seems to have a past relationship with Granny Bai. He has visited her several times, but Granny Bai has always turned him away..."
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