Chapter 476 She did everything she could.
Chapter 476
Madam Yan has been feeling utterly exhausted lately. She has used every means to secure benefits for her daughter and plan for a better future, but in the end, her daughter is to be married off to a place outside the capital. She knows her daughter has flaws, but surely these minor quirks shouldn't warrant being sent away from the capital like an "exile"?
Therefore, she hated Grand Tutor Yan's indifference, hated Master Yan's ruthlessness, and even resented her own son Yan Fenghua's cold-bloodedness. But she was ultimately just a woman confined to her home; what could she change? Now, all she could do was try to prepare as much dowry as possible for her daughter, so that she would not lack money in the future and could live a more comfortable life.
But how could she not worry about her daughter's spoiled and willful nature?
Madam Yan sighed heavily, turned her head and took the nanny's hand, and said softly, "When Fengxi gets married, you should go with her. With you by her side to advise her, I can feel more at ease."
The old woman was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied, "Thank you for your trust, Madam! I will serve you wholeheartedly and will never let you down."
Even if she was unwilling, what could she do? As a servant, even if her master ordered her to die, she would still have to kneel down and thank him.
Madam Yan nodded, released her hand, and said, "I heard that your youngest son is intelligent. Let him work for Fenghua from now on."
The old woman's face instantly lit up with joy, and she knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly to express her gratitude: "Thank you for your guidance, Madam! Thank you for your kindness, Madam!"
Yan Fenghua is the recognized future heir of the Yan family. For these servants, having their son by their side is already the best future they can hope for.
Madam Yan reached out and helped her up, her eyes full of sincerity: "You've served me since you were little, and I remember your loyalty. Rest assured, you can go to the capital with Fengxi. I will definitely not mistreat your children."
The old woman kowtowed again to express her gratitude. Madam Yan sighed inwardly and gestured for the maid to continue applying her makeup. She had done all she could; whether Fengxi lived a good life from now on ultimately depended on herself.
After a while, Yan Fengxi came in wearing a dark blue dress. Madam Yan looked her over carefully and nodded in satisfaction: "This dress is very suitable, both dignified and understated."
She pulled Yan Fengxi to sit down beside her and earnestly instructed him: "When you enter the palace, remember to be careful with your words and actions, and be dignified and polite. If you can win the favor of any empress and receive a gift or two, that will greatly enhance your reputation in your husband's family in the future."
Yan Fengxi pursed her lips and nodded. How could she not understand her mother's good intentions? However, what her mother had painstakingly planned was never what she wanted.
Seeing that she was obedient and well-behaved, Madam Yan smiled and held her hand tightly, saying, "Mother knows you don't want to marry outside the capital, but neither of us can change the current situation. But don't worry too much, marrying outside the capital doesn't mean you'll never come back."
I've heard your future husband is a scholar. If he passes the imperial examination and becomes a Jinshi, he'll naturally be transferred back to the capital to serve as an official. Even if he only becomes a Juren, your mother and brother can still pull strings to get him a position in the capital, and then you can come back with him.”
Hearing these words, Yan Fengxi's heart wavered. If she were to do as Zhu Junning suggested and expose the affair between Jiang Yu and Prince Rui, her mother might be implicated. Her hands clenched tightly together, and for a moment she hesitated.
At this moment, Madam Yan's voice rang out again: "Prince Rui, you should stop thinking about it. He is a figure from the clouds, and you can't reach him at all."
These words pierced Yan Fengxi's heart like a needle, and her face instantly contorted with rage. Fortunately, she kept her head down, and Madam Yan remained oblivious. She could only hear her mother continuing her earnest advice:
“A man’s good looks don’t guarantee you a good life. Putting aside how noble Prince Rui’s status is, just considering the Emperor and Empress Dowager’s favor towards him, if you really marry him, and there’s even the slightest disagreement between you and him, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor might hold you accountable, or even take their anger out on our Yan family.”
Yan Fengxi gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her knuckles turning white, but she replied, "Mother, I understand."
Madam Yan, believing she had truly heeded her advice, smiled even more broadly, pulling her to her feet and leading her outside, repeatedly reminding her of the precautions to take after entering the palace. Yan Fengxi outwardly listened obediently, but inwardly she was calculating:
If she goes to the palace today, she might be able to see Prince Rui. Moreover, as long as she exposes the affair between Jiang Yu and Prince Rui, the Emperor and Empress Dowager will surely make Prince Rui marry immediately, and then she will have a chance, right? Thinking of the wonderful days when she can marry Prince Rui in the future, she couldn't help but secretly raise the corners of her lips.
When Madam Yan saw her like this, she thought that she had finally become sensible, and she felt much relieved.
Before long, the carriage arrived at the palace gate. The mother and daughter alighted and bumped into several other ladies and young ladies. Madam Yan and Yan Fengxi exchanged a few pleasantries before following the eunuchs into the palace.
Because they were summoned by the Empress, they followed two eunuchs to Kunning Palace. Upon entering the hall, they saw that in addition to the Empress, Consort De, Consort Xian, and Consort Shu were also present. The group quickly bowed to the Empress first, and then greeted the three consorts.
"Please sit down." The Empress raised her hand to indicate that she should sit down. Her gaze slowly swept over the ladies and young women in the hall. She smiled and said, "Since the Empress Dowager fell ill, we are very grateful to you for copying Buddhist scriptures every day to pray for her. The Emperor and I have kept this sentiment in our hearts. We have summoned you here today, firstly to thank you in person for your filial piety, and secondly to put your minds at ease and not worry too much about the Empress Dowager's health."
The ladies quickly rose and said, "We dare not." The Empress waved her hand and instructed the palace maids to distribute the prepared rewards to everyone. She then said, "The Empress Dowager is blessed with good fortune. With your blessings, she will surely recover gradually. In the future, if you have time, please come to the palace often to keep me company and have a chat. Let the Empress Dowager hear more lively things, which will also be good for her recovery."
The ladies all readily agreed, then one of them rose and suggested that she go to the Cining Palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress hesitated for a moment, then said gently:
"Your kindness will surely warm the Empress Dowager's heart. However, the Empress Dowager has been in poor health lately, and the imperial physicians have repeatedly advised her to rest quietly. She cannot withstand too many people disturbing her. If you really wish to visit, simply kowtow outside the Empress Dowager's bedchamber and offer your greetings. As long as your filial piety is shown, I will have someone report back to the Empress Dowager, and she will remember your kindness."
After speaking, the Empress, accompanied by Consort De, Consort Xian, Consort Shu, and all the ladies and young women, headed towards Cining Palace. Yan Fengxi walked among the crowd, her palms already sweating profusely, her heart filled with both anticipation and fear, her steps even a little unsteady.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, they arrived at Cining Palace. Several eunuchs and maids were already waiting at the palace gate. Upon seeing the Empress and her entourage arrive, they quickly stepped forward to pay their respects and then led the group inside. Yan Fengxi's hands were clenched tightly, but her ears were perked up, carefully listening to the conversation between the Empress and the head eunuch.
"Did the Empress Dowager take her medicine today?" the Empress asked softly.
"Your Majesty, I just drank it. It was Prince Rui who personally fed me," the eunuch replied respectfully.
"Is the Crown Prince also in the palace?"
"Yes, His Highness the Crown Prince has been serving the Empress Dowager these past two days. Just now, the Eldest Princess also came over and is currently in the hall talking with the Empress Dowager."
As they spoke, everyone followed the Empress to the outside of the Empress Dowager's palace. Following the Empress's instructions, all the ladies and young women knelt and kowtowed to pay their respects. Yan Fengxi also knelt down, but secretly raised her head, her gaze eagerly peering forward, hoping to catch a glimpse of the figure she longed for day and night.
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