Chapter 111 Past Events
The closeness or distance of these relationships can be revealed in a single sentence. When it came to the affairs of the Duke of Chu's mansion, the Empress Dowager's first thought was to explain and exonerate the deceased Duchess of Chu.
Did the Lady of Anyuan resent the Lady of Chu for the matter of the child swap? She did resent her to some extent, but the Lady of Chu had passed away many years ago, and the Lady of Anyuan already knew that she was a soft-hearted person who only liked poetry and songs.
One of the reasons she was willing to marry her daughter to Jiang Chengye was that the Duchess of Chu had a good temperament, and her daughter wouldn't suffer from her mother-in-law's temper. However, she never expected that while her daughter wouldn't suffer from her mother-in-law's temper, she would suffer a great calamity with Jiang Chengye.
"I have been related to the Duchess of Chu by marriage for many years, so I know her personality well." The Lady of Anyuan Marquis naturally chose to say the good things: "Back then, I would tell everyone that my daughter had married well, and her mother-in-law treated her like her own daughter."
The Empress Dowager's face showed nostalgia. "She was such a kind-hearted person. Back then, I was bullied by my stepmother and couldn't live there. I lived in the Tang family for several years. Once, my stepmother insisted on taking me back. Jingrong stood in front of me and fought with my stepmother. You know she's a coward, but she fought for me."
Lady Anyuan knew that the Empress Dowager and the Duchess of Chu were close friends, but she hadn't expected them to have such a deep bond. No wonder the Duke of Chu had helped the current Emperor back then, and no wonder the Emperor and Empress Dowager treated the Duke of Chu's family with special affection.
She thought about many things, but she didn't forget the purpose of her visit. She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "We are all mothers. My daughter knew that her child was switched at birth and then fainted. She didn't recover for several days afterward."
The Empress Dowager asked with concern, "How is it now?"
Lady Anyuan smiled and said, "Now it's all right, and I seem even more resilient than before, all because of Zhu'er."
The Empress Dowager paused for a moment before realizing that the "Zhu'er" she was referring to was Jiang Yu. Then she heard the Lady of Anyuan Marquis say, "Zhu'er is a smart and resilient child. With her by my side to persuade and help, my daughter was able to get through this, and the Duke of Chu's mansion has also recovered."
The Empress Dowager had a very good impression of Jiang Yu when they were in the Imperial Study last time, and said with a smile, "That child is indeed a good one."
Lady Anyuan nodded, then let out a long sigh, "That child was also unfortunate. She was abducted at the age of three and later married such a husband."
"That child is intelligent and magnanimous; good days are ahead for her," the Empress Dowager said. "You don't need to worry about her marriage either. If someone catches your eye, just tell me, and I will bestow a marriage upon her."
Upon hearing this, Lady Anyuan involuntarily clenched her fists. Then she rose and knelt before the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your Majesty, I have come today to ask for your help."
When the Empress Dowager received the summons for her to enter the palace, she knew that she had something to say, so she was not surprised and sat there waiting for her to speak.
As for what to say, Lady Anyuan had already thought it through yesterday. She said, "Your Majesty, you know the situation of the Duke of Chu's mansion. My daughter's husband is an incompetent man. The child who was switched was also poisoned. Now the poison has entered the internal organs and cannot be cured. The Duke of Chu's great-grandson is only three years old. The Duke of Chu's mansion has no successor."
The Empress Dowager did not expect that she would talk about the Duke of Chu's mansion again, but her expression did not change. She simply gestured to the Lady of Anyuan Marquis to continue.
"The Duke of Chu is plagued by illness and worries about his successor every day." Lady Anyuan added, "Fortunately, Jiang Yu has returned. That boy is as clever and decisive as any man. With his help, the Duke of Chu is much more relaxed and his health is better than before."
The Empress Dowager nodded; she had witnessed Jiang Yu's wit and decisiveness firsthand.
Lady Anyuan continued, "The Duke of Chu wants to recommend Jiang Yu for a government position, and hopes that the Empress Dowager can speak on behalf of the child to the Emperor."
Lady Anyuan kowtowed with both hands on the ground. The Empress Dowager remained silent for a long time. Then, seeing Lady Anyuan's full head of silver hair, she sighed, got up, and helped her up. "I'm sorry to have troubled you. It's all for the sake of the children."
Lady Anyuan smiled wryly, "When you get old, all you want to do is see your descendants live well."
The Empress Dowager nodded, "I understand. You may return now."
Not receiving a definite answer from the Empress Dowager, Lady Anyuan was somewhat disappointed, but her face showed gratitude. She bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager and then left.
The Empress Dowager was helped back to her couch by the head maid. She stared blankly at the flowers outside the window. After a while, she said, "In my life, my birth mother died early, my father was unkind, and my stepmother treated me like a thorn in my flesh. There were very few people who were truly good to me in my life, and Jingrong was the best one. It's just that good people have short lives, and she left before I could repay her."
This was the most regrettable thing in the Empress Dowager's life.
The head maid handed the Empress Dowager a handkerchief and said softly, "The Duchess of Chu knows that you are doing well now, and she is happy even in the afterlife."
The Empress Dowager wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, pondered for a while, and said, "Have the Emperor come to my residence."
"Yes." The head maid left and headed towards the Imperial Study. The Emperor knew what the Empress Dowager wanted to say to him as soon as he saw her. But he still got up and went to the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace.
When the Empress Dowager saw him, she got straight to the point: "Did the Duke of Chu submit a memorial?"
The emperor nodded, "I recommend his granddaughter, Jiang Yu, to serve as an official in the court."
The mother and son had come through hardships together, so their bond was naturally strong, and they spoke frankly and without reservation.
The Empress Dowager said, "The Lady of Anyuan Marquis just left, and she was also talking to me about this matter."
"Mother..."
The Empress Dowager interrupted him, saying, "I haven't told you about my relationship with Jingrong before, but I'll tell you today. My mother and Jingrong's mother were distant cousins, separated by three or four generations. When I was eight years old, my stepmother was about to push me off a cliff behind the temple. Jingrong happened to see it. She was also eight years old at the time, and she was timid, but she still pushed my stepmother away and saved me."
Later, my aunt recognized me and took me to the Tang family, raising me as their own young lady. I lived with Jingrong, who was kind-hearted and generous to everyone. If it weren't for her, I might have developed a treacherous and ruthless nature.
Later, for the sake of my future and to escape that family, I entered the palace for the imperial concubine selection. I wasn't favored; after you were born, the late emperor showed me some appreciation, but I made even more enemies. Do you remember when you were three years old, when my daughter and I were confined to our quarters?
The Emperor nodded, and the Empress Dowager continued, "Back then, I was framed by Consort De and confined to my quarters by the late Emperor. Having lost favor, my treatment naturally plummeted to the lowest level. Even when you were sick, we couldn't get a royal physician. At that time, you were delirious with fever, your body burning hot. I had no choice but to take out my last gold hairpin and give it to the eunuch guarding the palace gate, asking him to deliver a message to the Duke of Chu's mansion. The Duke of Chu contacted the Empress Dowager Hui De's maternal family, and only then were my son and I saved."
Empress Dowager Huide was the late emperor's empress.
P.S.: Happy New Year!
Wishing all the princesses a beautiful and happy 2025, filled with wealth and prosperity!
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