Empress Dowager Zheng let Consort Zheng set up the steps for her, and then she could no longer maintain her composure. She sighed deeply, and the lines between her brows remained unsettled for a long time.
"Your Highness, if you can truly help Ning'er, I will definitely remember your kindness in the future."
Yue Jiang smiled faintly, quite modestly and with a hint of embarrassment: "Grandmother, what are you saying? Yue Jiang and Grandmother are family. I will definitely help with anything I can."
"But Yue Jiang just mentioned the difficulty. Those things all have the mark of the Yue Kingdom, and even if we give them to Sister Jing Ning in private, we can't hide it from the Yu Kingdom."
"Wouldn't it be even more laughable that Jing Kingdom can't even afford a decent dowry, and they're asking for it from Yue Jiang, their new daughter-in-law, and then there's Grandmother Cheng..."
Yue Jiang paused at the right moment, and the phrase "Grandmother Cheng" had already startled three generations of Empress Dowager Zheng and her family.
Empress Dowager Zheng regarded Empress Dowager Cheng as her mortal enemy. Suddenly, she heard that Empress Dowager Cheng was plotting for her granddaughter and that Empress Dowager Cheng was involved in the scheme. She suppressed her dissatisfaction and asked her questions.
What happened at Yongshou Palace?
Yue Jiang shook her head, her voice filled with nervousness: "It's nothing much. After I paid my respects to the Empress Dowager this morning, Jing Yi came back to the East Palace with me and said something that caused a misunderstanding about what you said to your grandmother."
"At such a young age, she spoke without thinking, actually saying that Grandmother Cheng told her that you were trying to take my things to help Jingning."
"Outrageous! Jingyi has been spoiled and arrogant by them, and dares to say anything!" Empress Dowager Zheng slammed her hand on the table, furious.
She certainly didn't doubt the truth of these words, because in Empress Dowager Zheng's impression, there was nothing Jingyi wouldn't dare to say.
Over the years, he has brought a lot of bad luck and unhappiness to the Yongshou Palace.
Yue Jiang quickly comforted her: "Grandmother, please don't be angry. It's just that Jingyi is too spoiled. She probably doesn't even realize the consequences of her saying it. I don't think it's okay if no one influences her."
Empress Dowager Zheng was in a fit of anger, but when she suddenly heard Yue Jiang say this, she calmed down a bit: "You also think that Jingyi has been spoiled by the other side, and you believe me?"
“Of course,” Yue Jiang took Zheng Taihou’s hand and gently wiped the water stains off the back of her hand. She spoke sweetly, “You are His Highness’s grandmother after all, and you have never made things difficult for Yue Jiang. Yue Jiang knows how to distinguish between close and distant relatives.”
Empress Dowager Zheng thought about it and realized that it was true. When Yue Jiang first came to Jing Kingdom, the Yongshou Palace had been making things difficult for her for a long time by taking advantage of her status as an orphan. It would be strange if she didn't harbor resentment.
"Poor thing," Empress Dowager Zheng said with compassion.
"It's alright," Yue Jiang said, noticing that Empress Zheng's expression had softened, and her tone became much more relaxed as she continued the previous topic.
"Yuejiang really wants to help Jingning's happiness, but Grandmother Cheng is also an elder, and Yuejiang doesn't want to offend her, nor does she want to stand idly by."
"Then I came up with an idea: why not liven things up in the palace, invite some royal relatives over for a tasting event, and let Yue Jiang bring out some of her private collections for everyone to admire."
"After the performance, in front of everyone, Yue Jiang will take the opportunity of Jing Ning's upcoming marriage to give her a few items, so no one will dare to question why Yue Jiang's things ended up in Jing Ning's hands."
"That's a good idea," Empress Dowager Zheng thought it was indeed quite good. It would get things done in a lively and orderly manner, and it would also follow a reasonable and justifiable path.
Yongshou Palace couldn't even come up with an excuse to cause trouble.
“But,” Yue Jiang hesitated, pursing her lips.
Empress Dowager Zheng asked with concern, "What is it? If you have any difficulties, I will do my best to help you."
Yue Jiang smiled and said, "It's not a big problem. It's just that the tasting event can't just be about Yue Jiang's things. There must be other people who are willing to bring their own things to join in the fun."
"Yue Jiang is a newcomer and not of high seniority. I'm afraid that people might misunderstand and think that Yue Jiang is showing off by using her name to prepare the tasting event."
"There must be a highly respected elder to keep things in order, but in the palace, only the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Cheng can be considered highly respected."
"Yuejiang is far from being able to take on this responsibility. If you, Grandmother, are worried about being tired, why don't you ask Grandmother Cheng to take charge of the grand event? After all, such a lively event is ultimately for the benefit of Jingning."
"For the sake of Jingning, we must not allow Yongshou Palace to fill the space," Empress Dowager Zheng said suddenly, her tone becoming serious.
Yue Jiang was so startled that she clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
Empress Dowager Zheng realized she had lost her composure. Seeing that Yue Jiang was too frightened, she softened her expression again: "I wasn't targeting you, don't be afraid!"
She had long been dissatisfied with being suppressed by Empress Dowager Cheng. In the past, as a concubine, she could not compete with Empress Dowager Cheng. Later, they became equals, and Empress Dowager Cheng was the emperor's biological mother, but countless people still only knew her.
When the two met, Empress Dowager Zheng had to address Empress Dowager Cheng as "elder sister." How could she let Empress Dowager Cheng take center stage at such a prestigious event as the tasting competition?
Empress Dowager Zheng actually possessed many treasures bestowed upon her by the late emperor, but she had kept them hidden from the public for years to avoid ostentation.
But now that the Jing Kingdom has destroyed the Feng clan, it can catch its breath and greatly enhance its national prestige. It's time to add some wealth and splendor.
Empress Dowager Cheng certainly didn't have as many good things as her. If she saw her own things and realized how deep the late emperor's affection for her was, she might not even be able to continue chanting Buddhist prayers.
After some deliberation, Empress Dowager Zheng eagerly took on the task: "Since it's for enjoyment, and my things are presentable, then I'll do it."
Seeing that the matter had been accomplished, Yue Jiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for your kindness, Grandmother. I will start preparing now."
...
at the same time.
Inside the Yongshou Palace, after Jingyi finished explaining Yuejiang's words, she silently stared at Empress Dowager Cheng. Empress Dowager Cheng's chanting stopped abruptly, and she turned to look at Jingyi, confirming her suspicions again and again.
"Is the Longevity Palace really after Yue Jiang?"
"That's right, she's biased. There's nothing she wouldn't do for those two grandsons. Yue Jiang is rich from Yue Kingdom, and she wants to buy peace and quiet. It's not like they hit it off immediately."
"It's fine if Yue Jiang gives her the things from the tasting event, but she has to give me hers too. It's fine if I don't get anything, but it's so embarrassing to do it in front of so many people."
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