"Mother/Grandmother," Empress Ye and Yue Jiang responded to Empress Dowager Zheng in unison.
Empress Dowager Zheng: "I entrusted the tasting event to you, but did you not explain the rules to Empress Dowager Cheng properly? Now you've made a fool of yourself."
Empress Dowager Zheng was domineering and authoritative in the palace, displaying an air of absolute authority.
Those who managed to get to this banquet today are mostly shrewd and perceptive, and they had long heard of the discord between Empress Dowagers Cheng and Zheng, and their frequent open and covert struggles.
The lighthearted atmosphere vanished instantly. No one dared to breathe loudly, and those who could pretend to be deaf and dumb were all staring down at their "small plot of land."
Hopefully, we can just hold on and get through today's banquet.
After an unknown amount of time, Empress Dowager Cheng chuckled twice. Her laughter was so open and clear in the silent hall that it made Empress Dowager Zheng frown.
“Sister Zheng, why make such a fuss and cause trouble for the younger generation? I just want to ask, today a precious treasure was presented to Jingning, and then another precious treasure was presented to Jingning.”
"Is today's festivities specially prepared for Jingning's marriage? If so, I will certainly present the things I'm about to serve to Jingning as a token of my gratitude!"
"However, Jingyi is almost of marriageable age, and she will soon be choosing a husband. I thought it would be better for them to do it together. So, I'll give all the things I brought out today to the two sisters."
"Sister Zheng, you can't be biased. If Jingning has something, Jingyi can't be without it either!"
"Your Majesty and Empress, don't you agree?"
After Empress Dowager Cheng finished speaking, she smiled and turned to ask the Emperor and Empress at the head of the table.
Empress Ye responded with a faint smile and said nothing.
Jing Huaixu raised his hand and covered Empress Ye's hand. His voice was clear and open. He had no objection to the opinions raised by Empress Dowager Cheng and even turned to flatter Empress Dowager Zheng.
"Empress Cheng's words are very much to my liking. I heard that the Empress Dowager took out quite a few treasures today, at least a hundred pieces. I suppose she intends to give Jingning and Jingyi a few good things each!"
"Your Majesty, do you know what you're saying?" Empress Dowager Zheng was slightly startled upon hearing this, and the words caught in her throat.
Since the tasting event was held in her name, it couldn't be shabby. Even if not many rare items could be introduced during the event, there were still some displayed in the side hall for everyone to appreciate.
Not all of the hundred items are for Jingning, so why should they be given to Jingyi as well? Is her good son plotting against her with that Cheng fellow, or is he feeling sorry for Jingyi because of the Empress?
"Mother, isn't what I said exactly what you meant? You gave Jingning away in front of everyone today, so there's no reason to mistreat Jingyi."
Jing Huaixu deliberately flattered Empress Dowager Zheng, reminding her that this was in front of relatives and officials.
Empress Dowager Zheng glanced down at the people below. Although they were all hanging their heads and seemed oblivious to what was happening, they were not truly deaf or blind.
If she lets her pettiness get the better of her, she will eventually reveal what happened today, which will be very bad for her reputation and will put her at a disadvantage in front of Empress Dowager Cheng in the future.
Moreover, Jingyi is not someone to be trifled with. If you firmly say no, she will definitely throw a tantrum and run away on the spot.
Empress Dowager Zheng comforted herself that it was alright, because she still had Yue Jiang. As long as she got the first move, it would be much easier to get things from her in the future.
She was curious to see what good things Empress Dowager Cheng could give Jingning and Jingyi.
"They are all my granddaughters, so naturally I won't favor one over the other. What Jingning has, Jingyi has too," Empress Dowager Zheng suppressed her displeasure and forced a smile.
Upon hearing that his mother had relented, Jing Huaixu pressed his advantage, leaving no room for reneging, and instructed the eunuchs to present the list of Empress Dowager Zheng's treasures to him.
As he admired the treasures on the list, he exclaimed, "Mother is truly generous today! Every single item is a rare and precious treasure. I wonder how Mother will bestow them upon us, so that the two children can hear and be delighted!"
Empress Dowager Zheng was trembling with anger. It was one thing for her to help Empress Dowager Cheng find fault with her, but her son was even afraid that she would go back on her word and was in a hurry to make a final decision.
She glanced at Empress Dowager Cheng and said on a whim, "Sister Cheng is always more considerate than me, so I will follow Sister Cheng's rules."
Empress Dowager Cheng had just taken a sip of tea when she slowly put down her cup, her face full of surprise.
"Sister Zheng, do you want to follow my rules? Then I'll just state my own approach."
"Although Jingyi and Jingning are both my granddaughters, Jingyi comes from the Empress's family, so her status is definitely higher than Jingning's. There are some things that must not be taken lightly. I want to give seven-tenths of everything I have brought out today."
“Jingyi gets 70%, Jingning gets 30%. Sister Zheng has always liked Jingning for being well-behaved. I wonder if she would be willing to accept this arrangement.”
The phrase "seven parts and three parts" means that Empress Dowager Zheng not only had to give Jingyi the gifts, but also the majority of them, leaving her no chance to share them equally.
Empress Dowager Cheng even mocked her, asking if she had ever lived in the inner palace.
Empress Dowager Zheng turned around abruptly and glared at Jing Huaixu. Jing Huaixu wanted to ask Jing Yi for something from the Empress Dowager, but he didn't intend to embarrass Jing Ning and Consort De.
Moreover, Empress Dowager Cheng only brought out twenty precious items. Even if they were divided into three parts, Jingyi wouldn't get much. It was just an attempt to provoke his mother.
But this means that all of the Empress Dowager's belongings will have to be given away.
Jing Huaixu dodged the question, saying, "Since the two empresses have their own ways of dividing things, why not just not agree on a unified plan and let them do it according to their own wishes?"
"Empress Cheng gave Jingning and Jingyi seven or three points, and Empress Zheng picked out a few items for Jingning and Jingyi."
After Jing Huaixu finished speaking, Empress Dowager Cheng said the same thing, only letting out a cold laugh as if no one else was around.
This laugh made Empress Dowager Zheng very embarrassed. She looked down suspiciously. Although the relatives and officials still did not look up, Empress Dowager Zheng felt that they had taken her laughter to heart.
"Alright, Jingyi is a princess born to the Empress, how can she be treated so casually? I'll do the same as Sister Cheng, dividing everything in 70/30!"
Caught off guard, Jing Huaixu wanted to speak but didn't know how to offer advice.
Empress Dowager Cheng originally intended to force Empress Dowager Zheng into a difficult situation, forcing her to spend money and lose face in public for the sake of the item.
I never expected that Empress Dowager Zheng would dare to spend so much. Was she unaware that she only took twenty items, or was she just putting on a brave face because she had a large collection of treasures?
Empress Dowager Cheng was startled. Her mind raced, and she gripped her gift list in her hand, delivering the final blow.
"Sister Zheng is so generous, I can't compare to her."
Empress Dowager Zheng looked in the direction of the sound and saw a thin sheet of precious items being held tightly in Empress Dowager Cheng's hand.
How many things can you remember?
A chill ran through her. She went to see Empress Ye first, thinking that Empress Ye wouldn't dare to outwardly comply with her but inwardly defy her.
Empress Dowager Zheng quickly went to check on Yue Jiang. She was filled with doubts. Empress Dowager Cheng only took a few items. If Yue Jiang hadn't deliberately hidden them from her, how could she have caused her to bleed so much?
What about Yue Jiang? Will she still give her things to Jing Ning?
Empress Dowager Zheng became suspicious and wanted to verify: "Since we've come this far, I won't hide it from you. Jing Kingdom has been quiet among the countries for many years. Jing Ning is the first princess to be married off to a foreign country for a political marriage after many years."
"For the sake of good relations between Jing and other countries, it is not too much trouble to go to great lengths. The Crown Princess, having just married into Jing, should understand this sentiment, which is why just now..."
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