"Yes, Your Majesty, I have only ever had one master in my life, no one else!" she said, bowing her head to show her loyalty.
The Empress Dowager glared at her, "The Emperor is my son, and so is the Nineteenth Prince. I hope you will remember that!"
"This servant obeys, and will never disobey!" She lowered her head again, her voice firm.
"Since it has been planned for a long time, then let her come. You only need to protect my beloved grandson." After saying this, the Empress Dowager closed her eyes and said no more.
Wu Ying habitually obeyed orders, but doubts still lingered in his heart. Why didn't the Empress Dowager take action? But the letter sent to the capital clearly indicated that she wasn't going to let it go so easily. Why had she stopped now?
Carrying out orders was her top priority. If she couldn't understand something, she wouldn't think about it. Seeing the Empress Dowager close her eyes, she quietly withdrew.
Only after she had completely left the bedchamber and Zhong Mama and Zhang Chu entered did the Empress Dowager open her eyes. Zhong Mama rushed forward with heartache to massage her, saying, "Empress Dowager, the Prince and the Princess will understand your good intentions."
“This child is different from others. She has been bullied since she was a child, and now she is holding a grudge. Her behavior is very different from other noble ladies. I am worried about her. I am afraid that she is suffering too much, but I am also afraid that if I protect her too much, she will not be able to protect herself after I pass away.” The Empress Dowager choked up after saying this. “Huai Le is the only one of my bloodlines. I am really worried about her.”
"Your Majesty, your descendants will have their own blessings. Please don't worry too much. The princess is intelligent and filial, and she will surely be safe and sound. You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened in the capital. The princess knows that you are doing this for her own good," Granny Zhong said earnestly.
"Yes, the princess is intelligent, and the prince is not confused either, so you can put your mind at ease. The princess and the prince are both filial, and the emperor and the prince are also brothers. You are the most successful empress I have ever seen. Throughout history, which empress has had such good fortune?" Zhang Chu comforted her in this way, and the empress dowager smiled but said nothing more.
Whether she is blessed or not, she is already the most honored woman in the world. She has won all the open and covert struggles in her life. She has become numb to the riches and honors of her life. Now she only hopes that her descendants can live in peace and prosperity, and that the blessings of Dayong will last for ten thousand generations. That would not be in vain for her to take a step back and live in seclusion in Guanzhou.
Nothing happened that night. The next day, Zhao Shu and Sun Yun went to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager as usual, practiced Tai Chi together, and then went to talk to the Crown Prince. The old imperial physician Peng arrived at the left side hall early every day, still acting cute and trying to make the Crown Prince happy.
After talking with the Crown Prince for a while, they got busy with the shop's affairs, while the imperial physicians worked together to study the prescriptions that Zhao Shu had brought out. They were all skilled doctors, and when they encountered a good prescription, they were like a stallion who had met a beautiful woman, and immediately their legs went weak and they couldn't move. They studied it day and night.
Everything proceeded smoothly. As Zhao Shu had said last time, the members of the Guanzhou imperial clan were not allowed to enter the palace, and the Empress Dowager showed no intention of summoning them.
Throughout the entire palace, Zhao Shu was the busiest person. She not only had to research facial mask water with Physician Peng, but also had to take care of the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince's shop. Physician Peng was the second busiest person. He not only had to research facial mask water with Zhao Shu, but also had to teach Granny Zhuang how to make shampoo and conditioner, and treat the Crown Prince with the other physicians.
Bi Qiao and Granny Zhuang each selected their people, and Zhao Shu reviewed them one by one. There was nothing to criticize. Both of them had been in charge for many years, and the jobs were new, so they were both full of enthusiasm.
Everyone got busy, and everything was moving in a positive direction.
Soon, November 29th arrived. The weather grew colder, with rain and snow falling outside. Large hailstones pelted the glazed tiles, and everyone wore thicker clothes.
Guanzhou is located at the intersection of the north and south, with four distinct seasons. In winter, it still has some of the rainy weather typical of the south, making it damp and cold.
On this day, the palace was unusually lively, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, as if a happy occasion was being celebrated. Why was that?
After finishing their work, Chu Chun and the others began to discuss things. They were all Zhao Shu's confidants, and their conversation was extremely intimate.
"It's the princess's birthday today. I wonder what kind of birthday gift Young Master Huo will give her." These were the words of Chu Chun. After she finished speaking, she waited expectantly for Sheng Xia and the others to reply.
Shengxia rubbed her hands together to wipe away the cold water from the roses she had just picked, then breathed on her hands to warm them. "How old is Young Master Huo?"
"He's so rigid. What a pity, Young Master Huo has returned to the capital; otherwise, he would surely have given the princess a truly special birthday gift."
“What’s so good about Mr. Huo? He talks too much, and he never gets to the point, unlike Lord Wei, who, although a bit cold on ordinary days, has a particularly warm smile and is good to our princess. Unlike Mr. Huo, who is not good to our princess.” These were the words of Wan Dong.
The group disagreed, so their gazes fell on Green Ivy, who was enjoying a braised pig's trotter with rice cakes beside her. Seeing the three men's eyes on her, she quickly pushed the other untouched pig's trotter in front of her and said, "You guys divide it yourselves."
The three shook their heads, not intending to discuss this topic with her. Just then, Xiao Guozi's voice came, "Sisters, the princess has risen. Please come over."
"Hey, Xiao Guozi, have the members of the Guanzhou clan arrived?" Chu Chun pushed open the door to ask, walking towards Zhao Shu's boudoir as she did so.
Xiao Guozi stood opposite the house, holding his whisk. When he saw Chu Chun and the others come out, he prepared to turn back. "Not yet, but a report came from the palace gate that they are already waiting at the palace gate, just waiting for the Empress Dowager to summon them."
As they spoke, they arrived at Zhao Shu's boudoir. Zhao Shu was discussing with Sun Yun what to wear today. The Crown Prince was still recovering from his injuries, so he couldn't wear anything too festive or too plain, which was quite a dilemma.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
