Chapter 46 Consort Su was furious
The Empress laughed, "You child, you've read a few more books and now you're lecturing your elders. Her words and actions have always been like this, a boorish and unruly woman. I don't need to bother with a boorish woman."
“No,” Jiang Fenghua said again. “Yesterday, Father Emperor ordered his daughter-in-law to copy the Book of Rites. Father Emperor asked his daughter-in-law to study it carefully. I think he wanted to teach his daughter-in-law that ‘rites are to people as wine is to wine; a gentleman is generous, while a petty person is stingy,’ and to teach his daughter-in-law not to learn the habits of a petty person and not understand etiquette.”
The daughter-in-law boldly advised that since the Empress Dowager is the head of the harem, and some concubines do not know etiquette, the Empress Dowager should teach them, and must not let the concubines disgrace the royal family.
If this gets back to the Emperor's ears, the Empress Dowager will be considered to have neglected her duties. At that time, the daughter-in-law fears that the Empress Dowager will be implicated and punished unjustly. This is a minor matter.
If this gets back to the ears of the common people, they will follow suit. What difference will there be between our Great Zhou and those barbarian tribes? Jiang Fenghua's voice was gentle and melodious, yet firm and powerful, truly emulating the imposing presence of Young Master Jiang as a teacher.
Yesterday, Consort Su was already going to deal with her, so there was no need for her to pretend to flatter her. Besides, she should be on the same side as the Empress.
Jiang Fenghua's words struck Consort Su's heart like a hammer blow. She not only scolded Consort Su for being a villain, but also threatened her with the Emperor. If Consort Su did not even respect the Emperor, it would be a great disrespect.
Extending this further, it's possible that Consort Su, relying on the emperor's favor, became arrogant and disrespectful to the emperor and empress, and that her family also disrespected the emperor, raising suspicions of treason.
The Su clan has lived on the border for many years. Their rudeness suggests they may have learned from the Hu people. It should be noted that the relationship between the Great Zhou and the Hu people is irreconcilable.
At that moment, Consort Su jumped up in anger, "Jiang Fenghua, what do you mean?"
Jiang Fenghua bowed calmly and said, “Your Highness, I was copying the Book of Rites today and happened to come across this sentence in the book. I did not mean to offer any advice to Your Majesty the Empress. I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”
"You..." Consort Su was furious, but she couldn't find any fault in Jiang Fenghua's manners.
"Your Highness, please don't be angry. We're all old now, why bother arguing with a junior? It's just that His Majesty asked Princess Heng to copy the Book of Rites, and she said a few extra words." Consort Yan spoke up at the right time, her tone full of anger. She was angry that Prince Heng had hit her son, and she was also angry that Consort Su had used her son.
"Who's as old as you? Consort Yan, look at the wrinkles on your face, they could be used as a blanket! Go back and cover your face, so the Emperor won't be annoyed." Consort Su found an outlet for her anger and started ranting. Had she only said a few words? She was practically implying that the Su family was plotting a rebellion.
Consort Yan was so angry she could hardly breathe: "Your Highness, you are beautiful and young, but are you as young and beautiful as Consort Wang?"
"What's all this noise about?" the Empress snapped coldly.
The entire hall fell silent instantly. The scene that had just unfolded was quite spectacular, and everyone was trying not to laugh.
Jiang Fenghua seized the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty, Consort Su has already entered the residence. I will definitely bring her to pay her respects to Your Majesty another day."
Her smile was bright and beautiful, like the spring sunshine in March, dazzling and captivating. Consort Su felt a deep sense of threat when she looked at Jiang Fenghua like this.
It was only then that everyone realized that Consort Su's niece had entered Prince Heng's residence. But why hadn't they heard of any wedding arrangements? Wasn't it said that Prince Heng was extremely fond of Consort Su's niece?
Consort Su still did not rise to pay her respects to the Empress, but she was also furious. She flicked her sleeves and said, "I am not feeling well, so I will take my leave first."
As Consort Su was leaving, she gave Consort Wang a cold glare in the corner. Consort Wang had just entered the palace and was young, so she had been favored by the emperor several times, which made Consort Su grit her teeth in hatred.
Consort Yan entered the palace earlier than Consort Su, but her rank was lower. After Consort Su left, she only dared to say in a low voice, "These two aunt and niece from the Su family are exactly the same, they really have no manners."
Jiang Fenghua watched Consort Su leave, a cold smile playing on her lips. In her previous life, Empress Cheng had been bullied by Consort Su in the same way, and then Consort Su would vent her anger on her.
She was not punished when she should have been, so even though she was the empress, she was neglected.
The empress was disliked by the emperor, and she could not get out of this predicament, and could not even straighten her back.
Jiang Fenghua knew that Consort Yan was angry, and that the enemy of my enemy can often become my friend.
After everyone left Kunning Palace, Jiang Fenghua was kept behind by the Empress.
"I have a set of jewelry here that seems to suit Ruan Ruan quite well. Take a look and see if you like it," the Empress said with a smile, her tone kind and approachable.
Granny Xi quickly presented Jiang Fenghua with a set of exquisite jewelry.
Jiang Fenghua's eyes lit up with joy, "What a beautiful and exquisite hair ornament, thank you, Mother Empress."
"You did a great job today, you really angered that bitch Su Qingqing. I haven't been this happy in a long time. Remember this: if anyone dares to bully you again, be just as dignified and composed as you are today. You are my daughter-in-law, and I treat you differently from the other princesses."
They're going to use her as a pawn, so it doesn't matter. Being used as a pawn is better than being forced to take a beating.
"Mm." Jiang Fenghua nodded obediently. She knew that the Empress was only tough in her own home. She said one thing and did another. Once her interests were touched, she would not be so easy to talk to.
"Yesterday you relaxed me up, and I felt so comfortable all over. I slept well last night. I never expected Ruan Ruan to have such skills," the Empress said again.
Jiang Fenghua said gently, "My mother often suffers from back pain, so she invited a female doctor to the manor to take a look. I learned it by watching her practice. I heard that this technique was developed based on the meridians and acupoints of the human body, and it has the effect of clearing the meridians. As the saying goes, 'Where there is free flow, there is no pain,' and it can also beautify the skin..."
Jiang Fenghua chatted with the Empress for a while, and then Wuxin came to take her to the ancestral hall.
Upon arriving at the ancestral hall, she quietly copied the Book of Rites. She read, "If you are prepared, you will succeed; if you are not prepared, you will fail. If you decide before you speak, you will not be discouraged; if you decide before you do things, you will not be troubled; if you decide before you act, you will not feel guilty; if you decide before you follow the path, you will not be impoverished."
Xie Shang dismissed the palace maids and quietly walked up to her. He saw that she was completely absorbed in her work. Her desk was covered with articles she had copied. Every word was neat and fluent, even showing the style of a master. She was indeed worthy of being the daughter of the Junior Tutor.
He heard that Consort Su and Consort Yan had spoken ill of her that morning, even belittling and mocking her. Jiang Fenghua used these criticisms to defeat them; these were the weapons she used to protect herself.
But this is in the palace. She can fight with words, but what if she encounters danger outside the palace? Her two maids are weak and frail. Xie Shang wants to arrange for someone who knows martial arts to protect her, so that she can deal with Xie Yu and Guo Xiao if she encounters them again.
He was engrossed in watching when Jiang Fenghua suddenly paused, looked up, and smiled sweetly, "Your Highness entered so quietly."
His voice was deep and alluring, "So diligent, so fond of reading?"
A hint of helplessness flashed in Jiang Fenghua's eyes. "Does Your Highness think I have a masochistic streak? I had no choice but to obey the Emperor's orders!"
Xie Shang smiled gently and snatched the pen from her hand. "You're too honest and serious. You could have just done a sloppy job. Besides, Father Emperor was mainly punishing me, but you've been copying it carefully for two days. Aren't you stupid?"
"If you're going to do it, do it well. If you're not going to do it, then don't do it. I never deceive myself."
A sly glint flashed in Xie Shang's eyes. He suddenly bent down, cupped her face in his hands, and rubbed his fingertips against the corner of her lips.
Jiang Fenghua blushed, her eyes darting away. He wouldn't want to do it here again...
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