Chapter 475 Reluctance
Consort Chen was stunned for a moment before she realized what was happening.
So, after patiently waiting for two days, the final result was that she was only on equal footing with the Empress Dowager, still unable to surpass her.
She had visited the palace many times before and knew that Cijing Palace was indeed a beautiful, quiet and elegant palace, but it was far inferior to Ci'an Palace.
Wen Kehao would rather leave Cining Palace empty than let her live there.
Consort Chen, who was filled with excitement, turned pale with shock at the news, but still asked unwillingly, "Then who has a higher status, me or the Empress Dowager?"
The eunuch's expression stiffened, seemingly not expecting her to ask such a question.
There is a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Although she was the emperor's birth mother, the status of the legitimate mother was definitely higher than that of the birth mother.
The emperor's bestowed titles and palaces also reveal a person's social status.
He thought everyone knew the truth, but he didn't expect the Empress Dowager to insist on humiliating herself.
Thinking that the Eastern Empress Dowager was going to leave the capital with the Northern Frontier King, and that the Western Empress Dowager would be the master of the palace from now on, the eunuch who delivered the edict felt contempt in his heart, but replied respectfully on the surface.
"The Empress Dowagers East and West are equal in status and there is no distinction between them. We request that the Empress Dowager West move into Cijing Palace as soon as possible and receive the homage of all officials."
Although he replied tactfully, Empress Dowager Cixi still guessed the answer from his hesitation and his eyes, which made her even more furious.
"This must be the idea of the King of the Northern Frontier. He promised to abdicate, but instead he pulled this stunt. The Emperor is really confused, agreeing to such an outrageous request."
I thought we were equals, but now I realize I'm still subordinate to that person.
Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't help but complain softly. Seeing the astonished look on the face of the eunuch delivering the imperial edict, she couldn't help but have a new idea.
"The King and Queen of the Northern Frontier haven't set off yet, have they? When I receive their homage, will they also need to perform the rites of a subject?"
In the past, her son had performed many grand rites to that man, but now the tables have turned, and it's time for that man's son to perform rites to her.
In this way, she managed to save face.
But as soon as she said this, the eunuch in charge of delivering the imperial edict turned pale with fright.
"Your Majesty, you are unaware of the situation. Please do not say such things again. If others hear this and it reaches the Emperor's ears, it will be a very serious matter."
Empress Dowager Cixi was startled. "It is only normal etiquette for the prince to bow to the Empress Dowager. What is wrong with that?"
It was only natural for Wen Kehao to bow to the Empress Dowager before, so why is it wrong for Wen Zhiming to bow to her now that she is the Empress Dowager?
The imperial edict was delivered with a stern expression.
"You are unaware of what has happened. When His Majesty ascended the throne today, he issued a special edict: The King of Northern Frontier has rendered meritorious service to the nation and is loyal to the country. Now, his abdication is for the sake of the people on the border. Therefore, the King and Queen of Northern Frontier are granted the privilege of 'not having to hasten their steps when entering the court, not having to name their names when paying homage, and being allowed to wear swords and shoes in the palace.' When they meet the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, they are exempt from the rites of kneeling. Anyone who disrespects the King and Queen of Northern Frontier is considered to be plotting a rebellion and may be executed first and reported later."
The phrase "execute first, report later" nearly caused the Empress Dowager to stagger and fall to the ground.
Wen Zhiming was already highly skilled in martial arts, and with this imperial edict from Wen Kehao, he was practically invincible.
No one would dare to disrespect him anymore; if he slashed them with his knife, they would have nowhere to seek justice.
No wonder Wen Zhiming relinquished the throne. Now he enjoys the same honor and privileges as the emperor, but he doesn't have to bear the emperor's responsibilities and affairs.
Empress Dowager Cixi swallowed hard, dared not say another word, and boarded the sedan chair specially sent by the palace to fetch her with a look of disappointment and helplessness.
It's hopeless to regain face today. Now, all we can hope for is to avoid making any mistakes and not to displease the Empress Dowager and the King and Queen of the Northern Frontier. We should consider ourselves lucky if we can embarrass them again.
The sedan chair was very comfortable, but Empress Dowager Cixi felt a mix of emotions.
When Wen Kehao ascended the throne, she favored her elder brother and the Empress Dowager, which was unexpected but reasonable.
After all, although she was the biological mother, she had not cared for Wen Kehao as much as Wen Zhiming and his mother in the early years. She was never very close to this son, thinking that he would not amount to anything, and she never really understood him.
Wen Kehao's arrangements for her today finally made her understand that she would not lack any of the riches and honors in the harem in the future, but if she insisted on going against the Empress Dowager and the King and his wife of the Northern Frontier, Wen Kehao would definitely not stand on her side.
She both regretted not caring enough for Wen Kehao when they were young and regretted not saying more at the family dinner that day, which caused her to lose face and could never be regained.
After much deliberation, upon arriving at the palace, all his thoughts turned into a long sigh.
When she arrived, the grand ceremony for the emperor and empress had already been completed, and the officials were waiting to pay homage to the empress dowager.
Just as the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict had said, Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge sat not far from the emperor and empress, and did not perform the kneeling ceremony like the other officials.
The Eastern Empress Dowager was already seated in the Empress Dowager's seat. As the eunuch at the door announced, "The Western Empress Dowager has arrived," all the officials and the Emperor and Empress turned to look at her. The Western Empress Dowager was flustered and momentarily at a loss for how to react.
At the crucial moment, the Empress Dowager slowly stood up, calmly and composedly rose, and walked slowly to her. She took her hand and led her step by step back to the Empress Dowager's seat, where they sat down side by side.
The seats were spacious, and even though both of them were quite thin, there was still plenty of room for them to sit together.
Before the two had even let go of each other's hands, the voices of the officials paying homage were powerful and resounding.
The Empress Dowager was deeply shocked, and almost at that moment, she recalled many times she had spent with the Empress Dowager at the Prince of Anshun's residence.
At that time, they huddled together for warmth, encouraged and comforted each other, and were as close as sisters. When she returned to the capital last year to stay with her son, the Empress Dowager treated her very kindly.
Although she was unwilling to admit it, she often brought her eldest grandson to the palace, partly to show off, and partly because she liked to chat and reminisce with her former sister.
She's living too well, so she has to rub salt into other people's wounds and mock their wives for not being able to have children.
Thinking back now, if their roles were reversed, she might have gone even further than the Empress Dowager.
Now that even the Empress Dowager isn't angry with her, and has helped her out at this crucial moment, what else is there for her to be angry about?
All the turmoil and resentment in his heart vanished with just a gentle pull from the Empress Dowager.
After the officials paid their respects, the Empress Dowager was still reluctant to let go. Seeing that the Empress Dowager's things had been packed and that she would be leaving with the King of the Northern Frontier today, she suddenly felt reluctant to part with him.
“Sister, can you not leave? With you in the palace, we sisters can chat and keep each other entertained. Once you leave, the capital doesn’t seem so interesting anymore. If it’s really not good, you can go after the King of Northern Frontier has developed Northern Frontier well…”
She couldn't explain what was wrong with her. She had been angry that morning, but whether it was the Empress Dowager's actions that moved her or the inexplicable sadness of impending separation, she couldn't help but choke up as she spoke.
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