Chapter 196 A Mess
In the Empress's palace, Empress Xu listened with satisfaction to the head palace maid's reply.
"So, the second young lady has regained consciousness?"
"Your Majesty, the message that came back is as follows."
I heard that the second young lady had a big fight with the old lady last night, and only ran away after being slapped by the old lady.
Some news has also come back today.
I just heard that the second young lady didn't eat anything all day and smashed everything she could in the house.
"It wasn't until evening that the old lady went to her room. When she came out, she had someone bring in some food," the head palace maid said softly.
Empress Xu smiled and reached for the tea beside her.
"He's not too stupid, he's just shrewd."
"Your Majesty, could it be that the old lady of the Duke of Anguo made some kind of promise?"
"Or perhaps the second young lady gave in?" the head palace maid asked in a low voice.
Empress Xu took a sip of the fragrant tea, then shook her head.
"No matter what we do, I can't come!"
Once a thorn is planted in your heart, it will grow wildly.
As for what the Duchess of Anguo promised? She simply told the second young lady to calm down.
Everything is under control.
As long as the King of Qin ascends the throne in the future, the fate of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion will be in the hands of the Zheng family.
Back then, she could do whatever she wanted in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.
As for Madam Shen and Old Madam Shen, they will probably be dealt with by a white silk ribbon or a cup of poison.
If I'm not mistaken, the old lady of the Duke of Anguo would definitely tell the second young lady that this is called "after hardship comes happiness" or "bitter before sweet."
However, this might fool a fool.
That second young lady may seem foolish, but she definitely has her own ideas.
If she continues to cause trouble and act recklessly, she'll probably never be able to leave the Zheng family home for the rest of her life.
As for the Empress Dowager wanting to annoy the Duke of Dingguo's family, she could simply find another girl from the clan.
Therefore, the second young lady had no choice but to keep all her worries to herself. Empress Xu said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, even the head palace maid had to admire Empress Xu's judgment.
"What about the Duke of Dingguo's mansion...?"
"We don't need to worry about the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. Madam Chen made her meaning very clear that day."
Now that this matter is settled, she can consider a marriage alliance with the Xu family.
Even if the Xu family doesn't have any girls, they have other families they're on good terms with.
As long as the person is of good character and good looks, and their social status is not too different, they can start making plans once the mourning period for the Duke of Dingguo's family is over.
If the marriage alliance with the Duke of Dingguo's mansion is successful, it can be said that the Weiyuan Army will be firmly under their control.
"At that time, the Crown Prince was truly fearless," Empress Xu said.
The head palace maid nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.
The Empress is a master strategist. Over the years, she has gone from enduring hardship to now being able to control the overall situation in the harem. Her cunning is extraordinary.
"What will the second young lady of the Zheng family do? Run away from the marriage?" the head palace maid asked curiously.
"She has two paths to choose from, but marrying into the Shen family is no longer an option."
The only option left is to enter the Qin Prince's mansion.
Either she would replace Miss Zheng, or she would intercept him halfway through the journey, forcing the King of Qin to bring her into his palace.
"Just wait and see, there'll be quite a spectacle at the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet!" Empress Xu said with a smile.
The head palace maid understood.
All they have to do now is watch the show.
Seeing the two Zheng sisters arguing, if the second young lady loses out, the Empress might even kindly lend a hand...
Thinking of this, the head palace maid suddenly remembered another piece of news she had just received.
"Your Majesty, there is another matter, which I just received from you."
"Oh? Tell me! What's making you so nervous?" Empress Xu smiled as she looked at her head palace maid.
The head palace maid thought for a moment and then said, "The old lady of the Duke of Anguo has come to the palace today."
He brought a pair of stunningly beautiful twins into the palace.
I heard that these two beauties are skilled dancers, especially when they dance as a couple; they are like two butterflies about to take flight.
You're saying... does the Empress Dowager have other plans for these two?
Empress Xu slowly sat up straight.
The smile on her face gradually disappeared.
Stunning twin beauties who are also skilled dancers?
So that means they'll be performing at the palace banquet?
Who would it be aimed at? It must be His Majesty, who sits at the very top.
"The Empress Dowager's revenge came very quickly!"
Just a few days ago, she asked me if I had seen her missing head maid. I said I hadn't. How could the Empress interfere in the Empress Dowager's affairs?
"So you're already thinking of taking revenge on me?" Empress Xu said with a sneer.
The head palace maid's expression was also unpleasant.
The Empress Dowager's move was indeed a slap in the face to the Empress.
Imagine this: on the day of the palace banquet, after bestowing marriages, the Empress Dowager, on a whim, summoned people to dance.
Once everyone is completely focused on the jump, then casually add a comment.
"Your Majesty, these two sisters are beautiful, and it has been a long time since any new women have entered the harem."
"I hereby bestow these two beautiful sisters upon you..."
That was truly a slap in the face to the Empress in front of all the nobles!
"Your Majesty, the harem has finally settled down; we can't let it fall into chaos again!" the head palace maid said urgently.
Empress Xu remained silent for a long while.
It seems quite a few people are going to see her make a fool of herself at the palace banquet!
The Empress Dowager's gift is too much to refuse!
Even if Emperor Xiao Jing doesn't favor her, it's still the Empress Dowager telling everyone that she has plenty of ways to manipulate whomever she wants in the harem...
Empress Xu didn't care who Emperor Xiao Jing favored.
Privately, you can send her as many beautiful women as you want, she won't care.
If she couldn't even see through this, she wouldn't have been able to hold onto the position of Empress long ago.
But this involved offering the emperor beautiful women at a palace banquet...
That would truly be slapping himself in the face in front of all the nobles.
The Empress Dowager is still the same as ever; even her revenge is so arrogant...
"Since that's the case, then let's just watch more shows that day."
Beautiful women! Who wouldn't like them? Our Emperor possesses the entire Great Yu, so it's perfectly normal for him to favor one or two beauties.
It's okay, take your time watching it!
As for what exactly happened that day, it's still uncertain!
Go and summon the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department.
"It's rare to have a palace banquet this Mid-Autumn Festival, and all the noble families will be there. We mustn't let anything go wrong!" Empress Xu said slowly.
Upon hearing this, the head palace maid immediately understood what to do.
Sitting idly by and waiting for death? That would never be Empress Xu's style.
Empress Xu always wanted to sit back and watch the tigers fight!
A palace banquet?
That day must have been very lively!
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