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The news that the Empress Dowager was about to return to the palace from Mount Wutai spread throughout the entire palace like a gust of wind. This revered grandmother, who had served two emperors, rarely returned to the palace and spent most of her time traveling to worship Buddha. Her return would undoubtedly add another layer of uncertainty to the power dynamics of the harem.
Inside the Zhuixia Pavilion, Consort Wen appeared somewhat nervous, repeatedly instructing Si Mianmian: "The Empress Dowager is serious and prefers quiet, valuing rules above all else. Tomorrow, when the entire palace pays its respects, you should follow behind your mother, speak little, and avoid any inappropriate remarks."
Si Mianmian obediently agreed, but she had her own plans in mind. This reclusive Empress Dowager was a higher-ranking figure than the Emperor. If she could gain her favor, she would truly have a foothold in the harem. But how to win over an old woman who had seen it all and whose heart was as still as an ancient well was a difficult problem.
Survival Handbook Rule Eleven: When facing elders who hold high positions of power and whose temperaments are unpredictable, sincerity may be more effective than skill in winning their hearts. Of course, this sincerity needs to be presented in the most appropriate way.
The following morning, the main hall of Renshou Palace was filled with the fragrance of incense, solemn and dignified. The concubines, princes, and princesses were arranged according to rank, completely silent. Si Mianmian stood with her head bowed behind Consort Wen, her position towards the back, almost swallowed up by the crowd.
The Empress Dowager sat upon the phoenix throne, dressed in a deep purple palace gown. Her hair was meticulously styled and adorned with a simple phoenix hairpin. Her face was well-preserved, making it impossible to discern her exact age. Only her sharp, deep eyes revealed a clear and dignified understanding of the world. She accepted the homage of the crowd, uttered a few words of encouragement in a calm tone, and slowly swept her gaze across those below, without lingering on any one person.
The atmosphere became even more reserved when it was the turn of lower-ranking concubines and young princes and princesses to pay their respects. Soon, it was Consort Wen's turn and Si Mianmian's turn.
Consort Wen pulled Si Mianmian forward and respectfully bowed: "Your Majesty, I/Mianmian greet you and wish Your Majesty good health."
The Empress Dowager's gaze fell upon Consort Wen, lingering for a moment before she gave a soft "hmm" and then looked at Si Mianmian beside her. The young girl was dressed in a proper but not particularly outstanding palace dress, her head lowered, revealing a section of her fair and delicate neck, her small hands nervously clutching the hem of her dress.
Si Mianmian took a deep breath, raised her head, and a bright, innocent smile bloomed on her face, a smile that was both shy and full of affection. Her voice was sweet and soft, like it was coated in honey: "Grandmother, hello~"
The address of "Grandmother" instead of the distant "Empress Dowager" silenced the hall for a moment. Many concubines looked on with mockery or amusement, thinking that the Ninth Princess was truly tactless, daring to try and get close to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager paused almost imperceptibly in the hand holding the teacup. She looked at Si Mianmian, her face still expressionless, and simply gave a faint "hmm" before continuing to drink her tea, without showing the kind smile that Si Mianmian had expected.
Si Mianmian's inner monologue: Huh? Why isn't Grandma smiling at Mianmian? Does she not like Mianmian? (Her big eyes quickly welled up with tears of grievance, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. She just pouted slightly, like a child who longed for candy but couldn't get it, looking pitiful and cute.)
The Empress Dowager put down her teacup, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping over Si Mianmian's aggrieved little face, and said indifferently to the lady-in-waiting beside her, "Bring up the things I prepared."
Soon, several eunuchs carried in three heavy mahogany chests and placed them in the hall.
The Empress Dowager's tone remained calm: "These are for you."
Si Mianmian blinked her big eyes, looking at the trunk and then at the Empress Dowager, her little face full of confusion and disbelief. She stretched out a slender finger and pointed uncertainly at herself: "Huh? It's for me?"
Her surprised and bewildered expression somewhat eased the overly serious atmosphere in the hall. Even the Empress at the head of the table twitched her lips slightly.
A faint smile seemed to flash deep in the Empress Dowager's eyes, but it was so fleeting that it was impossible to catch. "Hmm, a small gift."
Si Mianmian immediately exclaimed "Wow!" Her little face instantly brightened from gloomy to sunny, radiating pure joy. She even forgot her manners and jumped up and down a little before quickly regaining her composure and performing a proper bow: "Mianmian thanks Grandmother for the gift! Grandmother is so kind!"
Si Mianmian's inner monologue: Is this what Mother meant by someone who is reserved in expressing their feelings? Someone who likes someone but is too shy to say it? Just like... just like my third brother?
Looking at the Empress Dowager's face, which remained expressionless yet inexplicably reassuring, a sudden inspiration struck her, and she made a move that left everyone speechless.
She cautiously crept up to the phoenix throne like a little rabbit, tilting her head up with pure, expectant eyes, her voice so soft it could melt water: "Grandmother, just lower your head for a little while~ just a little while~"
The Empress Dowager had obviously never encountered this situation before. She was stunned for a moment. Perhaps it was because Si Mianmian's eyes were too pure and earnest, but she inexplicably leaned down slightly.
Si Mianmian immediately tiptoed forward and, with a soft "mua~", planted a loud, milky kiss on the Empress Dowager's well-maintained cheek.
Then, she quickly took two steps back, her little face flushed, as if she had done something extraordinary. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the Empress Dowager and exclaimed loudly, "Grandmother, Mianmian loves you too!"
"Boom—" The hall fell completely silent; you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was stunned by the Ninth Princess's audacious act! Consort Wen turned pale with fright and nearly fainted.
The Empress Dowager was clearly stunned. She raised her hand and gently touched the cheek that had just been kissed, where the soft touch of the girl's lips and warm breath still seemed to linger. Looking at the innocent girl in the audience, who was smiling like a little sun, her usual serious expression finally crumbled, and the corners of her lips curved upwards almost imperceptibly. Although she quickly straightened them again, her eyes softened considerably.
She gently shook her head, seemingly helpless, yet also sighing, and whispered something that, though not loud, clearly reached the ears of those nearby:
"So young, yet so good at sweet-talking people."
These words sounded like a reproach, but there wasn't a trace of real blame in the tone; instead, there was a hint of...appreciation?
Si Mianmian still smiled innocently, as if she hadn't understood the Empress Dowager's "reprimand" at all, but only took it as praise and accepted it. She happily thanked the Empress Dowager and left, occasionally turning back to smile sweetly at her.
What was supposed to be a serious and tense audience ended in such an unexpected way. When Si Mianmian followed Consort Wen back to Zhuixia Pavilion, with three heavy boxes of "gifts" behind them, Consort Wen still felt like she was dreaming.
Inside Renshou Palace, when the Empress Dowager was alone, she sighed to her most trusted old nanny, "This child... is quite interesting. Unlike her mother, who is so timid and submissive, or those in the palace whose minds are full of intrigues. Her eyes are so pure."
The old nanny smiled and agreed, "Yes, the Ninth Princess seems to be a very sincere child."
The Empress Dowager took a sip of tea, a knowing smile flashing deep in her eyes.
Sincerity? Perhaps.
But to be able to portray "sincerity" so naturally and perfectly in front of her cold-faced Buddha is a skill that is unparalleled in the harem.
This little girl is something else.
However, in this lifeless palace, having a few more little creatures like these who can cheer people up seems... not so bad.
Survival Handbook Postscript: Sometimes, breaking the rules with "recklessness" is precisely the shortcut to inner peace. The key is whether your "recklessness" is wrapped in genuine sincerity (or what appears to be sincerity) that can soften someone's heart.
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