She knew her daughter-in-law well; she rarely came to her place unless she had something to do. Her sudden attentiveness today was unusual.
Empress Dowager Guo could tell that she was somewhat impatient with her, and she felt a surge of anger in her heart, but she dared not show it on her face.
"Previously, Xingzhi devoted himself to court affairs and wholeheartedly assisted Heng'er, neglecting his marriage. Now, with the court stable and the great cause secured, he has married, but there has been no news of him and Nong Nong for a long time. Some unpleasant rumors have spread, saying that Nong Nong not only has health problems but is also jealous and intolerant, resulting in the empty harem of the large royal palace. Xingzhi has sacrificed so much for the country and the people, and for the great cause, yet in the end, he is afraid of his wife..."
"Nonsense! Where did you hear that from?" the Empress Dowager said angrily.
"I don't believe it either, but people talk a lot, and gossip can be a real threat. After all, Xingzhi is not young anymore, and given his influence in Daye, his every move is under scrutiny. Since there has been no news for so long, people are bound to gossip. Today they're saying that Nong Nong has health problems, and tomorrow they'll probably be saying that Xingzhi, Xingzhi, is there something wrong with him?" Empress Dowager Guo said cryptically.
The Empress Dowager naturally understood her meaning and her face showed anger.
She can praise Xingzhi, but she will not allow others to slander or defame him.
Thinking it over, she suppressed her anger and asked calmly, "Then, in your opinion, what should be done about this?"
Empress Dowager Guo was delighted and hurriedly said, "In my opinion, the Prince's harem is too empty. He should take in more beauties. He has made great achievements and has made countless merits. Only when surrounded by beauties will he be worthy of being a prince."
The Empress Dowager looked at him in surprise, "Is this your method?"
Empress Dowager Guo hesitated and said, "Does Your Majesty think this method won't work?"
The Empress Dowager smiled and said meaningfully, "I remember when Jiande was alive, he wanted to take a beauty into the Eastern Palace, and you tried to stop him and even cried to me. Moreover, after Jiande passed away, you couldn't even tolerate his only concubine. How dare you make such a suggestion now, telling Xingzhi to take more concubines?"
Empress Dowager Guo was speechless, she hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to suddenly bring up the matter from back then.
"That happened so many years ago?" she asked, looking somewhat annoyed.
"Yes, that was so many years ago, it really was a long time ago." The Empress Dowager sighed, lost in her memories.
Seeing this, Empress Dowager Guo dared not utter a word.
After a long while, the Empress Dowager came to her senses and waved her hand wearily. "I'm tired, you should go back now." After a pause, she added, "You don't need to worry about Xingzhi's matter. You should focus more on Heng'er. Did you find a suitable candidate at yesterday's flower viewing banquet?"
Empress Dowager Guo clenched the handkerchief in her hand. She hadn't expected that the Empress Dowager would remain so calm after she had said those things. Judging from her expression, she would not adopt her suggestions.
She couldn't understand why the Empress Dowager, who was always so focused on governing the country, was so calm and composed in this matter.
She was still unwilling to give up, and opened her lips as if to say something, but when she met the wise eyes of the Empress Dowager, reason returned, and she suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.
She almost forgot that although the Empress Dowager was now very old, she was also extremely ruthless and decisive in her youth.
If she continues to dwell on this matter, she will inevitably be found out.
Thinking it over, she put on a forced smile and replied, "Originally, I had my eye on the Lu family's daughter as the Empress for Heng'er. But I didn't expect that her character was different from what people were saying. There are a few other girls who are quite suitable to be Heng'er's concubines. As for the Empress, I'm afraid we still need to consider it further."
The Empress Dowager nodded. "The selection of the Empress is not to be taken lightly. You must carefully examine the candidates."
"Yes," Empress Dowager Guo replied. "Since Mother has nothing else to say, I will take my leave now."
"Hmm." The Empress Dowager nodded lightly.
Back in her palace, Empress Dowager Guo's pent-up anger finally erupted.
She knocked the fine porcelain ornaments to the ground with a wave of her hand.
With a loud bang, the palace servants were so frightened that they dared not breathe and immediately knelt down.
Empress Dowager Guo was furious.
It took her a while to calm down.
Remembering something, she instructed, "Issue my imperial decree to have Consort Liu move to the side hall."
"Yes." The palace servant immediately accepted the order and left.
...
The Regent's Palace.
As night fell, the Sichuan-style chicken that Wen Nongnong had ordered was ready. In addition, Aunt Li also cooked several home-style dishes and a fish head tofu soup.
The aroma filled the entire room, instantly dispelling Wen Nongnong's gloomy mood. She picked up her chopsticks, ready to take some food, when Green Beauty, spoiling the mood, said, "Miss, shouldn't we wait for the Prince to return so we can eat together?"
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