Chapter 44 Not Afraid of the Empress's Laughter
"How is Little Hoof doing? I heard she questioned all the managers, but only a few actually went over. It's so pitiful."
While tending to the flowers and plants in the courtyard, Wang Yuru asked her trusted nanny a question.
The old woman laughed smugly, "That's right. How can the young lady, without any qualifications, keep those shrewd old managers in check? It took a lot of effort for Madam to subdue them back then."
Wang Yuru snorted coldly, recalling the situation when she first entered the Jiang family.
Those managers ignored her completely and didn't take her seriously at all.
She suppressed her nausea and gradually, through a combination of persuasion and coercion, placed many of her trusted confidants in positions of power, thus firmly grasping control of the household affairs.
Now, this little brat with hardly any flesh on her bones actually dares to think she can seize power from her? She's utterly ignorant of her own limitations.
She had already secretly given the order that they should ignore any of Jiang Zhi's commands.
She couldn't make a difference on her own; she couldn't stir up any trouble in the Jiang family. In the end, she would not only be scolded by the master, but he would also have to beg her to come back and clean up the mess.
"Let those people cause some trouble in the mansion. I'll protect them no matter what happens. I want to see just how capable she really is!"
"Yes, Madam." The nanny immediately carried out the order.
Not long after, he rushed back, his face pale and covered in cold sweat. "It's terrible, Madam! This old servant went out to inquire and found out that the Empress has sent an imperial decree to bestow many fine things upon the eldest young lady. Moreover, the Chuntang Garden is now completely surrounded by the stewards of the manor!"
"What?" Wang Yuru was so shocked that she dropped the flower hoe in her hand.
At this moment, Chuntang Garden was packed with people.
In the short time it took Jiang Zhi to go out and receive the imperial decree, the courtyard was filled with people. Upon closer inspection, all the stewards of the mansion had arrived, not one was missing.
She sat back down in her previous seat, drank the tea that Qingxing had refilled, and then slowly asked, "Have all the managers finished their work?"
"Yes, yes, how could we dare to slack off when Miss has given us orders? We quickly put down our work and rushed over. Please feel free to give us any instructions, Miss, we will all obey."
Everyone joined in and agreed.
This young lady seems to possess some kind of supernatural power; several stewards' households have suffered misfortunes at the same time, and no one knows which family will be struck by next calamity. No one would believe it's not a coincidence, so naturally, they all wisely refrained from acting arrogantly and came to Chuntang Garden to report for duty.
Jiang Zhi's expression was indifferent. "I hope we don't delay everyone's work."
"Of course not, it is our honor to serve Miss."
Now they don't care about being husband and wife anymore.
As everyone knows, the news from the front courtyard has just come in. The eldest young lady has been praised by the Empress herself and has been rewarded with gold and silver shops. This is an immense honor.
How could an ordinary lady of the inner quarters compare?
Just the fact that they've gained the Empress's favor is enough to keep them from going against the young lady!
Jiang Zhi nodded, "Then you will all come forward one by one to report on your assigned tasks, so that I can know what you usually do."
The people below bowed and scraped respectfully, their previous arrogant and domineering demeanor completely gone.
Jiang Zhi knew that truly winning over this group of managers wouldn't be something that could be achieved in a day or two.
But she didn't have the time or the patience to engage in a verbal battle with them.
She doesn't need them to be convinced, she just needs them to obey.
The best way to make people obey is through fear.
By the time everyone had finished reporting, it was already getting dark.
Jiang Zhi rubbed her aching temples and gestured for them to leave.
The thought of going to the palace to express her gratitude the next day made her feel unwell all over.
*
Jiang Zhi was led by a young eunuch as they walked along the palace path.
The towering palace walls on both sides resembled giant beasts crouching, and the palace gates opened one after another, leaving only the sound of her footsteps in the deep and quiet atmosphere.
Without her mother to guide her, and with her grandmother in poor health, she had to enter the palace alone to express her gratitude.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, she finally passed through the last palace gate and arrived in front of Kunning Palace.
The double-eaved hip roof with yellow glazed tiles is magnificent and ornate, inspiring awe in all who see it.
She was led into the palace by a palace maid, where a bright yellow brocade curtain was spread out before her eyes.
"This humble woman, Jiang Zhi, greets Your Majesty the Empress."
She bowed and paid her respects with such grace and fluidity that no one could find fault with her movements, as if she had been in the palace for a long time.
"Raise your head and let me see you." A majestic and clear voice came from above.
Jiang Zhi responded with a "Yes" and looked up. What came into view was a face that, although aged, was still stunningly beautiful and radiant.
It was none other than the current Empress, Xiao Xuanyou's birth mother, Song Yunshao.
"She is indeed good-looking and efficient. Very good." The Empress nodded.
Jiang Zhi immediately lowered her head humbly, "I dare not, Your Majesty the Empress is truly graceful and noble, with a magnificent presence that makes me forget all worldly concerns."
She bowed deeply again, saying, "This humble woman has come to express her gratitude to Your Majesty the Empress for your kindness. I am filled with trepidation and wish Your Majesty to remain forever dignified, healthy, and to forever rule the world."
The Empress remained stern, but her tone was still kind. "Rise. It is quite remarkable that you have performed such proper etiquette on your first visit to the palace. No wonder the Crown Prince specifically asked me to issue a decree of reward. You truly deserve it."
Jiang Zhi bowed again, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is discerning and fair in rewarding and punishing, which I greatly admire."
"Rise, please take a seat."
As Jiang Zhi stood up, she caught a glimpse of a bright yellow figure flashing past in the corner out of the corner of her eye.
When she looked again, she saw nothing, as if she had just imagined it.
She was puzzled.
The palace maids quickly served tea and snacks.
Jiang Zhi discovered that the rose petal pastry and the crispy cheese cicada were her favorite snacks.
How could the Empress possibly know her preferences?
Just as Jiang Zhi thanked the Empress and sat down, the Empress asked her again, "The Crown Prince has just recovered from his serious injuries. Does Miss Jiang know why he went to the flower-viewing banquet at your residence?"
Jiang Zhi's eyes sharpened.
They arrived as expected.
She knew that going to the palace today wouldn't be as simple as just expressing gratitude.
With clear eyes, she replied, "I was in the back courtyard and did not know that the Crown Prince had visited the residence that day. I am not afraid that Your Majesty the Empress will laugh at me, but my mind was in a mess that day. I was only thinking about protecting myself and did not care about the distinguished guests who came to the front courtyard. As for the evidence of the assassin, I obtained it by accident. I really do not deserve Your Majesty's praise and reward."
She spoke sincerely, her face still bearing the shy blush of a young lady from a secluded family, showing no sign of lying.
The Empress's solemn expression softened.
“Since I say you are capable of it, then you are capable of it. There is no need to belittle yourself.”
She ordered her servants to serve tea. "However, the Crown Prince's status concerns the very foundation of the nation, and countless eyes are watching him. Although he is gentle, kind, and tolerant, it is hard to guarantee that there are people with ulterior motives around him. I will never allow any further accidents to occur. I wonder if Miss Jiang can understand my good intentions?"
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