Madam Jin was so angry that she trembled all over. Unable to contain herself any longer, she slammed her hand on the table.
"You wild girl who popped out of who-knows-where, how dare you disrespect the Empress Dowager?! Guards..."
Yu Ji interrupted Madam Jin aggressively:
"You old hag, what are you doing interrupting? Everyone in the world knows that your Zhang family is corrupt. The Emperor's brother-in-law was involved in an affair in the palace, and it's common knowledge..."
Su Wanwan stood outside the main hall, quietly listening to the lively atmosphere inside.
But he couldn't listen to it anymore and glanced at Wen Zi.
Wen Zi coughed and announced loudly, "Your Majesty, Miss Su has arrived."
Empress Dowager Zhang paused, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions, as she watched Su Wanwan walk in step by step.
He turned and glanced at his mother, Madam Jin.
Madam Jin nodded firmly at her.
Countless thoughts raced through Empress Zhang's mind.
Should we support Su Wanwan?
Honestly, she was extremely unwilling.
How could she support the woman raised by the Zhou family?
But now, the emperor is condoning Consort Yu's trouble-making in the palace, and they're even bullying her in front of her.
Empress Xia would then hide in Kunning Palace and feign illness, which was already a wasted move.
Consort Rong and Consort De also acted like cowards, not even showing their faces.
She had no other choice.
Princess Chun'an, who used to frequently come to flatter her, has now completely disappeared.
Now she is trapped in the deep palace, and her family is embroiled in a major treason case, unable to do anything.
In any case, we have no choice but to take the risk and try Su Wanwan's move.
Only by firmly grasping Su Wanwan's hand will the emperor hesitate to act rashly against the Zhang family.
Empress Dowager Zhang made up her mind and beckoned to Su Wanwan with affection: "Wanwan, come and sit down here with me."
Su Wanwan shivered.
It has a kind of absurd feeling, like "a weasel paying New Year's greetings to a chicken".
Madam Jin said with concern, "Oh dear, it's been so long! Wanwan, you've gotten so thin! Were you bullied?"
Yu Ji's sharp gaze fell on Su Wanwan, then she rolled her eyes disdainfully, a hint of hatred flashing in her eyes.
Just withered flowers and fallen willows.
Her face was deathly pale, and she was dressed in shabby coarse cloth clothes, looking exactly like a widowed, destitute woman.
Who are you trying to impress with that pitiful look?
As Su Wanwan brushed past her, Yu Ji blocked her path.
He then raised his hand and slapped her.
She still hasn't avenged those two slaps Su Wanwan gave her.
Now, with the emperor's favor and indulgence, even the empress dowager was bullied so much that she almost died of anger.
What's there to be afraid of, a poor widow?
However.
Su Wanwan had been on guard against her sudden attack, and promptly grabbed her wrist with one hand while slapping Yu Ji across the face with the other, making Yu Ji see stars.
"How dare you! Where did this wild girl come from, daring to cause trouble in the palace!"
Yu Ji was furious and raised her foot to kick him.
She is the daughter of a military general and has practiced archery and horsemanship since childhood. In terms of one-on-one combat, she is definitely much stronger than the seemingly frail Su Wanwan.
Su Wanwan gave her a push and said to Wen Zi:
"Chief Steward Wen, you are in charge of Cikang Palace. Are you going to condone her causing trouble in Cikang Palace?"
A hint of hesitation flashed in Wen Zi's eyes, but she still stepped forward and restrained Yu Ji.
Recently, those eunuchs and palace maids who dared to oppose Yu Ji were either beaten to death or thrown into the laundry department to do hard labor.
Judging from the current situation, the Emperor really doesn't want to tolerate his stepmother, the Empress Dowager, any longer, allowing Consort Yu to run rampant in the harem.
No one dared to risk their lives to challenge Yu Ji anymore.
Yu Ji's face turned red with anger, and she shouted, "Guards! Take this audacious scoundrel to the Eastern Depot!"
The palace maids and eunuchs who usually followed Consort Yu were standing outside Cikang Palace, but none of them dared to come in.
Empress Dowager Zhang felt much more at ease.
Finally, someone dared to stand up to that vile servant Yu Ji!
She had the confidence to control Su Wanwan, whom she had watched grow up and who was always docile.
She was at a loss for what to do with Yu Ji, who was completely unruly and reckless.
The best way is to get rid of Yu Ji by using Su Wanwan!
Empress Dowager Zhang smiled slightly. "Wanwan, come and sit down."
Su Wanwan stood still and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "This humble woman dares not offend the Empress Dowager."
Empress Dowager Zhang's smile froze.
She recalled the time she had harshly rebuked her as a jinx.
This is why, despite Lady Jin's advice to bring Su Wanwan into the harem to fulfill the emperor's wishes, she hesitated to take action.
Since the facade has already been torn off, how could she, as the esteemed Empress Dowager, possibly lower herself to coax Su Wanwan into serving her own purposes?
However, times have changed. Now, both the Zhang family and she are in dire straits and desperately need help.
After all, blood is thicker than water.
My own niece.
In terms of blood ties, Wanwan is even closer to Xia Xueyi than Xia Xueyi.
When there is no direct conflict of interest, one can persuade her to set aside past grievances and form an alliance based on blood ties.
In front of Consort Yu, Empress Dowager Zhang couldn't bring up the matter of the "jinx," so she tried to smooth things over by saying:
"Last time, I was so angry that I wronged Wanwan. Don't take it to heart."
Su Wanwan's expression remained unchanged, polite yet distant.
"The matter of celestial phenomena is of utmost importance; Your Majesty must not be careless."
This clearly shows they're unwilling to let the past go.
Empress Dowager Zhang gritted her teeth and made a firm decision, saying:
"Last night's lunar eclipse once again foreshadowed that the central palace has lost its virtue and is unfit for its position. The celestial phenomena of the past also manifested in her."
She paused, then said, "Wanwan, it was I and the Grand Princess Chun'an who wronged you back then."
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