That's a bit harsh.
It was almost a public accusation that Empress Dowager Zhang was unfilial.
Empress Dowager Zhang, accustomed to being domineering, had no choice but to restrain her temper and swallow her anger in front of everyone, saying:
"Your Majesty, you flatter me. I was just afraid that this Su woman would be arrogant and rude and disrespect you."
"Disrespect?"
The Empress Dowager's tone carried a hint of sarcasm.
"Wanwan broke her leg yesterday, but she came over early this morning to keep this old man company. She's much more polite and filial than anyone else."
"Someone, show everyone the jade Guanyin that Wanwan brought. This is a Bodhisattva statue that she had blessed by Master Huicheng of Jiming Temple. It's truly touching to see her so sincere."
Empress Zhang's expression was a little stiff, and after a long while she smiled and changed the subject:
"So she broke her leg. I feel sorry for her. Are all the ladies of the outer court here by now?"
The leader among the ladies of the outer court was the Grand Princess of Chun'an, who was over fifty years old and had become overweight. Her expression immediately darkened when she saw Su Wanwan.
She was Emperor Xianzong's half-sister, and among Lu Xingjian's many great-aunts, she was the eldest.
Her mother was a sworn enemy of the late Empress Dowager Zhou, so Zhou always disliked her and even reprimanded her to her face.
At that time, Su Wanwan was serving by Zhou Shi's side and saw her disheveled state.
Now that the Zhou family lineage has declined, she wants to kick them while they're down.
The Grand Princess of Chun'an coldly rebuked:
"Su, have you become so lawless, relying on the Empress Dowager Xiaosu's favor?"
Empress Dowager Xiaosu was the posthumous title of the Zhou family.
Her baseless accusation was tantamount to putting Su Wanwan in a very difficult position.
If she argues back, she will be seen as sharp-tongued and disrespectful to her elders.
If you don't argue back, it means you've tacitly accepted her accusations and been unfairly smeared.
Su Wanwan coldly curled her lips, pinched her thigh hard, her eyes instantly reddening, and her gentle voice filled with heavy sobs. She grabbed the hand of the Empress Dowager Wang and cried out in heartbreak:
"Grandmother, it is my fault. I sincerely wished you a happy birthday, but I caused a quarrel on your special day."
As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, glistening teardrops rolling down like morning dew on flowers, making her appear exceptionally pitiful and wronged.
Empress Dowager Wang kindly comforted her:
"Good boy, it's not your fault."
Following behind the Grand Princess of Chun'an was the Grand Princess of Yixing, who pouted and uttered a fair statement:
"Is my elder sister confused? The younger generation got up earlier than us to offer birthday wishes even though they were injured. If that's considered lawless, then what isn't?"
"Tell me, among her peers, who else could do that?"
Xia Xueyi's face turned ugly upon hearing this, and she glared at Su Wanwan with resentment.
She was always busy flattering Empress Dowager Zhang and had little contact with Empress Dowager Wang, which made her seem very unfilial in comparison.
She awkwardly changed the subject:
"I heard that the Duchess of Wei is looking for a husband for Lady Su. I wonder how it's going?"
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