Lin Wanwan's gentle and virtuous smile was like a spring breeze, dispelling the tense atmosphere in Kunning Palace, but it also left everyone feeling extremely astonished and confused.
What... what kind of reaction is this?
Not angry? Not scolding? Not feeling wronged?
Instead, he laughed?
The palace servants watching outside the hall exchanged bewildered glances, wondering if the Empress had lost her mind in anger. Meanwhile, the Regent's chief secretary, whose smugness of victory was momentarily dampened, felt a strange unease as he looked at Lin Wanwan's untroubled smile.
Just as everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty, Lin Wanwan walked gracefully and slowly to his side.
She didn't look at the servants carrying the "gifts," but instead personally took the gilded gift list, filled with humiliation, from the chief clerk's hands.
Her movements were natural, as if she were receiving not a challenge, but a perfectly normal greeting.
"Uncle Wang is very kind."
She spoke, her voice soft and pleasant, carrying a hint of genuine gratitude, which once again surprised everyone.
"I have only been in the palace for a short time and my foundation is not yet solid. I am indeed lacking in talent and learning. It is my good fortune to be valued by my uncle and given such educational books to constantly spur me on."
She nodded slightly to the chief clerk, her demeanor graceful and her tone sincere as if it came from the bottom of her heart:
"Please convey my gratitude to Uncle Wang for his kindness."
"boom--!"
If everyone was just stunned before, now their brains have completely shut down!
This... this act of "repaying evil with kindness," what kind of divine move is this?!
Not only did they accept the humiliation completely, but they also thanked the other party?
The chief steward of the Prince's residence was completely stunned. He had prepared a whole host of contingency plans to deal with the Empress's rage or her tearful complaints, but now he couldn't use a single one. He felt as if he had punched cotton with all his might, and the frustration of having nowhere to land made him almost want to vomit blood.
Looking at the empress before him, with her gentle smile and humble demeanor, he realized for the first time that he couldn't see through her at all.
The concubines outside the palace, who had been expecting a good show, froze their gloating expressions, replaced by deep confusion and... a hint of admiration.
To maintain such composure and dignity under such public humiliation is a quality unmatched in the entire harem!
Sitting not far away, Xiao Che watched his empress's unconventional actions. The coldness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deep sense of amusement and appreciation. The explosive barrel above his head, about to detonate, his fuse extinguished with a "whoosh," transforming into a chibi-style figure with arms crossed, watching the spectacle with great interest.
He knew that his queen was about to begin her performance again.
Sure enough, just as the chief secretary was speechless and unsure how to respond, Lin Wanwan changed her tone, becoming even more "sincere" and "humble" than before.
"but……"
She furrowed her brows slightly, a perfectly measured look of embarrassment and guilt on her face. Her gaze swept over the gift boxes containing books such as "Admonitions for Women," and she sighed.
"These invaluable books of moral instruction are all unique copies passed down through generations. I appreciate your kindness, Uncle. However..."
She glanced around, her gaze slowly sweeping over everyone present, and finally, in a tone full of "big picture" wisdom, said regretfully:
"...I am truly unworthy to enjoy this all by myself, and I have failed to live up to your kind intentions, Uncle Wang!"
These words confused everyone again.
What does this mean? Not for everyone? Are they planning to distribute a copy to everyone in the harem, launching a "learning the Three Obediences and Four Virtues" campaign?
The ominous premonition in the heart of the chief secretary of the Prince's mansion grew stronger and stronger.
Just as everyone held their breath, waiting for her to continue, Lin Wanwan's gaze finally pierced through the layers of palaces and locked onto the deepest part of the palace, in the direction that symbolized the most noble status—Cian Palace.
A radiant smile, filled with reverence and admiration, instantly bloomed on her face as she spoke in a clear voice:
"If we're talking about exemplary women in the world, who can compare to the Empress Dowager?"
"!!!"
These words struck like lightning, instantly hitting the top of everyone's head!
Everyone, including Xiao Che, instantly understood Lin Wanwan's intention!
Using someone else's flowers to present to Buddha!
Shifting the blame eastward!
Cut off the fuel supply at the root!
That move was absolutely brilliant!
Wasn't the regent going to use the "Admonitions for Women" to teach and humiliate her?
Okay! I'll take it!
But I am "unworthy" of such a "good" thing. How can a junior like me enjoy it all by myself? Under heaven, the one who deserves this "honor" the most is naturally the highly respected Empress Dowager!
Didn't you, Regent, want to demonstrate your virtue of "having the royal family in mind and teaching future generations"? Very well, I'll help you elevate this "virtue" a bit. Together, we'll present this grand gift, which contains our shared "filial piety," to our common elder—the Empress Dowager!
This move turned the hot potato sent by the Regent into a deadly weapon to strike back at the alliance between the Empress Dowager and the Regent!
Your gift of "Admonitions for Women" to the Empress, Your Regent, is a warning and a lesson.
But what did you mean by giving the "Admonitions for Women" to the Empress Dowager?
Is this a sarcastic remark that the Empress Dowager is "morally deficient" and needs to be taught?
This immediately turned the Regent from a provocateur into an awkward figure caught in the middle!
The face of the Prince's Chief Secretary turned completely white in an instant!
His mouth hung open, his mind went blank, and cold sweat instantly streamed down his forehead. He wanted to explain, but found himself utterly unable to do so!
Are we supposed to say in public, "This gift from our prince is for the empress, not the empress dowager"?
That's tantamount to admitting that they were deliberately humiliating the Queen!
This...this is an open conspiracy with no solution!
Inside and outside Kunning Palace, there was an eerie silence. Everyone was stunned into silence by the Empress's unpredictable actions.
As they looked at the woman whose face still wore a gentle smile, a chill ran through them.
This is hardly the weak and easily bullied empress who was brought in to bring good fortune. She is clearly a monster who can manipulate the most powerful and influential people with ease!
Just as the chief secretary of the Prince's mansion was about to collapse to the ground with weak legs, Lin Wanwan's gentle voice, like a final verdict, rang out clearly.
She issued an imperial decree to Ruolan, who was already stunned beside her:
"Ruolan".
"This servant...this servant is here!" Ruolan replied hastily, startled.
Lin Wan-wan smiled slightly, but in the eyes of the Chief Secretary, that smile was more terrifying than a devil.
"By imperial decree, the book presented by the Regent shall be delivered to Cixi Palace immediately, intact."
She paused, then emphasized each word, saying:
"Just say that this is a token of filial piety that I and my uncle jointly present to the Empress Dowager!"
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