"Empress Dowager! Youâve been sitting all morning and must be very tired. Youâve always enjoyed NingâErâs massages. Shall I have her give you one now?"
At this suggestion from Lady Zhenguo, Lady Ting Sheng also quickly stood up and pushed her own daughter forward.
"Our Shi Ning is also quite good at giving massages. Empress Dowager, shall Shi Ning give you a massage?"
Lady Zhenguo was furious at this and glared fiercely at Lady Ting Sheng.
"Is Miss Shi Ning really that good at this? It seems she has served many people then, hasnât she? Does the Marquisâs Mansion not have servants? To think a marquisâs daughter personally serves others!"
How sarcastic Lady Zhenguo is! She really has a sharp tongue!
The assembled noble ladies, reflecting on what had just transpired, felt a sense of relief. They were glad they hadnât tried to seize the opportunity to show off before the Empress Dowager; otherwise, they would have been the ones losing face now.
"Lady Zhenguo, your words are quite interesting. Werenât you just offering your own daughter to massage the Empress Dowager?"
Lady Ting Sheng was not one to be trifled with. With just a few words, she turned the embarrassment back onto Lady Zhenguo.
"Lady Ting Sheng, your words are also quite interesting. My NingâEr is the Empress Dowagerâs own niece. As a junior, isnât it perfectly normal for her to massage her own aunt?"
Those words landed like a resounding slap, and all the noble ladies winced in embarrassment for Lady Ting Sheng.
"You... Lady Zhenguo, youâre going too far!"
Lady Ting Shengâs face turned shades of livid and pale with fury!
Shi Ning stood before her mother, her eyes red with anger.
"Ladies, please calm yourselves. The Empress Dowager is tired, and itâs nearly lunchtime. If the young ladies wish to express their filial piety to the Empress Dowager, perhaps they could prepare some delicious dishes to present to her. What does everyone think of this suggestion?"
Just as the atmosphere grew incredibly tense, a soft and gentle voice suddenly broke the silence.
Everyone turned towards the speaker: a young lady dressed in goose-yellow attire, looking somewhat nervous as she regarded them.
"And you are, young lady?"
The Empress Dowager looked at the young girl, blinking.
That was a good save!
A clever one,
the Empress Dowager thought. Just then, the girl spoke, "I am Li Zhujun, daughter of Li Xu of the Zhongshu Province."
The Empress Dowager had indeed found the girl rather familiar from the start, as if she had seen her somewhere before, which was why she had asked.
Now, hearing her announce her family, the Empress Dowager instantly recalled.
Isnât this girl the cousin of that âLucky Star,â the one born at the same time as my little darling?
The thought of how that âLucky Starâsâ grandmother had wanted to bury her little darling alive made the Empress Dowagerâs heart clench with displeasure.
However, she remembered the Emperor saying there were more significant matters involved, and it wasnât yet time to deal with that family. So, she remained silent.
The Empress Dowager merely asked that one question and said nothing further. Consequently, all eyes below, filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment, focused on Li Zhujun.
Li Zhujun basked in their gazes, feeling immensely pleased with herself.
Her face clearly broadcasted her triumph.
The noblewomen were incredibly envious of Lady Li, Li Zhujunâs mother, and all turned to look at her. Those seated closer even began to whisper ingratiating remarks.
"Lady Li, you certainly know how to raise a daughter! Look how sensible she is!"
"Lady Li, we must get together more often in the future!"
"Lady Li, our two families are actually somewhat related, you know! When might we find time to chat together?"
Instantly, Lady Li became the center of attention.
Li Zhujun felt even more triumphant. After announcing her family, she had lowered her head, waiting for the Empress Dowager to follow up with praise. However, she waited and waited, but no further words came. A knot of anxiety began to form within her.
Gaining the Empress Dowagerâs favor would undoubtedly be a great help for her future entry into the Emperorâs harem. Yet now, she had only received a single question and no subsequent praise from the Empress Dowager. It felt as if her path forward had been severed.
"Empress Dowager! I also have a younger sister. She is the Lucky Star of our Great Han, named Yanyan, and she is a disciple of the National Master!"
At Li Zhujunâs words, all the young ladies of noble families and the noblewomen present grew secretly anxious.
This Miss Li is truly shameless, even using a child!
The young ladies, in particular, were grinding their teeth in frustration.
Why doesnât my family have a little Lucky Star?
they lamented internally.
Look at that, this little vixen has managed to take the lead this time!
Just as envy and jealousy began to simmer in everyoneâs hearts, the Empress Dowager, who had been silent on the main seat for some time, finally spoke.
"The Lucky Star of Great Han? Who proclaimed that? The National Master? Did he request an imperial edict for this enfeoffment? Was it merely because auspicious omens appeared at her birth? Iâve heard that on the day of the auspicious omens, your Li Yanyan wasnât the only child born! There was another one. Where did that child go?"
When the Empress Dowager said this, the crowd was stunned for a good while before they processed the implications of the information they had just received.
"More than one child was born on the day of the auspicious omens? How come weâve never heard this news?"
"We havenât heard about it either! Who is the other child?"
"Whose child is it? Is it also from the Li Family?"
The noblewomen whispered amongst themselves, completely disregarding Lady Liâs composure.
"Alright, all of you can stop crowding around me. Go on about your business. My little darling should be arriving soon."
The Empress Dowager had delivered the information she intended and the necessary rebukes. She also made sure to remind everyone that, in her heart, no one could ever surpass her little darling!
Everyoneâs expression shifted, and some even deliberately distanced themselves from Li Zhujun and her mother.
Just as the Empress Dowager stepped out of the room, a sweet, childish voice called from outside, "Grandma!"
"Oh! My dearest darling, youâre here! Come, let Grandma see you! Grandma hasnât seen my little darling for several days."
The moment Xiaosuisui arrived, a smile instantly bloomed on the Empress Dowagerâs face.
The smile reached her eyes, brimming with immense joy.
"Grandma! Itâs not just me! Maternal Grandma, pretty sister, Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt, Second Uncle... Third Aunt all came too!" Xiaosuisui enumerated, ticking them off on her fingers.
She paused after counting, then added, "Oh, and Princess Ata is here too."
"Princess Ata? She came with you as well?"
"Princess Ata stayed at Maternal Grandmaâs house yesterday! Today is my apprenticeship ceremony, and she said sheâd come to cheer me on!"
Hearing this, the Empress Dowagerâs lips twitched.
But she didnât say much more, only asking, "Darling, do you truly wish to become Master Liao Kongâs disciple?"
Xiaosuisui shook her head.
"I donât want to become a disciple! Monks have to shave their heads, and that looks so ugly!"