Chapter 820: Aggressive and Overbearing

With this thought, the Empress Dowager suddenly regained her confidence.

Indeed.

With such resilience, what can’t be achieved?!

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly.

She ordered someone to invite Empress Dowager Zhen in.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager!"

"No need for formalities, sister, have a seat!" The Empress Dowager remained gentle and kind.

Empress Dowager Zhen cautiously accompanied her smile.

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

She sat down on a small stool beside her after speaking.

The stool was quite small, so when seated it was low, almost like squatting.

At least half a body lower than the Empress Dowager’s seat.

Even Noble Concubine Shih’s seat was higher than hers, which was clearly a challenge.

Empress Dowager Zhen showed no hint of disdain.

To be precise, she did not dare to show disdain.

"Sister Zhen, is there anything you wish to discuss today?"

While speaking, the Empress Dowager instructed Noble Concubine Shih to put away the draft of Fine Ladies.

Empress Dowager Zhen accompanied her smile.

"Your Majesty, I’ve heard there’s going to be a selection of fine ladies, so I came to inquire about my son’s marriage..."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled.

"No need to worry; although it was delayed last year, this year it certainly won’t be!"

"Rest assured, when the time comes, I will certainly choose a virtuous young lady from a great family for Zhezher as his Princess Consort!"

"You won’t have to worry at all!"

Empress Dowager Zhen was still uncertain in her heart.

"Your Majesty, can you tell me in advance which families are being considered?"

"I’ve taken a liking to a few families myself, but I’m unsure if their fine ladies are entering the palace!"

"If they do..."

Empress Dowager Zhen hadn’t finished before the Empress Dowager interrupted her.

"What do you mean by that? Are you questioning my choice for you?"

Empress Dowager Zhen immediately knelt down.

"No! That’s not it!"

"That’s not what I meant!"

"Then what do you mean?" The Empress Dowager pressed assertively!

Empress Dowager Zhen hesitated for a moment, unable to speak, she lowered her head.

The Empress Dowager sneered coldly.

"You needn’t have bad intentions; if you’re uncertain, I’ll let you choose yourself!"

"For such things, I disdain to play tricks!"

Empress Dowager Zhen gritted her teeth and kowtowed.

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

The Empress Dowager angrily turned her head and instructed Noble Concubine Shih.

"Go, bring the draft of fine ladies here! Let her choose for herself!"

Picking consorts for the Emperor and picking consorts for the Prince, the fine ladies are naturally different.

There’s no such thing as marrying leftovers; they won’t get mixed up.

For the Prince, the qualification of fine ladies is certainly lesser.

These fine ladies are screened once during the initial selection.

Which are good and which aren’t is clearly distinguished.

Regardless of status, it’s purely about personal qualification.

Even if you’re the daughter of a First Rank officer, if your reputation or appearance is bad, you wouldn’t pass the initial selection.

Conversely, even if you’re the daughter of a Fifth Rank minor official, if you’re clever, talented, and outstanding, you would be considered for the Emperor’s consort.

Of course, the actual difference isn’t that substantial.

Some ladies from great families might get rejected just for having a few pimples.

This kind of thing happens often.

Therefore, the fine ladies in the Prince’s draft book would certainly not be as qualified as those in the Emperor’s major selection.

Of course, you can find a general even among those less qualified, can’t you?

Besides, Zhao Junzhe isn’t particularly outstanding either!

In matters of marriage, there’s got to be a match!

Empress Dowager Zhen left satisfied.

The Empress Dowager was too lazy to argue with her, only said angrily.

"Fine, take it away; I don’t have to spend any effort!"

"Unaware of what’s good for you!"

"Indeed, mother, take the opportunity to rest! It’s just for a Fifth Princess Consort, not worth mentioning!"

"Hmm!"

The Empress Dowager angrily scolded a few words and let it go.

...

Leaving Ningshou Palace, Empress Dowager Zhen hurried all the way back.

Selecting a consort for her son, who wouldn’t be anxious!

But in her hurriedness, she accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oh no!"

"Ah!"

An old woman and a young lady both screamed in succession.

"Lady Taifei!"

"Second young lady!"

A group of Palace Maids and eunuchs were thrown into panic, scrambling to help.

"How dare you! Walking without looking, daring to bump into our Lady Taifei?!" A Palace Maid angrily said.

Xia Caiying had just been helped up by Zi Su and others.

The shock almost made her fall again.

Zi Su, being fiery, couldn’t tolerate this, nor was she afraid.

She immediately retorted, hands on her hips.

"You’re the presumptuous one! Clearly, you bumped into us first!"

Realizing things weren’t right, Xia Caiying hurriedly pulled Zi Su, whispering a warning: "Sister Zi Su, say no more..."

She then adjusted her clothing, stepped back and politely paid her respects.

"Greetings to Lady Taifei..."

"This commoner woman inadvertently bumped into Lady Taifei and is here to apologize!"

Her voice was crisp, yet not humble or overbearing, impeccably courteous, leaving no room for criticism.

Empress Dowager Zhen rubbed her sore arm, reluctantly said.

"Stand up!"

She thought: Previously, I would certainly have shown you trouble!

But now... she’s just a Taifei.

Though backed by two sons, her sons continued to fail, unable to stir any waves, right?!

Since the Late Emperor who favored her was gone, she could only survive through the Empress Dowager.

Living with her tail between her legs for years, all the hard edges worn away, truly helpless.

Moreover, arguing with a young girl would appear as bullying, not looking good.

She then proudly said.

"I don’t have time to argue with you!"

"Walk with caution in the future; if there’s a next time, I won’t let it go so easily!"

Empress Dowager Zhen glanced sideways, snorted coldly and strode away.

Xia Caiying, relieved, returned with her people to Fengyu Pavilion.

...

Back at her residence, Empress Dowager Zhen took a breath.

Suddenly, she sensed something was off.

"Who was that young lady? She seems quite particular, wearing a veil!"

Tao Sister, attending her, said.

"I don’t know much, but it seems... the concubine’s younger sister has come to the palace these days!"

"A younger sister?" Empress Dowager Zhen squinted her eyes.

"Humph! Turns out she’s just a little common girl, dressed like that, one’s left to think she’s a great family lady!"

Tao Sister laughed.

"Lady Taifei may not know, but it’s said this common girl grew up at the Hou Mansion; her sister-in-law, Lady Ni, is considered a small-town beauty in the Capital!"

"It’s believed this young lady should be quite disciplined!"

"Additionally, since Noble Consort Xian invited her to stay in the palace, the sisters likely have a good relationship!"

Empress Dowager Zhen thoughtfully nodded.

After a moment, she suddenly shifted her thoughts.

"Why am I concerned about this? It’s better to focus on selecting a Princess Consort for Little Fifth from the fine ladies’ draft!"

"Ah!!"

...

Duanning Palace

Xia Ruqing had just awakened from her noon nap when she heard about Xia Caiying bumping into Empress Dowager Zhen.

She suddenly became more alert.

"Ah! How come trouble occurred so soon after leaving?"

She had just returned from having lunch with herself.

Zi Yue said.

"It’s alright, nobody was hurt, our second miss apologized too, Lady Taifei didn’t argue!"