Chapter 827: How Could We Be Worthy?

What does this matter have to do with proposing marriage for my son?

After being stunned for a while, the three women all started laughing.

Madam Yang couldn’t hold back her laughter.

"Look at me, I’ve been muddled with anger!"

Lady Wen also laughed through her tears.

"Enough, enough; let’s not talk about this problem anymore. We’ll worry about the future when it comes!"

Madam Yang also nodded.

"Exactly!"

"Come, come, the dishes are getting cold. You all better eat, don’t be shy!"

Lady Wen and Ni Manxue didn’t bring it up again.

After the meal, the two sat for a while longer before leaving.

In the carriage heading back to the mansion.

Ni Manxue suddenly exclaimed.

"If it wasn’t for my second sister liking scholars, I would’ve thought of matchmaking with the Yang family’s eldest son!"

"I’ve seen that gentleman. Remarkable talent and charming demeanor; although his skin is a bit tan, it’s a man’s natural hue. Who would mind that?"

Lady Wen frowned.

"I find it somewhat inappropriate! The Yang family is prestigious. How can someone of Cai Yang’s background match up to them?"

"Even if they don’t mind, we shouldn’t strive for things beyond our reach!"

Ni Manxue nodded.

"Indeed!"

"Madam Yang is good-hearted, but the relationships within a prestigious family are always complex! Cai Yang, I’m afraid..."

Lady Wen shook her head cautiously.

"Don’t mention it; the Yang family doesn’t have this intention, and we’re just maidens — we certainly can’t propose it!"

Ni Manxue nodded again.

"Right! I’m young and naive; I’ll listen to mother about this!"

After some thought, she continued.

"Mother, in my opinion, we should set aside Cai Yang’s matters and avoid this situation for now!"

Lady Wen nodded.

"That’s right, that’s a good idea!"

"She’s only fourteen, there’s no rush!"

Anyway, I’m reluctant to marry her off so quickly, am I not?!

After the discussion, the Hou Mansion arrived.

Mother and daughter-in-law entered the inner courtyard and saw Xia Caiyang chatting and laughing with several maids.

Beautiful face, glowing complexion, seemingly unaffected by that matter.

Only then were the two completely relieved.

Lady Wen laughed.

"Just like her brother, inherently fearless!"

Ni Manxue looked at Lady Wen with a smile.

"Mother, you gave birth to them well!"

She believed that if they really encountered a situation that requires risking it all, Lady Wen would be the first to rush in.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree; blood is inherited.

Even if you usually don’t stand out, at critical moments, you can see it.

Lady Wen waved her hand with a laugh.

"Enough, let’s just let this matter pass; let’s not mention it again in the future!"

"Ah!"

Ni Manxue agreed with a smile.

The two regained their cheerful expressions and headed to the yard.

...

In the palace

The Imperial Noble Consort was supposed to be given eighty lashes according to the rules.

But the Empress Dowager figured it would be fatal.

So she sent word to the Punishment Department to replace forty of the lashes with other punishments.

Like chest compression, needle punishment, and the like.

Any punishment, just don’t let her die!

While transmitting the message, the Empress Dowager felt triumphant.

’Humph! Finally found the opportunity to properly punish this vile woman; it’s truly satisfying!’

She would never allow her to die, because if Empress Dowager Zhen died, what fun would she have in the future?

It would be best to render her disabled.

When feeling upset, she would visit, taunt her verbally.

Relish her furious yet humiliated state.

Just thinking about it feels refreshing!

Over in the Duanning Palace.

Xia Ruqing wasn’t as concerned as the Empress Dowager.

She continued eating and drinking, not even asking a single question.

Zi Su was somewhat doubtful.

"Madam, are you really not concerned at all about the situation with the Imperial Noble Consort?"

Xia Ruqing raised an eyebrow.

"Concerned? Why should I be concerned?!"

"Moreover, with the Empress Dowager present, do you think she’ll easily let Empress Dowager Zhen go?"

"Don’t forget, apart from the grudges of this generation, there are also those of the previous generation!"

Wherever there are women, there are conflicts; it’s entirely normal!

Zi Su was still doubtful.

"Then, what if the Imperial Noble Consort tries to trip us or our lady up in the future?!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled.

"Well... we can trip her son up in return!"

She extremely detested these struggles, but it didn’t mean she would let herself be bullied!

Kindness, depends on whom it’s given to, right?

"Anyway! The future’s matters should be dealt with in the future; why trouble myself now!"

After saying this, Xia Ruqing continued flipping through the storybook.

After being busy for several days, she finally had leisure time, didn’t she?!

...

April passed by quietly.

In May, a new wave of selections for consorts began.

Only then did the attention of the palace people get diverted, and that issue was thoroughly forgotten.

Noble Concubine Shih was in charge of the selections.

Since May began, Noble Concubine Shih was extremely busy.

Either walking towards Zhaochen Palace or heading to Ningshou Palace.

Initially, Zhao Junyao was repelled by this; he wasn’t inclined to these selection matters.

He simply preferred not to get involved too much.

Unfortunately, every time Noble Concubine Shih came, she asked, and then she left once she finished.

There was no longer the old feeling of her wanting to throw herself onto him and harass him.

She had become much more proper.

Actually, he wasn’t that averse to this normal interaction.

Eventually, he got used to it.

At least it wasn’t as physically repulsive as it was initially, right?!

Noble Concubine Shih was smart enough.

Secretly, she made her own plans:

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor appeared harmonious on the surface but were actually competing behind the scenes.

So, she proactively submitted the initial list of Fine Ladies.

She wrote their family backgrounds in detail.

Looking at the list, Zhao Junyao could roughly figure out which families the Empress Dowager was trying to win over.

However, Zhao Junyao didn’t like it!

The harem is just the harem.

To put it nicely, they are noble ladies.

To put it bluntly, they are tools for the Emperor to continue the lineage and relieve stress amidst busy affairs.

They have nothing to do with court affairs or any political matters.

The Empress Dowager always thought to send people to his side through the selection to control him.

Doesn’t this idea seem a bit ridiculous?

Zhao Junyao didn’t enjoy this kind of farce at all.

So, with a wave of his hand, he removed all the disagreeable names.

Indeed, the Empress Dowager was quite disappointed when she got the revised list.

"What happened?! Wasn’t the Emperor supposed to not care about this?"

Noble Concubine Shih quickly bowed and explained.

"I as well don’t know; suddenly, the Emperor wanted to see it, and I couldn’t refuse, so..."

"I am guilty!"

The Empress Dowager helplessly waved her hand.

"Enough, it’s not your fault! You can leave if you have nothing else!"

"Yes!"

Noble Concubine Shih felt secretly proud.

With the Empress Dowager losing her new confidants, she could only continue supporting her.

This outcome was undoubtedly most advantageous for her.

After returning, Ying Qiu smiled.

"Madam, you’re truly wise!"

Noble Concubine Shih felt satisfied.

"What can I do? I’m forced into it!"

"The Empress Dowager never fully trusts me, and the Emperor doesn’t like me either."

"These matters, I have to slowly plan them on my own!"