Chapter 1013: The Idea

Leaving Duanning Palace.

Empress Dowager Zhen’s face changed instantly.

Back in Ninghe Palace, she sat on the kang and drank two sips of tea, finally catching her breath.

Looking at the rejected gift list in her hand, she sneered.

"Hum!"

"Good for that Empress, truly a heart of stone!"

"She can even ignore her own sister!"

Tao Yue was somewhat skeptical.

"Is it truly ignoring, or a strategy?"

"Imperial Noble Consort, speaking as a servant, we should proceed as planned!"

Empress Dowager Zhen was a bit annoyed.

"The original plan?"

"You mean letting Sixth Son marry Xia Ruyi?"

Tao Yue nodded.

"Can’t he?"

"After all, Xia Ruyi is a legitimate daughter..."

"Shut up!"

Empress Dowager Zhen was in a rage.

"What about being legitimate?"

"Without the support of the Empress, given her father is just a County Magistrate, does she think she can become a Princess Consort?"

"Even if my Sixth Son isn’t great, he certainly can’t marry a woman of such standing!!"

After speaking, she angrily gulped down her tea, slamming the empty teacup on the table.

Tao Yue dared not persuade further.

She sighed inwardly:

Initially thought, after all, they’re family sisters, if they became in-laws, perhaps the Empress would be kinder.

At least more cordial, avoiding a complete fallout.

But no one expected the Empress and her sister to have such a poor relationship!

Sigh! Just unlucky.

Moreover, the Empress’s fortune was incredible.

Who would have thought, a woman of such humble origins could become Empress!

For so many years, the Imperial Noble Consort was always unfriendly, even made quite a few enemies.

Now that she has become Empress.

It’s not so easy to cozy up to her!

Empress Dowager Zhen harbored a deep resentment.

"Go! Call Hai Feng over!"

Regarding this foreign daughter-in-law, Empress Dowager Zhen already had complaints.

Recently, she discovered, this daughter-in-law seemed to have some ambitions, her schemes were quite deep.

Every day entangled with Xia Ruyi, not knowing what they were plotting.

Though they are family, she still cannot be too careless.

"Yes!"

Tao Yue acknowledged, quickly went to summon her.

After half a Shi Chen.

The lavishly adorned Princess Consort Zhe, surrounded by servants, entered the palace.

After paying respects to the Empress Dowager.

She promptly headed to Ninghe Palace.

Paid respects in the main hall.

Empress Dowager Zhen dismissed the servants, taking her to the inner chamber.

Sitting down, Hai Feng impatiently asked.

"Mother Consort, did you urgently call me to the palace for anything specific?"

Empress Dowager Zhen’s face stiffened, taking out the rejected gift list.

"Look at this!"

"From the Empress..."

Hai Feng glanced and immediately understood, hesitated then comforted.

"Mother Consort!"

"You needn’t worry!"

"If it doesn’t work out, so be it, you have the Fifth Master and Sixth Master!"

"Even the Emperor can’t do much to you, much less an Empress!"

Empress Dowager Zhen remained concerned.

"It’s not that simple!"

"I still have to live here in the deep palace, this harem is her domain, surely though..."

"Mother Consort!"

Hai Feng persuaded again.

"Once Sixth Brother marries and leaves the palace to establish his own residence, you can move out, living freely in either son’s residence!"

"Who would dare mistreat you?"

Empress Dowager Zhen was somewhat skeptical.

"Really... possible?"

"But she’s the Empress!"

The Empress’s power within the Royal Clan is indeed immense.

With their poor relations with the Empress, troubles would surely follow!

Thinking carefully, Empress Dowager Zhen was still somewhat hesitant.

Hai Feng discreetly frowned, but maintained a smiling persuasion.

"If it truly doesn’t work, shall we consider another solution?"

"They say, untie the bell, the person who tied it should do it, or else... should I apologize to the Empress?"

"Better not!"

Empress Dowager Zhen shook her head in refusal.

"Our conflict with the Empress isn’t solely because of you!"

"Moreover..." She raised her eyebrows.

"Apologizing is undignified!"

Hai Feng laughed in frustration.

’This is, wanting conciliation without losing face?’

’Do you think the Empress would come begging for reconciliation?’

’What are you contemplating!’

However, Empress Dowager Zhen’s attitude seemed to suit her intentions.

With a clever turn, she came up with a good plan.

"Mother Consort, if it truly doesn’t work, we’ll do the opposite!"

"Do the opposite? What do you mean?"

Empress Dowager Zhen puzzled.

Hai Feng quickly explained.

"Think about it, Mother!"

"The Empress and Third Miss don’t get along, then we’ll treat Third Miss..."

"If Sixth Brother can’t marry the main wife, he can still take her as a concubine!"

"By then, if the sisters get along, we’ll treat Xia Ruyi well!"

"In the future, if they don’t, then we’ll..."

"Once married, won’t she be at our mercy?"

"The key is to marry her into the household!"

Empress Dowager Zhen’s eyes gleamed at the proposal.

"This idea is good!"

No need to flatter anyone, yet subtly favoring the Empress.

Perhaps, on account of her sister, the Empress might show leniency.

"I think it can work!"

Empress Dowager Zhen smiled in satisfaction.

Hai Feng felt relieved inwardly.

’Finally, this old lady has relented!’

’To bring Xia Ruyi into that cripple’s harem, it wasn’t easy!’

Yet, there’s still one more issue.

"What?" Empress Dowager Zhen puzzled.

"That is, you need to quickly arrange the marriage for Sixth Master!"

"If Xia Ruyi finds out it’s a concubine she’s becoming, I’m afraid she’ll refuse!"

"At that point, if anything arises, it won’t look good on us!"

"It’s best to arrange a marriage, all done at once!"

Empress Dowager Zhen nodded thoughtfully.

"You’re right, this needs to be kept secret!"

"Arrange the marriage, do it together!"

Hai Feng chuckled.

"But doing this, it does wrong future Sixth Princess Consort, having to enter with the concubine."

Empress Dowager Zhen scoffed.

"What sort of grievance is that!"

"It’s customary among prominent families in the Capital City!"

"There are many examples of this in the Royal Family, some even marry with the Consort!"

Hai Feng lowered her head and smiled.

"My etiquette lacks, thank you, Mother, for your guidance!"

Empress Dowager Zhen quickly took her hand with a grin.

"Good child!"

"You didn’t grow up here, it’s no wonder you’re unaware!"

"If you can help Wuwu this time, the old lady truly wouldn’t know how to thank you!"

Hai Feng promptly shook her head.

"Mother Consort, what are you saying?"

"It’s my fortune to ease Mother’s burdens and show filial duty to Fifth Master by your side!"

Despite feeling nauseated by her own words!

Empress Dowager Zhen was genuinely pleased.

"Such a good child!"

"Oh, right!"

"Did you already know that Lady Xia was going to be made Empress? Otherwise, why did you always urge me to send gifts?"

Hai Feng contemplated then nodded.

"Think about it, Mother Consort, she’s the most favored in the harem and has birthed three Princes for the Emperor!"

"The new Empress position, most likely, is hers!"

"I always persuaded you to send gifts, considering it would be unwise to tear relations completely!"