Chapter 142: First Meeting with the Empress Dowager (2)

“Should be a frail old lady with a head full of silver hair and a face full of wrinkles, right?” Han Lianyan took up what Yaoyao dared not say, her voice brimming with delight.

“Just like me.” The voice came from the doorway. After the Empress Dowager pulled Lianyue to her side, her body turned sideways. Following the voice, she saw three elegantly dressed middle-aged women being supported as they entered. The speaker was the richly attired noblewoman walking in the middle, with the flamboyantly dressed and proud Zhong Yufei assisting her.

When the royal family held a banquet, the secondary consorts of the prince’s residence were to accompany the main consort into the palace. Since Nan Xiangmo fell ill the night he arrived at Nanping Mansion, he did not come along this time. Whether his illness was genuine or feigned, no one bothered to investigate.

Zhong Yufei had sent word early that morning to her eldest sister not to enter the palace together. Her sister merely smiled and paid it no mind, not anticipating this unfolding drama. It seemed the person she was supporting was Grand Dowager Consort Zhong.

As for You Yuwei, she was summoned into the palace by the Empress Dowager yesterday and was told to remain there overnight. Lianyue had subtly scanned the hall upon entering but saw no sign of her, leaving her with lingering doubts.

Grand Dowager Consort Zhong’s eyes lingered briefly on Lianyu before she patted Zhong Yufei’s hand and smiled warmly. “Heaven always favors elder sister. Time’s traces seem to be etched upon us all. Every time I come to see elder sister, I dress up deliberately, but once I step through this door, it feels like all my efforts were in vain.”

“Zhong sister loves to joke. I merely have a fair complexion left. Standing with my younger sisters, I might still have some presence, but among the younger generation, I can only sigh that I have grown old.”

The melodious voice of a young woman chiming in again drew Lianyue’s gaze. Now standing, the speaker’s figure was undeniably graceful. Though Lianyue had noticed her before, she had yet to discern her identity.

The young woman gracefully bowed. “Your servant pays respects to Grand Dowager Consort Zhong, Dowager Consort Chu, and Dowager Consort Zhao.”

Since the entrance of the dowagers, the women in the hall rose from their embroidered stools and returned the greeting in unison.

“Your servant greets Grand Dowager Consort and Dowager Consorts.”

“Please rise.”

Lianyue rose alongside them and met Zhong Yufei’s haughty gaze. Under her scrutiny, Lianyue unabashedly signaled Yaoyao. There were things she could not say out of respect for her eldest sister’s status, but Yaoyao had no such reservations.

Yaoyao caught the hint and feigned surprise. “Auntie, what are you doing here? Didn’t Sister Yu receive a message this morning saying you wouldn’t enter the palace?”

The hall’s occupants knew well whom Yaoyao meant by “Auntie.” Smiles flickered across some faces, though no one dared laugh aloud. Their glances cast at Zhong Yufei varied—some gleefully malicious, some mocking, others sympathetic.

Zhong Yufei naturally noticed the changing expressions and her face darkened. She retorted sharply, “A girl like you has no place to speak here.”

Had she remained silent, it would have been fine. But by speaking, she effectively admitted to being the “Auntie” Yaoyao mentioned, and her gaze toward Yaoyao took on a condescending tone.

“Impudent!” The Empress Dowager, who knew Yaoyao’s identity, was the first to reprimand her sternly. “When did my honored guests become subject to your admonishment?”

Zhong Yufei hastily knelt, trembling as she said, “Your Majesty, please forgive me.”

“Yufei was only joking. Sister, why take it so seriously?” Grand Dowager Consort Zhong scrutinized Yaoyao deeply, her brows knitting slightly as she pondered the young woman’s identity—one evidently valued highly by the Empress Dowager.

Han Lianyan noted her expression with disdain. At such an age, she was still so blindly protective. Han Lianyan paid no heed to the kneeling Zhong Yufei but instead turned her gaze to the feignedly aggrieved Yaoyao. She had also noticed the look Lianyue had given Yaoyao earlier—clearly, the Yue family maintained close ties with the Hidden Sect.

The Yue family was the maternal side of her own grandson. Naturally, Han Lianyan chose to turn a blind eye to the small exchanges between Lianyue and Yaoyao.

Her smile regained its warmth. “You weren’t finished speaking just now. Come, stand beside me. If you don’t give me a satisfactory explanation today, I won’t be pleased.”

The tone was no longer as stern as when she had rebuked Zhong Yufei but rather that of a kindly elder chatting with juniors.

Yaoyao glanced triumphantly at Zhong Yufei and said boldly, “Do I even need to say more? Everyone’s eyes are sharp and clear. Your presence here speaks volumes.”

She spoke sincerely; if anyone claimed that the Empress Dowager had grown old, she would protest fiercely.

Han Lianyan looked into Yaoyao’s innocent eyes, her heart swelling with joy. She drew Lianyue and Yaoyao to sit beside her, while the three dowagers, now past their prime, remained standing. A trace of satisfaction stirred within her. “Sisters, please sit.”

Grand Dowager Consort Zhong saw the hopeful look Zhong Yufei cast at her and then the radiant smile of the Empress Dowager. She sighed and took the seat arranged by the palace maids.

Zhong Yufei’s face turned pale as she bowed her head deeply. Even her aunt had abandoned her. Tears of grievance trickled down her cheeks, dropping onto the white jade floor.

Lianyue observed all this, a flash of disdain in her eyes. Zhong Yufei was truly ill-timed. This time, she would have to set things straight once back. Though kneeling in the hall was a punishment from the Empress Dowager, Zhong Yufei was still from Nanping Prince’s Mansion. As a mere consort, people would only see this as the Empress Dowager asserting her authority.

But today was the Grand Emperor’s birthday banquet, and many female relatives would come and go at Cining Palace. If she continued kneeling, it would bring shame upon Nanping Prince’s Mansion.

After a moment’s hesitation, Lianyue addressed the Empress Dowager, who was laughing with Lianyue and Yaoyao alongside Jin Fei. “Mother…”

Han Lianyan knew it was improper for Zhong Yufei to remain kneeling and looked at Lianyue with a hint of pity. “Enough. Let her rise.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Yet Zhong Yufei did not immediately show gratitude, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Lianyue signaled discreetly. The attendant Xiangju stepped beside Zhong Yufei and whispered, “Madam Zhong, the Empress Dowager has allowed you to rise.”

From the first tear that fell, Zhong Yufei’s grief had overwhelmed her, plunging her into sorrow. She had not heard the Empress Dowager’s words earlier. Now hearing Xiangju’s voice, she stifled a sob and thanked her.

With Xiangju’s support, she rose hesitantly and glanced toward Grand Dowager Consort Zhong. Biting her lip, she approached, and Bi Zhu, who had come with her into the palace, stepped forward to take her from Xiangju’s hands.

Grand Dowager Consort Zhong looked at her niece, whose makeup was now smudged, and felt a pang of guilt. It was not that she refused to defend her, but years of sparring with the Empress Dowager had taught her that speaking up today would complicate matters.

To her attendants, she said, “Take her to the side chamber to freshen up.” Then she gave a subtle nod.

Madam Wang, Grand Dowager Consort Zhong’s longtime attendant, understood her mistress’s intentions perfectly.

Zhong Yufei knew her current state was unsuitable for remaining here and obediently followed Madam Wang into the adjacent side hall.

Though Han Lianyan joked with Lianyue and the others, her eyes never strayed far. Only four elderly palace women remained—Grand Dowager Consort Zhong was evidently growing more sensible with time. Yet Han Lianyan felt helpless. After so many years of rivalry, she was weary. But for the sake of her son and grandson, she must accept her fate.

Had her royal son earlier fathered one or two sons who were already sensible, she would not have to endure such troubles.

Her gaze softly swept over Lianyue, noting the lingering pallor of illness upon her face, which failed to brighten with a smile. A sharp pang gripped her heart. If only she had not named Ke'er the crown prince or if Yunfei had borne a son, she would not have suffered so much.