Chapter 1869 - 1807: Receiving Guidance
Chapter 1869: Chapter 1807: Receiving Guidance
Empress Dowager Mo was still grooming, and she beamed upon seeing her daughter-in-law through the bronze mirror, beckoning her over.
"Come quickly, it’s cold outside, isn’t it? You’re dressed so lightly."
Wufu smiled and extended her hand into hers, saying, "Your daughter-in-law exercises every day and has such good health that I can strike a cow across the mountain, not cold at all."
Empress Dowager Mo touched her hand, which was indeed warm, and patted it, "That’s good; physical health is more important than anything."
Wufu nodded and saw Nanny Shui standing by, then asked, "Is Nanny Shui doing well now?"
"Thanks to the Princess Consort’s blessing, this old servant is fully recovered," Nanny Shui replied with a smile.
"I will later draw a Five-Animal Exercise for Royal Mother. You can have Nanny Shui practice it with you regularly; it will benefit your health. I guarantee that if you practice, you will live to a hundred without losing teeth, with clear eyesight and straight legs."
Empress Dowager Mo laughed, "You really have a way with words."
A palace maid holding a large box of jewelry chimed in, "Why doesn’t the Princess Consort choose a hairpin for the Empress Dowager? We maidservants couldn’t decide."
Wufu glanced over, then at the Empress Dowager’s attire. She fiddled in the jewelry box, chose a verdant adorned golden Phoenix at Flight pendent with red jewels, and handed it to the maid, saying, "This one, it’s festive."
The maid carefully took it and placed it in the Empress Dowager’s bun. Empress Dowager Mo looked left and right, nodding, "Not bad."
She then noticed Wufu’s jewelry remained elegant and understated, and she thought for a moment before saying to Nanny Shui, "Go and bring me that box of Jade Ornaments."
Nanny Shui responded and quickly brought back a sandalwood box and opened it. Empress Dowager Mo took out a jade hairpin ornament with excellent clarity. The jadeite was oval-shaped, adorned with a few pink jade peach blossoms wrapped in gold wire—green mingled with pink, exquisite and luxurious.
"It was meticulously crafted by top-class artisans from Suzhou. For now, you can only wear simpler ones like these, but after mourning, Royal Mother will give you ones that are more vibrant and opulent." Empress Dowager Mo stood up and placed it in Wufu’s hair herself.
"Thank you, Royal Mother." Wufu lowered her head to make it easier for her to insert the hairpin, joking with a grin, "From now on, I’ll have to come with an unadorned bun and leave with a head full of adornments; it’s quite a profit."
Everyone laughed at her words.
Empress Dowager Mo tapped her forehead and joked, "You cheeky girl, aren’t these things from Royal Mother going to be left for you all in the future?"
Wufu playfully stuck out her tongue.
"Let the ladies come in; they shouldn’t catch a cold." Empress Dowager Mo, noticing the time was about right, gave her hand to Wufu and said, "I’ve heard someone outside has taken an interest in you?"
Wufu supported her and whispered, "Who can blame them? I’m the daughter-in-law of Royal Mother. They want some advantage for their own families or support for their princes, so naturally, they try to curry favor. Besides, I’m actually taking advantage of you and the Prince."
Empress Dowager Mo chuckled, "That’s the way of noble families; every move, every word is laced with ulterior motives. You need to learn and be alert so as not to be led into their traps. The ladies of noble families, aren’t they all scheming with countless twists and turns in their minds? You’re straightforward, so you must unpack every word twice and break it down finely before you understand its meaning."
If anyone else had heard Empress Dowager Mo’s words, they might have said, it’s you who is straightforward, not your daughter-in-law; when she sets traps for others, she does so with expertise!
But Wufu merely smiled and said, "Your daughter-in-law will remember Royal Mother’s teachings. Please continue to guide me in the future, so I don’t fall into their traps."
Empress Dowager Mo was very pleased with her obedience. The more they interacted, the more she felt this girl was both smart and lovable. Thus, as they walked along, she spoke to her in a low voice about the matters within the inner court.