Doted By The Regent King

Chapter 1870: Chapter 1808: Establishing Her Status

The spacious hall was almost filled with an array of elegant ladies, their clothes and hair a whirl, jewelry clinking, and the air rich with fragrance.

"The Empress Dowager arrives."

With the Inner Servant’s announcement, everyone in the hall stood up, causing the scent to intensify even more.

Empress Dowager Mo, supported by Wufu, appeared before everyone, took the highest seat in the hall, and watched the seated people bow in greetings. She smiled slightly and raised her hand, "You may rise."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

Everyone rose, and some looked up to see Wufu standing beside the Empress Dowager, noticing a new Jade Hairpin in her hair. Their pupils shrank slightly; it wasn’t there when they saw her earlier. There’s no need to question it, it must have been given to her by the Empress Dowager.

Not waiting for them to ponder further, Wufu stepped down to sit in her own seat, but Empress Dowager Mo called her back, "The wife of the Ninth, sit beside me."

A Palace Maid immediately placed an embroidered stool beside Empress Dowager Mo, and Wufu had no choice but to sit down, which to everyone, seemed like another signal.

The Empress Dowager really seems to be quite satisfied with this Foreign Princess Consort!

Immediately, many people looked at Wufu with a bit more eagerness.

Recalling the gossip they’d heard, why did the Empress Dowager send a nanny to teach rules at Minister Wan’s family, if not because Wan Baozhu offended the Prince and this Princess Consort?

The current Empress Dowager only has one biological Legitimate Son. Now, in front of the families of all the ministers and military officials, she expresses her satisfaction and elevation of this daughter-in-law, clearly establishing her as a part of the hierarchy!

Someone gave a sideways glance at Lady Wan from Minister Wan’s family, noticing her black and stiff expression, and couldn’t help but restrain themselves quietly; it’d be best not to follow in this one’s footsteps.

Lady Wan was both hateful and angry towards Wufu. Because of her, her daughter had hurriedly chosen to marry someone far away, unsure if they’d have a chance to meet again. Just thinking about it was heart-wrenching.

Wufu felt Lady Wan’s gaze, unintentionally looked over, and Lady Wan’s eyes trembled, quickly lowering her head, her hands in her sleeves clenching into fists.

"Her Majesty the Empress arrives."

The crowd had just sat down but stood up again, bowing in greetings to Empress Song as she entered the hall.

"Rise." Empress Song smiled lightly, raised her hand, and then stepped forward to greet Empress Dowager Mo, saying, "I apologize for arriving late, please forgive me, Royal Mother."

Empress Dowager Mo hadn’t spoken yet when Noble Consort Lan, seated on the left, covered her mouth with a laugh, "Only our elder sister, the Empress, dares to arrive late here. We all must come early. Even the Princess Consort of Jin has been attending to the Empress Dowager early."

The crowd remained silent; the Empress is the Mother of the Nation, yet the Empress Dowager holds the status of highest respect. Her lateness wasn’t merely about daring but about her audacious arrogance!

Empress Song’s eyes flashed, and she smiled, "That’s why Royal Mother must forgive me this time. Truly the Emperor’s Imperial Banquet in the Longevity Palace cannot allow any blunders. I couldn’t rest assured until thoroughly inspecting every detail, hence the delay. I also wish I could leisurely converse with Royal Mother like Consort Lan, but alas..." She spoke and then knelt before Empress Dowager Mo again, saying, "I will self-impose three cups as punishment to Royal Mother later."

"Enough, you’re the Empress, in charge of palace affairs; such a grand banquet cannot be neglected. You’ve worked hard. A seat is bestowed." Empress Dowager Mo pointed to a position, and a Palace Maid placed an embroidered stool there, conveniently diagonal to Wufu.

Empress Song saw Wufu, her gaze profound, smiled and said, "In the past, I’ve had to oversee palace duties while being concerned that Royal Mother had no one to keep company. With the Princess Consort of Jin now, my headache has been relieved. Going forward, I hope the Princess Consort will do more to fulfill filial duties on my behalf!"

Wufu smiled faintly; was it an illusion? Somehow, she felt that the Empress’s gaze and words carried a somewhat inexplicable meaning!