Chapter 1896 - 1834: Playing Dumb
Chapter 1896: Chapter 1834: Playing Dumb
Emperor Yan had been reviewing the memorials to the throne in Yangxin Hall until the morning court session. After the session was over, he heard the news that the Princess Consort of Jin had submitted her plaque to enter the palace to attend to an illness.
"Didn’t I tell them not to enter the palace?" Last night, having had a nightmare, Emperor Yan hadn’t slept well. Another dispute about establishing the Crown Prince arose within the court, and now hearing that Wufu came to the palace made his mood even worse.
Eunuch Lu cautiously said, "The command issued by His Majesty was for the prince not to enter the palace, but it did not mention the princess consort. As it is now the time when all officials have descended from court, everyone knows the princess consort is coming to attend to the illness. Your Majesty, should the princess consort be sent back?"
Emperor Yan sulkily waved his hand; the Princess Consort of Jin was also annoying.
Eunuch Lu then retreated to the side, knowing that he intended to ignore it.
Wufu walked unimpeded all the way to Cining Palace, where Nanny Shui was waiting at the entrance of the hall and greeted her with a salute.
Nanny Shui was a favored servant next to Empress Dowager Mo. Wufu returned half a salute and asked, "Nanny, is Royal Mother okay? Although Royal Mother said there was no major ailment and asked us to stay home, the prince and I really can’t rest assured, especially since His Majesty instructed Ah Jiu to reflect at home. I could only come to ascertain the situation, so as to ease the prince’s worries."
"The princess consort’s filial piety is commendable, yet the princess consort has come at an inopportune moment. Her Majesty has limited energy and just took medicine and fell asleep."
"It’s fine; I’ll wait." Wufu lifted her leg, intending to walk inside when she heard behind her the announcement of Her Majesty the Empress’s arrival, which made her stop and turn around.
Empress Song, dressed in a Phoenix Robe, walked over gracefully and majestically, surrounded by palace maids and inner servants.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress, auspiciousness." Wufu took two steps forward, placing her hands on her waist and slightly bowing.
"Rise." Empress Song smiled at Wufu, walked forward two steps, and held Wufu’s hand: "I heard you haven’t been feeling well these past two days, so why did you come to the palace to attend to the illness?"
Wufu replied with a smile: "Though Royal Mother is unwell, as the daughter-in-law, even if I were bedridden, I would still come to serve, wouldn’t I? Your Majesty, please."
She used the situation to let Empress go first, withdrew her hand, and respectfully stepped back. Just thinking that the near scare during the Longevity Festival was mostly due to the present person made her feel especially disgusted and uncomfortable.
Empress Song glanced sideways at her, then walked into the hall.
Indeed, Empress Dowager Mo had already fallen asleep. Empress Song and Wufu stood outside the curtain for a moment before retreating outside the bedchamber to converse.
The palace maids served tea to the two, and Wufu picked up her tea, raising her little finger slightly, and gently skimmed the tea foam off with the lid of the teacup.
Empress Song took a sip of tea and observed her indifferent demeanor, her eyes suddenly flashing as she spoke: "Come to think of it; I owe the Princess Consort of Jin an apology."
"From what does Your Majesty speak?" Wufu looked at her with some surprise.
Empress Song inwardly sneered, pretending to be ignorant, yet she did it convincingly, truly cunning.
She felt disdain in her heart, but her face did not show it, and she cordially said, "It’s about the Longevity Festival, which startled the princess consort. This was due to my inadequate management, allowing someone to exploit the situation, almost causing the princess consort to be victimized. Fortunately, the princess consort was vigilant, preventing a big mistake from occurring, otherwise truly..."
"I don’t understand what Your Majesty is talking about, what kind of startle and victimization? I was just feeling unwell and left early with the prince. What on earth happened?" Wufu blinked and asked.
Empress Song choked up, then laughed: "Oh, then I was mistaken."
Her face slightly darkened, and a hidden anger quietly rose within her heart.
Wufu coldly glanced at her surreptitiously, a trace of mockery passing through her eyes. She thought for a moment and carefully asked, "Were Your Majesty’s words suggesting that someone intended harm towards me?"