The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

After Song Ci finished speaking, she shot a straight look at Consort Fan. This woman—just because the two families are at odds, is there really any need to single her out for attack?

Did they think she was easy to bully?

”For Consort Fan to ask like that, could it be you don’t see this as a joyful matter?” She tossed the topic back to Consort Fan.

Consort Fan choked on her words.

Before she could speak, Song Ci laughed in mock reproach: ”This old body understands now—you must’ve eaten too many dumplings dipped in vinegar today, you’re turning sour again, aren’t you? There hasn’t been any good news from Prince Zhou Mansion all year; you’re getting anxious, I’d wager. As this old body recalls, didn’t Prince Zhou take a Concubine this year?”

Consort Fan: ”...”

Could she shut up already? This palace is not jealous, absolutely not!

The Empress looked toward Consort Fan and said, ”I fear Song Madam has hit the mark. You’re anxious that Prince Zhou has too few heirs, aren’t you? In that case, while we’re celebrating New Year’s Eve, this palace will bestow two beautiful maidservants to Prince Mansion to attend upon Prince Zhou.”

Song Ci turned to the Empress, her face full of amusement—divine support, truly.

Consort Fan gave a cold little laugh: ”Many thanks, Lady, but didn’t we just have disasters this year and cut down on expenses? Prince Zhou Mansion needn’t keep so many idle mouths.”

”Those who help the Imperial Family blossom and bear fruit, how could they be idle? You’re taking it too much to heart.” The Empress smiled and lightly pointed at her: ”Later this palace will certainly tell the Emperor you’re being willful. The Imperial heirs are of utmost importance—you’re not allowed your little tempers about this.”

”I...” Consort Fan looked at the Empress, swallowed her anger, rose and flicked her handkerchief: ”Then I must thank Lady for her concern. However, you mustn’t favor Prince Zhou alone; it would be best if everyone received a share.”

She glanced at the several Ladies of Virtue.

If they were going to be at the mercy of the Empress, better to share the fun than enjoy it alone—everyone should join in!

The Ladies of Virtue forced stiff, polite smiles.

”Rest assured, this palace will treat all equally.” The Empress smiled with dignified grace.

On hearing this, the Wen Family’s elder Madam and Madam Wen’s faces turned a purplish hue. With new girls being bestowed, wouldn’t Shaner’s competition be even fiercer?

That damned Song Ci—she’s everywhere.

The elder Madam Wen wanted to speak, but Madam Wen tugged her sleeve and shook her head.

Song Ci was not someone to provoke—at least not by them.

Consort Fan was livid. She looked at Song Ci and said without any attempt at politeness, ”Song Madam, at your age your tongue is still so slick. One really has to admire you!”

”This old body will take that as a compliment.” Song Ci said mildly, ”Honestly, we people should just manage ourselves well—that’s enough. As for what others do, this old body mostly doesn’t meddle. Keeping virtue on the tongue is the same as accumulating blessings. Once blessings arrive, everything goes smoothly, don’t you agree?”

Consort Fan’s face flushed a dark purple.

Princess Consort Min looked toward Song Ci, and just then the latter glanced over as well, so she inclined her head slightly.

Princess Anping laughed and said, ”You, Elder, are the most clear-sighted of us all. We juniors have endless things we ought to learn from you.”

”Indeed.”

Song Ci chuckled and said, ”This old body can’t talk as fast as you young people, so I won’t sit among you—no need to have you think me dull. Empress, this old body wishes to go to Cining Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Allow this old body to be discourteous and excuse myself for a time?”

Her words had barely fallen when, as luck would have it, someone arrived from Cining Palace as well, saying the Empress Dowager wanted Song Ci to come over to speak.

The Empress wouldn’t dare refuse, and ordered that a soft sedan be carefully brought and attendants protect Song Ci on the way to Cining Palace.

”Mother is still most fond of talking with Madam,” the Empress said with a smiling squint. ”Anping, you and I both fall short of her favor now.”

Princess Anping replied, ”Sister-in-law, you’ve put it wrongly. Mother cannot do without you serving at her side. As for me, she can see me or not as she pleases.”

The Empress playfully tapped her.

The others all echoed Princess Anping’s words, flattering the Empress in turn.

Consort Fan took advantage of the moment when she pressed her handkerchief to her lips to roll her eyes. Fake. Boring. A whole pack of fence-sitters.