The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Cining Palace.

Empress Dowager Wang and Song Ci sat on the Arhat bed by the window in the eastern room.

”I knew you entered the palace, and I wanted someone to bring you over to talk, but now that the Crown Prince has been established and the Empress is enjoying her success, your Song Family should first go to her side.”

Song Ci was somewhat apprehensive and said, ”If Lady wants to see me, just summon me over, it’s fine. Isn’t my daughter-in-law socializing over there with the Empress?”

Empress Dowager Wang shook her head with a smile and said, ”It’s fine for you to go over; after all, it’s her in charge of the harem, and in the future, she’ll be even more distinguished. When I go to join the late emperor, the Song Family will need a new hope.”

Song Ci looked at Empress Dowager Wang, feeling a sting in her nose and a lump in her throat.

”Today is New Year’s Eve, is Lady deliberately trying to tease me? Want to see me shed golden tears? Speaking all these inauspicious words, I don’t like hearing them.”

”I’m just speaking the truth, but if you don’t like to hear it, I won’t say anymore. As long as I’m here, you’ll have nothing to worry about.” Empress Dowager Wang laughed as she leaned against the grand pillow decorated with longevity patterns and asked, ”Is Kunning Palace lively now? I’ve heard you had a run-in with Consort Fan?”

”There’s no such thing. It’s just that I probably forgot to check the almanac when I went out today and ended up sitting opposite Consort Fan, making her unhappy. We are all juniors; how can I take offense?”

Empress Dowager Wang regarded her with a teasing smile, ”You may not take offense, but you taught her a lesson.”

Song Ci, embarrassed, said, ”I’ve just said a few words; you know, I have a fiery temper.”

”Consort Fan has been impatient lately. With the Crown Prince established, she’s feeling uneasy. Unable to win favor with the Empress, and even failing to surpass Consort De, she’s anxious and takes it out on others.” Empress Dowager Wang stroked the incense burner beside her and said, ”In the past few months, several attendants from her palace have been dismissed.”

Song Ci felt a chill in her heart, looking to Empress Dowager Wang, seeing her face calm but her tone displeased, realizing Consort Fan had stepped on the wrong side of the Dowager.

Song Ci silently lit a candle for Consort Fan in her heart, saying, ”Once Prime Minister Fan is reinstated, her mood will improve.”

What Consort Fan lacks is confidence, isn’t it?

Empress Dowager Wang dismissed it, changing the subject, ”Have you seen Princess Consort Ji and her daughter-in-law? I’ve heard you spoke well for Princess Consort Min.”

Song Ci replied, ”Speaking well is subjective; Consort Fan brought it up first. I couldn’t knowingly step into a trap. Besides, Princess Consort Min’s pregnancy might bewilder and unsettle even her, ultimately due to her background.”

Empress Dowager Wang paused in silence, ”She indeed is someone with a troubled fate.”

Song Ci couldn’t tell if it was sympathy or something else, so she took a sip of tea.

”By the way, has your grandson by the Crown Prince decided on his marriage?”

Song Ci’s heart skipped a beat, fearing it might be a decree for marriage.

”He’s fond of someone, planning to choose an auspicious day during the new year to settle it. Lady, you intend to—?”

Empress Dowager Wang responded irritably, ”Nothing much, just many people sought me to request a grant for marriage. Uncle’s Mansion is one of them. Since you’ve decided, make arrangements soon to avoid them dreaming in vain.”

Song Ci: ”...”

Lady, you almost scared me to death, you know?

I thought it might be another ’arranged marriage’ like Song Zhiyu.