Chapter 59: Meeting the Empress Dowager (Part 2)

  The second update is looking for pink!

  Cining Palace is approaching soon.

  The main hall has a hip-and-gable roof with yellow and green glazed tiles around the edges, looking magnificent and majestic.

  Lin Ruoyan had never been to Cining Palace before, and whispered softly beside her: "This is where the Empress Dowager lives, it's even more luxurious than Auntie's place."

  Lin Zhaoyan glanced at her and thought that this little girl had already been completely drawn in by the palace.

  She sighed quietly and followed the crowd into the main hall.

  The interior of the main hall is spacious and exquisite, with various decorations that are not luxurious but valuable in their simplicity.

  In front of the hall, there is a moon stage with three steps in the middle and one step on each side. On the platform, four bronze incense burners with gold decorations are emitting a faint fragrance, which is the scent of ancient sandalwood.

  An elderly woman, dressed in a crimson silk robe with gold and silver embroidery, sat on the throne. A string of jade beads and purple sandalwood Buddhist rosary hung from her chest. Her hair was luxuriant, but her eyes were sharp and piercing, exuding an aura of majesty that commanded respect without being angry.

  It was Lin Zhaoyan who met the old woman at Lingyun Temple that day - today's Empress Dowager.

  Beside her sat two palace consorts, one of whom was the Empress wearing a golden and silver silk robe with a phoenix pattern, although her face was covered with a thick layer of powder, she still looked haggard and wan.

  Lin Zhaoyan saw her forcing a smile and felt sorry for her.

  The crown prince had just passed away, and as the mother of the people, she didn't even have time to grieve, yet she had to think for the entire imperial family, inviting all the outer consorts to come and inquire about the situation.

  What can she do even if she knows what those courtiers are thinking? She is no longer able to give birth to a son, and whoever becomes the emperor in the future has nothing to do with her. As long as she can protect herself, she will still be the dignified Empress Dowager.

  Everything is just the sorrow of being helpless.

  Another palace concubine Lin Zhaoyan is unclear. But from her majestic and domineering temperament, it can be judged that she should be the powerful Duan Guifei from outside forces.

  Although it is said to be selected as a companion for the Empress Dowager, it's not that simple. The relationship network involved is vast and complex. If used improperly, it will lead to defeat and loss of generals; if used properly, it will be like adding wings to a tiger.

  The second prince showed an appearance of not wanting to fight for the throne, but who really doesn't covet that dragon chair? It's probably just a smokescreen.

  As long as the Second Prince wishes it, Consort Duan will not hope for the people of the Jian'an Marquis Manor, the family of the quiet and elegant Concubine Jing, who poses the greatest threat to her, to be elected.

  Lin Zhaoyan curled his lips, as long as Lin Xingyan could make Lin Ruoyan make a mistake. With the help of Duan Guifei, this matter would be settled.

  As for Lin Xingyan, Jing Fei's side isn't vegetarian, no matter what, even if Lin Ruoyan really can't make it, she will still think of a way to get someone from her own family to stay in the palace.

  Everyone came forward and bowed their heads in greeting, Lin Zhaoyan also knelt down.

  "Everyone, rise!" The first shout came with the empress's stern tone.

  Everyone stood up one after another.

  The empress dowager asked everyone a few words, and then informed the back palace that the palace people had started to set up the banquet, and it would be possible to start in a while. Let's wait patiently for a moment.

  Everyone dared not have the slightest disagreement and all replied in agreement.

  Those high-born young ladies were even more cautious and prudent in their words and deeds, never daring to overstep the bounds by half a step.

  The empress dowager spoke to a few of the maidens who had caught her eye, then shifted her gaze to Lin Zhaoyan and said calmly, "I heard that the Duke of Jian'an's estate has three young ladies visiting today. Why is only one present?"

  "Please report to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, Fourth and Seventh Sisters just accidentally fell down. Afraid of delaying Her Majesty's schedule, they went to change their clothes. They should arrive soon."

  The empress dowager nodded thoughtfully.

  She looked at Lin Zhaoyan again, "Is this Fourth Miss? Lift up your head and let me take a look."

  Lin Zhaoyan had been staring at his toes all along, and now that he heard this, he could only stand up, slightly raise his head and look towards the Empress Dowager.

  The empress dowager smiled, this time it was genuine, even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes relaxed a little.

  She said: "It was indeed you, that day our family owed your kind reminder, otherwise now we would have gone down to accompany Qing'er."

  Qing'er is the childhood name of the crown prince.

  Lin Zhaoyan's heart skipped a beat.

  Everyone else also looked at Lin Zhaoyan with incredulity, for a moment as if facing a great enemy.

  The Empress Dowager was able to say such a thing, this girl's ability is not to be underestimated.

  The queen thought of the late crown prince, wiped away tears from the corner of her eyes, and asked the empress dowager, "Mother, is this the maid you mentioned who helped you escape?"

  "It is indeed." The empress nodded and beckoned Lin Zhao to step forward a few steps, "Let me take a good look at you."

  Duan Gui Fei said with a hint of sourness, "Except for Mo Er, it's been a long time since Mother Empress has been so attentive to any maid, not even Ling Er has received such special treatment from Mother Empress."

  The Ling'er in her mouth is the fourth princess Qianqiu. She was only ten years old, but she was the only princess who was granted a title by the emperor.

  Her words were just a joke, only to tell everyone that the treatment Lin Zhaoyan received was unprecedented, and she wanted to use others' jealousy to bring her down.

  Lin Zhaoyan was not afraid, and for some reason, she had a hunch that the Empress Dowager would not choose her to enter the palace, so she calmly walked forward.

  The empress carefully sized her up, the last time at Lingyun Temple she hadn't paid attention, only knowing that she wore a white dress and was a clean and delicate little girl, as for her facial features, she had no impression.

  After learning that she was the fourth daughter of Jian'an Marquis's manor, the taste in his heart couldn't be described.

  Fourteen years ago, the thing she had been sealed in her memory, did not intend to recall again, but that day she gently reminded her of the lingering in her mind, and accidentally wanted to see her again.

  As for this farewell, she never thought about it carefully.

  Until now, at this moment, seeing Lin Zhao's eyes as clear and clean as pearls, I finally understand that she just wants to confirm whether the choice back then was wrong or not...

  "That day was all thanks to you, I haven't had a chance to thank you yet. Whatever you want, just say it, and I'll satisfy you." The empress dowager collected her thoughts and smiled warmly at Lin Zhaoyan.

  Lin Zhaoyan bowed her head and respectfully said, "This humble girl thanks the Empress Dowager for her kindness. I only wish that the Empress Dowager will be healthy and peaceful from now on. This humble girl has no other wishes."

  The empress smiled again, and surprisingly pulled her hand over, speaking with extreme intimacy: "Don't be polite to me. This life of mine was saved by you, so granting you the title of a princess is nothing difficult."

  The whole audience was in an uproar.

  Lin Zhaoyan let out a sigh of relief. Being able to give her the title of Guizhu proved that she wasn't going to be kept in the palace.

  However, she also felt that it was strange. Even if she had saved the Empress Dowager, there was no need for her to make such a big fuss about it, thanking her in front of so many people and even personally promising to grant any request she made.

  Is it because the empress dowager is too sentimental or is there another reason?

  Duan Guifei looked at her with a seemingly smiling yet not quite smiling expression, "The Empress Dowager values you so much, it's an honor that others can't even hope for, don't decline it."

  The empress also said: "The merits you have established are enough to grant a princess."

  Lin Zhaoyan always felt that they were not kind-hearted.

  The more you say, the more mistakes you make, so she lowered her eyes and didn't respond.

  Lu's family was anxiously watching from below, fearing that Lin Zhao would agree. Wouldn't they have to pay their respects to her in the future at the Jian'an Marquis Manor?

  Fourth Young Master, Fourth Young Master! The Empress Dowager gave you face, don't really get a nose up in the face and not understand the rules!

  At this moment, Lin Ruoyan and Lin Xingyan walked in under the leadership of Gongbi.

  Beside them was a woman wearing a cloud-patterned dress with floral embroidery and a hundred butterflies dancing on her brocade robe, her eyebrows and eyes full of free-spirited elegance.

  This kind of arrogance is different from Lin Ruoyan and Lin Jiaming, it's not arrogance, but a aura that belongs to the true heavenly proud daughter since birth.

  It makes people admire rather than resent, and it's convincing.

  "Imperial Grandmother!" She ignored the people in the palace and flew to the Empress Dowager's side like a butterfly.

  The empress dowager smiled slightly with a hint of indulgence in her eyes.

  "Du Gui Fei scolded: 'Ling Er, with so many noble guests present, you must be mindful of your words and actions.'"

  It turned out that this was the Qianqiu Princess whom Consort Duan had just mentioned and who was not valued by Empress Dowager.

  The empress dowager shielded her and smiled, asking: "How did you have time to come?"

  Qianqiu Princess ignored the "reprimand" of Duan Gui Fei, and only leaned against the Empress Dowager's side. "Originally, I was discussing with Xiaogui and the others about the new spring hunting season. Who knew they would drag me into talking about traveling clothes? I found it boring. Thinking that today's banquet at the Imperial Grandmother's place would definitely be lively, so I came to take a look."

  As she spoke, her gaze fell on Lin Zhaoyan beside her and asked curiously: "Huh, is this the new sister that grandma chose for us?"

  The empress dowager smiled and slowly spoke up amidst the tense expressions of the crowd, "Nonsense. If you find it boring, there are so many young ladies from noble families here. You can play with whoever you like."

  "Grandma is so nice!" Qianqiu Princess smiled and rubbed the empress's arm, then pointed at Lin Ruoyan below the stage and said: "Whose daughter is that? I met her on my way here by chance and found her to be quite interesting."

  "Ling'er!" This time, Consort Duan was truly enraged.

  The empress dowager still smiled and said, "She is the fifth young lady of Jian'an Marquis Manor."

  Qianqiu Gongzhu's face suddenly changed, and she said in a low voice: "I understand..."

  The empress dowager smiled and said to Lin Zhao: "If you haven't thought of what you want yet, just owe it first. In any case, I promise you one request."

  Lin Zhaoyan nodded and retreated obediently.

  "Have you two young ladies heard that she fell down and is better now?" The empress turned to ask Lin Ruoyan and Lin Xingyan.

  Lin Ruoyan's face lit up with joy, and she replied properly: "The little girl thanks the Empress Dowager for her concern, but the little girl is not seriously injured, just stained clothes, change into new ones and it will be fine."

  The Empress nodded in satisfaction, "I often hear your aunt say that the fifth daughter of her family is elegant and dignified, and has a noble demeanor. In the past when you came to the palace, I didn't specially summon you, but now even Ling'er who is so proud praises you, I really must take a closer look."

  Lin Ruoyan's face was flushed with excitement, and she quickly suppressed her agitation, walking step by step towards the Empress Dowager.

  Lin Zhaoyan returned to his original position, and sharp gazes shot towards him like swords.

  She seemed oblivious and continued to look down at her toes.

  Her sleeve was pulled and she turned around to see a tense-looking Zhou Wanyu.

  Zhou Wan-yu leaned in close to her ear and whispered: "It's her, it's that little girl beside the Empress Dowager."

  "What?"

  "It was she who led the way in pushing down the seventh prince."

  Thank you Tiankongyimianlan de He Shi Bi ~(......)