along well. A big reason for this is their awareness.In this world, there's no such thing as what should be due. It's all about looking out for each other, understanding and supporting one another as...In the main courtyard of Hou's residence, Madam Wu greeted the imperial court maidservant who had come with her and paid respects to the old mistress. After presenting some ingredients and snacks prepared by the empress, she hurriedly escorted the maidservant back to her own courtyard.
Second Madam Wu couldn't help but complain to her mother-in-law, "Mother, look at the eldest sister-in-law. She acts as if everyone doesn't know that the Empress is her own daughter."
"Even when a maidservant came from the palace, she would desperately want to keep her by her side and prevent others from saying another word about her!"
After she finished speaking, she casually flipped through the fabrics and opened a box to peek inside at the snacks, her lips curling in disdain.
These ingredients weren't just newly offered this year! And this heart, looking at it, it doesn't seem as delicious as the ones in the white clouds.
"The imperial kitchen is truly incompetent, year after year serving the same dishes. Don't the noble people in the palace get tired of it"
Mrs. Wu rubbed her temples, she was truly at her wit's end with these two daughters-in-law.
One is not intelligent and lacks sophistication, the other is sharp-tongued and sarcastic.
The Wu family seemed to have used all their good fortune on their grandchildren. They had an empress, and the rest were... well, let's just say they weren't as fortunate.
She quickly said, "Alright, stop talking. Pick out two pieces of fabric and take them back."
At last, Lady Wu conceded to the disdain on her face and examined the goods with delight. She had the maids carry away two bolts of silk.
At this moment, Wu Da-furen had no mind to argue with her sisters-in-law. She looked at Mama with a face full of disbelief.
"What did you say The Empress asked me to find a way to..."
She was about to finish her complaint when Grandma pressed down on the back of her hand, causing her to swallow the rest of her words.
Grandma looked around and saw that no one was in the room. She lowered her voice and said, "Madam, it's best not to speak of this too loudly, for fear that someone might be listening."
Mrs. Wu's face flushed red.
"For the master's wife to need reminding by a slave like me... wouldn't that make her seem quite foolish"
Grandma was also afraid of Lady Wu's anger, so she explained a few things, "Lady Wu, as you know, that family dotes on that girl. Even the one who is out serving in the army treats her like his own daughter."
“If the news gets out, I’m afraid the Empress won’t get her wish. Furthermore, our family will have many more enemies. Therefore, we must be extremely careful about this matter.”
Of course, Madam Wu understood this principle as well, so she grew increasingly anxious and retorted, "Your Majesty must surely know all of this, but why would the family have to intervene"
"With the old marquis still alive, how could I possibly have more manpower than his father!"
Grandma was also feeling fed up. The Empress and the trivial matters of her family, she had no business getting involved. If she interfered, it would be a lose-lose situation, being disrespected both inside and outside the palace walls.
She gritted her teeth and explained in a low voice.
"My lady, the Empress is in that position, with countless eyes watching her every move. Even your recent trips to the palace have led some to whisper that the Empress, though residing in the imperial court, has her heart still in the Wu family."
And the Empress has so many maidservants, all in the palace. That girl doesn't often enter the palace; when she does, she only goes to see the Emperor, there's no opportunity to be found.
So, I guess I still need help from my family.
The Empress is not young anymore, these days that girl has recovered, and the Empress began to have headaches again. She didn't even close her eyes last night.
"If that girl isn't disposed of soon, Your Majesty's body will surely not be able to withstand such turmoil. What if, in the future, she were to become pregnant and give birth to a prince, but her health…"
Mrs. Wu frowned, clearly heartbroken for her daughter, and was persuaded.
Grandma once again encouraged, saying: “My lady, if you give birth to a prince as soon as possible, he will surely be the crown prince, inheriting the throne in the future. Then our Wu family can enjoy riches and honor for generations to come.”
"My Lady is so anxious and quick to act, not only for herself but also for the Wu family. After all, no matter who inherits the throne in the future, My Lady will be Empress Dowager, and she won't have to worry about wealth or status!"
Mrs. Wu listened thoughtfully and finally nodded in agreement.
"Alright, I'll discuss this with the master when he returns. You should go back first and tell the Empress to take good care of her health."
"Yes, Ma'am. It isn't easy for the Empress to be in the deep palace, luckily we have each other to help." The Nanny hurriedly added a sentence, then stood up and took her leave...
When dusk fell, Old Master Wu returned from outside, his face looking very grim.
As soon as he entered the palace, he heard that the Empress had sent someone to deliver gifts. He instructed his attendant to go to the main courtyard to say hello, then rushed back to his own courtyard.
Upon hearing the commotion, Madam Wu greeted them at the door.
The couple entered the room and dismissed the maidservants attending to them.
While helping her husband change into his ordinary clothes, Wu Dafu's wife told him everything that had happened.
She was afraid her husband wouldn't believe her, so she emphasized it greatly.
"My lord, it is true! After that maid fell ill, the mistress has been sleeping well and eating well. She hasn't even had a headache anymore."
But after the girl recovered, our Lady immediately fell back into her old ways. She didn't close her eyes all night and looked extremely haggard.
Regardless of whether it's true or not, we have to give it a try. Otherwise, Your Majesty’s health will continue to deteriorate, how can she give birth to a prince
"Since the Empress has no princes, she will remain as Dowager Empress. But what about our Wu family in the future"
"No need to say more, I'll take care of this."
To everyone's surprise, Master Wu readily agreed.
Now it was Mrs. Wu's turn to be surprised, her face full of astonishment.
"Master, this matter is very dangerous. Don't you want to think about it again"
The old master Wu waved his hand and said, "Today when I went to the banquet, someone mentioned the establishment of a prince. Whether explicitly or implicitly, everyone was on the side of the noble concubine and the second prince."
"Now that the Consort is favored, and the eldest prince has passed away, the second prince is effectively the heir apparent. I couldn't help but retort a couple of times, "Establishing the legitimate heir and the eldest son are different. The legitimate heir precedes the eldest son."
"But people said, establishing a crown prince is not wrong, but there also needs to be a crown prince!"
"Isn't this saying that the Empress cannot give birth! Now, as long as Your Majesty can become pregnant, we will try any means!"
Wu Dafu only then realized. But she still asked, "The Li family and Xinting Hou are not easy to deal with. It's not easy to capture Princess Kangle and draw her blood. The Empress can't help us, and our people…"
"Don't worry, Father. I'm older now, and I received the token from him a while back. Now, all the people in our Marquisate, both those in the open and those in secret, are under my command." Wu Da Lao Ye's expression held a hint of arrogance.
For so many years, the Wu family, as the Empress's maternal clan, had been looked down upon by others due to their lack of imperial favor.
Just like today, if the Empress is favored and the Marquis's mansion is at its peak, how dare those people discuss establishing a crown prince in front of him!
The Jiangning Marquis' Mansion should show its claws and establish its authority!
And Tianwu's crown prince, must be born from the Empress’s womb, must be Jiangning Houfu's grandson!
"Just leave it to me, I'll handle this."
Master Wu blurted out a sentence and hurriedly went to the outer courtyard study. The important advisor he valued was already waiting there...
In the midst of Suijin Beach, unbeknownst to all, someone was already secretly plotting against Li's precious darling.
Since it’s almost the end of the month, little Fatty's full moon party is just around the corner.
Although the Li family had arranged for a banquet at the Earl's Mansion in town, ingredients such as poultry, fish, meat, and eggs would have to be transported from the village.
And it was impossible for everyone in the village to go to the Earl's mansion for the wedding banquet, so Old Li instructed them to slaughter two pigs and set up a flowing table in the village the day before.
Welcome all the villagers from Xincun, Ercun, and Da Huishu, let's have a lively celebration together...l examinations as *xiucai* scholars, today prepared a table full of dishes for everyone, plus one cup of fruit drink per person!This caused the guests to express their thanks and congratulations even...