C14 Empress Mother

In the imperial harem, the empress dowager lived in the most secluded quarters, and according to the rules, after the concubines paid daily respects to the empress, they also paid their respects to the empress. However, since Fu Yuheng had ascended the throne, the empress dowager had stayed behind in the palace to thank the guests.

But today, the empress dowager wanted to see Shen Qingwan. This made her a little uncertain. Just what business did the empress dowager have with her?

After settling the palace maid who came to call for tea and waiting, Shen Qingwan entered the inner hall, intending to change her clothes before leaving.

"Take your naked body and deal with me." Shen Qing Wan asked Lian Yun to look for clothes while she swapped all of her gold and silver jewelry for jade.

Lian Yun quickly picked up his jacket and helped her change into it. Dressed up, Shen Qingwan's beauty was pushed down a lot, making her look even more graceful. After dressing up properly, Shen Qingwan brought Lian Yun to the empress dowager's palace.

Kangmama was waiting for them at the entrance of the hall. Seeing that the palace maid and Shen Qingwan had arrived, he walked up and greeted them with a smile: "Concubine Xian."

"Momo." Shen Qingwan bowed and relaxed a little. From her appearance, it seemed that the empress dowager was telling her that it wasn't a bad thing.

"Empress Dowager, please follow me," Kangmama smiled and led the way for Shen Qingwan to the side hall. She ordered the palace maids to serve tea and then said, "Empress Dowager, please wait here for a moment. This old servant will go and invite the empress dowager over." With that, she turned and left.

Shen Qingwan and Lian Yun sat side by side, and after waiting for about half an incense worth of time, the empress dowager was led into the palace by the Kangmama.

The empress dowager was dressed in a dark purple dress. Her white hair was tied into a tall bun, and there were blue jade beads on her hair. She looked graceful and calm.

Shen Qingwan kowtowed and paid her respects, "Your concubine greets the empress dowager. Your majesty is at peace."

The empress dowager did not make things difficult for her. She sat upright in the throne and said, "Rise."

"Empress Dowager Xie." Shen Qingwan slowly got up, but didn't sit down. It wasn't until the empress dowager gave her a seat that she sat up straight.

Seeing that Shen Qingwan's etiquette was complete, the empress dowager's eyes flashed with satisfaction. She opened her mouth to ask, "Consort Xian has been in the palace for a short while, are you used to it?"

"The empress dowager's sisters have had a peaceful life, and chenqie likes it very much," Shen Qingwan smiled faintly, "Esteemed Empress Dowager summoning chenqie here today, what fault did chenqie have?"

The empress dowager didn't beat around the bush as she replied, "You were called the concubine the moment you entered the palace, and you also got a great favor. This Dowager has to pay attention to you. The emperor has always been exposed to rain and dewdrops, so why are you giving him such a special favor?"

Her face was kind and indifferent, but Shen Qingwan could see that there was a hidden meaning behind her words.

"The Empress does not know that there are only three sides of the Palace's Mirror. The Esteemed Empress Dowager and the Emperor each have one side." Kangmama added in time.

At this point, Shen Qingwan finally understood why the empress dowager wanted to find her. It was because of the trouble caused by the mirror.

Shen Qingwan quickly knelt down and said sincerely, "The empress dowager has redeemed herself. Since entering the palace, chenqie has always wholeheartedly served the emperor, and perhaps it's because the emperor is considerate towards chenqie that chenqie has taken care of her. Chenqie absolutely doesn't have any intention of monopolizing the Holy Pet!"

"Even I know," the empress dowager said, still calm and composed. "Your grace is unpredictable, and the emperor is willing to pamper you, but as one of the fourth wives, you have to set an example and remind the emperor that both rain and dew are enough to keep the harem peaceful, do you understand?"

"Well, chenqie will obey the empress dowager's instructions." Shen Qingwan lowered her eyes and was extremely respectful.

"Think about it for yourself," the empress dowager said as she rubbed her forehead. "This Dowager is also tired, you can leave now."

Shen Qingwan then left as instructed.

The news of the Consort Xian being summoned by the empress quickly reached Liu Chugrong's ears. Although he didn't know what the empress dowager, Shen Qingwan, had said, the empress dowager had just bestowed her with the Glass Mirror, and the empress dowager had summoned her again.

He threw the teacup on the ground, but the shattering of the porcelain cup didn't appease Liu Xiayong. "I've only seen the empress dowager a few times, she has to be summoned the moment she enters the palace. What a seductress!"

"Empress Dowager, please calm down," Lamei patted Imperial Consort Liu's back to ease her temper. "The empress dowager usually doesn't see anyone, so maybe summoning Consort Xian isn't a good thing?"

"I'm afraid it's a good thing," the Imperial Consort Liu said as she took a deep breath. She pondered for a moment, but was unable to calm himself down. "Take that string of Bodhi beads and come with me to see the empress dowager."

La Mei responded. Not long after, she brought back a box, and the Imperial Consort Liu rode a chariot back to the Shoukang Palace.

Arriving at the palace gate, Imperial Consort Liu sent someone to pass the message, but they only waited for Kangmama.

"This old servant greets Imperial Concubine." Kangmama laughed, his eyes flashing with an unknown allure.

Although Liu Chugrong was arrogant and despotic in the palace, he was still a little fearful of the people around the empress dowager. He said intimately, "Don't worry, mama. I've brought some Bodhi pearls with me. I hope the empress dowager will like them."

If she had received something good, she would immediately come and offer it to Her Majesty, hoping that Her Majesty would praise her.

The Kangmama looked troubled, "The empress dowager is resting right now, it's inconvenient for her to see Imperial Concubine."

When those words came out, everyone felt like she was showing a warm face but sticking her butt to a cold place.

Liu Chugrong's face froze. He humphed coldly in his heart and clenched the handkerchief in his hand, "Really?"

"Otherwise, the Empress Dowager would come back another day. You also know that the empress dowager's body is weak and that she doesn't normally see people," Kangmama could only advise when she refused to leave. "It's already getting late. Empress Dowager should head back to the palace earlier."

Now that things had come to this point, Liu Chugrong couldn't force his way into the palace. After hesitating for a while, he could only leave bitterly.

On the way back to the palace, the more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Why would Shen Qingwan be able to see the empress dowager, while she, a dignified imperial concubine, would be left alone?

Liu Chu Rong's expression was fierce, his long nails scratched the armrest of his carriage, and he snorted: "Go to the Consort Xian Palace!"

La Mei looked at Liu Chugrong's expression and knew that today's matter was not going to end well. She couldn't help but be a little worried.

But La Mei was just a servant, she didn't expect Liu Xiurong's decision. After a few turns, they arrived at Shen Qingwan's palace.

Just as Shen Qingwan returned to the palace, before she even warmed her seat, a small palace maid rushed into the palace to report to her.

"Empress, Imperial Concubine is coming this way." The young palace maid knew about Imperial Consort Liu's despotic personality and hastily rushed over. He must have come to find trouble with his own mistress.

Shen Qing Wan's expression became serious, and Lian Yun said worriedly: "Empress, I'm afraid you have not come with good intentions."

Liu Chugrong and Shen Qingwan were rivals, and Ying Yun was very worried about pushing her to her death.

"Don't panic," Shen Qingwan said to the little palace maid, "You can go down first, and do whatever you have to do. Don't make a fuss."

She wanted to see how Liu Chugrong would punish her for not provoking him!

The young palace maid replied and left. Just as he was about to reach the door, Lian Yun asked again: "Imperial Concubine must be here to cause trouble. How does the Empress want to deal with this?"

"A setback will increase a person's intelligence," Shen Qingwan calmly replied, "Don't worry, I won't let her bully me so easily."