Chapter 319 - Conflict in the Harem Initiated By Fifth Princess (2/2)

When she thought that her defeat was all due to the plans of Empress Dowager, the Empress couldn’t help but feel rage burning in the heart.

She would wish for the old woman to die! She would never pray for her, as her death would be a blessing to her!

“My thanks to Your Highness. Your Highness is the mother of the world and naturally had many things to take care of. Such small things should not bother you and my lady had the intention to settle this matter. Since you gave us her permission, my lady would have the right to plan this event. I shall retreat and report to my lady.” The servant replied cleverly, stating that her lady thought that she must obtain permission from the Empress, as if the Empress would have been dissatisfied with the decision of the Emperor.

The Empress smiled. She was in a bad mood then and was tired of acting benevolent. Waving her hand, she signaled the servant to leave.

Consort Su immediately grasped on the power once she got chided, creating more distance between her and the Emperor. In the morning, the Emperor’s order came. In the afternoon, she sent someone over, seemingly to signal her respect for the Empress, but actually to imply that the Empress was unsatisfied with the Emperor’s orders.

“My lady, don’t bother being angry for them. You think that you would be hopeless since Fifth Princess was to be married to Yan Kingdom. However, look at Empress Dowager at Cining Palace, she married her daughter to Yan Kingdom too and gained the support of an entire kingdom, securing her position as Empress Dowager. This matter is far from settled and there’s no need to be angry, my lady.” Seeing that the Empress’ expression turned more gloomy, Yan Miao came forth to comfort her.

Sitting silently for a while, a cold glimmer flashed across the Empress’ eyes. Standing up, she commanded, “Even though I am not the one settling Empress Dowager’s praying session, I shall not let others look down on my filial piety. Go and prepare a few precious Buddhist statues and send them to Consort Su’s palace. Inform her of my wishes and remind her not to fail my expectations.”

“My lady, we don’t have many Buddhist statues here as we sent all of our best statues to Empress Dowager’s palace since she loved that. We could no longer find any more good ones now.” Yan Miao complained as good statues were usually sent into Cining Palace at once, and no precious statues could be found now.

“My lady, maybe we can send those inferior ones?” She suggested.

“No. Send a message to Ding General Manor and ask them to find a few precious Buddhist statues for me. Tell them I need to pray for the health of Empress Dowager.” The Empress replied calmly as her eyes lay on the corner of a tall wall. That wall was not near to her but she could see the structure as the building was too magnificent.

That was the real Tianfeng Palace. As for the Cining Palace where Empress Dowager resided in now, ever since Empress Dowager resided there, she did not leave the real Tianfeng Palace to the Empress.

“We’ll not only choose the most precious ones, but also need to tell my brother to spread the news that I will be having a vegetarian diet within Tianfeng Palace for half a month to pray for Empress Dowager, in hope that my filial nature would touch the heaven and give Empress Dowager good health.”

She would join Empress Dowager in this show!

…

The sickness of Empress Dowager and the prayer session for her spread to the ears of various n.o.ble ladies, and many heard the news that the Empress was seeking precious Buddhist statues and eating vegetarian dishes for Empress Dowager’s good health. Immediately, such information spread in and out of the palace. Emperor Zongwen was known for his filial nature, and the Empress did show a good example herself. Increasingly, many ladies started imitating her and started praying and eating vegetarian dishes for the Empress Dowager.

Precious Buddhist statues became increasingly difficult to find.

At this time, Mo Xuemin was about to get married!

The date of the marriage was determined long ago, and there was no reason to delay the marriage to pray for Empress Dowager.

d.u.c.h.ess Zhenguo carefully sent her sister to ask Lady of Xian for permission for the marriage. Lady of Xian replied that the Empress Dowager did not want her illness to affect the public. Marriage was a blessed event, and should not be delayed due to her.

The d.u.c.h.ess became contented after hearing the news. However, she discovered new problems while preparing for the marriage.

What should she prepare for the wedding banquet?

Traditionally, fishes and meat were a natural part of wedding banquets, and all food must come from good origins. However, in this case, all the ladies were eating vegetarian food for Empress Dowager, and no one would come and attend a non-vegetarian banquet. Duke Zhenguo’s manor required support from the other n.o.bilities, and this banquet must be held to strengthen their relations.h.i.+p with other ladies.

The servant in-charge was at a loss on what to do, and thus threw the problem to the d.u.c.h.ess Zhenguo.

The d.u.c.h.ess bit her teeth and decided that the banquet for male guests would be as usual, while the banquet for female guests would contain only vegetarian food. She prayed that these ladies would not be here just to take a glance as Duke Zhenguo’s manor required more popularity.

“My lady, if we have a vegetarian banquet for the ladies, would your daughter-in-law feel…” As she had never heard about such a wedding banquet before, the servant asked out of concern.

“She is not the one in charge of this house.” Remembering how Mo Xuemin caused her son to lose his reputation and the Emperor’s favor, d.u.c.h.ess Zhenguo put down her teacup angrily and spoke out of hatred. It would be impossible for that b.i.t.c.h to enjoy a good life in this household, and it would be a blessing for her to even have a vegetarian banquet!

The d.u.c.h.ess suddenly became depressed as she thought about how she had to invite that unlucky woman in with a sedan carried by eight people. It would be best if that little b.i.t.c.h knew her place, as she would teach that woman a lesson if she dared to create trouble.

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