RPAGF Chapter 451 The Empress Dowager's Advice
Chapter 451 The Empress Dowager's Advice
Chapter 451 The Empress Dowager's Advice
Emperor Zhou was taken aback upon hearing this, but quickly put on a smile again: "No, that girl wouldn't do anything detrimental to the Great Zhou."
"The emperor really believes that." The Empress Dowager knew that emperors were all rather suspicious.
"Yes, perhaps others with her great abilities would not be able to control their desires, but that girl wouldn't. That girl is selfless, otherwise she wouldn't have taken out so many precious books."
"Moreover, the Empress Dowager may not know that the girl often uses the money she earns to help the people, but she never makes a fuss about it."
The Empress Dowager nodded: "She is a kind-hearted girl. The Xiao family is truly blessed."
Even the Empress Dowager couldn't help but feel envious. The princesses of their royal family were all quite good, but compared to that girl Zhaoning, they were worlds apart.
"I've heard that the girl and Zhi Jin are getting married soon. Your Majesty might as well grant them a marriage as compensation." This would also completely dissuade the Fourth Princess from pursuing the idea.
"What the Empress Dowager says is true. I will grant them marriage immediately." Emperor Zhou thought this suggestion was excellent.
"Alright, it's time for me to leave." The Empress Dowager wanted to see the Fourth Princess, but she had heard that the princess was still unconscious. After all, she had doted on her for many years. Although she was disappointed, she couldn't bear to leave.
"Take care, Your Majesty." After seeing the Empress Dowager off, Emperor Zhou couldn't wait to have Eunuch Wei serve him with pen and ink to write an imperial edict bestowing a marriage upon her.
"That brat Zhi Jin will have to thank me properly now," Emperor Zhou murmured, looking at the imperial edict in his hand.
The Empress Dowager, supported by Granny Yu, went to the Fourth Princess's palace.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace." The palace servants quickly bowed upon seeing the Empress Dowager.
"Get up. How is Qing'er now? Is she awake?" the Empress Dowager asked as she walked forward.
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Princess has not yet woken up."
Upon entering, one sees the Fourth Princess lying face down on the bed with her eyes closed. Because of a back injury, the palace servants can only let her lie face down.
When the Empress Dowager saw the Fourth Princess looking like this, she felt sorry for her and went over to stroke her still pale face.
"Hey, why did you do this? He's just a man. There are many outstanding young talents in the entire Great Zhou besides Lu Zhijin. Why did you have to hang yourself on that one tree? Now you've learned your lesson."
"Grandmother." The Fourth Princess slowly opened her eyes and saw the Empress Dowager sitting beside her. She called out weakly.
"Qing'er, you're awake. Is there anything else that's bothering you?"
The Fourth Princess was still somewhat dazed. She had only shouted out a word subconsciously. Only after hearing the Empress Dowager's words did she remember that she had been punished with a cane earlier, and she immediately felt a series of sharp pains in her back.
Tears streamed down her face involuntarily: "Grandmother, it hurts so much."
"Don't cry, my dear. Your Majesty will have the imperial physician come and examine you." The Empress Dowager softened her tone as she looked at the fourth princess, who was crying uncontrollably.
"Yes, Grandmother, Father is so cruel! He actually had someone beat me." The Fourth Princess felt very wronged. From childhood to adulthood, she had always been a high-ranking princess who was admired by everyone. Normally, even a small scratch would make her feel sorry for half a day, but this time she was made to endure ten lashes.
"Don't blame your father. He was only doing it for your own good. You really went too far this time. You are a girl, and a woman's chastity is of utmost importance. How could you use such methods to deal with someone?" The Empress Dowager comforted the fourth princess.
But the Fourth Princess couldn't stand such words: "Grandmother, you don't love me anymore. How can you speak up for Xiao Siyue? If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have been punished. It's all because of her. She's perfectly fine. Why won't Father let me off the hook?"
“Qing’er, Princess Zhaoning’s survival is not because you let her go, but because she cleverly saw through your scheme and escaped. This does not mean you are without fault.”
"I'm not wrong, it's all her fault. If she had listened to me and given Lu Zhijin to me, I wouldn't have thought of teaching her a lesson. She's just ungrateful." The Fourth Princess would never admit that she was wrong. In her opinion, she was a princess and others should give way to her.
"You...you still don't know how to repent. I think you're hopeless." The Empress Dowager was extremely disappointed. She had thought that since Consort De was now confined to the Cold Palace and the child had no one to rely on, she would take better care of her. But she was still like this.
"I'm leaving now. Take good care of your injuries. As for Lu Zhijin, stop thinking about him. Your father has already arranged a marriage between Lu Zhijin and Princess Zhaoning." With that, the Empress Dowager didn't want to waste any more time and headed outside.
"Grandmother, what did you say? Father has bestowed a marriage upon us?" The Fourth Princess asked in disbelief.
"Why? Why is Father treating me like this? He clearly knows I like Lu Zhijin, so why did he still arrange their marriage? Is Xiao Siyue his daughter?" The Fourth Princess cried her heart out.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager turned her head and said, "That's because Lu Zhijin loves Princess Zhaoning. They are in love with each other. Qing'er, let me give you another piece of advice: forced love is never sweet. Lu Zhijin doesn't like you. Even if you marry him, you won't be happy. Instead, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
"Also, stop making trouble. You should know that the person in charge of this palace is your father, the Emperor. No one can defy your father's words. If you don't want to be married off to a remote area, you'd better behave yourself, or I won't be able to protect you." After saying that, the Empress Dowager left without looking back, helping Granny Yu away.
However, the Fourth Princess did not heed the Empress Dowager's advice at all, and her heart was filled with resentment towards Emperor Zhou.
"Princess, you..." A palace servant saw the fourth princess crying and wanted to go forward to comfort her, but was hit by a pillow thrown by the fourth princess.
"Get out, all of you, get out of here."
"Yes, yes, this servant will take her leave now." The palace maid was so frightened that she quickly retreated.
But deep down, she was disdainful. Consort De had been imprisoned in the Cold Palace and would never have the chance to come out again. The Fourth Princess had now lost the Empress Dowager's protection, so what was she still so arrogant about?
Hmph, they've really hit the jackpot by being assigned to the Fourth Princess.
That's how the imperial harem works; it's all about currying favor with those in power. When the Fourth Princess was favored, everyone wanted to serve her, even if she criticized them or frequently beat and scolded them. They felt it was only right because it gave them face.
But things are different now. The Fourth Princess has lost power and has a mother in the Cold Palace. From now on, she will be much lower than the maids and servants in other palaces.
These palace servants are now thinking about how to be transferred elsewhere.
The Fourth Princess was unaware that the palace servants in her palace were all thinking of leaving. She was still throwing a tantrum, throwing whatever she could on the bed. If she could get out of bed, she probably would have smashed the whole room.