Chapter 1126 - 1128: Is She Also a Princess?_1
Imperial Concubine Liu’s face changed unpredictably. She had originally encountered Bai Ruozhu and Diao Yao by chance in the Harem and intended to pick on the girl by Bai Ruozhu’s side to make her feel guilty and pained. Who knew that not only was the young Miss tough, but Bai Ruozhu also wasn’t afraid of her at all and even had an imperial edict to intimidate people with. Normally, Bai Ruozhu frequently entered the Palace, so it was impossible for the Empress Dowager to issue imperial edicts constantly.
One could only say Imperial Concubine Liu was unlucky. If she had picked on Bai Ruozhu at any other time, Bai Ruozhu truly would have had no way to deal with it. But today just happened to be the day she was bringing Diao Yao into the Palace, and the Empress Dowager had specifically issued an imperial edict. Naturally, she had a way to protect both herself and Diao Yao, unless Imperial Concubine Liu disregarded the Empress Dowager’s edict to take action, but of course, the Royal Guards wouldn’t dare to act rashly.
Imperial Concubine Liu took several deep breaths, and her face instantly turned into a smile, "Since that’s the case, I will go and ask the Empress Dowager then. However, even if you are guests invited by the Empress Dowager, you still have to observe the rules of the Palace. Don’t allow others to regard you as bumpkins from the countryside."
After finishing her words, she ordered the bearers to turn around and headed straight for Cining Palace.
The Team Leader of the Royal Guards saluted Bai Ruozhu, saying, "Madam, we didn’t know just now that you had an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager. We have offended you greatly."
"It doesn’t matter, it wasn’t your fault." Bai Ruozhu returned the salute and continued walking forward with Diao Yao.
When they reached a deserted area, Diao Yao pouted her small mouth and said unhappily, "Are there so many rules in the Imperial Palace? Why aren’t people allowed to look? Aren’t these things built for people to appreciate?"
After she finished speaking, she muttered in a wronged, soft voice, "Who is a bumpkin from the countryside anyway? What’s so great about that? My mother says I have the life of a princess too."
Her voice was very soft, but Bai Ruozhu had exceptional hearing. How could she not hear?
Bai Ruozhu asked in surprise, "Diao Yao, what did you just say about your fate?"
Diao Yao’s face slightly changed, "Nothing, nothing."
Bai Ruozhu had some suspicion in her heart, feeling that Diao Yao must be hiding something, but since she didn’t want to talk about it, Bai Ruozhu didn’t continue to ask.
This sudden small incident made Diao Yao somewhat depressed. Bai Ruozhu took her hand and said, "Don’t take it to heart. Imperial Concubine Liu is just displeased with me; in fact, I’m the one who has implicated you."
Diao Yao looked up with her small face, puzzled, and asked, "Why does she look at you unfavorably?"
Bai Ruozhu shook her head helplessly and briefly recounted to Diao Yao what had happened at the Empress Dowager’s Birthday Banquet at the beginning of the year. Diao Yao’s eyes widened in shock and asked, "Just because of that?"
From Diao Yao’s perspective, it was utterly incomprehensible. Bai Ruozhu smiled and shook her head, "Or perhaps she’s just too bored in the Palace, looking for reasons to deal with people over petty issues, otherwise, wouldn’t she have nothing to do?"
Diao Yao shrank her neck, "The Palace is too scary, I better come less often in the future."
As they talked, they had already arrived at Cining Palace. Ziyi, a palace maid by the side of the Empress Dowager, was eagerly awaiting at the entrance, peeking out. Seeing the two, she hurriedly stepped forward to greet them.
"Madam Jiang, you’ve finally arrived. Imperial Concubine Liu has run to the Empress Dowager to complain about you, saying that you show no respect for rank and rely on the Empress Dowager’s favor, not putting her, an Imperial Concubine, in your eyes," Ziyi said with an anxious face.
Bai Ruozhu listened and sighed silently, the Empress Dowager was too soft-hearted.
"The Empress Dowager said that you were summoned by her into the Palace, but Imperial Concubine Liu persisted in wanting to clarify Diao Yao’s identity. You also know..." As Ziyi spoke, she cautiously glanced at Diao Yao.
"If the Empress Dowager speaks for Bai Ruozhu, Imperial Concubine Liu has no say, but Diao Yao is different. After all, she is from the Western Regions, and Imperial Concubine Liu probably also discerned it from her facial features."
"It’s fine, let’s go inside and talk," Bai Ruozhu, having been reminded, now knew what to do once inside.
As the two entered the Main Hall, they indeed saw Imperial Concubine Liu still there, but she was no longer languid. Instead, she was formally kneeling on the ground, looking rather dignified and unyielding.
It seemed that the Empress Dowager had suppressed her, but she chose to kneel and not leave, probably delivering some lofty and righteous words.
Bai Ruozhu pulled Diao Yao forward to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, then also offered a courtesy to Imperial Concubine Liu. Diao Yao, who disliked Imperial Concubine Liu, did not wish to offer her respects, but it was only after Bai Ruozhu pinched her palm that she reluctantly did so.
A flicker of smugness crossed Imperial Concubine Liu’s eyes as she said, "Since the Bai Family has arrived, explain who this woman is. Can just anyone be brought into the palace? The Empress Dowager is kind-hearted, but that doesn’t mean you can act recklessly, threatening her safety."
The Empress Dowager looked anxiously at Bai Ruozhu; it was clear they couldn’t say that Diao Yao was a friend of Diao Bin, for if they did, Diao Bin’s leaving the palace would surely be exposed. How could a princess who lives in the Imperial Palace every day know a woman from the Western Regions?
Unhappy, Diao Yao wanted to speak but was stopped by a look from Bai Ruozhu.
"Although Imperial Concubine Liu means well, meddle in matters of state may not be appropriate," Bai Ruozhu shot back directly.
"Impudence! When I ask you a question, you should answer properly. Who gave you the audacity to digress?" Imperial Concubine Liu exclaimed sharply, rising from the ground.
Bai Ruozhu scoffed and said, "This matter concerns the previous Prince Duan’s rebellion. The Empress Dowager has compassion and does not wish to mention it. Why must Imperial Concubine Liu be so aggressive?"
Noticing the shock on Imperial Concubine Liu’s face, she continued, "Imperial Concubine Liu must know that Prince Duan, before his rebellion, constantly sought to win over the generals of the Northwest Main Camp, with Tu Lie being one of his primary targets. At that time, my husband happened to lead a team to protect the Jiangnan participants of the Eight Academy Competition from the Study Palace in Beiyu. They unexpectedly encountered a large number of killers sent by Prince Duan to assassinate Tu Lie’s only son, Tu Bai."
By this point, the Empress Dowager understood what Bai Ruozhu was getting at and a faint smile appeared on her face.
"Tu Bai was critically wounded, hanging by a thread. Had he suddenly died, Prince Duan could have used it as an excuse to spread rumors and destabilize Tu Lie. Fortunately, Diao Yao understood the gravity of the situation and offered her sect’s Spiritual Medicine to save Tu Bai’s life. Knowing this, the Empress Dowager has long wanted to meet Diao Yao and reward her on behalf of the Imperial Court for her righteous act," Bai Ruozhu went on.
Upon hearing this, Diao Yao understood, bowed to the Empress Dowager, and said, "Diao Yao gratefully acknowledges the concerns of the Empress Dowager."
With a smile, the Empress Dowager beckoned, "Come here to me, and let me see what this distinguished disciple of the Bihai Sect looks like."
Diao Yao approached with a beaming smile, feeling that the Empress Dowager was exceptionally kind, indeed just as her sister Diao Bin had described. She instantly took a liking to the Empress Dowager.
Imperial Concubine Liu, trembling with rage, forced a smile and said, "Had the Empress Dowager not spoken, I truly would have been unaware, causing such a great misunderstanding."
The Empress Dowager glanced at her coldly, "Since when must I explain everything to you?"
"I dare not," Imperial Concubine Liu replied, her complexion worsening as she struggled to contain her fury. She took a bracelet off her wrist, stepped forward, and handed it to Diao Yao, "Seeing as you are a woman of merit, I too should reward you with something. Take this bracelet as a token."