Chapter 748 - 750: The Empress Dowager Loves her Daughter, Sharply Reminds
"Initially, Shen Lu told me that you were extraordinary, and thanks to you, the restaurant’s business took off. That restaurant is just my private property, and it’s not something I could openly talk about. Its business in the past was average, but no one dared to bully it. If it wasn’t for Shen Lu meeting you, perhaps the restaurant wouldn’t have become the most popular one in the Capital City." said the Empress Dowager with a smile, and from her tone, it seemed like she was in a good mood.
"A few days ago, you introduced the buffet concept, which is indeed innovative. My Birthday Banquet is next month, and I plan to let Yingke handle the banquet in the form of a buffet. What do you think?" The Empress Dowager asked with an inviting tone, looking at Bai Ruozhu courteously, waiting for her response.
Bai Ruozhu was a little dazed for a moment. Was the Empress Dowager truly appreciating her, or was this just a pretext to discuss the matter of Princess Diao Bin? Or was she giving her some favors first before discussing serious matters?
For a moment, Bai Ruozhu didn’t know how to respond. She thought for a while and cautiously said, "If it’s just a buffet, it might be a little boring. There should still be some performances for entertainment."
She had heard that when a banquet was held in the palace, all the imperial concubines and beauties were eager to show off, and they all prepared programs and such. But if the entertainment was cancelled because the Empress Dowager’s Birthday Banquet adopted the buffet format, she and Yingke might provoke much resentment, wouldn’t they?
"Oh? Do you have any better ideas?" The Empress Dowager asked.
"For the moment, I don’t have any good ideas. Why don’t I go back and think it over before reporting to Your Majesty?" Bai Ruozhu suggested.
The Empress Dowager nodded, "That’s fine too. We can talk about it after you’ve given it some thought."
Bai Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the Empress Dowager was not looking for trouble with her.
"Mrs. Jiang is clever and bright, I quite like you. Stay for lunch with me today. The rest of you may go to prepare now, leave Cui Ping to accompany me," the Empress Dowager instructed the palace maids nearby.
It was only then that Bai Ruozhu noticed that the Empress Dowager had not referred to herself as ’We’ but as ’I’. In Danliang Country, people didn’t care much about formalities. The Empress Dowager naturally wouldn’t use ’We’ when speaking with people she was familiar with, but when giving orders to her servants, she assumed an air of authority. Her use of ’I’ with Bai Ruozhu, was it an indication that there was no barrier between them?
After the Empress Dowager sent everyone away, leaving only a palace maid close to her, she turned to Bai Ruozhu and said, "You and Yichun look like a couple, and I’m the kind of person who enjoys seeing lovers together. Rest assured, nobody can interfere in your affairs."
Bai Ruozhu looked at the Empress Dowager in surprise, but she soon understood her meaning.
Which mother wouldn’t want her daughter to marry well? It would be great if she could marry the man she loves. But if this affection was mistaken, how could she, as a mother, not stop it and let it continue erroneously?
Firstly, Jiang Yichun was no longer the legitimate grandson of the Jiang Family, and he had a father who was expelled from the family due to a scandal. How could the Empress Dowager bear to marry her daughter to him?
Secondly, Jiang Yichun was already married with a son and he had a very good relationship with his wife. If she were to compel Bai Ruozhu to concede her position, Princess Diao Bin would simply be invading another’s nest, and she would certainly be criticised in the future.
Moreover, a forced marriage would not be sweet. Even if Jiang Yichun was forced to marry Diao Bin, she would not be favoured by him and wouldn’t lead a happy life in the future.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but think of a similar event in a modern historical drama. In it, Princess Taiping fell in love with Xue Shao, but Xue Shao was already married. Wu Zetian, wanting her daughter to marry the man she loved, sentenced Xue Shao’s original wife to death. But even though Princess Taiping married Xue Shao in the end, she didn’t get the happiness she desired.
Although the story was fictional, it did provoke deep reflection. If she were the Empress Dowager, she wouldn’t do such a thing that seemed to be for her daughter’s good on the surface but was actually harmful to her daughter.
"Diao Bin is a good child and she is without malice, you can be reassured. It’s my fault for making a seemingly harmless joke, which led her to overthink it. But shouldn’t a woman marry a man who truly cherishes her? She will naturally understand this in the future," the Empress Dowager said leisurely.
Bai Ruozhu bowed to the Empress Dowager and said sincerely, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your understanding and empathy. I am truly grateful."
The Empress Dowager gave a faint smile, her expression now lacking the previous warmth, "However, if that youngster Yichun takes advantage of Diao Bin’s innocence and harbours other intentions, don’t blame me if I’m not courteous!"
This time she used ’We’, and her tone was much heavier. Clearly, this statement was no joking matter. If Jiang Yichun dared to exploit Diao Bin’s affection and bear any misconceptions, the Empress Dowager would certainly not let him go lightly.
Bai Ruozhu hurriedly said, "Achun won’t be like that. I can vouch for him."
Princess Diao Bin was born beautiful and innocent like her tutor. If it were someone else, Bai Ruozhu would not dare to make such a guarantee. But for Jiang Yichun, she trusted him from the bottom of her heart and was willing to vouch for him.
She should have faith in her husband. Otherwise, how could she call it ’couples weathering storms together’?
The Empress Dowager appeared satisfied with her reply, and her face once again beamed with warmth. She said, "The Emperor also cherishes the old friendship and is overly fond of Diao Bin. You shouldn’t take it to heart. I will persuade him properly. As a wise monarch, he will naturally not really cause trouble for you two."
Bai Ruozhu nodded, "I understand, otherwise the Emperor would’ve issued a decree already."
If the Emperor were unreasonable and issued a Royal Decree, then she and Jiang Yichun would truly be in a pickle.
The two spoke for a while longer, and soon it was time for the luncheon banquet. At this time, Princess Diao Bin also arrived. She was somewhat surprised to see Bai Ruozhu, but her attitude was very polite. Bai Ruozhu observed carefully that the princess indeed didn’t put on airs and her gaze was very clear. She appeared as innocent as the Empress Dowager had described.
During the course of the meal, Bai Ruozhu and Diao Bin became somewhat acquainted. Diao Bin couldn’t help but inquire about Jiang Yichun. Bai Ruozhu found it a bit amusing and explained that Jiang Yichun had been ordered to leave the capital by the Emperor, so she wasn’t sure of his current situation.
Princess Diao Bin seemed a bit disappointed after hearing this, but showed no intention of taking her anger out on Bai Ruozhu.
After lunch, Bai Ruozhu found an excuse to excuse herself, then left the palace to return to her residence. Dengdeng had already woken up and cried for a while after not seeing her. Seeing her return, he immediately reached out his arms to be picked up, babbling as if scolding her for leaving him alone at home.
Bai Ruozhu watched his clever expression, couldn’t help but laugh, and her mood improved considerably. At least the Empress Dowager was against Princess Diao Bin’s infatuation with Jiang Yichun and assured her that they wouldn’t be separated. At least now, the heavy stone hanging over her heart could be put down.
After waiting for another day, Dengdeng’s rash lessened a little. Bai Ruozhu waited for news from Jiang Yichun at her residence, only to hear the clamor of gongs and drums outside. She asked about it and found out that the envoy from Chengshui Country had arrived in the Capital City, claiming it was for promoting friendly exchanges between the two countries.
Bai Ruozhu’s eyelids twitched. She quickly instructed the dark guard to find out who exactly were in the Chengshui Country’s delegation.