After Luo Ranran fell asleep, Qingyang Princess and the Eldest Princess exchanged a look, the deep meaning in their eyes understood only by them.
“Eldest Imperial Sister, go change your clothes first. After you’ve changed, we can discuss this in detail. Don’t worry, I said I would back you up, and I most certainly will.”
The Eldest Princess smiled and agreed. With Meilan’s help, she changed into an exquisite, bright red dress and had her hair restyled into a coiffure that was grand yet restrained.
Meilan nodded to herself in approval. This was how a princess should be dressed.
One could only imagine the kind of life the Eldest Princess had been living with the Qian Family.
“Eldest Princess, this dress suits you so well. You look just like a sixteen-year-old girl, stunning and commanding. It’s absolutely beautiful.”
The Eldest Princess looked at herself in the bronze mirror, feeling as if it wasn’t real.
She glanced down at the red dress. “Meilan, this dress is far too valuable. I should change into something else, lest I dirty it.”
Whether it was the quality of the fabric or the intricate yet understatedly luxurious embroidery, it was not something an ordinary seamstress could accomplish. It was clearly the work of the palace’s own embroiderers.
Meilan explained with a smile, “Eldest Princess, Her Highness said this dress was originally prepared for you. It’s just that after you got married, you stopped visiting Her Highness, so this dress was left sitting in the mansion. Hehe, it’s all good now. The item has been returned to its rightful owner.”
Returned to its rightful owner?
“This isn’t a case of being returned to its rightful owner,” the Eldest Princess murmured to herself, a warm current filling her heart.
Her Imperial Sister was always so kind and considerate.
Back when she was still in the Imperial Harem, her sister would always find various excuses to send her food, clothes, and other necessities. She would even warn and threaten the palace maids and eunuchs who attended to her.
If not for her Imperial Sister’s help, she probably would have lost the will to live long ago.
The Eldest Princess’s eyes welled up. In this life, she owed her Imperial Sister far, far too much.
…
Soon, Rong Momo brought the physician over.
After taking her pulse, the diagnosis was delivered: the Eldest Princess had indeed been poisoned. Fortunately, it was discovered in time. If it had been a few months later, not even the Great Deity Luo could have saved her.
Qingyang Princess’s expression turned cold, her eyes brimming with murderous intent.
The Eldest Princess clutched her chest, nearly drowning in the overwhelming hatred that consumed her.
She hated them, oh, how she hated them!
After seeing the physician off, Qingyang Princess instructed her two head maids, Meilan and Furong, as well as two Shadow Guards, to accompany the Eldest Princess to the Qian Mansion and follow her commands completely.
A royal princess would absolutely not be bullied by anyone.
“Imperial Sister, thank you,” the Eldest Princess said, filled with gratitude.
She was in dire need of manpower right now, and her sister’s help was like sending charcoal in a snowstorm. She was not an ungrateful person and would definitely establish her authority in the Qian Mansion as quickly as possible.
Qingyang Princess smiled and shook her head.
But thinking of her Imperial Sister’s temperament, she couldn’t help but add a few more words.
“Eldest Imperial Sister, you are the princess of a kingdom. You must use the firm methods befitting a princess. You can either report this directly to the Dali Temple and have them thoroughly investigate your poisoning—that way, no one in the Qian Family can escape.
Or, you can get rid of the father and keep the son, returning all the schemes the Qian Family used on you back to them. Then, step by step, take control of the Qian Family and become the matriarch whose word is law.”
The Eldest Princess was silent for a moment, then nodded solemnly, her eyes filled with a sharp glint. “Thank you, Imperial Sister. I think I know what to do now.”
It was time for the Imperial Merchant, the Qian Family, to have a new master.
…
Tianqi Kingdom, Imperial Palace, Cining Palace.
“Mother Empress, for what matter have you summoned your son?”
Although Emperor Luo wore a smile, a closer look revealed that the smile did not reach his eyes. Instead, it held a hint of distance and cool indifference.
The Empress Dowager sat upright in her chair, dressed in a dark red palace gown. Her posture was elegant, her bearing noble and dignified. Though she was in her fifties, her skin was fair and firm, making her look as if she were only in her thirties.
Seeing the distant look in Emperor Luo’s eyes, the Empress Dowager looked hurt and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.
“Emperor, must we, mother and son, be so distant?”
A flicker went through Emperor Luo’s deep eyes as he said with a smile, “Mother Empress, you are my mother. How would your son dare to be distant with you?”
His tone was sarcastic, his words completely at odds with his feelings. The Empress Dowager sighed again.
“Emperor, this Dowager knows you are acting so estranged from me because of Shihan’s matter.”
“But Jin’er told this Dowager that An Dongzhang is a man of striking appearance and good character, a reliable choice for a husband. It is precisely for this reason that this Dowager insisted on making An Dongzhang Shihan’s consort.”
“Besides, Shihan and Jin’er are full siblings. How could he harm his own sister, don’t you agree?”
“Furthermore, Duke Anguo and your Father Emperor were like brothers. With him watching over An Dongzhang, Shihan’s life will not be difficult.”
The “Jin’er” the Empress Dowager spoke of was the current Third Prince, Luo Fangjin. He, along with Emperor Luo and Qingyang Princess, were all born to the Empress Dowager.
“Heh!” Emperor Luo almost laughed out of anger.
He truly hadn’t expected his own mother to be so muddled, unable to distinguish right from wrong. Had her mind become a mere decoration with age?
“Mother Empress, court affairs are busy. If you have no other business, your son will take his leave.”
Emperor Luo’s hands clenched into fists, the smile completely vanishing from his face. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he wouldn’t be able to control his temper.
Seeing Emperor Luo turn to leave without hesitation, the Empress Dowager grew anxious and quickly called out, “Emperor, please stay for a moment.”
Emperor Luo’s steps halted. A coldness surfaced in the depths of his eyes. He took a deep breath before slowly turning back to face the Empress Dowager.
“Mother Empress, if you have something to say, please say it. If you only wish to mend the relationship between us, then let’s forget it.”
He didn’t have that much time to waste on pleasantries.
The Empress Dowager’s favoritism was known to all.
He and his Imperial Sister were clearly her children, yet she doted exclusively on Luo Fangjin. If Luo Fangjin were a good person who knew how to help him, his Emperor Brother, with his worries and how to care for his Imperial Sister, he wouldn’t be like this.
But as it happened, Luo Fangjin had no character, no looks, and no talent. Instead, he had been full of malicious schemes since childhood.
Even he, his full-blooded brother, had been framed by him multiple times, only for him to play innocent and pitiful in front of their mother afterward to escape responsibility.
His mother was muddled, but thankfully, his father had a discerning eye and had long seen through Luo Fangjin’s character.
Even though Luo Fangjin had scrambled about, currying favor with court officials everywhere, and even coaxed their mother and uncle into championing his cause in his bid for the throne, he was ultimately unworthy. The throne had eventually fallen to him.
After he ascended the throne, Luo Fangjin showed no restraint, acting wantonly with the backing of their mother’s favor.
Whenever he tried to punish Luo Fangjin severely, his mother would step in to protect him. If he didn’t comply, his mother would accuse him of being defiant and unfilial.
Heh!
Whatever Luo Fangjin said, whether it was right or wrong, or even full of conspiracy and calculation, their mother would always believe him without question.
Sometimes, he wondered.
Perhaps he and his Imperial Sister were not their mother’s children. That was why their relationship with Luo Fangjin was not close, even reaching the point of mutual disgust.
With all this…
He was sorry, but he could no longer act affectionately toward his mother. Maintaining a superficial relationship was already the best he could do.
A bitter smile touched the corners of Emperor Luo’s lips. He looked up at the Empress Dowager, who was clearly angered by him, and said once more, “Mother Empress, if you have no other business, your son will take his leave.”