Jinyi Spring

Chapter 210 Hypocrisy

Half an hour later, the group arrived at Cining Palace.

The winter sun was shining brightly, casting a reddish glow on the snow on the roof of the palace.

The main hall was warm and cozy. Empress Dowager Xue sat on the central daybed, her white hair neatly combed, dressed in a bright yellow palace gown.

Several concubines sat on either side of her.

As Shui Chuchen approached and knelt down, the old lady embraced her.

"Poor child, you've suffered so much. My heart broke when I heard about it..."

The old lady cried uncontrollably.

Shui Chuchen had expected the old lady to be an actress, but she hadn't expected her to be this good.

She had no choice but to act along, and she burst into tears.

"Grandma..."

With the comforting words of the palace concubines, the grandfather and grandson gradually stopped crying.

Shui Chuchen was pulled by Empress Dowager Xue to sit on the daybed. The old lady gently stroked her face, her eyes filled with tenderness.

A moment later, tears welled up in her eyes again. "What a beautiful young lady, just like Xiao Wan'er when she was young. Alas, Xue Heqing is ruthless and cruel, capable of doing such a thing. I told the Emperor that he need not consider my feelings, but must severely punish that wicked woman and seek justice for Empress Xiaoxian and Princess Yong'an."

Shui Chuchen lowered her eyes and said gratefully, "Thank you for your kindness, Grandmother."

Seeing this, the concubines on both sides quickly chimed in, praising the Empress Dowager for her kindness, fairness, and righteousness in putting aside her own family ties; every word was a heartfelt compliment.

Empress Dowager Xue wiped away her tears and said with deep emotion, "Xue Qinghe is merely my niece from my maternal family and the son's wife, while Yong'an is my own granddaughter. In terms of kinship, Yong'an is much closer. That ungrateful wretch instigated Xue Jicheng and dared to touch my precious treasure!"

Towards the end, he was gritting his teeth, extremely angry.

She presented Shui Chuchen with a set of red gold filigree phoenix headdress inlaid with pearls and jewels, two seven-jeweled necklaces adorned with top-quality jade and several strings of South Sea pearls, and a pair of glass table lamps presented as tribute from abroad.

Three palace maids filed out carrying trays, and Shaoyao and the others hurriedly stepped forward to take them and held them aside.

Empress Dowager Xue then asked, "Why are your hands so cold? Are you sick?"

Shui Chuchen explained the reason.

Empress Dowager Xue shook her head and said earnestly, "Young lady, you don't understand. It's not good for a young lady to be too cold-blooded. It will affect her ability to have children. We must have the imperial physician take good care of her." As if she had just remembered that Shui Chuchen knew medicine, she added, "You are a doctor, so you should pay attention and take good care of your health while you are still young."

Shui Chuchen nodded and said, "I heard that my grandmother's health is not good. I wouldn't say my massage skills are perfect, but they are alright."

Empress Dowager Xue took her hand and said, "You've just returned to the palace, rest more before we talk."

Does this mean they don't trust her?

Shui Chuchen didn't really want to massage her, which was fine.

Afterwards, Empress Dowager Xue inquired in detail about her life among the common people.

Shui Chuchen said some trivial things, and the old lady listened while shedding tears, truly heartbroken.

She inwardly gasped. This girl had an exceptionally kind appearance and demeanor, unlike someone who grew up in the countryside. Moreover, she was incredibly shrewd. Not only could Fu'er not handle her, but even Yun'er had to be careful.

Shui Chuchen sat upright with her eyes lowered, her face respectful and gentle, shedding tears along with her.

Others persuaded the two to stop crying, and Empress Dowager Xue then introduced the women.

These are all high-ranking imperial concubines. The first two are in their thirties. Consort Zhao is extremely beautiful and speaks softly. She gave birth to the fifth princess, Shui Raotong, and was deeply favored by the emperor, reportedly even overshadowing Consort Xue at one point. However, she suffered from uterine coldness and only gave birth to a daughter when she was nearly thirty.

There are rumors that if she had given birth to a son, he might have been named the crown prince.

The other was Consort Liu, whose son was the Third Prince Shui Xing. Although the Third Prince was deeply loved by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, Consort Liu was known as "wooden block," being very honest, taciturn, and of average appearance.

The three younger ones were Consort Liu, the mother of the Third Princess; Consort Guo, the mother of the Fourth Princess; and Consort Sun, the mother of the Fifth Prince.

Consort Sun is only eighteen years old this year. Because she gave birth to a prince and is young and beautiful, her delivery speed is as fast as an express courier.

Although these women were only the emperor's concubines, Shui Chuchen was a princess with a title, but as a junior, she still had to perform the etiquette due to a junior.

Shui Chuchen got up and each person curtsied to greet him.

The women also stood up, respectfully addressed her as "Princess Yong'an," and gave her a gift.

Especially Consort Sun, whose words were as sweet as honey, said, "I have been looking for an opportunity to thank Princess Yong'an for saving the Fifth Prince's life. I will have the Fifth Prince pay his respects to my elder sister another day to express his gratitude for saving his life."

After some maneuvering, Shui Chuchen was summoned to Empress Dowager Xue's side again, who held her hand and showered her with affection.

Ruoshui Chuchen is an innocent young girl who truly believes that the old lady is kind, gentle, and fair, and genuinely loves children without mothers.

When the group said it was almost noon and it was time to serve lunch, everyone got up to say goodbye.

Shui Chuchen also bowed and withdrew.

As she walked out of the main hall, she let out a long breath, leaving behind all the pretense and hypocrisy that filled the room.

Upon returning to the princess's residence, before even stepping into the courtyard, the sound of the second princess crying and fussing could be heard from the middle of the path.

The voice was shrill and sharp, clearly audible even through several walls. She didn't dare mention Empress Xiaoxian again, but instead kept repeating curses like "country bumpkin," "country bumpkin," and "my mother died unjustly."

Shui Chuchen entered the house without stopping or changing her expression.

Granny Li and the others came forward to greet them.

Shui Chuchen didn't mince words and asked with a stern face, "Shui Raofu disrespects her elder sister and speaks ill of others. Who will discipline her? If no one disciplines her, don't blame me for being strong and heavy-handed, this country bumpkin."

Li Mama hurriedly said, "According to the rules, the princesses should be disciplined by the Empress. But the palace has been without an Empress for many years, and it was previously Consort Xue who presided over the matter, with Consort Zhao assisting. Now, Consort Xue..."

She paused, then shook her head. "As for Consort Shu, the princess has seen her herself; she is the most gentle and compliant. If you go to her to complain, at most you'll be confined to your quarters for a day or two and made to copy the 'Admonitions for Women' once or twice."

Shui Chuchen lowered her eyes and remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

Li Mama continued, "The only ones who can truly control the Second Princess are the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. But the Emperor is extremely busy with state affairs, and the Empress Dowager is unwell... In my opinion, it would be better to go to the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau and ask them to send a nanny to discipline her. If she still doesn't behave after being disciplined, then the eldest sister can punish her according to family rules, or report to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. That would be the Second Princess's own fault, and she can't blame anyone else."

Shui Chuchen nodded slightly; these words resonated with her.

She then looked at Eunuch Tang and Caiju standing to the side.

Eunuch Tang bowed and said, "Granny Li is right. If admonishment is useless, it is only right for elder sister to think of another way."

Caiju lowered her eyes and dared not speak.

Shui Chuchen nodded inwardly. Putting aside Tang Jian, Granny Li seemed reliable for now, and her suggestions were all genuinely for her benefit.

Rather than letting Consort Zhao punish her lightly, it would be better to have a reprimand from the head maid of the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau. But that didn't work either; only her slap would be effective. (End of Chapter)