His Majesty And I ✔️

You Need Me

Chapter 16

Grand Dowager Empress Wu
The Rose Flower Palace

The Grand Dowager Empress was in a foul mood since the previous night when she was told by her sources, Mistress Ki was seen in the Capital. What was that woman doing back in Nevoria? Was it not enough that she stole what belonged to her?

She asked her people whether Mistress Ki met with the Grand Physician yet, but no one knew. Grand Dowager hoped no news was good news. She didn't want to see those two together. They could discover her secret and conspire against her. It was better things stayed as they were, all blame on Dowager Empress Wang. It wasn't like the Wang villain was not handling being the scapegoat well. It suited her.

She hit her chest. This stress was affecting her at her old age. Can't a woman age well in peace?

Grand Dowager looked down at her court lady who was working on her legs. "How long has Li Lian been kneeling outside?"

"Since last evening, Your Highness. When she came here this servant told her, she can not have an audience, as Her Highness had already retired for sleep. Nevertheless, she declared she would kneel till you woke." The Grand Dowager Empress' court lady placed down the oiled leg and picked the other, massaging some soothing scented oils.

"What does she want? Does she think I am Commoner Grand Consort Shu that everyone can speak to?"

"One night with the emperor and she thinks she is the phoenix." The court lady supported her indignation.

Grand Dowager Empress Wu knew about last night, the scuffle between Li Lian and Bai Shen Hong. Palace walls had eyes and ears. Many rumours have roused around Li Lian since she entered the palace. One word came to mind about her.

Trouble.

Li Lian fainted as she danced, disturbing the ceremony of Yang Liu before she got publicly officiated. As if that was not disgraceful enough, now she was rooted on her doorstep.

The Grand Dowager Empress didn't want to pick sides in the harem. No one was her favourite, and associating herself with Li Lian would be picking sides.

Li Lian suspiciously fainted at the dance. If you lived long enough in the Inner Court you would know that was no usual collapsing.

When she saw Dowager Empress Wang and Consort Wang leave the banquet after Li Lian fainted, she knew there was dirty play. They were behind it.

The Wang and Wu clan had an existing raft. Grand Dowager Empress Wu was not willing to widen it by associating with Li Lian.

"Let her kneel until she faints. I won't get involved with the harem. Dowager Empress Wang is the current overseer, not me."

"But Your Highness, it is said Dowager Empress Wang received a decree this morning announcing her exile to the Frost Palace. There was no morning meeting with the harem women because of this."

"Shénme?" (what) Dowager Empress exclaimed. "It has happened already?"

"Yes, Your Highness. I think His Majesty is attempting to save Dowager Empress Wang face by doing it quietly, though rumours are inevitable."

Saving her face only for the public eyes to see, obviously. Bai Shen Hong didn't care for that woman.

What a grandson. He was stubborn and hard-headed. Shen Hong was set on acting on his set ways without anyone's assistance. He did not confide in her or seek elderly counsel on this matter. This wasn't how an emperor should act.

Apparently, when she opposed his decision to send his entourage home, he said he would visit her after returning from Yi Yuan. Yet, when he got back he never stepped foot in her palace. He kept his distance away from her, avoiding any confrontation. They spoke only in public, general talk that was feigned for people to see.