Chapter 293. V4C293: Leading Character and Supporting Character (II) Translator: Iris

Momo Kong had taught the Sheng's girls a few ways to size up their surroundings withoutanytraceswhen they were in a respectful posture with their headslowered. Minglan chose one of the ways which wasturning her face slightly and only moving her eyes with her eyelids staying unmoved, which made her able to see the things around her clearly.

There were lots of women in imperial costumes gathering in the palace. Minglan glimpsed at them in a hurry, finding Empress Dowager De sitting in the middle,besidewhomseatedthe Empress, beside whom stood Little Shen shi, the Empress's sister. Right now, the look on the sisters' faces seemed quite sullen. In the meantime, Minglan found Empress Dowager De talking and behaving in a very elegant anddelightfulway.Then she assumed that the latter must be a lively and gorgeous woman when she had been young. Then, Empress Dowager De said to the three newcomers, I received a new kind of tea lately, so I invited the Empress and her sister to have tea together.Sorrythat I have asked you three tomake another trip up here.

Minglan and the other two womenshowedhumble expressions right away and thanked theEmpress Dowager Deforhergraciousness.

Little Shen shi put on a reluctant smile and walked down. After she walked over to the two women of the Zhang family, she gave an obeisance to her sister-in-law andhersister-in-law's mother. The Empress chuckled, I was thinking about you. I have the Eight Treasures Steamed Cakeinmy room which the chef in the imperial kitchen made according to the recipe fromsouthern area of the Shu State.It's hard to find a taste like this in the capital. You can bring some with you when you go back.

Madam Zhang (Zhang shi's mother) thanked the Empress first, followed by Minglan and Zhang shi. Then, she said with a smile, I heard that the snacks of the southern area havelots of flavors, we have lived in the capital for our whole lives. Thanks to you, Your Highness, today wecouldtaste that.

TheEmpress also said some courteous words with a beaming smile. As she glanced at Zhao'yi Yuwhoshoweda babybump(Zhao'yi is Lady of Bright Deportment), she said with her eyebrows slightly knitted, You should go back to have a rest, it's not convenient for a pregnant woman to stay here.After Zhao'yi Yu had got pregnant, she looked even more charming than before. Hearing the Empress's words, she only replied with a smile, Your Highness, thanks for your consideration, but I seldom have the chance to drink such delicious tea. Ialways liked to eat when I was a little girl, please let me stay.

Empress Dowager De, with a joyful look, said, What a naughty girl!Areyou made of sugar? No wonderthe Emperor and Empress arebothso fond of you lately!

Your Highness, what do you mean by that? Aren't you fond of me? Zhao'yi Yusaidadorably.

There was another woman sitting beside Empress Dowager De, who wasPrincessConsort Yu and also the wife of Empress Dowager De's blood son. Princess Consort Yu also chimed in from time to time,laughinghappilywith othersin the palace. Only the look on the Empress's face turnedgloomier, but she still had to maintain a graceful manner.

Minglanavertedhereyesat once and lowered her head.

The Emperor was afraid that her blood mother would suffer grievance, so he had accommodated the two Empress Dowagers in different places in order to let Empress DowagerShengAn live more comfortably. However, that arrangement gave the Empress a hard time because she had to give obeisance to her two mothers-in-law at two different places every day and then returned to her own palace to receive the obeisance from the Imperial Consorts.

Duke Ying was the head of all the other dukes with a high position and respected by everyone. Therefore, Empress Dowager De offered a seat to Madam Zhang right away.Thanks to that, Minglan, Little Shen shi and Zhang shi also had the chance to sit on the stools together. Minglan couldn't help butcry out 'Hurray' inwardly.

The moment they sat down, they heard Empress Dowager De said to Madam Zhang with a light smile, I won't hide anything from you then. Please check these two girls

She pointed to two women who were wearing imperial costumes. As Minglan lookedover, she was surprised to see a pair of exceedingly beautiful women! They seemed both under twenty. Although they were both above teenage age, theywerereallygorgeous and glamorous.

They have served me for many years. They are gentle, tame and always follow the disciplines. I like them a lot. Now they are not so young anymore and I want to find them good men to marry Alas, I really hate to part with them, so I planned to let them marrythe Emperor. Little did I know that the Empress would be so unhappy about that. Empress Dowager De kept sighing with her eyes fixed straightly on Madam Zhang.

She was accusing the Empress of being so jealous.

Minglan counted the beads on her dress silently whilesayinginwardly the words, 'I am not the leading character here, I am awalk-on actor who doesn't have a line.

Madam Zhang was not easy to fool, so she only smiled gently and said, HisMajestynow haslots of descendants, it mustbebecause of our Empress's virtue. I know that you must have meant good for them by proposing that, your highness, but I guess our Empress must have her own thought too. Since the two ladies are so outstanding, why don't you choose other great and talented young men for them, Your Highness?

Hearing that, the Empress put on a vague smile and looked at Madam Zhang with a satisfied look as a compliment to the latter.

Facing sucha softretort, Empress Dowager De said with a reluctant smile, I don't expect that they would marryany talented guys. Since they cannot stay in the Palace, I think it would be better to let them marry into the families which live near here. Perhaps, the Empress's brother or General Zheng As she glanced at the people in the Palace with cold eyes, she saw Minglan and added, And Commander Gu, could take in those girls as their concubines. In this way, I can meet my girls more often.

Minglan couldn't help but moan inwardly 'How come Iaminvolved? Obviously Empress Dowager is targetingthe Shen family and only mentionedGu Tingyeincidentally.'

Little Shen shi was the first onethatjumped up. Then she tried her best to hold back the shocked look on her face and spoke calmly, Howcan we do this? Your Highness, the girls who serve you are all delicate girls. We have to let them marry well, how can we let them become concubines?

Empress Dowager De chuckled and looked at Little Shen shi who was in a panic, saying, They are not as delicate as you thought. They arrived at the Royal Palace from the countryside when they were little girls and don't have any powerful background. The thing I want is finding them kind and tender Madams who could treat themnicelyformy sake instead of great men. So, would all youladies do me this favor?

Her last words were in a rising tone as if she was threatening them.

The Empress's face turned palewhile Little Shen shi's face turned deadly red as if it was about to bleed. Only Zhang shi stood up with a calm look and gave an obeisance, Anything you said, Your Highness.

Madam Zhang looked at her daughter,her eyes full ofsympathy,caring andself-accusation.

Hearing that, Minglan almost said to Zhang shi,Since then, you should take in two girls, in case I will have a headache. You are such a virtuous Madam; Empress Dowager should rest assured.

Luckily, Minglan still remembered what kind of condition this was and stopped herself from saying those bold words.

However, Empress Dowager De still hadaback-up plan. She sighed in afeignedsad tone, The marriage of the girls around me are all delayed because they have to observe mourning for our former emperor. I have been thinkingaboutfinding them great families to marry into.

Minglan couldn't help glancing at the two girls again. Now the girls, head lowered, looked quite enchanting andbeautiful with their pink faces.Minglanwasa bit stunned.

Suddenly, she understood one thing: Those women should be the ones whom Empress Dowager De prepared for her blood son. Unfortunately,the sudden catastrophetookher son'sthroneaway andgot herarrested.As a result, the marriages of the girls who served her were also delayed.

Behind the screen beside the two girls,thereseemed to beanother group of beauties. Minglan then started to wonder if Empress Dowager De had areserveteam.

EmpressDowager De asked Little Shen shi again, but the latter only kept silent while looking attheEmpress, seeming to be asking for help.

Empress Dowager De wasn't in a hurry and only watched Little Shen shi's embarrassmentwith a smile. Then she turned to Minglan and wanted to ask something. At this moment, Princess Consort Yu suddenly said, Madam Gu, what are you laughing at?

After that, everyone in the palacefixedtheir eyes on one place.Then they found Gu Tingye's wife standing there reverently and gracefully with a smile on her face and seeming to have something on her mind.

Madam Gu, I am asking you what you are laughing at right now. Do you think that our Empress Dowager is funny? Princess Consort Yuused to be a kind and gentle woman and enjoyed a great reputation in the capital. However, ever since shehad witnessed her husbanddrinkingthe poisonous wine, shehad a great change in her temperament and became a bit mean.