Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 707 - 705

Chapter 707: Chapter 705

Such lack of shame could only come from someone of humble origins!

The Empress Dowager recalled the report from her informant in the Sixth Prince’s Mansion: The prince and his consort, Shen Xiao’er, barely left their rooms since returning. They even had their meals in the dead of night.

What on earth could they be doing, holed up in their room all day, unconcerned about meal times!

The Empress Dowager glared at Shen Xiao’er’s enchanting face, her grandson was completely charmed by this girl!

Perhaps she needed to introduce some more beautiful concubines to her grandson to divert some of his attention from Shen Xiao’er!

Otherwise, what would become of a prince who was more interested in beauty over his kingdom!

"Ahem, no need to try too hard, excessive indulgence harms one’s health!"

Shen Xiao’er responded with a barely noticeable twitch at the corner of her mouth, "The Empress Dowager is indeed correct!"

It seemed like all she ever said was what the Empress Dowager wanted to hear! Yet whatever she agreed to, she would do as she pleased afterwards!

She was well-versed in the art of apparent obedience. If there was any trouble, she would leave it to Shangguan Xuanyi to resolve, after all, that’s what he had said!

Publicly putting up a show of righteousness could be perceived as disrespect, she knew what was right or wrong. Do what needs to be done by keeping a facade yet opposing in secret, only others would find it frustrating.

The Empress Dowager was increasingly pleased with Shen Xiao’er’s obedience. Her face lightened considerably.

"I’ve lived a long life, half of my foot already in the grave! Even at this age, it’s the first time I’m hearing of a zoo. I guess I’ve really grown old and ignorant!" She finished those words with a glance at Xiao’er.

Did she want to visit the zoo? Shen Xiao’er repressed the urge to roll her eyes. She wished the old woman would just say so upfront instead of waiting for her to make the invitation!

Why did she have to beat around the bush? Wasn’t she tired of it?

"If the Empress Dowager doesn’t mind the large crowd and strong smell of animals, you’re more than welcome at the zoo. It would be a great honour for me to have the Empress Dowager as a guest!"

Upon hearing Shen Xiao’er’s eagerness to host her, the Dowager Empress chuckled, "Alright then! Tomorrow, I’ll come and see what kind of animals you have."

"Tomorrow, the Sixth Prince and I will humbly await your arrival!" Shen Xiao’er was curious to see what the Empress Dowager would say next.

"Consort to the Sixth Prince, given the Dowager Empress’s noble status, it’s a rare blessing for you that she’s willing to grace your zoo with her presence! To prevent her from being jostled by rowdy mortals, perhaps you should clear out the zoo so that she can enjoy the animals and the circus undisturbed?" dared Princess Ling’er to intervene.

The Dowager Empress beamed with satisfaction upon hearing the suggestion, and then turned to Shen Xiao’er for her response.

So that was what they were waiting for!

Clear out the zoo? Tomorrow was the grand opening when she had already issued numerous tickets to the good people of the Imperial capital. Residents from all corners of the city were anticipating the event. Yet, these two were suggesting that she closed the gates to all of these people, just to accommodate the Empress Dowager?

To even consider such a shameless act, they must truly be out of their mind!

Humph! Was she really so precious!

A flicker of anger crossed Shen Xiao’er’s inner thoughts, but on the surface, she maintained a cheerful smile: "I wonder, is this the suggestion of the Princess or the Dowager Empress?"

"Does it matter? What if it’s my suggestion? Is it wrong to point out the nobility of the Empress Dowager? Or is it that you are reluctant to entertain the Empress Dowager alone? Do you not realize that the Empress Dowager gracing your wretched animal park is a great honour?" Princess Ling’er retorted provocatively with a righteous tone.

The Empress Dowager’s face turned dark as she coldly watched Shen Xiao’er, awaiting her answer.

Could it be that Shen Xiao’er preferred to visit the zoo with the commoners? What then would be the difference between her and those mere mortals?

"Why does Princess Ling’er enjoy setting traps for others to fall into? Those who don’t know might think that you’re trying to generate discord between me and the Empress Dowager! When you’re picking on me, I might let it slide, but how could you implicate the Empress Dowager in being unjust and unkind!" Shen Xiao’er pulled a serious face, her sharp gaze fixed on Princess Ling’er as she responded assertively.

Princess Ling’er went pale at these words. "Don’t unfoundedly accuse me of false charges! When did I ever portray the Empress Dowager as unjust and unkind?"

"The Empress Dowager is a benevolent and kind figure towards her people, embodying the ’Mother of the Nation’! Do you know what ’Mother of the Nation’ signifies? It signifies caring for all people like a mother! The people are the children of our Minze dynasty! Of course, there should be a distinction between the Empress Dowager and the citizens. The Empress Dowager, being the grandmother of all, is deeply concerned about the people. She sets up porridge kitchens every year. Whenever there is a disaster, she would give away her personal silver for relief. The Empress Dowager has done so much for the people! In the people’s hearts, she is kind and benevolent. How could such a noble person as the Empress Dowager despise her own subjects and refuse to share joy with them?"

"Princess Ling’er, however, implied that the Empress Dowager detests the people! Isn’t this intentionally causing the people to misunderstand the Empress Dowager, spreading dishonour and injustice? Even our emperor has never cleared the streets for his processions!" Shen Xiao’er’s voice rang loud and clear, seething with righteousness.

Hmph! Who could be more important than the emperor in this world!

For a moment, the Empress Dowager was taken aback by Shen Xiao’er’s impassioned intensity!

If she indeed attended the zoo, and Shen Xiao’er cleared the venue just for her, it would offend countless citizens! If word got out, her lifelong image as the ’Mother of the Nation’ would collapse!

Thankfully, she hadn’t gone there yet...

Princess Ling’er was fuming and at the same time, taken aback by Shen Xiao’er’s intimidating aura, she ended up momentarily speechless.

The atmosphere became tense.

Snapping back to reality, the Dowager Empress furtively glanced at Shen Xiao’er. To think that Shen Xiao’er thought her oblivious to the true outcome she intended with that righteous speech!

It was only during the beginning when she mentioned visiting the zoo and asking Shen Xiao’er to clear the place, she was merely intending to cause inconvenience and damage her reputation among the people.

She had forgotten that if such a thing really happened, it would be impossible to cover-up, and it would damage her own reputation instead.

People would question why others weren’t allowed access on the grand opening day when so many tickets had been distributed?

Shen Xiao’er, being the Imperial Consort, there’s nobody she would fear offending. A little thought would allow people to guess her identity.

The loss outweighed the gain.

"Nevermind. I’ve grown old and do not enjoy moving about, this kind of festive occasion is more suitable for you young people."

"The Empress Dowager is joking, sitting alongside Princess Ling’er, you look more like sisters. You hardly seem old!"

Dowager Empress’s mood improved at hearing these words. Bored and lonesome in her palace, she had spent her free time on self-care, and the evidence was clear.

On the other hand, Princess Ling’er’s face fell! The Empress Dowager looked like her sister!!! An old hag with the youthful bloom of herself?

This Shen Xiao Er really knew how to annoy people! She felt like throwing up despite being famished!

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