Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 772 - 770

Chapter 772: Chapter 770

Today, the new daughter-in-law was coming into the palace to pay respects, which was essentially a meeting of the extended family. Count Xiao’er and Shangguan Xuanyi naturally had to be present.

The Empress Dowager was very concerned about her grandson’s marriage. Although she did not leave the palace, she had people closely monitoring the situation and keeping her updated. Therefore, she was aware of the incident regarding the impersonation of the bride the day before.

This was a blatant provocation to the dignity of the imperial power!

The Empress Dowager wondered if the woman’s brain had been kicked by a donkey? How dare she do such a thing? Miss Du was not marrying ordinary people! She was marrying the crown prince, her own flesh and blood, of the noble Prince An’s Mansion!

Did she think that after succeeding in impersonating the bride, they would not investigate the matter?

She immediately sent people to investigate the whole matter. She wanted to know which family’s daughter dared to disregard the royal family and openly sabotage the marriage decree!

And how did the Du Mansion handle matters so carelessly to allow such a mistake?

Upon inquiry, the enmity and resentment between the Du family and Gu family became clear.

It turns out that Du Yijin was not only of low stature, but she was also a woman with a tarnished reputation!

Why would such a woman marry her precious grandson?

The Empress Dowager was very angry! She completely forgot that in the beginning, due to her grandson’s licentious ways, all the families in the Imperial City who had considered an engagement had retreated. And it was because her grandson did not like other women, and was slightly less resistant to Du Yijin, that their marriage was possible. Did she even consider whether Du Yijin was willing to marry? Instead, she simply issued a decree of marriage following the advice of Prince An’s princess!

Now that the marriage was finalized, the Empress Dowager learned about Du Yijin’s tarnished reputation, and felt that others were unworthy of her golden grandson!

At this moment, everyone was sitting in the Cining Palace waiting for Shangguan Ruixi and his wife. Xiao’er was chatting with Ruan Weizhen and Gu Qiqi.

"Princess Rui, did you often interact with the Crown Princess before her marriage?" The Empress Dowager, her heart filled with anger, couldn’t help but interrupt their conversation upon seeing everyone laughing and talking.

Xiao’er turned her head back and respectfully answered with a smile, "Yes, Grand Empress Dowager."

"Then you must have known about her tarnished reputation! Why didn’t you say anything before the marriage decree?" The Empress Dowager was almost frowning at Xiao’er.

As soon as the Empress Dowager said this, everyone’s laughter came to a halt.

Why was the Empress Dowager bringing this up now? Was she unsatisfied with her new granddaughter-in-law, seeking to settle some scores?

But what did this have to do with Xiao’er? Everyone was confused.

Just as Shangguan Xuanyi was about to speak, Xiao’er quickly tugged at his clothes indicating him to remain silent.

Shangguan Xuanyi could only give her an apologetic look, once again leaving her to contend with the aftermath of their disagreements.

It was inappropriate for Xiao’er and Shangguan Xuanyi to exchange glances at this moment, so she just ignored him, and with a smile, said to the Empress Dowager, "I did not know about the decree to marry in advance. I was somewhat taken aback when I heard about it. I thought your majesty was a model of maternal virtue for the country, possessing a compassionate and forgiving mother’s heart, which I could not possibly compare to."

What Xiao’er really wanted to say was: What did Du Yijin and Shangguan Ruixi’s engagement have to do with me? Why didn’t you discuss with me before issuing the decree? Didn’t you take my advice into account? Who knew you would be so narrow-minded, tallying up old scores now that the marriage has taken place! And she is even settling accounts with someone unrelated like her!

However, she couldn’t say this out loud; it would give the Empress Dowager just the excuse to lash out!

The Empress Dowager was so taken aback by Xiao’er’s words she had no reply. As it was, she was already tamped down with indignation, and now her temper had been stoked once more.

Did she think the Empress Dowager would not hear the meaning hid within her words? Her words were an indirect implication that the Empress Dowager was not a model example of motherly virtue!

Although she was unhappy and wanted to lash out at Xiao’er, there wasn’t a hint of disrespect in her demeanor or tone giving the Empress Dowager no excuse to lash out.

She snorted and sat there with a cold expression, not speaking anymore.

Seeing this, Xiao’er laughed inwardly. To vent her anger on her, the Empress Dowager would have to be more competent!

Because of the Empress Dowager’s attitude, everyone present was too afraid to laugh or talk, to avoid offending her and thereby becoming a target.

Soon thereafter, the Emperor and Empress arrived hand in hand. The Emperor lightheartedly joked with the Empress Dowager who broke into laughter, only then did the mood improve.

The Emperor and Empress had just seated themselves when a palace maid relayed the message that Prince An and his princess, along with the Crown prince and his princess, were seeking an audience at the Cining Palace gate.

"Admit them!" the Emperor said happily.

Upon the couple’s entrance, Xiao’er winked at Shangguan Ruixi and mouthed the words "take care" without making a sound.

Shangguan Ruixi’s heart leapt. What was he supposed to do now?

The couple entered, and of course, first order of business was to perform the requisite ritual.

After the Emperor excused everyone from their bows, Du Yijin was about to stand up when the Empress Dowager suddenly said, "The Crown Princess, you shall not move!"

Upon hearing these words, Du Yijin hurriedly froze in place, maintaining her kneeling position.

The audience: "..."

Seeing this, a few people stealthily sent sympathetic glances at Du Yijin. It seemed the Empress Dowager had decided to make Du Yijin’s life difficult today!

"Crown Princess, didn’t your tutor teach you how to kneel properly? Your hand placement isn’t right. It’s too high! During your half squat, you were unsteady and even swayed! Also, what happened to your hand? How can you enter the palace like this? How are you going to serve tea with such a hand? If you don’t want to serve, just return to Du Mansion!"

The Empress Dowager’s last sentence was too harsh; even the Emperor frowned upon hearing it, wondering why his mother was creating a scene on this joyous occasion.

Wasn’t Du Yijin the wife she picked out for Ruixi? Why was she so dissatisfied now?

Shangguan Ruixi clenched his fists that were hidden inside his sleeves, reminding himself to stay calm. He couldn’t speak up for her at this moment, otherwise, things would only get worse. He quickly ran through possible responses in his mind.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager was pulling rank and intimidating her daughter-in-law without reason, Prince An’s princess felt uncomfortable. Thinking back, didn’t her mother-in-law do the same to her when she was newly married to Prince An? She found all sorts of faults and criticized her tirelessly, causing no end of discomfort. With this realization, she suddenly felt a sense of camaraderie with Du Yijin!

But Du Yijin’s situation was even worse. At least Prince An cherished and protected her, unlike her son who didn’t show any affection to Du Yijin. On their wedding night, they didn’t even consummate the marriage!

Unable to bear it any longer, Prince An’s Princess said, "Mother, Yijin is wounded, it’s understandable if her manners are a bit off. We hope you understand and forgive her!"

"I’m asking the Crown Princess! You stay out of it! Are there any manners left!"

In front of the younger generation, the Empress Dowager wasn’t giving Prince An’s princess any face. Why resort to strong-arm tactics, just because her precious grandson married an undesirable woman with a tarnished reputation, who lacked grace and manners and simply unfit for public appearances!