Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 161 - 150: The Visitors are Not Good

Chapter 161: Chapter 150: The Visitors are Not Good

According to ancestral rules, after the late Emperor’s passing, if the new Emperor is a son of a concubine, both the Empress and the new Emperor’s birth mother may be bestowed the title of Empress Dowager.

Take Zong Zhengxi, for instance. Now that the Supreme Emperor is still alive, the rankings of those in the harem remain unchanged. However, once the Supreme Emperor passes, both the Empress and Consort Li will become Empress Dowagers.

It was precisely for this reason that Meng Qianqian was puzzled about why the Supreme Emperor had not elevated his birth mother.

The Supreme Emperor, during his reign, was by no means a puppet ruler. He held real power in his hands. Unless he was unwilling, no one could force him.

Meng Qianqian couldn’t figure it out, so she gave up thinking about it altogether.

She had her own grave grievances to settle and saw no reason to concern herself with someone else’s family matters. After all, the Supreme Emperor’s birth mother was no one significant to her.

Next on the agenda was heading to Kunning Palace. But after walking for a long time, they still hadn’t arrived.

Tan’er remarked, "Sister, the Imperial Palace is so big!"

Meng Qianqian nodded. The Emperor’s home truly was vast.

"Oh wow!"

Bao Shu pointed at a tiny flower by the roadside.

"Flower," Meng Qianqian told her.

"Flower." Bao Shu picked it up quickly, learning the word on the spot. She wiggled her little bottom, slipped out of Meng Qianqian’s arms, and swiftly plucked the tiny flower with a ’whoosh.’

The little child’s hands were so quick that even Meng Qianqian didn’t have time to react.

"Eunuch Quan."

Meng Qianqian looked toward Xiao Quan.

Awkwardly rubbing the back of his head, Xiao Quan smiled nervously. "It’s fine, it’s fine. The flowers in the Imperial Garden... Miss Bao Shu is allowed to pick them."

Meng Qianqian: You’ve caused a mess.

Sure enough, as soon as Bao Shu heard she could pick flowers, she immediately threw away the one in her hand and clumsily toddled toward the largest, most vibrant Peony.

"Oh wow!"

Hers, all hers!

Xiao Quan nearly burst into tears.

The Empress’s Peonies——

Meng Qianqian hastened over and swept the little troublemaker out of the flowerbed, but not before Bao Shu had already ruined three blossoms—one in her left hand, one in her right, and one clenched in her mouth.

Looking at Xiao Quan, whose knees appeared to be trembling, Meng Qianqian held Bao Shu and said, "I will personally apologize to the Empress. All consequences will be mine to bear. Eunuch Quan, do not worry."

Xiao Quan bowed as if receiving a pardon, "Many... many thanks, madam!"

Inside Kunning Palace, Meng Qianqian met the Empress, dignified as ever.

This was Meng Qianqian’s second time visiting Kunning Palace.

Today, the Empress was dressed far more formally than last time. She wore a bright yellow phoenix robe, a Nine-tailed Phoenix Hairpin, delicately applied makeup, and a wrist adorned with a phoenix bracelet symbolizing her status.

This also revealed how much the Empress valued Meng Qianqian.

"This humble lady of the Meng family pays her respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May Her Majesty enjoy eternal blessings and peace."

Meng Qianqian performed the greeting ceremony with grace and precision, leaving no room for criticism.

Bao Shu, being too young to salute, was carried by Ban Xia, who offered verbal greetings on her behalf to the Empress.

The Empress said, "Rise."

Meng Qianqian responded, "I dare not. This humble lady has plucked flowers belonging to Her Majesty. Please impose a punishment."

The Empress’s gentle gaze swept over the flower-clutching Bao Shu. "If Bao Shu likes them, then it’s an honor for the flowers. Bi Yun, take Bao Shu to pick some flowers."

Bao Shu exclaimed, "Wow!"

Meng Qianqian noticed the Empress’s fondness for Bao Shu seemed genuine, so she nodded and allowed Ban Xia to accompany the female official Bi Yun.

The older palace lady beside the Empress personally helped Meng Qianqian to her feet.

Meng Qianqian expressed her gratitude once again.

The Empress turned her gaze to Tan’er by Meng Qianqian’s side. "You must be Tan’er."

Tan’er tilted her head. "Your Majesty remembers me?"

The head mistress of the Empress’s household chuckled. "Such a bold little girl – how could we forget?"

The Empress nodded.

Tan’er giggled, "Your Majesty, you’re so beautiful today!"

The Empress was the Supreme Emperor’s second wife and was only twenty-five years old this year, ten years younger than Consort Li. Yet, as the mother of the nation, she had to maintain the dignity of her role. Due to her youth, she purposely chose mature styles to command respect among the more experienced concubines in the harem.

Today was a rare instance where her attire leaned toward youthfulness, making her extraordinarily captivating.

The Empress playfully teased, "So, who’s more beautiful? The Empress or your sister?"

Meng Qianqian quickly interjected, "Your Majesty is unrivaled in beauty. How could humble flickers of fireflies compare to the majestic sun?"

The Empress smiled faintly. "No wonder my cousin praises you so often."

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao appears.

The Empress looked toward the door where Lady Wang entered and said, "Here she is now."

Lady Wang had come specifically to meet Meng Qianqian upon hearing about her visit to the palace.

She had missed the grand wedding day, and the following days were inconvenient for a visit. Thus, she could only meet Meng Qianqian at the Empress’s palace.

With her was a fifteen-year-old daughter, who bore a striking resemblance to Lady Wang. Her watery eyes, rosy cheeks, and luscious lips exuded innocence as she curiously but shyly regarded Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian smiled and nodded politely at the young girl.

"Greetings to Your Majesty," they both greeted the Empress respectfully.

The Empress responded, "Cousin, there’s no need for such formalities."

Lady Wang stood and, pulling the young girl to Meng Qianqian, said, "Rou’er, greet your Sister Meng."

"Sister Meng," Wang Rou greeted softly.

Meng Qianqian recalled how Zhou Nanyan often mentioned Wang Rou, saying she was rather bashful. Sure enough, rumors proved true at their first meeting.

"Sister Rou’er," Meng Qianqian warmly addressed her.

Given Meng Qianqian’s close relationship with Lady Wang, formality between her and Wang Rou was unnecessary.

"Rou’er returned to the Capital City the night before your wedding," Lady Wang explained. Then, she couldn’t help but scold Imperial Censor Wang again, "It’s all Wang Daniu’s fault!"

Imperial Censor Wang’s real name was Wang Zhixing. As a frail child feared not to survive, he had been given the lowly name Niudan (Ox Egg), which he later amended to Daniu (Big Ox) when he began his studies.

These days, only Lady Wang dared to call him Wang Daniu; no one else would dream of it.

Lady Wang took Meng Qianqian’s hand and sat her down, while Wang Rou sat beside the Empress.

It was evident that the Empress was deeply fond of Wang Rou.

Lady Wang brought up Meng Qianqian’s wedding day, despite the event being so grand that everyone already knew of it. Yet, she eagerly sought more details.

"A grand sedan carried by eight bearers, traveling through Chang’an Street, circling half of the Capital City, and even passing by Wang Family’s front door—I almost thought the bride was someone else... I should’ve gone out to take a look!"

Meng Qianqian glanced at the Empress, who seemed genuinely engaged, as though her interest in the wedding was also sincere.

As they were chatting, a little eunuch announced from the door, "Princess Wanping requests an audience."

Lady Wang murmured, "What’s she doing here?"

Princess Wanping, the Supreme Emperor’s legitimate eldest daughter and born of the late Empress, held a distinguished position and seldom acknowledged any woman in the palace.

The Empress ordered, "Grant her entry."

The little eunuch responded, "Yes."

Shortly after, Princess Wanping made her entrance, adorned in riches and radiating arrogance.

She offered the bare minimum of courtesy toward the Empress, not even addressing her as "Mother." Of course, calling the successor "Mother" felt awkward for a princess older than her stepmother.

"I just visited Grandmother and heard there are guests in Your Majesty’s palace," she said.

Meng Qianqian, Lady Wang, and Wang Rou greeted her with curtsies and blessings. "Greetings to Princess Wanping. May the Princess enjoy great health and fortune."

Princess Wanping’s gaze fell coldly on Meng Qianqian’s face. "You’re Meng Qianqian?"

Her tone carried a noticeable chill.

Meng Qianqian thought to herself, Had she offended Princess Wanping somehow? Why did the princess seem so hostile?

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