In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 1126 - 1038: What is Sought

Chapter 1126: Chapter 1038: What is Sought

At present, there are still many ladies who have been conferred titles by the Imperial Court, and there are several first-grade noble ladies conferred by Imperial edict.

These ladies naturally must come to meet the Empress. They had been waiting at the palace gate before dawn, queuing up to enter the palace.

Today, Heaven is beautiful: there is no snowfall from the sky, and there is even a smattering of Sunshine showering down. However, the howling cold wind did not abate even slightly; standing for half a day would freeze one stiff as an ice lump.

Because Su Pan’er is with child, all greetings are to be kept brief.

But even so, seeing the black mass of the Imperial Court’s conferred ladies kneeling in front of Huayang Palace Gate still left her speechless with amazement.

Could there really be so many?

Inside, Su Pan’er was astonished, but her expression didn’t betray her feelings; she chatted amiably with the ladies, "All rise! Nanny Xiao, let everyone go to the side palace hall and have a seat. Have some desserts and hot tea to warm yourselves up."

There’s hot tea and snacks too?

These ladies, who were frozen solid like poles, clearly did not expect such good fortune and happily followed the eunuchs’ arrangement to the side palace hall for tea.

Su Pan’er returned to Huayang Palace and showed her concern to the noble ladies of third-grade and above, leaving the rest outside the palace.

"Now that I am heavily with child, it is really inconvenient. Once I give birth safely, I will then invite all the ladies to gather together."

After saying a few simple words, Su Pan’er dismissed the crowd, keeping only a few acquaintances inside the palace.

She had a clear understanding of the situation; these displays were all superficial. The very court ladies kneeling here so respectfully now had husbands who, before her pregnancy was discovered, pressed His Majesty daily in the court, demanding he spread favors widely. These officials were surely among those present.

If this child turns out to be a prince, all might be well, but if it’s two princesses, there’s no telling what troubles could arise.

Among those who were kept behind, naturally there were a few ladies such as Mrs. Hwa, wife of State Duke Hwa, who were first-grade noble ladies, along with people like Mrs. Su-Hua and Qin Yueshi. Su Pan’er did not hide her affection for her maiden family; everyone has their own biases, and she naturally preferred to keep her own kin around.

"How are you feeling, Mrs. Hwa? I see you seem much thinner than before."

Su Pan’er looked at Mrs. Hwa beside her with a look of concern, then turned to instruct Jiu Lan, "Go fetch my hand warmer and give it to the old lady."

Mrs. Hwa supported His Majesty greatly before he ascended the throne and stepped forward at a critical moment to protect His Majesty.

It was only later that Su Pan’er learned that originally, Qin Yi had no intention of seizing the throne, but a stimulus changed his mind and he resolved to compete for the crown. His first move was to seek out State Duke Hwa. After talking through the night with Qin Yi, State Duke Hwa gambled his entire fortune on him.

When Qin Yi ascended the throne, naturally a large number of officials fell, but there were also some whose favor and prestige surpassed their past status, and State Duke Hwa was among them.

Heeding the request, Jiu Lan went away and soon brought the gold threaded copper hand warmer to Mrs. Hwa.

Although the hand warmer was not large, the charcoal fire burning inside it was strong. As soon as it was taken in hand, a wave of heat immediately made Mrs. Hwa much more comfortable.

Mrs. Hwa now seemed visibly older and thinner than before, and the bright eyes of the past were now tinged with a sickly hue, seemingly forcing energy as she stood there.

Upon hearing Su Pan’er’s instructions, she was so moved that she hurriedly expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for your care, Empress. This old body is still holding up for now. I just caught a cold a few days ago, but I’m much relieved now, and that’s why I came to the palace to express my gratitude for the Empress’s great kindness."

"It must be hard for you, old lady. The weather is chilly, and one must indeed be cautious in the early morning and evening. Jiu Lan, fetch a stool for the old lady."

"Thank you for the seat, Your Grace," said Mrs. Hwa, wife of State Duke Hua, visibly relaxing.

The Empress had not only offered her a seat but also presented her with a hand-warmer. By doing so in front of the other titled ladies, she was clearly holding Mrs. Hwa in high esteem, and naturally, Mrs. Hwa did not want to let the Empress down.

After seeing to Mrs. Hwa, Su Pan’er turned to another first-grade noble lady conferred by Imperial edict—none other than Old Mrs. Xue, an elderly woman nearing eighty, two years Mrs. Hwa’s junior.

The entangled roots of the Eight Great Aristocratic Families of the Capital City had brought them fortunes and disasters alike.

Apart from the Huang and Bai families that had been implicated for their support of Qin Zitong and were eradicated, the Liu Family was destroyed overnight in a devastating fire not long ago, and the Jun Family suffered greatly by association, never regaining their past glory. The remaining families all remained silent, with not a single one stepping forward.

The Xue Family was currently the most flourishing of them all. Old Mrs. Xue’s first-grade title had been conferred by the late Emperor and had continued to this day.

The Xue Family’s lasting prosperity was not only due to Minister Xue’s understanding of the times but also because Old Mrs. Xue had been childhood friends with Mrs. Hwa, wife of State Duke Hua. It was also for this reason that Minister Xue had exerted considerable effort behind the scenes after Qin Yi ascended the throne.

Su Pan’er necessarily engaged in conversation with Old Mrs. Xue, likewise conferring a hand-warmer and seat upon her, before moving on to discuss subsequent matters.

"It’s unfortunate that when the joyous occasion occurred at Xue Family’s Mansion, I was indisposed and unable to join in the celebration. I deeply regret it!"

The Xue Family had gone thirty or forty years without the birth of a girl in their younger generations, and as chance would have it, their newly married Changsun daughter-in-law recently gave birth to a girl, delighting Old Mrs. Xue. She promptly sent out invitations for her granddaughter’s Full Moon Banquet, arranging sit-down buffets for three consecutive days.

Unfortunately, at that time, Su Pan’er herself was in a crucial period of Pregnancy Health and naturally could not attend. She merely had someone send a generous gift to express her sentiments.

Speaking of her great-granddaughter brought Old Mrs. Xue immense joy: "All thanks to Your Grace for remembering my little great-granddaughter. She’s just a girl after all, she doesn’t deserve such praise from Your Grace."

Though her words were modest, her face was lit with joy and satisfaction.

This prompted Su Pan’er to bestow upon her a considerable number of gifts.

She then went on to share laughs and talks with the remaining ladies until it was nearly time for the meal, at which point she invited everyone to dine.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Hwa, wife of State Duke Hua, found a moment to approach her with Old Mrs. Xue.

"Your Grace, there is something I wish to discuss privately with you," said Mrs. Hwa.

Su Pan’er was somewhat surprised, but after a moment of thought, she led Mrs. Hwa and Old Mrs. Xue to the Warm Pavilion.

"Your Grace, we both have seen and appreciated the care the Emperor and you have shown over the years. If you would, please feel free to speak your minds. If it is within my means, I will not refuse," Su Pan’er said, putting the old ladies at ease.

The two old ladies exchanged glances, somewhat embarrassed as they clasped hands: "Truth be told, we are at fault for bringing this matter up. But given the circumstances, we have no choice but to shamelessly seek an audience with Your Grace. It really is... embarrassing..."

Su Pan’er’s Inner Heart grew wary. What could the matter be that would drive both ladies to seek her out together?

Upon reflection, she realized that aside from the fire that struck the Liu and Jun Families, the Court had not seen the rise of other significant issues of late.

Could their request be related to the Liu and Jun Families?