The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 703 - 703 330 Fetus movement (two more updates)

Chapter 703: 330 Fetus movement (two more updates) Chapter 703: 330 Fetus movement (two more updates) Gu Jiao entered Renshou Palace primarily because of her good looks, which drew the recognition of everyone, from high-ranking officers to palace maids. They knew she was the apple of Empress Dowager Zhuang’s eye and therefore, no one dared to stop her.

Although Empress Dowager Zhuang had ordered not to be disturbed in the afternoon, Gu Jiao was an exception.

Noble Consort Zhuang, however, wasn’t as fortunate.

She was stopped by palace guards as soon as she arrived at the entrance of Renshou Palace.

Noble Consort Zhuang said, “Have someone announce my presence. I have an urgent matter to discuss with the Empress Dowager.”

The Palace Guard replied, “Apologies, but the Empress has ordered that she is not to be disturbed.”

Noble Consort Zhuang frowned, “You let someone in a moment ago. Why is that?”

“That was Miss Gu. She came to examine the empress,” the palace guard replied, careful not to incur Gu Jao’s displeasure.

Learning that it was a medical matter, Noble Consort Zhuang felt a bit reassured. However, her worry soon returned. “Is Empress Dowager unwell?” she asked.

“The Empress felt a little unwell yesterday and asked for Miss Gu to look at her. Today is the follow-up visit,” the palace guard explained.

After some thought, Noble Consort Zhuang said, “In that case, I should insist on seeing her.”

“This…”

“I won’t make things difficult for you,” Noble Consort Zhuang said. “The Empress Dowager instructed you not to disturb her, but Gu Jiao didn’t. Go alert her to my presence.”

“Yes,” answered the palace guard, signaling to a nearby palace maid.

The maid moved swiftly and tracked down Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao was in a small garden in front of the hall, chatting with Eunuch Qin.

“Miss Gu, Eunuch Qin, Noble Consort Zhuang is here, and she wishes to see Miss Gu,” said the palace maid.

Eunuch Qin, a perceptive man, understood that Noble Consort Zhuang hoped to use Gu Jiao as her messenger to the Empress Dowager. “… the Empress Dowager is reviewing documents. We dare not disturb her,” he relayed.

“Hmmm, I’ll wait then,” Gu Jiao said without making a fuss.

“Sure,” grinned Eunuch Qin and led Gu Jiao away to Empress Dowager Zhuang’s sleeping quarters.

Given her close connection with the Empress Dowager, Gu Jiao’s presence would hardly trouble the empress. In fact, her visits were a pleasant break from days filled with monotonous official affairs.

Gu Jiao, given her close ties to the empress, avoided becoming a nuisance. She had a well-understood sense of propriety and personal boundaries.

She cared for the Empress Dowager out of genuine concern for her wellbeing, not a search for favors.

When Eunuch Qin went back to the palace gate, he calmly told Noble Consort Zhuang, “Miss Gu is also waiting.”

Having said that, Noble Consort Zhuang couldn’t say much.

Fortunately, there weren’t many documents today. It didn’t take long for Empress Dowager Zhuang to step out of the study room.

Eunuch Qin reported, “The empress, Miss Gu, and Noble Consort Zhuang are here for you.”

“Have her come in,” answered Empress Dowager.

She was referring to Noble Consort Zhuang.

She knew protocol required only certain people could enter, not including Gu Jiao.

“Yes,” said Eunuch Qin, inviting Noble Consort Zhuang into the Empress Dowager’s sleeping palace.

Gu Jiao had just finished checking up on Empress Dowager. All seemed well, except for a bit of heatstroke, perhaps due to the weather. Gu Jiao started to scrape the Empress Dowager’s arm with ginger and incense oil.

Respectfully, Noble Consort Zhuang bowed, “Empress Dowager.”

“Speak. What’s the matter?” Empress Dowager asked, her voice still a bit hoarse due to the throat injury.

Eunuch Qin and the palace maids took their leave, leaving only the three women alone in the massive resting hall.

Noble Consort Zhuang glanced at the Empress Dowager and the treating Gu Jiao, realizing that Empress Dowager had no intention of keeping Gu Jiao out of the conversation. Lowering her eyes, she quietly said, “Empress Dowager, do you really plan to pull out of Prince Heng’s matrimonial matters? Can he really marry…”

She looked at Gu Jiao again and adjusted her words to sound less confrontational. “Gu Jinyu? Is she not just a foster daughter from the Marquis Residence of Dingan? She is common, and more importantly, she lacks moral integrity. Marrying her will make Heng a laughingstock of Capital City.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang looked back at Noble Consort Zhuang, indicating for her to continue.

Noble Consort Zhuang’s gaze swept over Gu Jiao again before she continued, “Besides, Gu Jinyu had wronged Gu Jiao before. If we favor Gu Jinyu, it isn’t fair to Gu Jiao.”

“Don’t use others as a stepping stone,” said the Empress Dowager in her tranquil tone.

Noble Consort Zhuang hesitated, “…understood.”

Gu Jiao continued her treatment without interrupting the conversation between the women.

Regarding Noble Consort Zhuang’s complaints, Empress Dowager turned a deaf ear.

Noble Consort Zhuang was beginning to lose her patience.

This wasn’t unfolding as she had expected. Although known for her stern demeanor, the Empress Dowager truly loved Prince Zhuang Yuheng. She’d even disagreed with sending him to Chen Kingdom as a hostage in the past.

Why then was the Empress Dowager unmoved now, seeing Prince Zhuang Yuheng being treated so unfairly by the Emperor?

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