121: Chapter 79: Blustering_3 121: Chapter 79: Blustering_3 Actually, Shen Ruyun and Xue Fangfei weren’t always at odds with each other.
Jiang Li remembered that before Shen Yurong had achieved the status of top scholar and held an official post, Shen Ruyun, no matter how many faults she had, would at least put on a front and affectionately call her “sister-in-law.”
But ever since Shen Yurong became the top scholar, Shen Ruyun never considered herself beneath her anymore.
Seeing Jiang Li staring at Shen Ruyun, Liu Xu puzzledly asked, “Do you have some grudge against her?
When you weren’t around, it was Shen Ruyun who spread the word about Jiang Youyao stealing your betrothal and being with Zhou Yanbang, wasn’t that deliberately causing trouble, using you as a stepping stone?
Is there any way you might have offended her?”
“I haven’t offended her,” Jiang Li shook her head.
She was well aware that the reason Shen Ruyun was stirring up this matter was because of Zhou Yanbang.
Others might not be aware, but she, as her sister-in-law, knew that Shen Ruyun had been infatuated with Zhou Yanbang for many years.
Now that she finally had the confidence to discuss marriage with Zhou Yanbang, it was snatched away by Jiang Youyao.
How could she not be furious inside?
Perhaps she even resented her, for if it wasn’t for Miss Jiang the Second’s prior engagement with Zhou Yanbang, how would Miss Jiang the Third have been able to swoop in and claim Zhou Yanbang for herself?
Jiang Li thought to herself, wondering what Shen Ruyun’s expression would be upon learning that her sister-in-law had blocked her marriage prospects.
This thought couldn’t help but amuse her.
The smile on Jiang Li’s face struck Shen Ruyun as particularly offensive.
Moreover, Shen Ruyun always felt that Jiang Li’s demeanor seemed very familiar.
However, Shen Ruyun was certain this was her first time meeting Jiang Li, and this sense of familiarity made her rather uncomfortable.
She snorted through her nose, turned her head away, and stopped looking at Jiang Li.
After they chatted and laughed for a while, a palace maid came to report that the Empress Dowager had arrived.
All the ladies rose to welcome the Empress Dowager’s arrival.
The present Empress Dowager was not Emperor Hongxiao’s birth mother, but she was of a kind-hearted nature, frequently devoted to Buddhist practices and charitable deeds, and generally kept out of worldly affairs.
Exactly because of this, there had once been competition between Noble Consort Xia and Consort Liu Shu in the harem.
At that time, rumors swirled that the empress had no children and her position was insecure.
But after Noble Consort Xia subsequently fell ill and passed away early, Emperor Hongxiao was raised by the Empress Dowager.
The late emperor intended to support Emperor Hongxiao as the Crown Prince, and thus Consort Liu Shu began to restrain herself.
Later, when the late emperor died, the empress became the Empress Dowager, and Consort Liu Shu became Empress Dowager Liu, whose son and daughter are today’s Prince Cheng and Princess Yongning.
Prince Cheng was even older than Emperor Hongxiao, and the forces that initially supported him were restless, making Emperor Hongxiao’s throne quite unstable.
This is also why people in the court show extra respect to Prince Cheng nowadays.
Emperor Hongxiao had no support from external relatives, only himself, and not many people were on his side.
It was uncertain when he might have to cede the throne, which seemed much more secure in Prince Cheng’s hands.
The Empress Dowager, dressed in a dark purple brocaded gown and adorning a Yunzi headdress, had reached the years decreed by fate.
But perhaps due to proper care, she stood next to the empress and looked not much more aged, her youthful beauty still apparent.
She wore a smile on her lips, appearing quite benevolent.
Following the Empress Dowager was Prince Cheng’s mother, Empress Dowager Liu, who, standing next to the Empress Dowager, looked much older by comparison.
However, this did not affect Empress Dowager Liu’s character at all.
She was dressed brightly, her eyebrows and eyes carried the same arrogance as her daughter, Princess Yongning.
The moment Jiang Li caught sight of Princess Yongning, her blood ran cold for an instant.
Princess Yongning, draped in a gown with gold-thread embroidery, emanated shining elegance, the delicate piece representing the painstaking effort of numerous Weaving Maidens.
She too was beautiful, and compared to the younger Jiang Youyao’s beauty, she had an additional touch of allure.
Standing in the hall, she possessed the demeanor expected of the favored daughter of heaven, no need to put anyone else in her eyes.
Hearing of Empress Dowager Liu’s arrogance, the Empress Dowager didn’t bother to argue with her.
Almost the entire harem was under Empress Dowager Liu’s influence.
If Emperor Hongxiao was already weak, let alone the empress.
Therefore, no one dared to counter what Princess Yongning said.
When the Empress Dowager saw everyone standing up, she smilingly said there was no need for formalities and had everyone sit down.
The palace banquet would soon begin.
Jiang Li watched as Princess Yongning looked around as if searching for someone, and she couldn’t help but snicker internally; undoubtedly, Princess Yongning was looking for Shen Yurong.
Her affection for Shen Yurong was truly profound.
As the ladies had arrived early, the palace banquet was set to be held at Yuming Hall.
Outside Yuming Hall lay an expansive pool and pavilions, where after the night feast, one could enjoy the moon and admire the flowers, a truly elegant affair.