Lu Liangwei frowned.
What did Empress Dowager Xiaojing mean by this?
What on earth was she planning by inviting her but not Long Yang over for dinner?
When Long Yang knew about it, he immediately sent Zhao Qian over to inform her that he would be going with her. Was he worried that she would get bullied?
She felt warm inside.
After a short while, Long Yang came over. He looked Lu Liangwei over with a smile, then stepped forward and took her hand, saying gently, “Let’s go.”
“All right.”
When they arrived outside Tranquility Palace, Lu Liangwei struggled to break free of Long Yang’s grasp. “Your Majesty.”
Long Yang glanced at her in understanding. He did not force her and let go of her hand.
Lu Liangwei gestured to the front with a raise of her chin. “You first, Your Majesty.”
Long Yang gave her a look of helplessness before walking ahead.
Lu Liangwei followed him closely.
After entering Tranquility Palace, Lu Liangwei realized that the Empress Dowager had called for not only her but also those from the Eastern Palace. However, it was Long Yang alone whom she did not invite.
Surprise flashed through Empress Dowager Xiaojing’s eyes when she saw Long Yang coming in, but she said calmly, “I thought that you were busy with state affairs, so I didn’t dare to disturb you, Your Majesty.”
“No matter how busy I am, I’ll always make time for a meal with you, Empress Dowager,” Long Yang replied flatly. Taking Lu Liangwei’s hand, he sat down in the main seat next to the Empress Dowager.
Lu Liangwei did not sit down. Instead, she glanced at him, then pulled her hand away from his and curtsied to the Empress Dowager. “Greetings, Your Imperial Highness.”
It was only then that the Empress Dowager Xiaojing’s gaze land on her. She paused, wanting to leave her standing there with her knees bent, but seeing the Emperor beside her, she eventually said, “You may rise, Empress.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Highness.” Lu Liangwei straightened up and sat down next to Long Yang.
Although she disliked the Empress Dowager, she still had to observe etiquette. Otherwise, if she were caught behaving disrespectfully, she would seem like the unreasonable one here.
Long Yang squeezed her fingers in understanding.
At that moment, Long Chi, Lu Yunshuang, and Chen Qiyu came to their senses and quickly rose to greet Long Yang and Lu Liangwei.
“All of you may rise,” Long Yang said placidly.
The three of them straightened up, but they did not dare to sit down.
The Empress Dowager opened her mouth, “This is just a family dinner, so don’t be too reserved. The Emperor won’t blame any of you, right, Your Majesty?”
Long Yang nodded. “Since it’s just a family dinner, there’s no need for formalities. Sit down, all of you.”
Long Chi and the others finally took their seats.
Empress Dowager Xiaojing’s eyes fell upon Lu Liangwei once again, and she said with a smile, “I’ve heard about the Empress’s exceptional beauty, but I never had a chance to witness it. I’m finally seeing it today, and I can say that the Empress’s loveliness is truly worthy of a kingdom’s riches.”
Lu Liangwei pretended not to notice the sarcasm in her tone and pressed her lips into a smile. “Those are just rumors passed around in the outside world. Why would you believe these rumors, Your Imperial Highness? I think of my appearance as passable, but I’m definitely not worthy of a kingdom’s riches.”
The description of her beauty as worthy of a kingdom’s riches was implying that it would bring about the kingdom’s downfall.
Moreover, the moment she opened her mouth, all she talked about was her looks. She was insinuating that Long Yang had only taken a fancy to her because of her beauty.
Empress Dowager Xiaojing did not expect that she would counter her. Furthermore, she even asked why she believed the rumors circulating outside. She was calling her a muddle-head.
She narrowed her eyes in displeasure, but a fleeting moment later, she returned to normal and beamed warmly like an ordinary old lady. “Speaking of which, you and the Crown Princess are sisters, but you two look very different. The Crown Princess looks elegant, but she’s not as beautiful as you.”
Lu Yunshuang was not upset at all when she heard this.
Even a fool could tell that the Empress Dowager was commenting that she was elegant, whereas Lu Liangwei was too beautiful and not elegant enough.