"So, what does the Empress Dowager plan to do?"
Old Madame Lady Liu put down her teacup, a trace of worry on her kind, round face.
"Ah, it’s a quandary!"
Empress Mo sighed: "I had thought this woman was merely a bewitching beauty and planned to have her attend the Shangsi Festival Feast, where she’d be compared with many noble ladies of the court. This way, Yi’er could distinguish who was the pearl and who was fish-eye. But after Bai Shang Palace’s personal encounter with her, I realized she is not only incredibly beautiful, but also carries herself with composure and knows how to conduct herself properly."
"Such a woman, born into a major family clan could greatly benefit Yi’er’s cause. I wouldn’t object to him marrying her. However, she is merely the daughter of a scholar. How can she match Yi’er’s imperial status?"
Lady Liu said: "So, the Empress is unable to restrain her?"
At these words, Empress Mo’s face became cold, and said: "Mother, if you say there are no solutions, it’s not entirely true. These two days, I’ve been contemplating whether to make her disappear. Her influence on Yi’er is too significant. Letting her stay could potentially give rise to trouble!"
"Empress, absolutely not!"
Old Madame decisively declared, "Empress, you just mentioned that the young lady has had a great impact on Yi’er. Say, if you kill her, Yi’er will definitely resent you. Although Yi’er seems carefree and jovial, he is, in fact, unforgiving. He’s lived for over twenty years and this is the first time he’s fallen for a woman. If you kill his beloved, hostility would inevitably arise between both mother and son. Furthermore, that child is one who holds grudges. He may not be able to let go of this for many years, possibly for a lifetime. All gains would be lost. Please reconsider your decision."
Empress Mo let out a bitter laugh: "Mother, I have thought about what you’ve said, which is why I haven’t acted hastily. Now, while wrangling with this troublesome problem, you’ve arrived."
Lady Liu stated: "I believe there really isn’t anything to worry about. What matters most is Yi’er’s great cause. For now, naturally, he cannot marry her. We can look for an excuse to arrange that girl’s marriage and hold it in our hands. Then, Yi’er will be obedient."
Empress Mo faltered, not fully comprehending her mother’s words. She asked, "Arranging her marriage? What do you mean, mother?"
Lady Liu explained, "The Empress can adopt the girl as her foster daughter using some pretext. If she becomes your adopted daughter, she would become a princess. The matter of her marriage would naturally be decided by you, Empress. You can put off her marriage, keeping her in the boudoir, until Yi’er has achieved his great cause. After that, when he is emperor, he can decide whatever he wishes with her."
Empress Mo said: "Mother’s plan is good, but adopting a daughter is a significant matter, and she doesn’t qualify to be a princess. If I hastily acknowledge her, I would face criticism."
"Hehe, does the Empress have a better strategy?"
Outside the window, a parrot perched on the magnolia tree suddenly let out a cry, flapping its wings as it took off from the tree, circling once in the courtyard’s sky above. It eliminated some green bird droppings, then flew away flapping its wings...
Visiting hours within the palace for the concubines’ families were limited, thus Duke Li Guo’s wife didn’t dare overstay. After chatting with the Empress for a while, as visiting hours neared to an end, she got up to leave.
After Duke Li Guo’s wife left, Empress Mo leaned on the Golden Money Python’s pillow, gently playing with the jade Ruyi by the couch, deep in thought for a long while, until a faint smile emerged from her lips.
"Li Zequan, what do you think?"
Li Zequan chuckled and said, "Empress, you already know what you want, why ask a mere servant?"