Chapter 39: Dismounting in a Frenzy

  Tuoba Huai'an and others' line of sight made Chu Qi Hui feel like a thorn in the back.

  After walking out for a distance, Nagamori tried to speak up and said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince's favoritism towards the master of Jiangyang is well-known. Now that the Beihuang Prince has this idea, why not go with the flow?"

  If this can be achieved, sending away Chu Nanyang will be greatly beneficial to Lei Ce Fei and Chu Qi Hui.

  "Father will not agree." Chu Qi Hui said, he was very clear on this matter, "It's because Father spoiled her that even if Tuoba Huai An's foundation in the north is not yet completely stable at this time, let alone if he has already become the king of the north, Father would absolutely not marry off Jiangyang to a distant place."

  "He's marrying into the Northern Hei tribe, which concerns the imperial court. If it were the Empress Dowager..." Chang Sen said.

  The emperor's intention was that no one dared to fight, but the empress disliked the Fang family because of the matter with Chu Yuanyang and her brother, which was well-known to all.

  "None of your tricks will work." Chu Qi Hui said with a firm tone, warningly glancing at Nagasawa, "In this matter, even if it's the Emperor's decree, Father will definitely reject it without hesitation. Whether now or in the future, Father will never agree to Jiu Yang being married off far away. Just wait and see."

  He simply didn't bother doing something that was pointless and unrewarding because he knew it wouldn't work.

  Nagamori saw this and although he was still resentful, he could only shut his mouth.

  As she was the emperor's granddaughter, Chu Xiangyang and her entourage went first to Shoukang Palace to pay their respects to the empress dowager.

  Empress Luo was the wife of Emperor Taizu of Song, from a prestigious family, and the eldest daughter of the former dynasty's prime minister, the Luo family. After Emperor Taizu founded the country, the Luo family rose to prominence and was granted the title of Duke of Dingguo, becoming the leader among all the nobles.

  Luoshi has been in charge of the harem for over a decade, her position has always been stable, she is a woman with very capable means.

  "The granddaughter pays her respects to the imperial grandmother on her birthday, wishing the imperial grandmother good fortune like the East Sea and longevity comparable to Mount Nan." The sisters all stepped forward in unison and performed a grand ceremony.

  The Empress Luo wore a deep red robe with golden phoenix embroidery, sitting on a purple sandalwood couch inlaid with gold, her head adorned with a complete set of golden ruby headdress, her face bearing a gentle and elegant smile, fully displaying the demeanor of a queen mother.

  "Get up!" Empress Luo raised her hand, and a loving smile appeared at the corners of her eyes and eyebrows. She glanced sideways at Queen Zheng of Nanhe, who was sitting beside her, "I said this person is not getting old in vain, looking at these little girls, they will all grow into beautiful young ladies like flowers in no time. I'm just sitting here, feeling like a backdrop."

  "The imperial grandmother was laughing at her granddaughters again." Chu Lingyun heard this and gave a sideways glance, holding out a newly peeled lychee in both hands to the mouth of Empress Luo, saying "Does the imperial grandmother still need to be jealous of her granddaughters? Not to mention anything else, just standing together with my mother, others wouldn't know that you're not sisters. Where does the imperial grandmother look old? I don't think so."

  She sat on a couch with Empress Luo, at that time she was leaning against Empress Luo's body to serve her.

  This position is one that even her mother, Queen Nanhe, does not have the qualifications to sit in, showing just how much Empress Luo favors her.

  "You're just flattering me with your sweet words, always coaxing me." Empress Luo smiled and put the lychee in her mouth.

  "Granddaughter wouldn't dare deceive you." Chu Lingyun also smiled and handed over a handkerchief to receive the lychee pit she spat out.

  Chu Youyang was left stunned on the spot as soon as he entered the door. This opening move was indeed very uncomfortable to use.

  Chu Yu Yan was indeed a restless one, taking a step forward with a determined look on her face, "Imperial Grandmother, I've prepared a birthday gift for you, would you like to take a look?"

  The conversation between Luo Huanghou and Chu Lingyun was interrupted, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes, but she didn't reveal it. She simply raised her hand, calmly avoiding Chu Yuyan's attempt to grab her sleeve, and said to Liang Yini standing beside her, "Thanks to the maids for being considerate. Liang Yini, take people to retrieve the gifts."

  Although she was being subtle, everyone present was a shrewd person and it was self-evident.

  Chu Yu Yan's face suddenly turned red, standing in that awkward position, she was on the verge of tears.

  The women from other royal families and princesses' palaces all looked on with cold eyes.

  Chu Lingyun was overshadowed by Luo Huang in front of everyone, this had become an unspoken habit, in such a situation, even if one was unwilling, no one would dare to come forward and make a fool of themselves.

  Chu Yu Yan, this is also what she deserved.

  As for Chu Yuanyan's lack of awareness, Chu Nanyang was helpless. However, she couldn't let these people come and laugh at the Eastern Palace, so she smiled and said, "Imperial Grandmother, I heard that the chrysanthemums you cultivated in the palace this year are particularly good. Can you allow my sisters and me to go take a look?"

  The empress's gaze swept over, compared to the subtlety of her treatment of Chu Yuexian at that time, the temperature in this glance was much colder. She nodded slightly and said, "Yes! Cai Yue, take them away!"

  "Yes, Your Ladyship!" The palace maid beside her, called Caiyue, stepped forward. "The several young ladies from the vassal states, please follow me this way!"

  Today all the young ones in Shoukang Palace pointed out that they should show up more often at Luo Huanghou's place, but only Chu Youyang did the opposite and actually wanted to stay far away.

  Chu Yu Yan suddenly became anxious and hastily said, "I won't go, I'll stay here to chat with the Empress Dowager!"

  After finishing speaking, he went to find a chair at the next reserved position and sat down.

  Chu Yuexin hesitated for a moment, then said shyly, "I'll stay and keep Fifth Sister company!"

  Zhu Yuanyang didn't force it either.

  Next to him, Chu Yuening's eyes flashed and he smiled sweetly as he came over to hold onto Chu Yunyang's arm, saying "Then let's go, I've been thinking about the flowers here at the imperial grandmother's place all along. Imperial Grandmother, if you find something suitable later on, don't be stingy, you have to give me a pot."

  Chu Yuening's temperament was pleasing, and Empress Luo smiled and said, "You little girl, you've finally come over this time, but you're already thinking of moving things back, go ahead!"

  "Thank you, Grand Empress!" Chu Yuening said in a crisp voice, pulling Chu Xiangyang's hand and walking out warmly.

  As they were leaving, another senior palace maid, Caiyun, led in Taobei Yuniang and Taobei Rongyao, the two sisters.

  They nodded slightly to each other and went their separate ways.

  As soon as he came out of the hall, Chu Yuening exaggeratedly let out a long sigh and said, "It's still better outside. Inside, you have to put on a fake smile in front of a group of women, it's exhausting just looking at them."

  "You're so clever!" Chu Mo Yang and she exchanged a knowing glance, each secretly smiling to themselves.

  Two people strolled slowly in the garden, admiring flowers while taking a walk.

  Golden chrysanthemum warm sun, at the moment of unparalleled comfort and relaxation, saw the sixth princess of Northern Wei, Tuoba Yunji, walking over alone from across the way.

  "Two noble ladies, what a coincidence!" said Tuoba Yunji, bending her knees in greeting according to the Western Yue custom.

  Her gaze fell unapologetically on Chu Youyang's face, obviously—

  There's something I want to say.

  Digression

  This chapter is just a transition, and the three siblings from Mobei are all key figures to focus on~ The Fifth Prince isn't actually important, heh heh~