mesbooks Chapter 26 Wow, you're pretty good at piggybacking!
Chapter 26 Wow, you're pretty good at piggybacking!
When they arrived at Xianning Palace, Consort Shu was doing her hair and makeup. Zhai Rongyu and Zhai Muling were informed and went in together to pay their respects.
"May Your Highness be well."
Consort Shu smiled and said, "Get up, everyone."
She carefully examined the two sisters. The two sisters had very different temperaments, one quiet and the other lively, but both were beautiful.
The position of the sixth princess consort...
Her gaze lingered on their faces.
Zhai Rongyu was somewhat absent-minded when she saw the pastries on the table.
What is Consort Shu up to? She summoned us so early in the morning, and I didn't even get to eat breakfast.
I'm starving...
Now there's so much delicious food on the table, isn't it poisonous?
Seeing Zhai Rongyu's gaze, Consort Shu smiled and said, "You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? I have some pastries here; you can have something to eat first."
Zhai Muling politely declined, saying, "We should accept Your Majesty's kindness, but as this is our first time entering the palace, how could we dare to be disrespectful?"
Eating while paying respects is against etiquette.
Not to mention that, as Rong'er said, this pastry might also be poisonous.
Consort Shu smiled and beckoned to Zhai Muling, saying, "Come and help me put on the flowers."
"Yes."
Zhai Muling stepped forward and politely placed a crabapple blossom in Consort Shu's hair.
Consort Shu adjusted her hair and looked in the bronze mirror, patted Zhai Muling's hand, and said with satisfaction, "You are the most well-mannered."
After saying that, he gave Zhai Rongyu a meaningful sidelong glance.
Although Zhai Muling is not Minister Zhai's biological daughter, she has more of the demeanor of a legitimate daughter than Zhai Rongyu.
Zhai Rongyu: [Do you mean me in a yin-yang sense?]
It seems there was no poison.
So he reached out and took a piece of osmanthus cake, and ate it without worry.
While eating, I felt a bit choked up, so I poured myself a cup of tea to moisten my throat.
Rules and regulations are nothing compared to being well-fed.
Leave the matter of proper etiquette to my older sister; I'll just focus on maintaining my mischievous persona.
Zhai Rong smiled at Consort Shu with great satisfaction, hoping to sway her mind and dissuade her from arranging a marriage between herself and the Sixth Prince.
Concubine Shu: "..."
Zhai Muling lowered her head and chuckled, then walked to her seat and sat down.
Consort Shu coughed lightly and said, "I have heard about what happened to you two sisters, and it is truly heartbreaking. When your mother was alive, she was like a sister to me. If you encounter any difficulties, please come to Xianning Palace to find me, and I will certainly help you out."
Zhai Muling nodded: "Thank you for your care, Your Majesty. My sister and I are extremely grateful."
Looking at the gentle and kind Consort Shu, Zhai Rongyu inwardly cursed:
[This Consort Shu truly lives up to her reputation as a top-tier smiling tiger in the original novel.]
Look at how you talk about politeness.
No wonder she could control the harem while the Empress was still alive.
[If I hadn't read the original book and known how badly she harmed her sister, I really wouldn't have guessed she was such a wicked person.]
Zhai Muling's heart skipped a beat.
Suddenly, I felt that Consort Shu's smile was somewhat eerie.
Consort Shu said gently, "Muling, now that Minister Zhai has acknowledged you, you must not belittle yourself. If anyone dares to speak to you based on your status, just tell me, and I will stand up for you."
What about me in this regard?
I haven't even finished my tea, and you're already trying to sow discord. You're really something.
Zhai Rongyu took a big bite of the jujube paste pastry!
His eyes lit up.
Although Consort Shu is wicked, the pastries in her palace are truly delicious!
Zhai Muling lowered her eyes and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. However, my father, brother, and Rong'er have all treated me very well, so I dare not trouble Your Majesty any further."
Consort Shu's smile was somewhat stiff. "Hehe, that's good."
"However, don't stand on ceremony with me." She changed the subject and said, "I still remember the promise I made with your mother. Perhaps soon, we will be family."
Wow, you're pretty good at freeloading.
[My sister is beautiful on her own; demons and monsters shouldn't even get close to her!]
Ugh, I have to be the bad guy again.
Zhai Rongyu asked, "What agreement did Consort Shu make with my mother? How come I don't know anything about it?"
She emphasized the words "my mother".
Consort Shu's face darkened.
I almost forgot that Zhai Rongyu is the biological son.
Then this marriage contract should fall to her.
But this second young lady's character...
She glanced at Zhai Rongyu, who gave her another auspicious smile.
Blessing to the soul.
Consort Shu shuddered, "No, this second young lady is unruly and doesn't seem to be very bright. How can she be the Sixth Prince's consort?"
It seems this matter requires careful planning...
She chuckled and said, "There's no rush. What's important is that you sisters get along well. If your mother could see from beyond the grave that you two sisters are so close, she would surely be happy."
Zhai Rongyu chuckled.
"Not distinguishing between us? Does that mean the marriage contract isn't for me, but for my sister?"
That mouth of hers can really talk a lot.
Consort Shu then asked Zhai Muling, "Muling, do you have someone you admire?"
Zhai Muling: "Marriage is a major life event, and it is entirely up to my parents to decide. I will naturally listen to my father."
Haha, when it comes to kicking a ball around, I'm pretty good at it too!
Consort Shu began to have doubts.
Parents make the decisions?
Wouldn't that mean giving up the marriage contract to the rightful owner, Zhai Rongyu?
It seems she has been bullied by Zhai Rongyu quite a bit in her daily life, otherwise why wouldn't she fight for such a good marriage for herself?
Consort Shu smiled slightly and said, "Good child, you are a sensible one."
……
The three chatted for a while longer before the two sisters got up to take their leave.
No sooner had they left than the Sixth Prince arrived at Xianning Palace.
"Mother, I heard that the Zhai sisters also came to pay their respects to you, but I don't see them here."
"You! You come to see your mother, but your heart is already with other women." Consort Shu smiled and shook her head. "They've already left."
The Sixth Prince unfolded his fan and laughed, "What are you saying, Mother? The reason I'm thinking about the marriage with the Zhai family is for your sake. If we can get their help, you can live a worry-free life from now on. I've always only thought about you, Mother."
"It's good that you have this intention," Consort Shu said with satisfaction.
The Sixth Prince leaned forward and asked, "Mother Consort, you've met the two of them. What do you think of them?"
Consort Shu pondered for a moment and said, "Their appearances are all outstanding. But their personalities..."
The image of Zhai Rong enjoying her meal flashed into her mind, and Consort Shu's lips twitched involuntarily. "Mother Consort actually prefers Zhai Muling. This child is well-educated and speaks sensibly; she is a suitable candidate for the Sixth Prince's consort."
He paused, then added, "It's just that his status is a bit low. After all, he's not Minister Zhai's biological son, so it's bound to cause gossip if word gets out."
The Sixth Prince laughed and said, "My mother and I are thinking the same thing. I've already thought it through. I'll ask Father to make the decision and bestow upon her the title of County Princess. That would be a good match for me."
Consort Shu nodded, "She also deserves the title of County Princess."
Then, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he said seriously, "Since you also have this intention, why not take advantage of this palace banquet to get things done, so as not to delay and cause any unforeseen complications."
"What does Mother mean?"
Consort Shu blew on her tea and said, "A woman values her reputation most."
The Sixth Prince closed his fan, his eyes filled with confidence: "Mother, rest assured, your son has a plan."