Lin Feilu pondered seriously, “A brush or an inkstone? Perhaps an ancient book? Or maybe even some gilt ink?”
Lin Jingyuan, “…Do you actually think of those dreadful items presentable as gifts?”
He thought about the nine-layered lantern that was decorated with streams. He had gone through strenuous efforts to bring it into the palace, but perhaps that gift might just disappoint Little Lu.
Just by looking at his expression, Lin Feilu could tell what he was thinking of. She clasped her hands with his and said while smiling sweetly, “But I treasure anything that Brother Jingyuan gives me!”
With that, Lin Jingyuan straightened his waist in content.
……
Although the Empress Dowager declared that no one was to disturb her rest unless they had important matters, early the following morning, the Empress and the two Noble Consorts brought along their children to offer their greetings.
Noble Consort Xi still remained calm and collected as always. Although she didn’t have any children of her own, neither did she strive to earn her share of the Imperial favour, the Xi family had plenty of high-ranking nobles and officials working for the empire. Hence, the Empress Dowager always treated her nicely regardless of her status in the harem.
Out of everyone, Lin Ting and Lin Qing were the Empress Dowager’s favourite grandchildren— one was meek and the other was elegant, but both of them remained courteous and studious. They were often regarded as the benchmark standards of the royal family. (1)
(T/N: Here, this meant that among the younger gen, these two were often the ‘role models’ for the other kids)
The mentioned duo bowed their heads to offer their respectful greetings before standing aside. Even when the Empress herself ushered them to enter the room and talk to their Imperial Grandmother, their pupils only darted around nervously and cautiously. The Empress Dowager didn’t take that to heart however, as she asked both of them to leave after exchanging a couple of words.
Then, she proceeded to ask the Empress and the two Noble Consorts if any major events occurred in the harem throughout the past year.
The only major event that was worth mentioning was the demotion of Consort Mei’s status in the harem.
The Empress explained the incident succinctly.
The Empress Dowager was aware how much the Emperor loved and adored Consort Mei, but she herself didn’t really fancy her all that much. In the previous Emperor’s harem that she was involved in, she didn’t know how many innocent lives were wrongfully reaped by this type of ‘small white flower(2)’ with a gentle and weak appearance. Hence, the Empress Dowager would always be constantly reminded of those horrible incidents every time she met Consort Mei.
(T/N: This term refers to women who appear sweet and innocent on the outside, but are cunning and manipulative on the inside.)
However, she couldn’t help it that her son absolutely loved that said woman. As she didn’t want to become the kind of annoying and nagging old lady, she didn’t give much of her opinion regarding the matter.
Hence, to hear that it was none other than Consort Mei who lost the Imperial favour did send a wave of shock thrumming through her veins— she knew her son’s personality better than anyone, so this wasn’t like him at all. It didn’t make much sense to her until the Empress mentioned a very important key point in her explanation— Consort Mei’s appearance was completely disfigured.
Mmhm, now I get it.
And in the afternoon, the three Consorts brought along their own children to offer their greetings to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was rather pleased to see that there were only three Consorts instead of four as she decided that she liked the new arrangement. Even the domineeringly active Lin Jiwen and Lin Jingyuan became as obedient as timid and tiny kittens in front of their Imperial Grandmother. It was a spectacle to see that neither of them dared to raise their voices before her.