The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 617: Chapter 617: Don’t Mess with Song Ci

Just as Princess Anping had said, the incident at the banquet held by Princess Consort Ji reached the ears of Empress Dowager Wang, angering her significantly. The next day, she summoned Madam Ji, Official Wife Ji, and several Ji young ladies into the palace, under the pretense of wanting to see their poetry.

Poor Madam Ji and her group had to stand in the cold wind at Cining Palace for a full hour before Princess Consort Ji hurriedly came to their rescue.

Empress Dowager Wang never intended to meet the Ji family women. When Princess Consort Ji arrived, she chastised them indirectly and then assigned two palace nannies to the Ji family, supposedly to teach them about respect and proper conduct.

Princess Consort Ji was trembling with anger, but the other party spoke so eloquently, with an expression as if they had only the Ji’s best interests at heart, leaving her no choice but to give in.

There was no other way, as their status was not as prestigious, and indeed, the Ji family’s actions were somewhat blameworthy.

Leading her family away, Princess Consort Ji scolded the others who had braved the cold wind for an hour, resulting in the aged Madam Ji fainting on the spot.

It’s said that Princess Consort Ji panicked then, as passing palace maids had witnessed the scene, branding her a shrew who could be criticized on every street.

She felt wronged, clearly it was Empress Dowager Wang who humiliated them, making them stand in the cold wind, and yet she was the one taking the blame.

Princess Consort Ji’s expression at the time was indescribable, like mud falling into her pants; whether or not it was something else, it felt just as mortifying.

Empress Dowager Wang backed Song Ci, and even Emperor Chu summoned Prince Min for a talk, subtly implying that the Ji family had been timid for twenty years, yet now, upon their return to the capital, they suddenly showed courage.

Prince Min, deeply concerned, apologized for his maternal family’s actions, feeling both shameful and helpless.

Emperor Chu looked at him intently and said, ”The Princess Consort held the banquet merely to find you a Princess, but this banquet was nothing more than a dull farce. You’re twenty-five now, do you have any thoughts about your Official Wife selection?”

Prince Min wore a look of embarrassment.

Emperor Chu: ”You are my little brother, so speak your mind.”

”Since Your Majesty has said so, I’ll dare to speak,” Prince Min said helplessly. ”In fact, I don’t trust my Consort’s judgement. It is said that the elder brother is like a father, and I ask Your Majesty to decide for me and grant me a marriage alliance.”

Emperor Chu raised an eyebrow, ”You really dare to speak your mind.”

”I have no choice, I cannot openly defy my Consort,” Prince Min said with some embarrassment.

”In that case, I will choose a Princess for you. The Princess Consort is spoiled by our father and lacks understanding. Your Prince Mansion needs a clear-minded and decisive Princess to maintain peace in the back courtyard.”

Prince Min was overjoyed and bowed respectfully, ”I thank Your Majesty here and now.”

Emperor Chu revealed a faint smile, rubbing his large ring, appearing thoughtful.

...

The Ji family women being reprimanded by the Empress Dowager and sent palace nannies for etiquette lessons was no secret, and everyone in the Beijing Circle gossiped about it.

One could say that the Earl Anle Mansion became famous, but the attention was not favorable, especially with the prospects for the young women’s marriages now complicated.

More people, while gossiping, also secretly warned their own household women not to offend Madam Song.

The Empress Dowager’s protection of her own was indeed impressive. Wasn’t there a time when a family’s womenfolk offended Song Ci, and then the Empress Dowager was offended, resulting in a marriage alliance far away?

So, offend anyone you like, but not Song Ci, lest the attack backfires and brings you nothing but trouble, as their backing is formidable!