The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Cining Palace.

”Empress Dowager, the Princess Consort of Prince Min requests an audience.”

Empress Dowager Wang was discussing Chu Ze with Lian Qiao when she heard Eunuch Hai report.

”No need to say, she must be here for Princess Consort Ji, let her in.”

Regarding the matter of the Crown Prince’s mistaken identity, even Empress Dowager Wang found it incredible; to say one was switched at birth and couldn’t recognize is understandable, but for this child to have been replaced at six or seven years old, and for the mother to notice nothing, calling him her biological son for so many years, was truly absurd.

The so-called bond between mother and son, how could she detect nothing at all?

What was Princess Consort Ji thinking?

After much thought, Empress Dowager Wang could only attribute it to a matter of aptitude; Princess Consort Ji came from a rural background, working the fields before meeting the late Emperor, and had received no proper upbringing.

After being brought to the palace, with the late Emperor indulging her, she maintained a naïve admiration for him, unaware of the harsh realities, obedient but sheltered by the Emperor’s favor, unfamiliar with the dangers of the world, hence she seldom thought deeply.

To sum it up, Princess Consort Ji was somewhat dim-witted, not thinking things through, and likely never imagined someone plotting against the direct descendant with royal blood, even this old can be swapped out.

The Princess Consort of Prince Min stepped forward, respectfully bowed to Empress Dowager Wang: ”Daughter-in-law pays respects to Mother, wishing you health and peace.”

Seeing Princess Consort Min’s respectful demeanor and hearing this address, Empress Dowager Wang couldn’t help but feel a slight awkwardness; well, nominally, she’s the legitimate mother of Prince Min, and it’s appropriate for the other to address her as Mother.

But her identity was indeed awkward, and Empress Dowager Wang felt somewhat vexed that the Emperor, being somewhat petty, had assigned Miss Xia to Prince Min, which was rather awkward.

Now, by accident, he unknowingly arranged for long-lost siblings as well-matched marriages, truly remarkable.

Fortunately, the surviving heir wasn’t driven to the extreme enough to lay hands on his sister, a consolation really.

Empress Dowager Wang sighed, seeing Princess Consort Min’s calm expression, she couldn’t help but feel some pity; this child is truly beset by fate, alas.

”Rise, come sit nearby, Lian Qiao, bring a stool for her, right next to me.”

”Yes, Lady.”

Princess Consort Min was somewhat surprised by the favor, how did the sun just rise on the east today?

”Thank you, Mother.”

Princess Consort Min thanked for the kindness and took a shallow sip of the tea handed over by the palace maid, placing it on the small table beside her.

Seeing her composed demeanor, Empress Dowager Wang thought it was just a matter of fate; if she had been born into the womb of any of the concubines in this palace, with such calmness and composure, she would definitely deserve the status of an Imperial Family’s bright pearl.

It just so happened she was born into the Xia family, with the surname Xia.

But then again, if she were a princess of the Chu family, her fate would be different, and her temperament might also have been nurtured differently; Chu family’s princesses, however unloved, none would live so cautiously and on edge like her.

Empress Dowager Wang looked at her gently and said, ”I haven’t seen you for some time, but you seem to have lost weight, are the ones serving you not doing their jobs properly? If true, report it and let the Imperial Household Department reassign some people.”

Princess Consort Min hesitated for a moment, then rose and bowed respectfully to Empress Dowager Wang, saying, ”Mother’s kindness overwhelms me with guilt; these days, I haven’t been able to enter the palace to care for the illness, truly unfilial. Moreover, your Phoenix body...”

She pursed her lips and knelt at Empress Dowager Wang’s feet: ”The Xia family is guilty.”