At 73, he had just divorced and another concubine was sent over

  Song Jiang's family cautiously asked: "When did the imperial concubine go to Fang's house?"

  The queen said with a hint of annoyance, "The sooner the better. We can't delay the girl's lifelong happiness." Suddenly, she thought of something and straightened up, turning her head to look at Song Jiang's house, the southern pearl on her head shaking violently making a crisp sound without realizing it, "Don't spread the word about Fang's family and Xiang's family breaking off the engagement, at least don't let Xiao Er know."

  Song Jiang's family understood the master's worries, but didn't agree. "If Fang's daughter really broke off the engagement with Xiang's family, she would surely write a letter to Fang's second brother in Datong. Fang's second brother is also close friends with Wang Ye, so even if they wanted to hide it, it wouldn't be hidden."

  The Empress Dowager Jing Tai sat down dejectedly and murmured, "What you said makes sense. But if Xiao Er finds out that the Fang family's daughter has already broken off the engagement, won't he be...won't his heart be in a state of turmoil?"

  Song Jiang's household hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously: "Your Highness, there is something I don't know if I should say or not."

  The Empress Dowager hinted to her with her eyes, and Song Jiang's family turned over the thoughts in his heart. He carefully chose his words: "Does Your Highness still remember the 32-character maxim that Master Yuanshan gave to His Majesty back then?"

  The Empress Dowager's face suddenly turned cold, and she said in a low voice: "How can you not remember? It was because of this monk's nonsense that my son married that country bumpkin Fang Ruyan. Not only did it become a laughing stock in the capital, but it also affected the reputation of the Wang Mansion. Although Fang Ruyan has been divorced and expelled from the mansion, thinking about how the mighty Wang Mansion was manipulated by a monk and a country fool makes me want to destroy his temple." Every time she thought about this, the Empress Dowager became furious. Her excellent son had been outsmarted by a stinky monk's nonsense and an ignorant fool of a woman. If it weren't for her taking that old monk Yuan Shan's words as true, she wouldn't have forced her son to marry Fang Ruyan as his official wife back then.

  That Yan not only foolish but also extremely ignorant, and does not know the height of heaven and earth. As soon as he entered the palace, he made a mess, and finally, he was accused of "internal unrest, lack of control" by the Empress Dowager, and was ridiculed by people all over the capital.

  Forcing her son to marry Fang Ruyan was the biggest regret of Jing Tai's life. Not only did it make her son disappointed in women, but also destroyed the close relationship between mother and son. Every time she thought about it, Jing Tai would grit her teeth in anger, wishing she could devour Fang Ruyan alive. And as for Yuan Shan, she wished she could send someone to give him a good beating to vent her frustration.

  Song Jiang's family saw the empress dowager speaking so harshly, and his heart skipped a beat. He had a lot to say, but he didn't dare speak out at this moment, and instead carefully accompanied her with a smile. "Let's not discuss whether what Yuan Shanshu said is true or false for now. I've already subtly interrogated Xiao Shunzi and Wang Hu and others earlier. Your Majesty, I think the king might have really taken a liking to Fang Si Niang. It's not yet a disaster that will bring down the heavens. Why make such a fuss? Fang Si Niang doesn't have any great abilities, but if she can be promoted, she can also be demoted."

  Holding the letter of cancellation personally delivered by Princess Jing, Old Lady was once again filled with sorrow. Princess Jing said a lot of words in a row and then held Ruoxi's hand to comfort her: "Good child, it's all my fault. My sister-in-law and nephew are blind to your worth, they wronged you. You mustn't take it to heart. If you want to cry, cry; if you want to scold, scold. Don't keep it in your heart, or it will harm your body."

  The Queen Dowager Jing Tai gazed at Ruoxi from a close distance, and at this moment, Ruoxi was far from the naive and innocent child she had seen two years ago. Having suffered setbacks in her marriage, her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, her complexion pale, yet she had gained an air of pitifulness that made one's heart ache. It was unbearable to see her like this, and suddenly, the Queen Dowager felt that her sister-in-law was truly unforgivable for bullying such an innocent young girl.

  "The Queen Dowager doesn't have to be sad about this matter. Although it's a loss of face, if it can bring together a perfect couple, then the hardship is nothing. Moreover, with Your Highness here, I believe Ruoxi won't be wronged."

  The Queen of Jing Tai smiled wryly, this little girl, she really underestimated her, obviously saying insincere and flattering words, but under her extremely sincere and admiring gaze, couldn't help but feel a little moved.

  She gazed at Ruhua with kindness and said gently, "Good child, it's rare for you to be so magnanimous. You didn't argue with my foolish sister-in-law. This matter is also my fault; if not for me, you wouldn't have suffered such grievances. You're clever and likable, warm and gentle, born to be loved by others. I truly want to make it up to you. How about this: if Miss finds my son Xiao'er acceptable, would she still consider the position of Secondary Consort in the Jing Wang Fu?"

  The moment the Queen of Jing Tai said this, everyone was stunned, including Old Lady Jiang and others, all with a look as if they had been struck by lightning and hit on the head with a gold brick.

  "The princess also thinks highly of our family's maid? The royal palace is a household of what status, and my family's circumstances are ordinary, with mediocre talent and shallow learning, how can she take on the position of a concubine?" Old Lady Tai slowly came back to her senses, smiling hehe, but the hand hidden in the deep blue embroidered sleeve involuntarily clenched.

  The gentle Queen Mother smiled and said, "No matter how high the royal palace is, it's still the same as ordinary people, there won't be two noses or two mouths. Old lady, I'm truly sincere in wanting to invite Fourth Miss to be a concubine. Fourth Miss, what about you?" In fact, she had been observing Ruo Xue's reaction all along, but it was vastly different from her imagination - this young woman from the Fang family actually looked like she had swallowed a fly, seemingly terrified, as if the position of royal concubine was a hot potato.

  Is she really terrified, almost trembling all over? Marry Li Xiao?

  Good heavens, she's gone.

  In her mind, a proud but arrogant face flashed involuntarily, and the shape of his face had long been blurred. Because she had never faced Li Xiao or dealt with him seriously, his face was also vague to her. But every time she met this man, she would lose some brain cells, and if it were more serious, she would be so angry that she would get hurt internally. Such a man, she avoided him as much as possible, but still took him as her confidant?

  Just thinking of a man who could wield a sword to kill a maid at the age of nine, and at eighteen lead his henchmen to slaughter the last remnants of the former empress's escapees, sparing not even three-year-old infants, and then thinking of him riding roughshod through the streets, injuring people with impunity, she felt a chill run down her spine. Sleeping with such a man for a lifetime would be an endless source of pressure for her.

  The Empress Dowager stared intently at Ruheng, taking in every subtle expression on her face. She was puzzled to the extreme, thinking back to when she had summoned her two distant nieces and personally told them that she wanted to make them imperial consorts. From inside out, they were overjoyed, so why did Ruheng look like she was about to be led to the execution ground?