Chapter 430 - 430 Palace Banquet (2)
In the end, Mrs. Cui stopped at Yang Wanyu’s room and instructed her on some things that she should pay attention to tomorrow.
What surprised Zhou Ying was that their target was not to be the Third Prince’s main consort but the First Prince’s secondary consort.
However, she realized this was to be expected when she remembered that Lord Yang had sided with the First Prince.
Just as Mrs. Cui was about to leave after giving her instructions, Yang Wanyu suddenly said, “Mother, are we really able to stop that little slut from participating in the consort selection tomorrow?”
“Don’t worry, the Empress is also unwilling to see her. Tomorrow, not only will 1 stop her from attending the banquet, but 1 will also be destroying her reputation.”
“Really? That’s great! With the Empress stepping in, her life is ruined.”
“Who told her she doesn’t know what’s good for her? She clearly had the option of marrying into a proper and wealthy family, but she insisted on climbing the high branches and pretending to be a phoenix.
“We don’t have any other choices than to show her what it means to be inferior to a chicken.”
Zhou Ying shook her head after hearing this. It was uncertain who would be unlucky tomorrow because she found that bad luck was rapidly shrouding both the mother and daughter.
After she finished her work in her interspace, Zhou Ying told Gu Chengrui of the mother and daughter plotting against Yang Wanning. “We must be careful tomorrow in case the Empress or the First Prince’s people find trouble with us.”
“Yeah, and the Zhou family. They might not be nice to you as well.”
“1 know. Since they sold my original self back then in exchange for some betrothal gift, it’s equivalent to breaking off our blood relationship. If they come to me for something, I won’t hesitate to humiliate them.”
“Okay, be careful. Try not to come into contact with them.”
After lunch the next day, Zhou Ying reviewed the court etiquette under the supervision of the older women.
After making sure that there were no mistakes, the couple followed the Third Prince and Zhou Huaiming to the palace.
The two of them first followed them to Longevity Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.
When the Empress Dowager learned that the couple was from the Gu family, she was momentarily surprised before asking with a smile, “Do take a seat. Is your grandmother well?”
“Empress Dowager, my grandmother’s health is doing well. She even told me to greet you properly, given a chance to meet you.”
“Good, good. It’s good that she’s healthy.” The Empress Dowager smiled.
Then, her gaze fell on Zhou Ying, and she said, “You must be the little girl from the Zhou family. I see you are not only beautiful but also elegant in your craft. It’s no wonder Ping Yang chose you back then at first glance.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Empress Dowager.” Zhou Ying stepped forward and bowed.
“Haha, you’re quite the gallant girl. Not bad, not bad.” The Empress Dowager laughed when she saw that Zhou Ying had no humble attitude toward her other than respect.
To be honest, not to mention the imperial madams, even the Empress was careful when speaking before her. She hadn’t expected that a daughter of a concubine who had not been favored since she was young would be so undaunted before her.
She sized Zhou Ying up. Besides her outstanding looks, Empress Dowager also noticed Zhou Ying’s excellent temperament.
Although she didn’t have the aura of a noble daughter, she gave off the feeling of a saint that could only be looked up to.
However, Zhou Ying gave off a friendly and easy-going feeling instead of an overbearing holy aura.
It was a conflicted feeling, but the Empress Dowager had to admit Zhou Ying was an outstanding person.
“Quickly, come to my side. Let me take a good look at you.”
Although Zhou Ying was a little reluctant, she responded and slowly walked over.
However, she didn’t go directly up to her. Instead, she stood a meter shy of her.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager patted the seat at the side and smiled, “Come, sit down, and chat with me.”
She wanted to see if this little girl was really not afraid of her or if she was just acting..