“By the way, bring little Ah Xun to me. Junjun won’t accept the guards I sent him; I have to ask Ah Xun what’s going on with my grandson.”

Granny Lan chuckled. “Your Majesty, the crown prince is so talented, so capable, and so prestigious — who would dare bully him? In fact, who would be able to bully him even if they were bold enough?”

“That’s right. My Junjun is the best! There’s never been and there never will be any kid as talented as he is!”

“Yes, His Royal Highness is awesome.”

The empress dowager said proudly, “Awesome he is. I had his fortune told by that master from Wandering Temple. Junjun was born to rule this continent. He’ll rise higher than anyone can imagine!”

The empress dowager was awesome in her own way. She had been groaning and moaning in bed, complaining about her headache. However, as soon as Jun Linyuan arrived, she was as good as new. She was practically glowing.

However, as soon as Jun Linyuan was gone —

“Gosh, my head hurts —”

Granny Lan was speechless.

Granny Lan helped the old lady to her bed in a hurry. “It’s chilly out here. Your Majesty should really put on your cape before you get out of bed.”

Just then, footsteps came from outside.

The empress dowager frowned and said impatiently, “Is the empress still here?”

Just then, a crisp, loud voice sounded outside. “Your Majesty, why are you sitting here? Her Majesty the empress dowager wouldn’t let you in, is that it?”

After everything she heard the old lady say, Empress Dugu was already frustrated. She almost had a stroke.

“Lady Northern Feng, nice to see you.” Empress Dugu feigned a friendly voice. “How very unfortunate for you.”

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“Why is that?” Lady Northern Feng was in a good mood today and she smiled at Empress Dugu.

The empress smiled a little. “Her Majesty the empress dowager isn’t feeling well today and she’s not receiving visitors. I’m afraid Your Ladyship has to leave.”

After that, the empress sat back down with an impassive face, as if she hadn’t been sitting there forever.

Just then, the old lady’s voice rang out inside.

The empress dowager asked, “Is that Yaya out there?”

Lady Northern Feng, aka Shi Yaran, was the orphan of a great general, and the empress dowager had raised the lady herself. The two of them were very close.

Lady Northern Feng answered loudly, “Yes, Your Majesty. Your Yaya is here to see you.”

The empress dowager said, “What are you doing out there? You’ll catch a cold. Come in.”

Darting an indifferent look at the empress, Lady Northern Feng gave her a nod, rose to her feet, and walked in unhurriedly.

Empress Dugu was exasperated!

The emotionless mask she wore seemed to crack.

That damn old hag! What happened to not receiving visitors? She kept letting people in!

It was cold outside and Shi Yaran might catch a cold? She didn’t seem to worry about the empress getting sick!

Empress Dugu was furious!

She couldn’t sit here forever. Empress Dugu rose to her feet.

Seeing this, Granny Lan said loudly, “Her Majesty the empress is leaving —”

Empress Dugu almost choked!

Did they want to see her leave that badly?

Empress Dugu felt so indignant that she decided she would stick around!

She turned around and headed for the empress dowager’s chamber.

Granny Lan couldn’t exactly stop Empress Dugu, and could only turn to the empress dowager for help.

The empress dowager was chatting with Lady Northern Feng, and her face darkened when she heard that the empress was still here.

Lady Northern Feng found it most amusing.

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People said that old people were like little children, and the empress dowager was exactly that. She let everything show on her face.

Lady Northern Feng said, “Her Majesty the empress is your daughter-in-law; she’s just trying to fulfil her duty.”

The empress dowager was persuaded.

She turned to Granny Lan. “If she wants to come in so badly, let her in.”

Finally, Empress Dugu was able to enter her mother-in-law’s bedchamber.

But the empress dowager didn’t even look at her after she walked in. The old lady simply went on chatting with Lady Northern Feng.

The empress dowager said cheerfully, “Yaya, you know what? Junjun was here…”

Lady Northern Feng looked at the empress dowager with a gentle smile on her face and listened patiently.

What the old lady needed was an audience.

When the empress dowager finally finished talking about Jun Linyuan, she said aggrievedly, “He’s the only crown prince that has his residence outside the imperial palace!”

Empress Dugu vented her sarcasm inwardly: That he was!

Lady Northern Feng smiled. “His Royal Highness has been a strong-minded child since he was little. I’m sure he has his own reasons for moving out. Maybe it’s better for his cultivation, or he didn’t want to put too much pressure on his younger siblings.”

The empress dowager clapped her hands. “You’re right! He must have moved out to ease the pressure on his younger brothers and sisters. You know how the empire’s kids are. Apart from Junjun, the others are all…”

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She then looked up and saw Empress Dugu.

Empress Dugu thought since she was already here, the old lady would at least show her some respect.

But she overestimated how willful the old lady could be.

The empress dowager rolled her eyes at Empress Dugu. “What are you staring at me for? It’s not like your son is any better!”

Empress Dugu thought she was going to have a stroke!

She began to doubt her decision to come here. The old lady was obviously having fun criticizing her!

Empress Dugu nearly stormed off!

Just then, footsteps came from outside.

Lady Northern Feng looked bewildered.

The empress dowager said grumpily, “It has to be my son.”

And she was right. Emperor Wu showed up shortly afterward.

As a middle-aged man, Emperor Wu was as stalwart as ever. He looked as powerful as he was authoritative.

However, to the empress dowager, he was nothing but an obedient son.

“Your Majesty, I’m here to check up on you.” Emperor Wu came in with a broad smile on his face. He beamed at Empress Dugu when he saw her. “The empress is here as well. That’s very considerate of you.”

The empress dowager snorted. She was no fool. That narrow-minded empress would never have stayed if she didn’t know that the emperor were coming.

“Your Majesty.”

Lady Northern Feng greeted Emperor Wu.

Lady Northern Feng and Emperor Wu grew up together under the empress dowager, and the two of them were closer than blood siblings.

Emperor Wu was very happy to see Lady Northern Feng.

“Why, Yaya’s here. I know you’re busy with running the mansion and everything, but you really should come more often. My mother is lonely here and she’ll be happy to see you.”

Lady Northern Feng smiled. “Her Majesty the empress is here to keep her company as well.”

The empress dowager grunted. “She’s so dumb. I’d be blessed if she doesn’t upset me. Keep me company? No, thanks!”

Empress Dugu was infuriated!

Empress Dugu just didn’t get it. Every time she was here, she was busy serving the empress dowager tea or giving her a shoulder massage. She worked as hard as a chambermaid, but what did her mother-in-law say? She called her “dumb”!

On the other hand, all Jun Linyuan and Lady Northern Feng had to do was sit around and the empress dowager was over the moon… Could the old lady be any more biased?

Feeling so aggrieved, Empress Dugu tugged at the emperor’s sleeve and looked at him with teary eyes.

Emperor Wu took the hint right away. He patted his wife on the shoulder. “There, there. You’ll get used to it.”

Empress Dugu was baffled!

After everything she had been put through, he told her to “get used to it”?! Was that how he comforted people? What was wrong with this family?!

The empress dowager never thought much of Empress Dugu and the old lady completely ignored the empress’s reaction.

Although, she was happy to see her son, the emperor.

They all sat down and chatted together like they used to before Lady Northern Feng got married.

However, to Empress Dugu’s frustration, she couldn’t contribute to the conversation at all… It excluded her from the family, and soon, she was left out.

“Hahaha —” Emperor Wu laughed heartily when they recalled the old days. “Yaya was so tough back then. She was only a little girl when she punched that assassin in the face. The guy was petrified. This violent girl just came out of nowhere!”

“Hahahaha —” The empress dowager laughed until she was in tears. “You don’t say. Yaya was such an unruly girl that I was so worried. Luckily, she’s much more lady-like now, but it’s Ah Xun’s turn to run around like a wild bear now.”

Lady Northern Feng chuckled. “He’s hopeless. I took in a goddaughter the other day and he almost ruined it.”

“A goddaughter? Yaya, you have a goddaughter now? Who’s the kid?” The empress dowager was surprised.

So was Emperor Wu.

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Lady Northern Feng herself was the empress dowager’s goddaughter, and the old lady treated her like her own.

“I forgot to mention it, didn’t I?” Lady Northern Feng smacked her own forehead. “I’m actually here today to talk about that.”

Empress Dugu was also taken by surprise.

A goddaughter? Lady Northern Feng was such a proud woman that she bowed to no one but the empress dowager and the emperor. Who could be good enough for her?

Lady Northern Feng gloated. “It’s not official yet. I can’t do it so casually. She’s going to be my daughter and I’m going to pick an auspicious date, gather all my family and friends, and announce it in front of everyone.”

That serious?

Emperor Wu and the empress dowager exchanged looks. Yaya meant it!

“Who’s the girl?” The empress dowager and her son looked at Lady Northern Feng curiously.

Instead of answering directly, Lady Northern Feng turned to Emperor Wu. “Your Majesty, may I ask a favor?”

“What?”

Lady Northern Feng said cheerfully, “If she were my own daughter, she would be a princess, right?”

“Of course,” the empress dowager said matter-of-factly. “Your daughter can’t be anything less. I’ll do you the favor if the emperor won’t.”

Lady Northern Feng grinned. “Your Majesty, would you make my goddaughter a princess?”

1

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Empress Dugu looked at Lady Northern Feng in disbelief.

His Majesty hadn’t even met this girl yet and he knew nothing about her — how could he make her a princess that casually? What on earth did Lady Northern Feng think a princess was?

However, to Empress Dugu’s frustration —

Emperor Wu said, “Yaya, it’s so rare that you think so highly of someone. If this girl is good enough to be your goddaughter, of course I’ll grant your wish. I’ll make her a princess however you see fit.”

“And could you make her a princess with a title?” Lady Northern Feng pushed her luck.

The princesses came in three ranks. Daughters of royal princes were of the highest status and were given the title “Heshuo.”

Daughters of male cousins of the emperor had the second highest status.

After that were daughters of the non-royal families, such as Mu Yaoyao.

And Lady Northern Feng wanted to make Feng Wu a Heshuo Princess.

Emperor Wu was very generous with his family. With a wave of his hand, he said, “Of course. She’s going to be my niece; I’ll give her only the best. If she’s really as wonderful as you say, I’ll make her a royal princess!”

“Brother Emperor Wu, you’re the best!” Lady Northern Feng hardly ever addressed the emperor that way, for she found it rather silly. However, she couldn’t help but clap her hands cheerfully now.

She seldom offered Emperor Wu excessive praise, and when she did, it was such a pleasant surprise for him. He enjoyed them a lot.

On the other hand, Empress Dugu wouldn’t stop showering Emperor Wu with such expressions over and over again that the emperor had gotten sick of them.

While Emperor Wu was secretly mocking Empress Dugu for how cloying she could be, the empress was stewing in her own anger.

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A princess?! And a princess of the highest status?!

And potentially a royal princess?! He wouldn’t make that girl a Heshuo Princess, would he?

Even Jun Wuxia, her own daughter, hadn’t been given the title “Heshuo” yet!

What on earth was he thinking?!

Empress Dugu gritted her teeth until they crunched. She then took a deep breath to hide the jealous look on her face and said with a smile, “I’m so curious. What kind of girl is it who can win Lady Northern Feng’s heart?”

The empress dowager and Emperor Wu both looked at Lady Northern Feng curiously.

Lady Northern Feng said, “That girl is brilliant! She’s so good in her studies that I can say that she’s second only to Junjun in this empire!”

“Really?” Emperor Wu’s face lit up!

Empress Dugu snorted inwardly. What a braggart. If the girl was that good, how come no one had heard of her before?

Lady Northern Feng knew nothing of what was going on in Empress Dugu’s head and she went on in a cheerful voice, “Plus, my daughter is an amazing doctor. She’s a miracle worker, if you ask me. There’s no disease she can’t cure, and I think she’s as good as Old Master Ba was back in the day!”

Empress Dugu couldn’t stand it anymore and feigned an inane smile. “Isn’t she just a young girl? How can she be Old Master Ba’s equal?”

“I’m gonna tell you what happened,” Lady Northern Feng said proudly. “I got sick a while ago. It didn’t seem that serious, but I was gravely ill. I almost died!”

“That serious?” The empress dowager was concerned and she took Lady Northern Feng’s hand immediately. “How are you feeling now? Are you alright? Do I need to worry?”

The empress dowager genuinely cared for Lady Northern Feng, whom she had raised herself.

“I almost died the night before last. It was all thanks to that kid that I’m still alive. Your Majesty, you could have lost me, if it wasn’t for her.”

Empress Dugu interjected in a tone dripping with acid, “The girl couldn’t have planned the whole thing, could she?”