Li Yuyu spoke to the end, her eyes turned red, and crystal tears swirled in her eyes.
But she looked upward and blinked the tears back.
Yan Xiu pursed his lips, feeling both heartache and amusement.
The Empress Dowager softened.
The Dasheng Dynasty has reached today mainly due to the contributions of the Li Family. Regardless of gender, they can take to the battlefield. It’s with Li Mo and Li Yuyu’s generation that Mr. Li developed selfish motives, not wanting Li Yuyu to have a fate of dying on the battlefield, so he passed all his skills to Li Mo, while indulging and pampering Li Yuyu.
But the Li family’s genes are too strong, Li Yuyu’s talents were famous in Capital City since childhood.
Later, when only Li Mo and Li Yuyu were left in the Li family, Li Yuyu’s reputation faded, perhaps because Li Mo was too indulgent with his only sister, leading to Li Yuyu’s arrogant nature.
Even upon entering the harem, like at home, she often caused a stir.
The Empress Dowager, thinking of how Li Mo had gone to Beihuang for the sake of the Dasheng Dynasty, found it hard to utter any punishment for Li Yuyu.
The Li Family has especially pampered this girl for generations. Now that she’s in the Emperor’s harem, how could she bully her? Alas, though the Emperor’s injury is significant, it wasn’t caused by Li Yuyu.
The Empress Dowager, reflecting on this, felt that her previous decree had been somewhat excessive.
But it was impossible for her to apologize.
The Empress Dowager thought for a moment and said, "I’ve heard that the Emperor has yet to dine, so perhaps the meal should be served first?"
Yan Xiu naturally understood this was the Empress Dowager offering a way out, and followed suit: "Yes, I am indeed hungry, Shen Quan, serve the meal."
"More lotus and lily cakes, Li Xiurong loves them."
The Empress Dowager specifically instructed.
Zhou Wanying angrily bit her lip, nearly twisting the handkerchief in her hand into a line.
Why could Li Yuyu simply feign grievance to gain the Empress Dowager’s forgiveness, while she, clearly bullied by Li Yuyu, was ignored by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor?
"Empress Dowager, would you like to remain for the meal or take a walk in the Imperial Garden?"
Han Yiqing got up, and with a smiling face, walked beside the Empress Dowager, softly asking.
After looking at Yan Xiu and then at Li Yuyu, whose lowered head obscured her expression, the Empress Dowager thought it best for the young ones to resolve their own matters.
She then stood up with Han Yiqing’s help, gently saying, "Then let’s go out for a walk."
"Sending off the Empress Dowager," Li Yuyu also stood up and whispered.
The aggrieved voice made the Empress Dowager feel a bit guilty, signaling Yan Xiu to handle the consolation.
Yan Xiu lightly raised the corners of his lips: "Mother, rest assured, I will handle it well. Safe journey, Mother."
The Empress Dowager, holding Han Yiqing’s hand, walked outside, and upon reaching Zhou Wanying, kindly asked, "Does Beauty Zhou wish to stay to serve the Emperor and Li Xiurong during the meal?"
Others would surely recognize the underlying dismissal in the Empress Dowager’s words.
But Zhou Wanying failed to hear it, thinking instead that the Empress Dowager was granting her an opportunity, she quickly curtsied and said: "I thank the Empress Dowager for her grace, I will surely serve the Emperor and Lady Xiu well."
The Empress Dowager lightly furrowed her brow, her heavy gaze sweeping over Zhou Wanying’s face.
"How come those around the Emperor are so brainless!" Upon leaving Yao Hua Palace, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but frown and say.
Chen Jing naturally knew the Empress Dowager referred to Zhou Wanying, but she couldn’t criticize her master before Han Yiqing, so she simply said softly, "Beauty Zhou is just too concerned for the Emperor."