Chapter 15: The Princess's Grand Authority
Page (1/3)
“Miss Zhao Jiao, daughter of the Deputy Censor-in-Chief Xu Guodong, pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May the Empress be blessed with everlasting peace and prosperity.”
Zhao Jiao performed a perfectly proper bow, flawless in every detail.
In her previous life, though she disliked such formalities, she had studied them diligently—all for the sake of a single approving glance or smile from her mother.
The Empress nodded in acknowledgment.
It was rare for a family of a fifth-rank official to raise a child so well-mannered.
“Rise, there will be a reward!”
At the utterance of “reward,” several envious glances immediately appeared.
“Is this the Miss Xu who waited at the palace gate for Sixth Prince?”
At that moment, Third Prince Yin Jiushu suddenly fixed his gaze on Zhao Jiao and remarked, causing the Empress to knit her brows.
“Jiushu recognizes her?”
“Mother, I do not, but Sixth Prince does,” the Third Prince replied with a teasing tone. Being born of the Empress, he spoke here more freely than others, unrestrained.
“Oh?”
The Empress cast a meaningful glance toward Yin Sumo and smiled, “What a coincidence.”
Everyone leaned in, listening intently.
Yin Sumo’s eyes flickered, and under everyone’s watchful gaze, he boldly admitted, “Yes, I have the honor of knowing Miss Xu.”
“Sixth Prince, tell us how you know her!” Yin Mushi teased with a playful grin.
“Do not be ridiculous!”
The Empress smiled, shooting her son a warning glance before turning to Zhao Jiao. “They’re usually like this, always teasing. I hadn’t expected you and Prince Sumo to know each other. Zhao Jiao, what characters make up your courtesy name?”
“Your Majesty, the ‘Zhao’ from ‘Great Zhao,’ and the ‘Jiao’ from ‘gentle and graceful’—it’s my childhood name,” Zhao Jiao replied calmly and confidently.
“‘Zhao’ from ‘Great Zhao’… pronounced ‘Zhao.’ What a coincidence—it shares a character with your title.”
The Empress mused aloud and inadvertently glanced toward Feng Yuer.
Feng Yuer was watching Zhao Jiao, her expression cold and displeased. “My title was given by my mother and bestowed by His Majesty; the kingdom’s name is included in my courtesy name. Miss Xu shows great audacity, but this princess advises you to change it.”
“Anyone and their dog dare to use that character in their name.”
The Empress fell into thoughtful silence.
Zhao Jiao slowly turned to Feng Yuer—what an overbearing Princess Nian Zhao!
“Your Highness, it’s just a childhood name, casually given by my elders and long accustomed to.”
Zhao Jiao’s deft reply caught everyone’s attention.
Had she publicly refused?
Page (2/3)
Feng Yuer’s expression darkened immediately, glaring at Zhao Jiao, then turning to the Empress. “Your Majesty, this princess offers a kind warning—if she does not change it, perhaps you should have her leave the palace. We wouldn’t want to upset her mother or maternal grandmother.”
“This…”
The Empress frowned, about to speak.
Zhao Jiao quickly intervened, feigning innocence and confusion, her voice tinged with anxiety. “Your Majesty, Princess, is there a law forbidding the kingdom’s name in personal names? If so, I will discuss with my family and change it.”
“There isn’t such a law…” The Empress replied awkwardly.
Zhao Jiao sighed in relief, smiling innocently. “You scared me to death. Princess, have I offended your title with my childhood name? It’s all right—everyone can just call me Jiao Jiao.”
The room fell silent…
“Your Majesty, it’s just a childhood name—there’s no need to make a fuss. Aunt and Grandmother are broad-minded and won’t mind. Call her Xu Jiao Jiao; since her courtesy name also contains ‘Jiao,’ let’s just call her Jiao Jiao.”
Yin Sumo spoke up to defuse the tension, his tone protective.
Once he spoke, the others’ gazes toward them became less innocent.
If Princess Nian Zhao continued to press the matter, she would appear petty and narrow-minded.
The Empress’s lips twitched slyly, following Yin Sumo’s words: “Prince Sumo is right. Let everyone call her Jiao Jiao. No need to pursue this matter further. Today, the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess have gone to Kaifu Temple to pray. Tomorrow, the palace will hold a banquet where you may pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Then we shall see who wins her favor. If there is nothing else, you may all take your leave to rest.”
Her words clearly indicated the gathering was over.
Everyone saluted in farewell and departed.
Feng Yuer suppressed her anger, her gaze toward Zhao Jiao like poisoned daggers.
The official daughters present all noticed and quickly distanced themselves from Zhao Jiao, fearing to be implicated and fall out of favor with Princess Nian Zhao.
Though only the adopted daughter of the Eldest Princess, Princess Nian Zhao was personally titled by the Emperor and deeply favored by the Eldest Princess. Rumor had it she was close to Prince Li, a leading candidate for Crown Prince. In short, none dared provoke Princess Nian Zhao.
“Stop!”
Sure enough, not far from Fengxiang Palace, the group was called back.
Nanny Li turned around and hurried forward, responding, “Miss Qiaoxiu, may I ask what is the matter?”
Qiaoxiu was Feng Yuer’s personal maid. With her mistress’s rise, she too enjoyed better prospects and showed little respect even to the palace supervisors.
“Nanny Li, the princess requests Miss Xu come forward to speak a few words.”
Nanny Li glanced toward the distance and nodded, “Yinku, accompany Miss Xu.”
“No need—I’ll take her there myself,” Qiaoxiu called after Yinku, indicating no one else was to follow.
“Could it be Princess Nian Zhao is still upset over the childhood name? The Empress already said to drop it. Such pettiness…”
Everyone else kept their distance, unwilling to stir trouble, except for one who stood apart.
Only Song Lanzhi dared call Feng Yuer petty in this setting.
The Ruyang Marquis household was powerful, deeply rooted in the court, related by blood to the royal family, and was Prince Li’s maternal clan. Her aunt had been honored as Imperial Noble Consort, enjoying lasting favor.
Qiaoxiu’s face darkened. “Miss Song, the princess merely asked her to come say a few words.”
“That’s true; this is the palace after all. The princess cannot act recklessly.”
Song Lanzhi smiled and turned away.
Page (3/3)
“Miss Xu, let’s go.”
Qiaoxiu urged Zhao Jiao impatiently.
Zhao Jiao remained silent, seeming an outsider, quietly following.
“This Xu family is really foolish to choose such a childhood name.”
“Indeed. She looks naïve and doesn’t even realize she’s offended Princess Nian Zhao.”
“She’s just ignorant and fearless!”
“Stop being sour. Sometimes fools get lucky…”
Song Lanzhi’s words cut through the murmurs, casting a disdainful glance around. What did they understand? Serving the Empress Dowager might just be a façade!
She had been told this when summoned to the palace—that it was for the princes and their consorts.
“Nanny Li, you stay here and wait. Later, take Miss Xu back.”
Nanny Li sighed quietly as she watched Zhao Jiao’s retreating figure. The palace was no ordinary place; it was unsuitable to have these official ladies loitering here. She hoped, as Miss Song said, that this fool might indeed have luck on her side.
Yinku waited anxiously nearby.
Qiaoxiu led Zhao Jiao to Feng Yuer.
Upon seeing Zhao Jiao, Feng Yuer raised her hand and struck her sharply across the face.
The sharp slap echoed loudly in the silent palace corridor.
The palace maids all lowered their heads, pretending not to notice.
Zhao Jiao had not expected it; the burning pain on her cheek was fierce, but it banished the cold.
“Kneel.”
Qiaoxiu pushed Zhao Jiao forward, and two maids immediately grabbed her to force her to her knees.
Zhao Jiao bit her lip, swallowing the taste of blood.
Her father had said: every person shows a thousand faces; one cannot see the heart at a glance. It was true!
This was the real Feng Yuer—once she had been blind and naive.
“May I ask, Princess, what mistake have I committed?” Zhao Jiao knelt in the snow, looking up with a face full of grievance, covering her cheek.
She concealed all emotions, burying past pride and dignity. Compared to her hatred, this humiliation was nothing.
She had to learn to assess the situation to protect her life.
Yet she still underestimated Feng Yuer’s depths.
“Today, this princess intends to teach you a lesson. Before me, you have no right to speak of right or wrong! Who do you think you are? Strike her!”