"Why has the Empress co?"
Before Yu Youhan could reply, the palace door was pushed open with a creak.
The Empress walked in gracefully, wearing a crimson palace gown and a butterfly golden hairpin in her coiffure, much like a blooming, noble peony.
Sun Senior Palace Lady walked closely behind, holding a wooden basket in her hands.
"I ca without invitation, but I hope I haven't disturbed the Imperial Consort?" The Empress approached, glancing at He Yuzhi with feigned surprise, "Oh? Lady Chen is here too?"
"This humble servant greets Her Majesty the Empress, may you live long..."
He Yuzhi snapped back to her senses and hurriedly stood up to perform a kneeling salute.
Although she was the wife of a third-level high official, she held no official position herself and thus was required to kneel and kowtow upon eting the concubines.
"No need for such formalities, Lady,"
The Empress quickly reached out to steady her, holding her wrist and seating her on a chair with a warm smile, "I've long wanted to visit the Chen Mansion to see the lady, but with so much happening at court lately, I haven't been able to find the ti. eting you here is truly serendipitous..."
At this, she coughed lightly.
Sun Senior Palace Lady stepped forward, placing the wooden basket on the small square table between them.
The Empress lifted the lid, revealing a porcelain plate inside, neatly arranged with a dozen or so golden, small pastries, and said:
"I made these crab cakes myself this morning, and they're still warm. Please, Lady, have a taste. If you find them to your liking, I'll make more to send over to you."
"As soone of humble status, how could I trouble Your Majesty?" He Yuzhi was overwheld with honor.
"You're too modest, Lady," the Empress shook her head, "Chen Mo has achieved great rit again at the Southern Border, resolving troubles for . I ought to thank you for raising such an excellent son."
"Your Majesty flatters ," He Yuzhi replied modestly, though she couldn't suppress a slight smile.
After the morning assembly, Chen Mo's achievents had spread throughout the Capital City. Setting aside the matter of eradicating the Gu God Sect, the re act of wiping out the Barbarian Tribe's settlent was enough to bring glory to one's ancestors!
As his mother, she naturally felt honored by association!
"By the way," the Empress pinched her polished chin and pondered, "speaking of humble status, Lady Chen isn't yet an official wife? That's rather remiss of . Conveniently, with this opportunity, I would like to grant you the title of a third-grade official wife."
"Third, third-grade?" He Yuzhi was stunned upon hearing it.
Though it was honorary with no real position, it was nonetheless significant.
As an official wife, she would possess the privilege of attending court, the right to posthumous titles for her descendants, immunity from punishnt, recomnding direct relatives for official positions... and a host of other privileges.
If she rose to the status of soone like Lady Lv, her position among won would only be beneath the concubines.
"Is this appropriate?" He Yuzhi hesitated.
"Mr. Chen is a third-rank official himself, and Chen Mo is a third-rank Honorary Officer as well. Isn't it only fitting for the lady to have an official title?" The Empress gave no room for refusal, waving her hand, "Alright, let's settle it. I'll draft the decree when I return."
"But..."
He Yuzhi wanted to say more, her gaze shifting to Yu Youhan beside her.
Yu Youhan leaned back on the chair, legs crossed, expressionless as she said lightly, "Since the Empress has already put it this way, there's no need to refuse a gift for free, Lady."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." Hearing this, He Yuzhi finally accepted the matter officially.
Until this mont, it seed the Empress finally rembered, patting her forehead gently, "Look at , I got caught up speaking with Lady Chen and nearly forgot. I've co here to discuss serious business with the Imperial Consort."
"Heh, I'm rather curious, what business could you possibly have?"
Yu Youhan scoffed, a look of "I'm just here to watch you perform" on her face.
The cat's out of the bag; she had just returned to the palace, and the Empress rushed over, bringing freshly made pastries, clearly aiming at He Yuzhi!
"Ahem," the Empress cleared her throat and said, "First, there's the matter of the Princess's marriage search, surely the Imperial Consort has heard of it?"
"Marriage search?"
Yu Youhan raised her delicate eyebrows.
Although she was busy these days currying favor with her mother-in-law and boosting her favorability rating, she had heard a bit about the events at the court.
If Wu Lie dared betroth Chen Mo to Chu Yanli, she'd set the Golden Throne Hall ablaze, but since it was proposed by the Crown Prince, surely she wouldn't argue with a child, right?
"It's just a participation in a marriage search, not a betrothal. Whether she gets chosen or not is another matter. Discussing this now is aningless," Yu Youhan remarked indifferently.
Seeing her indifferent deanor, the Empress frowned slightly and insisted, "But what if she does get chosen? Surely we can't just watch the two get married?"
"Rest assured, if it cos to that, I'll just kill Chu Yanli. No bride ans the marriage arrangent naturally falls apart," Yu Youhan spoke calmly, as if discussing household affairs.
"..."
The Empress's eyelids twitched.
This crazy woman wasn't just talking; she'd actually do it!
"It won't co to that, as long as Chen Mo doesn't act foolishly, I'll handle Li'er's side. No need to trouble the Imperial Consort," the Empress assured, looking at He Yuzhi, "Since the lady is here as well, I'd like to hear her thoughts."
"I'll follow the arrangents of Her Majesty... and the Empress," He Yuzhi said softly.
"I hear that Chen Mo has many young ladies around him. Does the lady have anyone in mind for a future daughter-in-law?" The Empress asked casually.
Upon hearing this, Yu Youhan also looked over.
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