Princess Consort Ji’s tears stread down.
It wasn’t because she was excited to see an old acquaintance, but rather because seeing the Dragon and Phoenix hairpin on the old acquaintance’s head reminded her of the past.
In fact, when the Dragon and Phoenix hairpin was first presented by the Imperial Household Departnt, she fancied it too, but alas, there was only one pair.
And as for the Dragon and Phoenix hairpin, what is the Phoenix? There is only one Phoenix, so only Wang Jingxian, who was the Empress at the ti, had the right to wear it. Naturally, as a Concubine, she was unworthy, and it would have been against the rules.
So, no matter how much she pleaded coquettishly, even though the Emperor favored her, he still didn’t give the hairpin to her, but handed it to Empress Dowager Wang.
Now seeing the Dragon and Phoenix hairpin on Empress Dowager Wang’s head was a glaring reminder of the past, reminding her of their respective statuses.
How hateful!
At the first sight of Princess Consort Ji, Empress Dowager Wang also sighed to herself. Heaven favored this lady most; ti had left little trace on her face, for soone in her late forties she appeared far younger, not even looking forty, with hair still black.
How infuriating!
Just about to speak, she was taken aback to see Princess Consort Ji’s tears flowing as if unpaid for.
Empress Dowager Wang: "..."
Had she even said anything yet? Perhaps her legs hurt from walking?
Empress Dowager Wang coughed lazily and said, "Princess Consort Ji has been at the fief for so many years, has she even forgotten the palace etiquette?"
Princess Consort Ji snapped back, sniffed, and bowed down: "This concubine pays respects to Empress Dowager, may Your Majesty be blessed with good fortune and health."
This bow sparked fury that gnawed at her teeth.
Since the passing of the late Emperor, she had gone to the fief. For nearly twenty years, with the status of an Imperial Concubine, others always saluted her, allowing her to accept leisurely, never needing to bow to others.
It could be said that in Xuzhou, she was the most noble woman.
But upon returning to the capital, she had to bend her noble waist.
Princess Consort Ji felt sowhat stifled, solely fixated on returning to the capital city, forgetting that in the presence of this great Buddha above her head, she was still inferior.
Ah, seems like a misstep.
Just as Princess Consort Ji’s thoughts swirled, Empress Dowager Wang’s brows smoothed. A-cí was right, no matter how favored this woman was, didn’t she still have to bow her head and curtsy to her?
The old lady was the most noble woman in the world, the incumbent Empress Dowager!
Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Wang was invigorated, and with feigned modesty, said: "Rise, you may sit."
Princess Consort Ji stood up, but having walked all the way from the Palace Gate, her legs were sore and trembling. She wavered unsteadily and almost fell, had it not been for a Palace Maid quickly stepping forward to support her.
Empress Dowager Wang’s lips curled.
Princess Consort Ji glanced at Empress Dowager Wang’s schadenfreude smile and felt a silent anger in her heart. Sitting down, she said, "It’s been years since we t, sister seems to have aged quite a bit. How do those under you serve? They don’t seem to have much regard for you."
Empress Dowager Wang’s face darkened, and she said coolly, "It’s been years since we t, and your tongue is still as sharp as ever. Did you not read more scriptures at Xuzhou fief to cultivate your temperant and practice your speaking skills?"
Princess Consort Ji didn’t find the sarcasm particularly harsh, and she smiled affectedly, "Sister knows well, I look at words as if they’re earthworms, can’t bear to look. The late Emperor said before, that I needn’t strain myself, if I didn’t like to read, then I shouldn’t."
Isn’t it said that shaless people are strong; just look at her words, not feeling shy in the slightest.
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