A small commotion arose among the court ladies.
It was one thing to first summon the Eldest Princess Changrong and other members of the imperial family, but why would the next to be summoned be Marquis Guanjun’s wife?
Everyone couldn’t help but glance toward the several dukes’ wives.
This was truly interesting. In previous years, after the Empress Dowager met with the eldest princess and princess consorts, she would immediately summon the duke’s wives next.
One must know that before receiving a summons, they all had to wait in the hall. The later one was called, the longer the wait, and the Empress Dowager couldn’t possibly meet with everyone one by one – the vast majority would wait for an hour or two and then leave the palace directly.
The faces of the several dukes’ wives became somewhat subtle under everyone’s various gazes.
“Lady Li, please proceed,” Laixi called out.
Qiao Zhao nodded and followed Laixi toward the inner hall, sighing inwardly.
The Empress Dowager disliked her greatly, so she was putting her on the hot seat. Just by slightly changing the order of summons, she had offended several dukes’ wives without doing anything.
Incense burned in the inner hall. Passing through layers of curtains, Qiao Zhao saw Empress Dowager Yang seated at the head, holding a teacup and drinking tea. On her left sat the Eldest Princess Changrong, on her right Princess Mu, and besides these two, there was also a woman in her thirties sitting respectfully on a small stool.
Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but take a closer look at that woman.
The woman wore her hair in a proper round chignon, had delicate features, a gentle temperament, and her brows and eyes showed compliance. When she saw Qiao Zhao enter, unlike the scrutinizing gazes of Empress Dowager Yang and others, her eyes instantly burst with longing and excitement.
Although that trace of longing flashed by quickly, Qiao Zhao still caught it.
She still had an impression of this woman – she was one of Prince Rui’s many concubines.
When she had taken pulses for Prince Rui’s concubines, among that crowd of black-clad concubines, this one had been positioned at the very front, but unfortunately, no pregnancy had been diagnosed.
This wasn’t surprising. Given Prince Rui’s degree of longing for offspring, he would spend more nights with young concubines who were good at bearing children, while given this woman’s age, she obviously wouldn’t have many opportunities.
Qiao Zhao guessed this woman should be the concubine who had been temporarily managing the prince’s residence’s inner quarters since Princess Rui’s death, which was why she had the opportunity to see the Empress Dowager.
Empress Dowager Yang was currently speaking with that woman: “You also know how precious offspring are to the prince’s residence. Now there are three concubines in the residence about to give birth. You must take good care of them. If anything goes wrong, I will hold you solely responsible.”
The woman lowered her brows submissively and quickly said: “Please rest assured, Empress Dowager. This humble concubine will take good care of my sisters.”
Only then did Empress Dowager Yang nod, looking toward Qiao Zhao, who had entered.
Qiao Zhao paid respects to Empress Dowager Yang: “This subject’s wife respectfully congratulates the Empress Dowager on the New Year.”
Empress Dowager Yang stared at the elaborately dressed woman kneeling on the ground and smiled faintly: “Rise.”
Qiao Zhao then paid respects to Princess Mu and the Eldest Princess Changrong.
Princess Mu smiled: “When I saw Marquis Guanjun’s wife at the spring banquet, I felt that such a naturally gifted and beautiful person couldn’t be found anywhere else in the world.”
The Eldest Princess Changrong coolly continued: “Yes, this is the first time I’ve seen such a young duke’s wife.”
If Empress Dowager Yang disliked Qiao Zhao seven parts, then the Eldest Princess Changrong’s dislike was a full ten parts.
What the Eldest Princess Changrong hated most were vixens who made men lose their minds with infatuation. This young girl, before her, had first seduced her son into having feelings, then actually leaped to become Marquis Guanjun’s wife – if there wasn’t something fishy about this, it would be strange indeed.
Marquis Guanjun was close friends with Can’er. For her, a young girl, to know Marquis Guanjun, she must have used her son’s help.
This was truly wonderful – first bewitching her son, then climbing up to Marquis Guanjun through her son. This was the first time she’d seen such a capable young girl.
This was much more capable than that cheap woman in her residence, who only knew how to seduce the prince consort.
Qiao Zhao’s eyebrows moved slightly.
If Princess Mu’s words were just ordinary pleasantries, the Eldest Princess Changrong’s words were too obviously barbed. How could Qiao Zhao not hear it?
She glanced lightly at the Eldest Princess Changrong, her gaze moving downward to pause briefly at her abdomen before withdrawing her gaze.
The Eldest Princess Changrong frowned: “Why does Lady Li look at this princess so?”
Qiao Zhao smiled: “This subject’s wife respectfully congratulates Your Highness on your good news.”
How inexplicable!
The Eldest Princess Changrong glanced at Qiao Zhao coldly and disdained to speak further.
Empress Dowager Yang watched coldly, her heart stirring.
From the first time she met this young girl, she had discovered she was very unusual. Later curing Zhenzhen’s face was even more unexpected.
It was said that Lady Li’s medical skills had received the true teachings of Physician Li—
If so, might her glance at Changrong just now have had another meaning?
Empress Dowager Yang harbored this thought and showed Qiao Zhao a loving smile: “Lady Li, I have long wanted to see you.”
She beckoned to Qiao Zhao: “Come sit beside me.”
Qiao Zhao stepped forward: “The Empress Dowager’s favor makes this subject’s wife feel apprehensive.”
Empress Dowager Yang took Qiao Zhao’s hand and patted it: “I should thank you. I heard that the three concubines in Prince Rui’s residence being with child were all discovered by you.”
“This subject’s wife doesn’t dare accept such credit. When women are with child, it will be known sooner or later. Any other physician could have diagnosed it as well.”
Empress Dowager Yang smiled: “Though you say so, being able to discover it early is most important. For women, the first three months of pregnancy are most delicate – not the slightest carelessness can be tolerated.”
Qiao Zhao smiled along without saying more.
She didn’t need to curry favor with the Empress Dowager; only ensuring she made no mistakes was enough.
“Could Lady Li examine her?” Empress Dowager Yang pointed to Prince Rui’s concubine. “She is most proper, having managed Prince Rui’s residence in perfect order for many years. It’s just unknown when her belly will have news.”
With Li San’s troublemaking sister, although she had given birth to the only child in Prince Rui’s residence, she still didn’t think much of her.
Since Empress Dowager Yang said so, Qiao Zhao naturally couldn’t refuse. After taking the concubine’s pulse, she smiled: “The lady’s body is healthy. I’m sure she’ll get her wish sooner or later.”
The woman’s eyes were full of disappointment as she forced a smile: “This concubine accepts the Marquis’s wife’s auspicious words.”
Empress Dowager Yang’s expression showed no particular change.
Although she had a good impression of this concubine, that was all. After all, she wasn’t a proper daughter-in-law worth special concern.
Afterward, Empress Dowager Yang pulled Qiao Zhao to ask questions like “Are you accustomed to life in the marquis’s residence?” before finally letting Qiao Zhao leave.
Seeing Qiao Zhao emerge, the anxiously waiting court ladies perked up.
Finally, she came out. They wondered how many dukes’ wives the Empress Dowager would summon, and who else would be called.
“The Empress Dowager is somewhat tired today. Please, all ladies, return home.” Laixi smiled.
Qiao Zhao immediately felt countless gazes directed at her. If those gazes could become tangible, she would probably be riddled with holes like a hornet’s nest by now.
In the inner hall, Empress Dowager Yang dismissed Princess Mu and Prince Rui’s concubine, but kept the Eldest Princess Changrong alone.
“Does Mother have other matters?” the Eldest Princess Changrong asked carelessly.
Empress Dowager Yang ignored the Eldest Princess Changrong and instructed Laixi: “Go summon Imperial Physician Yang.”