Chapter 194

Chapter 194

The current Empress is surnamed Guo.

Back when Emperor Xingping, Han Zongping, rose to fame as the Commander of the Jizhou Guard, his military exploits and personal life also became public knowledge.

Han Zongping was originally the son of the Jizhou Guard Commander. By the age of twelve, he became famous for his martial arts in Jizhou, and at fourteen, he began following his father onto the battlefield. Both father and son served under General Guo, the then Commander of the Jizhou Guard.

When Han Zongping was eighteen, his father died in battle. With General Guo’s recommendation, Han Zongping inherited his father’s position as Commander of the Jizhou Guard.

General Guo highly appreciated Han Zongping, and as soon as Han Zongping finished his mourning period, General Guo married his only daughter to Han Zongping. It can be said that Han Zongping’s ability to take command of the Jizhou army at the age of twenty-five was fifty percent due to his own talent, one part due to the trust of the previous Emperor, and the remaining forty percent was due to General Guo’s full support and mentorship.

As a daughter of a military family, Empress Guo once assisted Han Zongping in leading troops when they were in danger at the border. Despite her pregnancy, she worked tirelessly, and they won the battle, but she lost her second child in the process. Their eldest son also died of an epidemic.

It took her time to recover her health, and with Han Zongping frequently away on campaigns, it was not until Han Zongping was thirty-one and Empress Guo was twenty-nine that she finally gave birth to another son, the current Crown Prince Han Bao.

The couple’s love ran deep. As the Jizhou General, Han Zongping never took concubines, and after ascending the throne in Luoyang, Emperor Xingping never accepted the flattery of the old court families by selecting noble girls to fill his harem.

Tong Sui admired both Emperor Xingping and Empress Guo. Since receiving the imperial decree to enter the palace, Tong Sui had been curious about Empress Guo’s regal demeanor. As both a noble lady and a military woman, Empress Guo likely possessed the heroic spirit of Tong Sui’s aunt, Lady Xiao, but even more so, combined with the dignified and proper behavior of Lin Ningfang.

No matter how curious she was, Tong Sui adhered to the rules. Following the two families of ladies in front of her, she knelt and bowed: "Your humble servant greets the Empress, may the Empress be forever blessed and in good health."

A gentle voice came from the front: "You may rise."

As Tong Sui was about to stand up, she noticed that Madam He had placed her left hand on her skirt hem. Tong Sui quickly supported Madam He’s arm before she stumbled.

Madam He was shaking.

Tong Sui exchanged a helpless glance with Lin Ningfang, who was supporting Madam He’s other arm.

Fortunately, Empress Guo offered seating. Each family’s principal wife was given a chair, and additional stools were placed behind for the daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law.

As an elder, Madam He sat at the back, leaving the large chair for Tong Sui.

Since the other families were quietly seating themselves, Tong Sui didn’t decline further and turned to sit down.

It was then that Tong Sui had the opportunity to look towards the main seat on the northern side.

Unlike them, the imperial titled ladies dressed in ceremonial robes, Empress Guo was wearing a relatively simple but elegant silk outfit. Her hair, threaded with silver, was styled into a simple and comfortable bun, adorned with only a gold hairpin and a pair of earrings.

Empress Guo’s appearance was not marked by heroism; her features were gentle, her skin fair but thin, and her wrinkles were more pronounced with age.

As Tong Sui was observing, she suddenly met Empress Guo’s gaze, who smiled back, causing Tong Sui to instinctively lower her eyes in nervousness.

Empress Guo smiled: "So you are Lady Anguo, why are you sitting so far away?"

Lady Lu Tai explained with a smile: "Outside the palace, we asked Lady Anguo to stand in front, but she insisted on yielding to us older ones."

Empress Guo: "You are indeed very young. Although the Emperor had told me long ago that Lady Anguo is only twenty, seeing this fresh flower-like appearance still amazes me."

Tong Sui stood up humbly: "I am deeply honored by the Emperor's grace in granting me the title of Lady Anguo. However, in front of the Empress, I do not dare to claim the title of Lady. I request that the Empress and all elders call me by my name."

Empress Guo: "Very well, to avoid making you seem older."

Everyone laughed.

Empress Guo: "Aman, come to my side and let me take a good look."

She had met the families of Feng Ji, Lu Gong, Fan Zhao, and Luo Xiao, so it was proper etiquette to speak first with Tong Sui, whose status was the most esteemed.

A palace maid placed an embroidered stool next to Empress Guo, and only after another bow did Tong Sui sit down.

Empress Guo examined the girl's features closely and then took Tong Sui's hand to inspect her palm, gently rubbing the callus formed from holding a bow. Feeling nostalgic, she said, "When I was young, I loved playing with swords and spears. I had calluses like this too. Later, as I grew older and couldn't exert myself anymore, and with people to serve me, I stopped getting them."

Madam Lu remarked, "Your Majesty is only fifty, how can you say you're old? I'm almost seventy and haven't admitted to being old yet."

Madam Feng chimed in, "Yes, the Duke of Wei is seventy-two this year and he's still earning great merits for the Emperor on the battlefield. Saying you're old is just an excuse; perhaps you've just become lazy?"

Madam He listened, astonished. Could one really joke with the Empress?

Empress Guo's smile never faltered, and her fondness for Tong Sui was evident. "What a good child you are. Even if I had a daughter, I couldn't have raised her as well as you."

Tong Sui blushed and replied, "Your Majesty overpraises me. I am merely fortunate to have the chance to showcase the skills I've honed from hunting, thanks to the Emperor's grace. In truth, I haven't studied much and can barely read. All the etiquette was taught to me by my third sister-in-law."

Upon hearing this, Empress Guo looked at Lin Ningfang with a loving expression and said, "Ningfang, right? I've heard about what happened in your family. Come, sit next to me."

The palace maid immediately placed a stool next to Tong Sui.

Empress Guo examined Lin Ningfang as closely as she had examined Tong Sui and said compassionately, "My dear, you've endured such a great family tragedy. But fortune follows misfortune, and marrying into the Xiao Family is your blessing. Now, your fortunes have truly turned."

Lin Ningfang replied, "Your Majesty is right."

Empress Guo held one hand of each sister-in-law and said to the other ladies present, "This pair of sisters, one has the bravery of Mulan, and the other has the talent of Zhuo Wenjun. I say, the most blessed is the Duke of Wei. Others struggle to find such excellent granddaughters-in-law, yet he has gained two at once."

The other ladies agreed, with Madam Fan being the most envious. "The Duke of Wei already has granddaughters-in-law secured."

Empress Guo smiled and said, "Don't worry, there are many noble ladies in Luoyang. I'm sure you'll soon be celebrating the wedding of the Marquis Wuying."

Madam Fan replied, "I'll take Your Majesty's auspicious words."

Empress Guo was very kind and spoke to each lady. Even those like Madam He and Madam Qi, who stuttered when they spoke, were met with her warm smile.

Upon their first meeting, Empress Guo also granted gifts to everyone: gold ornaments, pearls, and silk.

After leaving the palace, the ladies, now familiar with each other, agreed to keep in touch frequently.

Upon returning to the Duke's residence, Madam He was eager to share her experiences in the palace with Xiao Yuchan and Liu Chu. However, Lin Ningfang lightly coughed, reminding Madam He to wait until they were inside to share her excitement.

In the evening, Xiao Zhen returned and, seeing Tong Sui dressed in casual clothes, insisted she change into her official attire after dinner.

Tong Sui refused, "The coronation ceremony is in just twelve days. What if I can't wear it properly because you ruin my clothes tonight?"

Xiao Zhen said, "I won't damage the top part; no need to wash it."

Tong Sui covered her ears.

Sitting on the bed, with Xiao Zhen standing on the floor, he leaned down to kiss her hand and said, "It's okay to change later. First, tell me about your visit to the palace today. How did it go?"

Mentioning this, Tong Sui pressed him to sit beside her and, unable to contain her excitement, said, "The Empress was so gentle, completely different from what I imagined."

Xiao Zhen asked, "How gentle exactly?"

Tong Sui thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps like how gentle Big Sister-in-law will be when she gets older, but the Empress has a grace and nobility that Big Sister-in-law doesn't."

Xiao Zhen said, "Facial features are innate. A gentle appearance doesn't necessarily mean a truly gentle temperament. Many people appear kind but are ruthless at heart."

Tong Sui asked, "Have you heard anything?"

Xiao Zhen smiled and said, "No, I'm just reminding you not to judge by appearances. How did the Empress treat you today?"

Tong Sui: "He was quite kind, inviting me and Third Younger Brother's wife to sit beside him and praising us."

Xiao Zhen: "What did he say?"

Tong Sui: "...Not as much as I said. If you really want to know, ask Second Aunt."

Xiao Zhen: "I'd rather help you change your clothes."

---

In the palace.

Emperor Xingping and Empress Guo were also discussing today’s audience with the ladies of the various dukes' families.

There wasn’t much to say about the elderly from Jizhou; Lady He and Lady Qi were unremarkable. Empress Guo still favored Tong Sui and Lin Ningfang: "One is a remarkable woman nurtured by Longxing Mountain, the other a talented lady cultivated by a scholarly family. Either one would be more than suitable as our daughter-in-law, but unfortunately, we don’t have that good fortune."

Emperor Xingping sighed: "I haven’t met the Lin family’s daughter, but it’s truly a pity for Tong Sui. If she were Xiao Mu’s granddaughter, I would have certainly brought her back to be our daughter-in-law."

Empress Guo: "That’s just talk. You’re unwilling to expand the harem, so the Crown Princess will definitely be chosen from the noble ladies of Luocheng, right?"

Emperor Xingping: "Both Wei Qi and Song Lan suggested this, saying it would reassure the old ministers of the noble families."

Empress Guo: "That’s true. There are so many officials in the empire. You’ve just ascended to the throne; you need to use both kindness and authority to quickly win them over."

Emperor Xingping: "Yes, leave this matter to you. While family background is important, the most crucial thing is the character of the Crown Princess, who must be able to assist the Crown Prince in becoming a wise ruler."

In Sishun Lane, the Pan household.

Lady Wang washed her feet and climbed into bed with her husband, Pan Yong, discussing their visit to the Xiao family to pay respects to the old master tomorrow: "Why don’t we women go, and you find an excuse to stay home? We’re going to distance ourselves from the Xiao family anyway."

The night they arrived in the city, she asked her husband if they should maintain close ties with the Xiao Family in the future, but her husband said it wasn't a good sign that the Xiao Family was too influential. It would be better to gradually distance ourselves rather than be seen as part of the Xiao Family faction.

Pan Yong: "No, that way the old man will see through it immediately."

Wang Shi snorted, "What difference does it make if he sees through it? The Xiao Family has so many descendants and relatives. They always prioritize their own family members for opportunities to earn merit. Only when they're short-handed do they think of you two. If you don't move to a different place, you'll still be a Wei County Commander when you're old. If he won't give you two a chance, he should let you go without hesitation."

Pan Yong: "Even so, it's still not wise to sever ties too quickly. Distancing too quickly might lead to accusations of ingratitude."

Wang Shi: "What favors have they shown our family? Did they allocate more land to us when we settled in Lingshui Village, or did they appoint you to a high-ranking position when Wei County was captured? From the start, they've only used you two as tools. It's because you two are competent that you're still alive today. If you weren't, you would have died on the battlefield like the common soldiers in Wei County, sacrificing your lives to build military achievements for the Xiao Family."

Pan Yong: "Enough said. We're all going tomorrow."