Chapter 430 - 425
Upon sitting down, Chen Afu noticed that, despite her thick makeup and court dress laden with gemstones and jade, Rong Zhao looked significantly more haggard and aged. The change extended beyond her physical appearance, even her spirit seemed to have wilted significantly. She was far from the domineering presence she once was.
She heard from Mrs. Chu that the scar on Marquis Chu’s forehead was a result of being hit by Rong Zhao for visiting a mistress. That was only what was done this time. If Marquis Chu had dared to visit a mistress in the past, who knew the chaos that Rong Zhao and Lady Ma would have ensued.
Chen Afu surmised that ’visiting a mistress’ was certainly a ruse by Marquis Chu to get more time for his own affairs. He even tolerated such humiliation, which was so out of character for Rong Zhao. They really had Jin Yanzi to thank, a few bird droppings and the recent snow disaster had disgraced Rong Zhao to the point that everyone, from the emperor down to the citizens, considered her a bad omen. This had effectively subdued the once haughty and domineering Rong Zhao.
Thinking of Liao Chen in Yingxue Nunnery, Chen Afu could not help but feel cheerful.
"Your Highness, father-in-law," Chen Afu started, "just as I was preparing to bring the children to you, my sister-in-law unexpectedly arrived. She said that the Empress Dowager heard how adorable the children were and wished to meet them. Coincidentally, my sister-in-law was about to enter the Palace today to meet the Empress Dowager so she said she would take the children to the Palace for the Empress Dowager to see. She then had servants take the children away." She ended her announcement with a sense of helplessness.
This was the plan she and Mrs. Chu agreed upon. The children would certainly not visit here and wouldn’t enter the palace either as there were ill-natured people like Lady Ma in the palace. In case someone asked why they didn’t enter the Palace, they would say that Mrs. Chu had set out with the children but suddenly fell ill and did not proceed.
Rong Zhao was so angry that her liver hurt, but she dared not say that they could not take the children to meet the Empress Dowager. In a cold voice she said, "Not today. We will wait until tomorrow to bring the children here. I have heard that the two children are exceptionally delightful and I am eager to see them."
Marquis Chu waved his hand saying, "My daughter-in-law will return to Dingzhou soon and many families remain that she has yet to visit. We should not trouble her further. Time will tell, the next time they return to the Capital City, it will not be too late to meet."