148 Follow the Chicken

Hearing the eunuch's voice, Empress Wei's expression soured, unable to hide her true feelings. Trying to cover her previous expression, Empress Wei coughed and covered her fac with her handkerchief. After fixing her feelings Empress Wei placed down her handkerchief and smiled.

The Empress was not the only one who was trying to hide her true feelings. Xu Ji Mo, who was standing could only force himself to look amiable. Although he wanted to flick his sleeves and leave, not caring that Xu Fei Yi arrived, he could only hold himself back and sat on the throne once again.

"Yi'er greets Imperial Brother and Imperial Sao."

When they arrived at the front, Xu Fei Yi immediately greeted Xu Ji Mo. Although it was different than the normal decorum, Xu Fei Yi still showed his respect. Since he was a Prince of the Rank with the title Xu[1], only a level lower than the Emperor, the Emperor exempted Xu Fei Yi from kneeling in front of him.

"ChenQie[1] greets His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Empress."

XuanRong immediately followed. Similar with Xu Fei Yi, XuanRong did not bend her knees and only bobbed her head to show curtsey. XuanRong would rather die once again than kneel in front of these people who made her suffer in her previous life.

Looking at XuanRong who was standing straight, giving an aura of a person who was living in the palace, full of arrogance and dignity, Empress Wei could not help but snort. She could not help but ask XuanRong.

"Please do not think that Bengong[2] is bullying the new WangFei. It's just that… Bengong could not help but notice WangFei's mistake. Although WangFei was raised outside the capital and grew up in a remote place in the suburbs, WangFei should mind all of her actions. If the Prime Minister's resident was not able to teach you a single thing about proper decorum and such, do not worry, Now that you are already part of the Imperial Family as Xu QingWangFei, Bengong will teach you slowly. As an elder, Bengong will make sure that WangFei would not remain ignorant in order to avoid humiliating yourself and the face of the Imperial Family." Empress' Wei's words were full of benevolence and magnanimity.

Hearing Empress Wei's words, XuanRong's eyes narrowed.

'Are you trying to say that my upbringing was shallow? Heh… You want to throw your weights on me? In Your dreams. Empress Wei, ah…. You are still the same…Always trying to intimidate everyone.'

Still, although XuanRong's heart was currently cursing Empress Wei, she still showed a confused face.

"This WangFei does not understand Her Highness' words. Will Her Highness help enlighten this WangFei?"

Hearing XuanRong's confused question, Empress Wei smiled amiably.

"WangFei, when you are at the presence of His Majesty, WangFei should kneel and show respect."

XuanRong showed a startled expression after hearing Empress Wei's explanation.

"May this WangFei ask Her Highness something?"

"What is it?"

"Does Her Highness know the saying, 'If you marry a chicken follow the chicken, if you marry a dog follow the dog.'?"

"Of course. It means that a woman should follow whatever her husband orders. Every woman should make her husband the center of her being. Even I, the Empress, had to think of His Majesty first before anything else."

XuanRong smiled.

"Then, this WangFei would like to ask her Highness if following my husband's way of greeting the Emperor is wrong?"

"!!!"

Empress Wei could not retort back. If she would say that XuanRong was wrong and insist to make her kneel in front of them, she would be slapping her own face. She had already said that a woman must follow her husband. Since Xu Fei Yi did not kneel, as her wife, XuanRong should follow her husband. She would be contradicting herself! But if she would let XuanRong have her way, for sure, she would act atrocious in front of them!

She would never allow it!

Empress Wei opened her mouth to speak but Xu Ji Mo already spoke before her.

"Nevermind. Zhen does not care. You may give your greetings in the future with the similar manner."

Xu Ji Mo waved his hand. The Empress had already lost her chance to push XuanRong down. Instead of slapping her own face and shaming the Imperial Family, the Empress should concede and accept defeat.

Although he hated the fact that the couple wouldn't show respect in front of him from now on, he had no choice but to save the Empress' face.

"Let the servants bring the tea!"

Xu Ji Mo ordered to start the tea offering ceremony.

"This servant understands."

One of Xu Ji Mo's personal eunuch left to supervise the servants.

When Xu Fei Yi and XuanRong sat, Xu Ji Mo spoke.

"Yi'er, how's your wedding? Imperial brother was not able to attend due to my schedule. There are so many petitions I have to read. I could only send Ji An."

"Mmm!! Do not worry, Imperial Brother, Yi'er understands!"

"Is that so? Good! Good!!"

Xu Ji Mo turned his attention to XuanRong.

"WangFei looks stunning. It has been a while since Zhen last saw WangFei."

XuanRong smiled but her eyes were as cunning as a fox.

"Indeed. The last time ChenQie saw His Majesty was during His Majesty's birthday banquet. It was ChenQie's first time attending such a grand banquet. Who would have thought that something bad would happen? Ai. Not only Imperial Concubine Jin miscarried but there was also a large-scale assassination attempt. Ah… If His Majesty won't mind, ChenQie would like to ask about Imperial Concubine Jin's situation. ChenQie could not help but feel pity ai. Imperial Concubine Jin is such a lovely person. Who would have thought that she would not be able to see her own child? A pity… truly a pity."

Hearing XuanRong mention the events that happened during the birthday banquet, Xu Ji Mo and Empress Wei's countenance darkened.

[PLEASE ADOPT ME \(T^T)/ and DONATE @ paypal.me/sayurihyuuga and ko-fi.com/sayurihyuuga]

--------

[1]. Used by the empress and consorts in addressing themselves in front of the emperor.

[2]. Used by the empress or a high-ranking consort when speaking to a person or an audience of lower rank or status.

[Unedited Chapter]