The regent is determined to get the daughter of a minor official.

Princess Jianning moved closer to the Empress Dowager.

"Mother, Mu Sheng may not like those noble ladies in the capital who form cliques. He likes women who are independent and unique.

This time, I met a woman at the flower-viewing banquet. She was Miss Li Yueran, the daughter of Prime Minister Li. Miss Li had just returned to the capital from her hometown.

She has a unique aura. Like Miss Xu, she is also ostracized by the noble ladies of the capital. I think she might catch Mu Sheng's eye."

The Empress Dowager frowned in thought.

"Prime Minister Li's daughter? I've never heard of her. However, in the end, marriage is a matter of equal status and character."

Princess Jianning said hurriedly, "Mother, Miss Li Yueran is well-educated, well-mannered, and talented. I sent someone to inquire about her, and she is quite famous in her hometown."

The Empress Dowager sighed softly.

"In that case, I will pay more attention to Miss Li, but whether this marriage can be successful in the end depends on Mu Sheng's own feelings."

A smile suddenly broke out on Princess Jianning's face.

"There is another person whose status and appearance are comparable to Mu Sheng's. She is the fourth daughter of the Duke of Wei's mansion and the empress dowager's younger sister.

At the tender age of sixteen, surrounded by beauties at the flower viewing banquet, I found her to be quite the mistress of a royal family."

"The Empress Dowager's younger sister? But the Duke of Wei's mansion already has a legitimate daughter who married into the royal family and is now the Empress Dowager in the palace.

If there is another regent princess, will the status of the Duke of Wei's mansion be even more prominent?"

The Empress Dowager fell into deep thought.

Princess Jianning continued to give advice.

"Mother, haven't there been rumors among the people that the Queen Mother and Mu Sheng have an unusual relationship? It's a good opportunity for Mu Sheng to marry the Queen Mother's younger sister, and those groundless rumors will naturally be refuted."

The Empress Dowager subconsciously turned the Dongzhu bracelet on her wrist and thought for a moment.

"Well, Xin'er, the two young ladies you just mentioned will be attending the Qianqiu birthday banquet. I'll be there to see them in person."

Princess Jianning felt that her goal had been achieved, so she relaxed her body, but suddenly she thought of something.

"Mother, has the palace sent an invitation to the Xu family girl to attend the Qianqiu birthday banquet?"

The Grand Empress Dowager stroked her gorgeous robe and spoke vaguely.

"When the palace was sending out invitations, Miss Xu's father hadn't yet been promoted, so he wasn't eligible to receive an invitation..."

Princess Jianning smiled and took the Empress Dowager's arm.

"That's good. I was worried that Miss Xu would also come to the Qianqiu birthday banquet and cause some jokes, disturbing the Queen Mother's good mood and bringing disgrace to the palace."

The Empress Dowager pulled out her arm imperceptibly and tapped Princess Jianning's forehead.

"You are always worried. It's getting late, so I won't keep you in the palace for dinner. Go back now!"

Princess Jianning bowed quickly.

"Then I will take my leave. Please take care of yourself, mother."

After saying this, Princess Jianning slowly left the palace.

The Empress Dowager looked at her departing back and shook her head gently.

Aunt Rong took a few steps forward and bowed.

"Master, let me help you return to the inner hall to rest for a while!"

The Grand Empress Dowager stood up as she was told, and her armored hand casually placed on the hand that Rong Mama was supporting.

The Empress Dowager spoke slowly as she walked.

"Jianning is a little too thoughtful. Everything is excessive. If she just said a few words casually, I would really think she was thinking about Sheng'er.

But all her rambling was just a rhetoric against Miss Xu. Even her recommendation of Miss Li and Miss Wei was just an attempt to suppress Miss Xu."

Aunt Rong murmured in agreement.

"Perhaps the princess is also concerned about the royal family and is just a little anxious."

The Empress Dowager snorted.

"For the sake of the royal family? I'm not senile yet. She clearly resents Miss Xu for causing trouble in her princess residence and bringing shame to her as a princess.

Although I don't like Miss Xu's arrogance, I also don't like people who gossip behind others' backs. They don't have the grace of a royal daughter at all."

Aunt Rong hesitated for a moment and replied.

"Master, I heard a piece of news. The reason Miss Xu beat her cousin was because she insisted that she was pushed down the stairs by her cousin when she bumped into the Regent. I swear to beat her every time I see her."

The Empress Dowager was slightly surprised.

"Is this the reason? I just asked Jianning, but she didn't mention this."

As they spoke, the two of them had already walked into the inner hall. The Empress Dowager sat down on the couch, and Aunt Rong gently massaged her legs.

The Empress Dowager said again.

"Jianning is a little restless. If Sheng'er heard what she said today, I'm afraid it would cause a rift between us."

Aunt Rong whispered comfortingly.

"The princess is young and has little experience, but she will surely make progress in the future."

The Grand Empress Dowager closed her eyes and said no more. Rong Mama's leg-pounding movements became gentler and gentler, and the hall became quiet for a while.

After a moment, the Empress Dowager opened her eyes again.

"Madame Rong, do you think it's true that Miss Xu was pushed down the stairs by her cousin?

After all, this matter involves Prince Sheng, and he hasn't asked anyone to investigate thoroughly. Can you give Miss Xu justice?"

Aunt Rong thought for a moment before replying.

"Master, I think this is probably true. If Miss Xu is slandering her cousin, why doesn't her cousin refute it?

If she doesn't report to the Dali Temple, how important is her daughter's reputation?

If he wasn't feeling guilty or hadn't been caught, how could he give up so easily?

As for His Royal Highness Prince Sheng, he may be busy with your Master's 1000th birthday banquet and hasn't had time to deal with this matter yet."

The Empress Dowager felt much better after hearing this.

"Sheng'er has been very busy recently, so it's rare for him to be so filial. But Miss Xu is also pitiful. She was pushed down the stairs for no reason.

If Sheng'er hadn't happened to be passing by, he might have lost his life, and was later sent to the Ministry of Justice by Sheng'er."

Madam Rong nodded in agreement. As an elder in the palace, Madam Rong was not only good at observing people's words and expressions, but also thoughtfully considered her master's interests.

The Empress Dowager was still confused by the situation and was thinking about helping the Regent find more women to change his mind.

Rong Mama, as a bystander, had already seen the truth. If the Regent was greedy for beauty, why would he have fallen in love only now?

The best thing to do is to speak highly of Miss Xu in front of the master so that the master and Prince Sheng can still maintain the bond of mother and son.

Just as I was thinking about it, I heard the Empress Dowager sigh and say.

"I am increasingly confused by what Sheng'er is doing now."

Rong Mama was busy giving advice based on her seniority.

"Master, you know that His Royal Highness Prince Sheng has always been a man of his own ideas.

Besides, His Highness is wise and decisive, so you don't have to worry about anything. If you don't make too much trouble, you might even be able to hold your grandson sooner."

As soon as these words were spoken, the Empress Dowager immediately smiled happily.

"Madam, you are right. They say good things take time, but I won't let them take time."

At this time, a palace maid came in and reported that the Queen Mother wanted to see her.

The Empress Dowager sat up straight.

"Invite her in."

After the Queen Mother came in, she respectfully paid her respects to the Grand Empress Dowager.

The Grand Empress Dowager offered her a seat and asked, "Are you feeling better, Your Majesty? What brings you here today?"

The Queen Mother replied with a smile.

"Thank you for your concern, mother. I am feeling much better now. I came here today to pay my respects to you and to learn about the regent's marriage."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand.

"This matter has not yet been finalized. The Regent has his own arrangements."

The Queen Mother nodded.

"I understand, but this marriage is a matter of great importance. It affects the lifelong happiness of the Regent and the political order of the previous dynasty, so we must make a careful decision."