The story of a bullied daughter's rise to power

"Empress Dowager, please take a look at what Wanwan has offered before rewarding her. Otherwise, won't someone feel unfair?" Mu Wanwan smiled sweetly.

The Queen Mother laughed heartily upon hearing this. "Yes, yes, yes. I almost forgot. You, such a clever little thing, love to tinker with strange and bizarre things. Come, show me what it is."

Hearing the Queen Mother's question, Mu Wanwan smiled generously and opened the box. Inside the box was a red gemstone. "Your Majesty, this is something I bought from a Persian merchant a while ago. This stone is bright red and shines in the sun. It's absolutely beautiful. Your Majesty doesn't like jade jewelry, but if I were to make something out of this stone, it would definitely look great!"

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother nodded in agreement: "Indeed, no wonder Wanwan, you are so thoughtful. Now, can I reward you?"

"It's all thanks to the Queen Mother's gift." Mu Wanwan smiled brightly, and one could tell at a glance that she was a spoiled young lady. People's fates were so different.

Situ Yaorao looked at the woman who was practically the center of attention, then thought of her own ex. She couldn't help but smack her lips. Fortunately, concubines in the Situ Mansion didn't have a high status. Also, fortunately, her mother's family was highly respected. Otherwise, she would probably be a meaningless young lady now, right?

Or maybe... it is precisely because she is afraid of being forgotten that the owner of this body is willing to be used by her own sister, and wants people in the capital to be unable to ignore her.

Perhaps this is also a disguised form of resistance?

The Empress Dowager's partiality for the Prime Minister's youngest daughter naturally displeased the ministers' daughters. However, since the Empress Dowager was the boss, no one dared to say anything. So they could only offer gifts. While presenting gifts, the Empress Dowager no longer smiled at anyone. Just as the Empress Dowager was losing her patience, it was Situ Yaorao's turn.

Situ Yaorao secretly cursed her bad luck. But fortunately, her relatively reliable mother knew the Empress Dowager loved peonies, so she had her family transport a large purple peony from out of town. The blossoms were so gorgeous that even she, who was used to seeing them, couldn't help but feel moved. She was sure the Empress Dowager would like it, too.

Thinking this, Situ Yaorao stepped forward and said, "Empress Dowager, this is your gift to me, Situ Yaorao." As she spoke, she removed the red cloth from the flowerpot. Then, the Empress Dowager's expression darkened. Everyone present fell silent.

The whole scene was eerily quiet.

Situ Yaorao blinked, somewhat puzzled. Just as she was about to see if something had happened to Mudan, she heard General Situ shout angrily, "Rebellious girl! How dare you be so rebellious as to give the Empress Dowager a piece of withered grass? Why don't you kneel down and apologize!" Then, General Situ rushed over and knelt before the Emperor, Empress, and the Empress Dowager, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, and Empress Dowager, please understand. I will kill this rebellious girl to atone for the Empress Dowager's sin."

After saying that, General Situ actually took the sword of a sword-wielding guard.

When Situ Yaorao saw this, her eyes became terrifyingly cold.

She hadn't lived very long in her two lifetimes combined. However, she had seen a lot of things in the world. Those weird old men would ask her to practice martial arts every day, calling her a genius.

There were always martial artists challenging her to a duel, each one with such enthusiasm. She loved that feeling, that feeling of mutual understanding. And now, this man, the man she called her father, was also going to challenge her? Unfortunately, his eyes held only murderous intent and disgust.

Situ Yaorao didn't even know why this person hated her so much.

But, he probably wouldn't give her a chance to ask. Thinking of this, Situ Yaorao sneered. At that moment, Situ pulled out his saber and slashed at her.

"Come! Stop General Situ!" the emperor ordered immediately.

However, it was too late to shout now. Situ Yaorao clutched the blade expressionlessly, blood streaming down her hand. Looking at General Situ, Situ Yaorao's tone was cold and calm: "Father, my life or death is decided by the Emperor. Please don't be impulsive. If you really wanted to kill your daughter, why not bury her alive at birth?"

The woman's gaze was icy, like the moon in the sky, unattainable. However, at this moment, her eyes were filled with disappointment. Disappointment in General Situ, her father.

Tantai Wuyue, who was originally ready to take action, fell silent when he saw her like this. Perhaps she had a better idea of ​​her own?

If not...it's not too late for him to help.

"You rebellious girl, if I knew you dared to bring this dead grass today, I would have buried you alive!" General Situ said angrily.

Upon hearing this, Situ Yaorao smiled again: "What's wrong with dry grass?"

"You still dare to say that?" General Situ was furious.

"Let her continue. I want to know why she sent this withered grass." The Queen Mother's voice sounded, neither salty nor bland. General Situ withdrew his knife upon hearing this. He didn't care even though Situ Yaorao's hand continued to bleed. Situ Yaorao only felt that the last bit of hope left in her heart, left by this body, had also disappeared.

This man is not worthy of being her father. Thinking of this, Situ Yaorao knelt on the ground, took the pot of dry grass, and slowly said, "Empress Dowager, do you know the characteristics of this grass?"

"Characteristics?" The Queen Mother wondered.

"Yes, characteristics." Situ Yaorao nodded. The Queen Mother shook her head: "I don't know, please tell me slowly."

Upon hearing this, Situ Yaorao smiled. "Grass grows with the spring breeze and withers with the winter. But though it withers, it never dies. No matter how it's burned, no matter how people trample on it, it will still be green in the next spring. As the saying goes, the grass on the plain withers and grows again every year. Wildfires cannot burn it all, but it will grow again with the spring breeze. I think if human life could be like it, wouldn't it be eternal? Your Majesty the Queen Mother, you are stunningly beautiful, kind-hearted, and devoted to Buddhism. If you could live forever, it would be a blessing for Lanlin and the world. That's why I risked my life to offer this withered grass as a gift. I believe it won't be long before it sprouts green leaves again."

Situ Yaorao's voice was not loud, but because everyone was looking at her and listening to her carefully, almost everyone could hear it clearly.

It was at this time that everyone realized that this so-called fool lady was not really a fool. It was not easy to come up with such an excuse in such a short time.

Who among us hasn't experienced the ravages of conspiracy and intrigue? Suddenly, a gift of congratulations turned into dry grass—that's something you can easily tell. Someone must have framed you!

At that moment, some people gloated, some lamented, and some were indifferent. But in the end, everyone couldn't help but focus their eyes on the famous Miss Situ.

Situ Yaorao is very beautiful. If it weren't for what she did, based on her family background, it would not be an exaggeration to say that she is the most beautiful woman in the capital.

Now, the woman was quiet and looked particularly eye-catching.

There was a long silence. The Queen Mother clapped her hands, her face beaming with joy. "Excellent! This is a beautiful piece of grass on the plain. I like it. Someone, please place this grass in my bedroom."

"Yes." The palace servant received the order and hurriedly put away the dead grass.

"Girl, I like you the moment I see you. What do you think? Do you want to come to the palace and keep me company?" The Queen Mother looked at Situ Yaorao with a smile. Upon hearing this, Situ Yaorao said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I was born with a vulgar temperament. I'm afraid that if I serve you, you will be unhappy. So, please become the daughter of the whole nation and let me be a well-educated and well-mannered girl in your heart."

Situ Yaorao's words caused the Queen Mother to burst into laughter again. "Okay, okay, I won't force you. Go down and bandage your hand." After that, she looked at General Situ and said, "General, you're really something. After all these years, your temper is still so short-tempered. If anything happens to your daughter, not only will your in-laws not forgive you, but I will also hold you responsible."