The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

Just as everyone was immersed in laughter and joy, a palace maid hurriedly ran over and knelt down in front of the Empress Dowager with a thud.

The palace maid bowed her head and said respectfully, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Consort Hui is waiting outside the palace gate with a group of palace maids."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager, who had been smiling and chatting happily with everyone, couldn't help but frown slightly. Gongsun Ruotang, sitting to the side, calmly turned her gaze to the kneeling palace maid.

After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager gently picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and then said unhurriedly, "Since they're here, let them all come in." The palace maid, having received the Empress Dowager's order, quickly responded and stood up, then walked briskly toward the palace gate to invite Consort Hui and the others into the hall.

Not long after, Consort Hui, accompanied by a personal maid, gracefully entered the hall. When she saw Gongsun Ruotang and Tang Yuhou, she couldn't help but snort coldly, and then said in a sarcastic tone, "Oh ho, why is the palace so lively today, Your Majesty? Is there some special happy occasion?" After speaking, she glanced at Gongsun Ruotang with a slightly provocative look.

Despite feeling somewhat displeased by Consort Hui's arrogant and rude attitude, Gongsun Ruotang maintained her proper manners and bowed gracefully to Consort Hui, softly greeting her, "Linglong greets Consort Hui." Tang Yulu, standing beside Gongsun Ruotang, also quickly followed suit and bowed to Consort Hui.

However, Consort Hui seemed unconcerned about the two women's greetings, merely waving her hand dismissively to indicate that they should dispense with the formalities. She then quickly turned to the Empress Dowager, her face beaming with a smile, and began to pout coquettishly, "Your Majesty, look at you! You only ever favor Princess Linglong, completely ignoring me. You must spend more time and effort on me!" As she spoke, she even pouted, feigning grievance. Seeing this, the Empress Dowager smiled gently and softly comforted Consort Hui.

However, Consort Hui clearly had no intention of letting the matter rest. Her sharp gaze, like that of a venomous snake, was once again fixed on Tang Yuluo. A slight, contemptuous sneer appeared on her lips as she said, "Hmph! What is the status of this common woman? She only offered ordinary greetings to me? Does she not know that I am a dignified Consort Hui? She is truly ignorant of her own limitations!"

Faced with Consort Hui's aggressive questioning, Tang Yulu's heart tightened, but she remained calm and composed. Just as she was about to explain the situation, Princess Linglong, Gongsun Ruotang, couldn't contain herself and stepped forward, saying first, "Consort Hui, you are mistaken! This is my master, and a distinguished guest whom I personally invited. What are Consort Hui's intentions in treating my master this way?"

Gongsun Ruotang's words resounded like thunder in the hall, shocking everyone with her fearless pronouncements. At that moment, Consort Hui's face instantly darkened, as if a storm was about to break. Her eyebrows furrowed, her eyes widened, and she glared at Gongsun Ruotang, seemingly ready to explode at any moment.

Just as tensions were rising, the Empress Dowager, who had been seated regally on her throne, finally spoke. Her expression was solemn, her voice deep and powerful, conveying an air of authority without anger: "Enough! Consort Hui, do not forget the proper decorum and etiquette expected of a consort. This is not a place for you to run wild!"

The Empress Dowager's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Consort Hui's head, forcing her to swallow the anger that was already on the tip of her tongue. Although she was filled with resentment, she dared not openly disobey the Empress Dowager's decree, and could only glare fiercely at Tang Yuluo to vent her inner resentment.

In an instant, the atmosphere inside the palace suddenly cooled down, as if it had frozen into a solid block of ice. Everyone present could clearly feel the suffocating tension and awkwardness that permeated the air.

Gongsun Ruotang was also extremely angry. She had long heard about Consort Hui's arrogance and domineering behavior. But she never expected that Consort Hui would be so unrestrained and reckless in front of the Empress Dowager today. It was simply lawless, which made her unable to tolerate it any longer.

At this moment, Gongsun Ruotang secretly plotted in her heart. No matter what, she absolutely could not stand by and watch Consort Hui bully her beloved master so wantonly. She had to find a way to teach this arrogant woman a lesson and avenge her master!

The Empress Dowager gracefully placed the exquisite teacup she held gently on the table beside her, then slowly raised her head. Her calm and profound gaze, as clear as autumn water, began to sweep over the faces of everyone in the hall. Her tone sounded very peaceful, as if she were merely having a casual conversation, but the undeniable authority contained within it was impossible to ignore.

The Empress Dowager spoke slowly, "Today, Ruo'er brought her master to pay her respects to me, which should have been a joyous occasion. However..." She paused slightly, raising her beautiful eyes to gaze directly at Consort Hui.

At this moment, Consort Hui felt a sudden tightness in her chest, knowing that what the Empress Dowager was about to say would definitely be related to her.

As expected, the Empress Dowager continued, "Consort Hui, you have always served me diligently. I have seen and appreciated your efforts and hard work over the years. However, your actions today were indeed somewhat inappropriate. You must not be so rash and impulsive in the future, and you should think more carefully about everything you do."

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Consort Hui bit her lower lip tightly, her face instantly turning somewhat pale.

Despite her resentment, she knew she absolutely could not disobey the Empress Dowager's wishes at this moment. So she could only suppress her displeasure, force a slightly forced smile, and then respectfully bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. I know I was wrong. I was indeed confused today and made a grave mistake. From now on, I will be careful in my words and deeds and will not dare to be negligent in the slightest."

Although she spoke with utmost sincerity, a hint of resentment flashed quickly in the depths of Consort Hui's lowered eyes.

While no one was paying attention, she secretly glanced at Gongsun Ruotang and Tang Yulu, the master and apprentice standing to the side, and began to plot how to find a suitable opportunity to avenge today's humiliation and vent her long-suppressed anger.

Seeing that Consort Hui had outwardly yielded, though still harboring resentment, the Empress Dowager was unwilling to dwell on the matter any longer. So she smiled slightly, turned to Gongsun Ruotang and Tang Yulu standing to one side, and asked gently, "Ruo'er, your master has come all the way from outside the palace to this palace. Has everything been properly arranged? If there is anything missing or anything that needs to be added, just tell your grandmother."

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Gongsun Ruotang quickly stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, how could I dare to be negligent? Master's visit has been met with the highest level of hospitality in the Liuli Palace. Every aspect of his life, from food and clothing to lodging, has been meticulously prepared. I will do my best to ensure that Master does not suffer any grievances."

At this moment, Tang Yuluo, who had been standing quietly to the side, also bowed slightly, parted her lips slightly, and said softly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. Her Highness the Princess treats my husband and me like family, showing us great care in every way, which makes us feel very warm. It is truly a blessing for my husband and me to receive such kindness from the Princess."

However, just as everyone was chatting happily, Consort Hui, who was standing to the side, took in the whole scene. Seeing the Empress Dowager showing such affection and care to Gongsun Ruotang and Tang Yuluo, while she herself was being neglected, the fire of jealousy in her heart burned fiercely and more and more intensely.

Finally, unable to contain her jealousy, Consort Hui interjected with a forced smile, saying in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, look at the relationship between these two, master and disciple! They are so close! Anyone who doesn't know the situation might mistake them for mother and daughter."

Upon hearing Consort Hui's barbed words, Gongsun Ruotang's pretty face darkened with anger, her beautiful eyes widened, and she was about to retort with a sarcastic rebuttal.

But just as she was about to speak, Tang Yuluo gently tugged at her sleeve. Tang Yuluo shook her head slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of restraint and persuasion.

Seeing this, Gongsun Ruotang had no choice but to suppress her anger, glare at Consort Hui resentfully, and swallow the words that were about to come out.

Tang Yulu's lips curved slightly, her smile as radiant and captivating as a spring flower in full bloom, yet carrying a hint of enigmatic mystery. She spoke softly, "Your Highness, you truly love to joke. Although the princess and I are not directly related by blood, she has grown up by my side since childhood. This child is not only intelligent and lovable, but also possesses a heart as pure and flawless as jade. Moreover, she is devoted to me with unwavering sincerity. The deep affection between us is far more precious than so-called blood ties."

The Empress Dowager, seated on her high throne, nodded slightly, indicating her agreement with Tang Yuluo's words. A hint of appreciation appeared in her eyes as she slowly said, "Madam Yuluo is absolutely right. No wonder Ruo'er holds you in such high esteem."

When Consort Hui heard the Empress Dowager praising Tang Yuluo in public, her face instantly turned ugly. The smile that was originally on her face became even more stiff and unnatural, as if it had been frozen by frost.

She clenched her fists tightly, her long nails digging deep into her palms without her realizing it, a surge of intense hatred rising within her like a tidal wave. Thinking of her son and the schemes he and Su Wu had plotted together, she gritted her teeth, forcibly suppressing the rage in her heart.

After all, she was in front of the Empress Dowager at this moment. No matter how much dissatisfaction and resentment she had, she absolutely dared not act recklessly. She could only force a smile and continue to silently endure.

Just as the atmosphere was becoming slightly tense, a loud announcement suddenly came from outside the palace: "The Emperor has arrived!" Before the announcement had even finished, everyone present was startled and quickly stood up. After tidying their clothes and appearance, they respectfully bowed towards the entrance.

The emperor strode into the hall with the air of a dragon and the stride of a tiger. When his gaze fell upon the scene before him, he paused slightly, a fleeting look of surprise crossing his face. But it vanished in an instant, and a faint smile appeared on his lips as he said in a loud voice, "It's quite lively here today, Mother! I wonder what everyone is talking about?"

The Empress Dowager, seated on her high throne, smiled slightly, her eyes full of affection, and said slowly, "Ruo'er brought her master to pay her respects to me today, and we are chatting here."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor turned his gaze to Gongsun Ruotang and Tang Yuluo, where the two stood respectfully to the side, their postures upright like pine trees. His gaze fell on Tang Yuluo, his eyes revealing a hint of gentleness, and he said softly, "So that's how it is, it's Ruo'er's master who has come."

Tang Yuluo and Gongsun Ruotang quickly bowed again and thanked His Majesty in unison, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Just then, Consort Hui, who had been standing to the side, moved swiftly forward, her eyes sparkling, and nestled gracefully beside the Emperor like a water snake. She spoke in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Your Majesty, you've finally arrived. I came today specifically to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager, but who would have thought I'd encounter such an interesting thing here?" As she spoke, her alluring eyes seemed to drift towards Tang Yuluo, subtly revealing a hint of provocation.

Upon seeing this, the Emperor frowned slightly and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He knew Consort Hui's temperament very well, and was well aware that this woman always liked to stir up trouble and spread rumors. However, in front of everyone, he couldn't show his anger, so he could only calmly ask, "Oh? What interesting thing is it? My dear consort, why don't you tell me so that I can hear it too?"

Just as Consort Hui was about to speak, the Emperor spoke first: "However, I am fortunate to have received a painting by a famous artist today. I thought that Mother Empress would surely love it, so I brought it here so that Mother Empress could appreciate it carefully." After speaking, he nodded slightly and gave a wink to the eunuch behind him.

The eunuch cautiously stepped forward, holding the painting in both hands, and slowly unfolded it. In an instant, an exquisite painting was revealed to everyone.

The landscape in the painting is poetic and picturesque, with delicate and meticulous brushstrokes and vibrant yet elegant colors, making the viewer feel as if they are actually there.

The Empress Dowager gazed intently at the painting, her eyes revealing undisguised delight. She reached out and gently touched the canvas, murmuring to herself, "This is undoubtedly an authentic work! Such exquisite skill is truly rare." Those around her echoed her praise, and for a moment, exclamations of admiration filled the air.

While everyone was captivated by the calligraphy and painting, and their attention was completely focused on it, Gongsun Ruotang, who was standing to the side, quietly approached Tang Yuluo and said in a low voice with indignation, "Master, Consort Hui has targeted me so much today, I really can't swallow this insult." Her words were full of grievance and anger.

Upon hearing this, Tang Yuluo remained calm and composed. She gently raised her hand and patted Gongsun Ruotang's hand a few times, softly advising, "Do not act impulsively. Although you are currently favored by the Emperor, you must know that the palace is treacherous and unpredictable. You must be careful in everything you do. A slight mistake could lead to your death."

After everyone had finished admiring the exquisite calligraphy and painting, the emperor turned to the Empress Dowager with a smile and began chatting with her about some trivial matters of the court. For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was harmonious and pleasant.

However, at this moment, Consort Hui, who had been sitting silently to the side, suddenly couldn't contain herself and spoke again in a sweet and coquettish voice: "Your Majesty, I have recently heard an interesting rumor! It is said that Her Highness the Princess's teacher not only possesses extraordinary medical skills, but is also proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting! I am truly curious and wonder if I could have the honor of having Lady Yu Luo demonstrate her talents in public today, so that I may broaden my horizons!"

These words instantly created a tense atmosphere that had been quiet and peaceful.

Gongsun Ruotang, who was standing to the side, was suddenly shocked. She immediately realized that Consort Hui's words were clearly meant to make things difficult for her.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward and retorted loudly, "Consort Hui, please watch your words and actions! Lady Yulu is my teacher, not someone you can order around as you please. Moreover, given your status, isn't such an impolite request unbecoming?" After saying this, Gongsun Ruotang glared fiercely at Consort Hui, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction and anger.