Even the Empress felt hurt, not to mention other people. Empress Dowager Lu was especially flustered. She was born outside and had a shallow foundation. She wasn't a legitimate person in the harem, so she didn't have much money. Not to mention the Empress and Gui Fei, Empress Dowager Lu couldn't even compare to the new young concubines with family support.
And among them, Mu Mingtang had cheated a lot. The Emperor and Empress gave large amounts of rewards. Even if Empress Dowager Lu didn't care about her face, she still had to accept one out of five gifts from the Empress.
Empress Dowager Lu was already hurting, but she still had to watch Mu Mingtang spend money extravagantly every day. Today, she even wore a dress that was worth more than gold to the banquet. When Empress Dowager Lu thought about how Mu Mingtang spent her money, enjoyed her life, and still wanted to show off in front of her, she was so angry that her liver hurt.
After listening to Mu Mingtang's so-called explanation, Empress Dowager Lu was even angrier. She couldn't even maintain her expression as she scolded, "They all say that you're diligent and thrifty. You're so extravagant, how can you prosper a family? When men spend money outside, it's fine if you don't persuade them, but you're still so proud of it? I heard that you don't even use spices and only use fruit incense. Aijia is the Empress Dowager, but I've never been as extravagant as you. You're just a Wangfei, but you dare to overstep your elders? "
Empress Dowager Lu simply didn't understand human language. Mu Mingtang had clearly just said that they earned more every day. As long as they could earn it back, why did she care how much they spent? But Empress Dowager Lu still followed her own train of thought. When she came up, she scolded them for being diligent and thrifty.
Chickens and ducks spoke the same language, so she couldn't understand human language. However, Empress Dowager Lu had the title of Empress Dowager. If she insisted on using her seniority, Mu Mingtang could only listen. Mu Mingtang slightly lowered his head, treating it as a gust of wind blowing past his ears. No matter what the Empress Dowager said, she wouldn't listen.
Later on, Mu Mingtang suddenly realized. No wonder Empress Dowager Lu suddenly said that she was extravagant. So it was because of the incense?
With Empress Dowager Lu's brain, Mu Mingtang didn't think that it was Empress Dowager Lu who thought of this. It was most likely someone who had whispered into Empress Dowager Lu's ears, inciting Empress Dowager Lu, so she came to pressure Mu Mingtang.
Ever since Mu Mingtang came up with the idea of using fruit incense, the person behind the scenes could no longer continue to poison them. They couldn't say it directly, so they used a roundabout way to save the country. They planned to use Empress Dowager Lu to pressure Mu Mingtang to cancel the fruit fragrance?
Mu Mingtang didn't plan on arguing with Empress Dowager Lu from the start. Now that she understood the intentions of the person behind the scenes, she became even more quiet. Whatever Empress Dowager Lu said, she didn't refute or listen. There was always a back and forth in a conversation. Sure enough, after being treated coldly by Mu Mingtang for a while, Empress Dowager Lu got tired of talking and naturally stopped.
When the Empress Dowager and An Wang Fei, this special pair of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, spoke, no one else dared to make a sound. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager soon got tired of talking, and the others chimed in and slowly talked about other topics.
When everyone was talking, they quietly paid attention to An Wang Fei. Unfortunately, An Wang Fei, who was the center of the conversation, was relaxed from beginning to end. She didn't show any shame or anger at all, as if she had heard nothing. When everyone saw this, they were not without regret.
Jiang Mingwei didn't see the scene she expected and was also very disappointed. But in the end, it was a good thing. At least, Mu Mingtang lost face in public. Being criticized by the Empress Dowager for being extravagant, it was estimated that this would be the topic of conversation in the social circle for a long time.
Jiang Mingwei was satisfied. They didn't sit for long before a red-clothed eunuch came to pass a message that the dragon boat was ready, and the Emperor and the ministers had already gone to the grandstand.
The womenfolk understood and all stood up and walked out. Because the dragon boat race was open to the people of the city, the grandstand was at the other end, facing the water and the people on the other side of the lake. Because the venue was limited, there were no men's and women's seats.
Mu Mingtang followed the crowd to the grandstand. A group of womenfolk gathered around each other. You wait for me, I wait for you. The group of people moved very slowly. They had just turned the corner when someone on the grandstand looked over. Hsieh Hyun-chen looked at their walking speed and felt uncomfortable, so she simply strode over.
Hsieh Hyun-chen approached the crowd, and the womenfolk smiled when they saw her: "An Wang is here. An Wang is really close to the Princess. It's just a short distance, are you afraid that we will kidnap An Wang Fei? "
A woman didn't think much and blurted out: "An Wang really dotes on the Princess. The Princess is extravagant and her dress is expensive. Isn't it because of An Wang?"
When she said this, no one paid attention to it. Even the woman who spoke didn't feel anything. But Hsieh Hyun-chen walked closer and happened to hear it.
Hsieh Hyun-chen narrowed her eyes slightly. Extravagance was not a good word in any public situation. If someone hadn't mentioned it just now, these officials' wives wouldn't have mentioned it for no reason.
And looking at the expression of the person who spoke, it seemed like she didn't think and just blurted it out.
Hsieh Hyun-chen's expression changed. His eyes became cold and sharp. He slowly scanned the people in front and suddenly asked: "Who said she was extravagant?"
When Hsieh Hyun-chen's expression changed, many people felt that something was wrong.
This was a feeling that was hard to describe. There was no expression, but everyone could feel that Hsieh Hyun-chen's mood had changed.
It was an invisible aura, and a person's instinct for danger.
Hsieh Hyun-chen's cold gaze swept across the Empress and the others. He didn't say anything, but the people behind him didn't dare to make a sound. When he accurately asked the four words "extravagance", it was even more silent.
The womenfolk looked at each other. No one dared to answer. They didn't know why they didn't say anything. Hsieh Hyun-chen didn't even come close. How did he know what they were talking about in the room? But since Hsieh Hyun-chen asked, it couldn't be fooled.
These words were said by the Empress Dowager. They couldn't expose the Empress Dowager, but they also didn't dare to lie in front of Hsieh Hyun-chen. They could only lower their heads and keep quiet.
The Empress Dowager was a little embarrassed. In front of so many people, the Empress Dowager couldn't deny it. But with Hsieh Hyun-chen's questioning tone, if the Empress Dowager answered, wouldn't she seem weak?
The Empress Dowager was in a dilemma. In the end, she put on the airs of an elder and said: "It's me. I heard that Princess Consort An spent a lot of money. Even the incense only used fresh fruits. It's too wasteful. It's hard to come by. Prince An's Imperial Residence doesn't lack money, but you can't squander it like this. "
When Hsieh Hyun-chen heard this, he was so angry that he laughed. He looked at Empress Dowager Lu, then swept his gaze over the crowd behind and asked: "When I'm not here, you talk to her like this?"
The Empress saw that the situation wasn't right and tried to smooth things over: "Prince An, the Empress Dowager is just being kind. She just reminded you a few words. Even Princess Consort An doesn't care."
The Empress looked at Mu Mingtang as she spoke. The meaning in her eyes was very clear. Mu Mingtang snorted in her heart. She really knew how to pick the weak. Just now, when a bunch of people were gossiping about her, they were very enthusiastic. Now, in front of Hsieh Hyun-chen, it was just a kind reminder?
She even said that she didn't care?
Mu Mingtang looked down on the Empress Dowager's behavior, but she didn't want Hsieh Hyun-chen to be angry in this kind of situation. Now that they were on the viewing platform, the dragon boat team was waiting downstairs, and there were thousands of people on the other side of the lake. If Hsieh Hyun-chen did something, others didn't know the details and would only think that Hsieh Hyun-chen was domineering, rude, and disrespectful.
Mu Mingtang gently tugged at Hsieh Hyun-chen's sleeve. Hsieh Hyun-chen held her hand, but his eyes were still looking straight at the Empress Dowager: "Since you are being kind, why didn't you say it in front of me? I was the one who wanted to use the incense. If you want to talk about waste, it's me who wasted it. Why didn't you say these words to me, but only picked on her? "
The Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager were shamelessly reprimanded by Hsieh Hyun-chen. The Empress forced a smile and said: "Prince An, the Empress Dowager didn't say anything to us. Look, Princess Consort An doesn't care. I'm afraid you've misunderstood. Let's go to the viewing platform, the people are already waiting. "
"She doesn't care because she's magnanimous and gives you face. But I'm a narrow-minded person. If you have anything to say in front of me, as long as it's reasonable, I'll tolerate it if you scold me. But you scolded her behind my back, do you think she's easy to bully? Then I might as well tell you, it's fine if you scold me, but scolding her, no matter what. "
The commotion here wasn't small, and more and more people were looking over. Even the Northern Tribes Envoy stood up and looked in their direction. The Empress was a little anxious and said: "Prince An, there are still envoys and people outside. Don't let outsiders see you as a joke."
"You know there are outsiders, yet you still dare?" Hsieh Hyun-chen also raised his voice, his eyes were like unsheathed swords, cold and sharp, "When you were scolding her just now, why didn't you think that this is a big occasion and can't be seen as a joke by outsiders? Now that I'm here to investigate, you think of outsiders? "
In the end, even the Empress couldn't answer. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. For a moment, all the women's faces were embarrassed, especially when the people in front of them kept looking over and pointing at them. No one knew what they were talking about.
Empress Dowager Lu hated being pointed at the most in her life. She was promoted from an outside wife, so she always suspected that others were laughing at her behind her back. Now that she was scolded by Hsieh Hyun-chen in front of everyone, Empress Dowager Lu flew into a rage out of humiliation. She couldn't help but say: "Prince An, I'm your elder. Even if you don't care about the law, there should be a limit."
Empress Dowager Lu was very self-aware and didn't dare to call herself mother. She didn't expect that she would still provoke Hsieh Hyun-chen. Hsieh Hyun-chen sneered and slowly looked at Empress Dowager Lu: "Elder? What kind of elder are you to me? They acknowledge you, but I've never acknowledged you. For Xie Yi's sake, I don't care about anything you do. I think I've given you enough face. In the end, you don't want face. You dare to act like a mother-in-law in front of my wife? "
Empress Dowager Lu's face suddenly changed. Ever since she became the Empress Dowager, no matter what her background was or what her past history was, it was as if she was plated with gold. When others saw her, they respectfully called her Empress Dowager. No one dared to talk about her past. Empress Dowager Lu had been praised for a long time. She really thought that she was a noble person who could decide life and death and decide honor and disgrace with one sentence.
She didn't expect that one day, she would be ridiculed by a young man in front of all the women in the imperial family.
At this time, the Emperor had sent a eunuch over. Others also came over to mediate: "Prince An, Empress Dowager, calm down. If you have anything to say, say it later. We're all family. Don't hurt each other. "
Mu Mingtang also pulled Hsieh Hyun-chen's sleeve: "Okay, I'm really fine. Let's go. "
Hsieh Hyun-chen reluctantly held back his anger for Mu Mingtang's sake. He finally looked at Empress Dowager Lu and the Empress and coldly said: "For me, she's family. You're all outsiders. I don't have any orders to not kill women and children. If I find out that you bully her behind my back, I don't care what your status is. I'll pay with your life. "
After Hsieh Hyun-chen finished speaking, he pulled Mu Mingtang and strode away. Mu Mingtang was pulled and staggered. She hurriedly glanced at the Empress and Empress Dowager and hurriedly bowed. Then she followed Hsieh Hyun-chen and left.
Only Empress Dowager Lu was left. Her face alternated between red and white. She was extremely embarrassed.
Empress Dowager Lu's face turned from red to white. In the end, she used the excuse that she had a headache and went back to rest. Whether it was the dragon boat or the water play, she didn't want to watch it.
What was the point of watching the play? She was the one who was in the play.
The Empress pretended not to know why Empress Dowager Lu was sick. She considerately didn't ask and had someone send the Empress Dowager back. After Empress Dowager Lu left in a sorry state, the Empress seemed to have lost her memory. She didn't remember what had just happened and led everyone to the stands.
It didn't matter if Empress Dowager Lu wasn't here, but the Empress, the mother of the country, definitely couldn't be absent.
In fact, the Empress felt that it was good that Empress Dowager Lu left. Otherwise, she would feel embarrassed. Although Hsieh Hyun-chen had also choked her, he had only done it as a peacemaker. He was truly shameless towards Empress Dowager Lu. He didn't leave her any face at all.
This was in front of so many people. In the future, how could Empress Dowager Lu face the other concubines and women with titles?
The Empress sighed. There was a strange sense of balance in her heart. Last time, at the Yelv Yan's welcoming banquet, Hsieh Hyun-chen didn't give her any face at all in front of all the foreign and domestic envoys. The Empress was at least the first wife and Hsieh Hyun-chen's official second aunt. Lu was at most a mistress who was supported on the stage as a puppet. Why should Hsieh Hyun-chen be an exception?
So it was still fair. Hsieh Hyun-chen didn't give the Empress any face. He didn't give the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the foreign envoys, and everyone else any face. This made the Empress feel more balanced. Everyone had lost face, but asking to wait for a while didn't lose face.
The group of womenfolk stood on the tall building and watched the dragon boat. They were also watched by the people on the other side of the lake. On the surface, they looked generous, but in fact, no one cared about what was below.
They silently distanced themselves from Hsieh Hyun-chen and Mu Mingtang. Hsieh Hyun-chen was too scary. Even the Empress Dowager didn't have the face to show up because of what he said. How could they dare to offend Mu Mingtang?
It was shameful to argue with others, but to argue with Mu Mingtang was to lose their lives.
No one dared to treat Hsieh Hyun-chen's words as a joke. If Hsieh Hyun-chen said he would kill, then he really would kill. With his strength, crushing a person's skull was no more difficult than crushing a walnut.
It was too scary. Many people's hearts were thumping. They originally thought that Hsieh Hyun-chen especially doted on Mu Mingtang. He gave her whatever she wanted and would do anything she didn't want. Only after this incident did they finally realize that Mu Mingtang wasn't just a woman who was doted on.
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