Real Empress from a Noble Family

When Empress Jiang arrived at the Hall of Taishi, she saw Empress Dowager Gu sitting in her seat, looking green with anger. She scolded at Empress Jiang, “Look at your relatives! He beat up Xingkang’s child without even asking! Even kids in our royal family aren’t this rude and malicious! Does your family think they are more important than the royal family?”

If anyone else had been here, they would have kneeled on the ground and asked for her forgiveness. Yet Empress Jiang didn’t even take it seriously. She saluted carelessly and asked with a smile, “Mother, you just threw words at me without explaining anything. I’m so confused! What happened?”

Empress Dowager Gu had been fighting with her for years. They all knew each other too well. Empress Dowager Gu didn’t want to spend more time arguing with her, so she just pointed down, “Changping, tell her!”

Princess Changping who was sitting underneath stood up after hearing Empress Dowager Gu. She just turned 15 this January. She took after the look of her mother, who was beautiful yet had a tragic life. Princess Changping had an oval face, long and slim eyebrows. Her face was white as snow and her eyes were clear like water. She wore a green dress with golden weaving and peony pattern. She tied some of her hair up to a bun on the top and the rest of her hair fell naturally on the back. The two emerald hairpins waved in the air with her move, yet they didn’t clash together. This showed how proper was her behavior.

After she stood up, she said with a clear voice, “Mother, the thing is, Kuang Qingwu met Commandery Princess Ningyi on the way…”

Empress Dowager Gu wouldn’t say that Kuang Qingwu was going after Qiu Yelan, so in her version, they accidentally met. Commandery Princess Ningyi was too arrogant and insulted the Kuang Family. She even said Kuang Shihan was “worse than a dog”. She scolded Kuang Shihan in front of his son. Anyone would be mad at that situation.

Then Ling Zui and Jiang Yashuang came. They didn’t ask what happened and just stood by Qiu Yelan’s side. They killed Kuang Qingwu’s servants and tortured him. In the end, an elder servant compensated them with 10 thousand taels of silver and loads of good words before he took Kuang Qingwu home to see the doctor.

Empress Jiang looked fascinated, “Good story. Got any more?”

Princess Changping said respectfully, “Mother, these are all true.”

“Even if they were, would it be a big deal if Commandery Princess Ningyi said some bad words about the Kuang Family?” Empress Jiang always defended her family. Three years ago, on the Lunar New Year’s Eve, Jiang Yashuang beat up Gu Yan, the Duke of Guangyang’s Young Prince, outside the Hall of Taishi. At then, she could blame Gu Yan for being weak. Now, why would she protect a Marquess’s Young Prince?

She had already seen Qiu Yelan as her nephew’s wife. Now her nephew and his wife were in trouble, the Empress immediately started defending them, “General Ruan raised up Kuang Shihan. Just looking at that generosity, the Kuang Family should do everything to repay the Ruan Family. Now, would it be a big deal if General Ruan’s granddaughter scolded them? Kuang Qingwu really doesn’t know any better and has no conscience!”

Even though Princess Changping was usually with Empress Dowager Gu and had seen how unreasonable the Empress was, she was still dazed at the moment. After a while, she said, “But uncle-in-law is a Marquess. And he is elder than Commandery Princess Ningyi!”

“The rank of Marquess is lower than Commandery Princess!” Empress Jiang said impatiently, “Since they were on the street, it’s right to follow the national order! And what about you? Do you respect all the elders? Fine, then if I ever heard you being disrespectful to any of the elder in the royal clan from now on, don’t blame me for punishing you!”

Princess Changping went pale. She knew the Empress was not joking. Darui had about a hundred years of history and the royal clan had so many people who didn’t always live in the Palace. How could Princess Changping recognize them all? Besides, she was a favored princess. Just thinking about how she needed to salute to an abject royal, she felt like she couldn’t bear it anymore. She immediately passed a look to Empress Dowager Gu, asking for help.

Empress Dowager Gu kept a clouded face, “We’re talking about Xingkang’s son. Why are you scaring Changping?”

Empress Jiang twitched her mouth, “If he were actually Xingkang’s kid, I would feel sorry for him as his aunt. But Kuang Qingwu is a lowly maid’s kid and illegitimate! He doesn’t deserve your care. If it’s up to me, I say we let this pass. He just came to Jing City and already caused trouble. He’s definitely not a decent person! Just consider this as a lesson for him so he won’t keep being overweening and causing trouble!”

Empress Dowager Gu knew she was implicating that her daughter, Xingkang Grand Princess, didn’t have any kid. This was her biggest regret. If Xingkang had had a son, Kuang Qingwu could have died any day. Even though the kid would still be a puppet, he would have been their blood and easy to control.

Empress Dowager darkened her face and scolded, “What nonsense are you talking about? Speaking of a child, I need to ask you! You’ve been in control of the harem for so long and you only have one daughter, Yongfu. Where is my grandson that I’ve been waiting for so long?!”

“Even though you don’t have a legitimate grandson, King Qi and the others all respect you and love you.” A hint of resentment was hidden in Empress Jiang’s eyes, but she acted like it was nothing, “But I’ve heard that this Kuang Qingwu really doesn’t know any better and is not respectful or caring to Xingkang!”

Kuang Qingwu was not only disrespectful and careless to Xingkang Grand Princess. He was even worse to Kuang Shihan. Empress Dowager Gu did know that, but Kuang Shihan only had one son, so he tolerated Kuang Qingwu. For the Western Army and for contending against the Jiang Family, Xingkang Grand Princess could only let him do whatever he wanted.

Now after hearing what Empress Jiang said, Empress Dowager Gu thought that this nominal grandson was really unreasonable. But she then suddenly realized that Empress Jiang was turning them against each other. Kuang Shihan only had this one precious son. If anyone had touched Kuang Qingwu, even if it had been his mother-in-law, he would have fought against her.

No matter how much Empress Dowager Gu and her daughter disliked Kuang Qingwu, they still needed to treat him well and win him over.

Empress Dowager Gu abandoned all other thoughts. She said coldly, “They’re fine! You’re an Empress. Why are you always listening to the rumor? Don’t bring shame to our royal family!”

She didn’t want to continue arguing with Empress Jiang, so she went straight to business, “This time you nephew openly beat up Kuang Qingwu and killed all his servants. No matter how hard you try to defend him, he has to be punished!”

“Then Kuang Qingwu needs to be punished even harder!” Empress Jiang smiled coldly, “He didn’t come to Jing City today. Did he never meet anyone in the past two days? How come when he met other people, nothing happened? He definitely coveted Commandery Princess Ningyi’s beauty. He thought since she didn’t have the protection of her mother and father, he could do whatever he wanted. That’s why my nephew beat him. Speaking of which, Kuang Qingwu and his father are really brutal and cold-blooded. General Ruan treated Kuang Shihan like his own son. For all these years, Ruan Family was on the decline. Yet he never even asked about them! I feel like they don’t even deserve to live. Why don’t we…”

Empress Dowager Gu laughed coldly, “Do you think you are telling a story?”

Empress Jiang said, “Yes. But you started it. My nephew is not the kind that would seek trouble. Don’t you know that?”

“Changping, you can leave.” Empress Dowager Gu looked at her granddaughter and said.

Princess Changping badly wanted to stay away from the fierce Empress Jiang. After hearing Empress Dowager Gu, she immediately said yes and left.

After she left, Empress Dowager Gu also sent the maids away. Seeing this, Empress Jiang knew the game was on, so she sent her servants away too. The Empress was from a family of general. She could ride and shoot like men. She was not afraid to be alone with Empress Dowager Gu.

After others all left, there were only two of them in the room. Empress Dowager Gu said directly, “It’s not possible not to punish your nephew. Even if Kuang Shihan and his son wouldn’t say anything, the Western Army couldn’t be disgraced!”

Empress Jiang smiled coldly, “So the Northern Army can be disgraced? If they were capable, just let the Western Army come to Jing City and ask the Jiang Family!”

Empress Dowager Gu ignored her provoking speech and said, “There’s no use if you keep importuning. If you asked the government officials to judge this, they wouldn’t favor the Jiang Family either. Believe it or not, even if it were Xue Chang here, they would still say he needs to be punished!”

Hearing she mentioning Xue Chang, Empress Jiang frowned. She then said, “Then expose what Kuang Shihan and his son owe General Ruan and let the government officials also judge about that!”

“I heard that your niece was engaged to King Qi.” Empress Dowager Gu smiled coldly, “The Emperor hasn’t decided who will be the Crown Prince. And you want to control the Western Army now? Do you really think the government is controlled by you?”

“I’m not in control, but neither are you.” Empress Jiang also smiled coldly, “You should now that Jiang Yashuang is my favorite nephew, way more than Prince of Yan or Prince of Zhou! I would never agree to let him get punished!”

Empress Dowager Gu said coldly, “Really? You like him that much? But will Marquess Qin say the same?”

Empress Jiang felt speechless. She knew her own father. He used to be a soldier in the army and fought to build the foundation of the Jiang Family. Even though Marquess Qin had the title of “Defender of the State”, he was not arrogant or stubborn. This time since Jiang Yashuang didn’t lose the fight, Marquess Qin wouldn’t care to give compensation to Kuang Qingwu and apologize.

Even if the government had decided to punish him, as long as it was not too outrageous, Marquess Qin wouldn’t care.

Especially since the one getting punished was Jiang Yashuang. The eldest legitimate son of the fourth branch, Jiang Yadan, was too spoiled to take any responsibility for the fourth branch. Marquess Qin personally taught Jiang Yashuang, the younger legitimate son, because he wanted Jiang Yashuang to support the fourth branch. He didn’t want to spoil Jiang Yashuang. Yet the Jiang Family was powerful and prestigious now. Even though Jiang Yashuang was taught strictly, he never had much of a setback.

Maybe Marquess Qin would want his grandson to take this hit!

Seeing the Empress fall silent, Empress Dowager Gu softened her tone, “Of course, we can discuss how to punish him. After all, Qingwu only had some flesh wounds. Your nephew did have some measure.”

Empress Jiang questioned, “What do you want?” She wouldn’t think Empress Dowager Gu just suddenly became kind. She definitely wanted something in exchange!

“I want to marry Changping to Kuang Qingwu.” Empress Dowager Gu immediately said, “It’s fine if you don’t want to prepare their wedding. Just don’t make any trouble!”

Princess Changping was raised up by Empress Dowager Gu and Kuang Shihan had agreed with this marriage. The Empress should have nothing to say. But Empress Dowager Gu knew the Empress would fight even if she didn’t have an argument. Empress Jiang didn’t like Princess Changping or Western Army. If there were nothing to hold her back, she wouldn’t agree to marry Princess Changping easily!

After all, Empress Jiang was the official mother of Princess Changping. She was the one to decide the princess’s marriage. Empress Dowager could only ask about it.

Even if Empress Dowager Gu gave a decree to let Changping marry Kuang Qingwu, Empress Jiang just needed to meddle with it to make this wedding awkward and difficult. Empress Dowager Gu had so many grandsons and granddaughters, but Changping was the only one whom she raised up by herself. She didn’t want Changping to be wronged. Besides, the Kuang Family wouldn’t want to be disgraced!

Empress Dowager Gu was going to get some dirt on the Empress’s Party to make her agree. Jiang Yashuang walked right in and saved her a lot of time.

Hearing this, the Empress looked down and thought for a while. She then said, “Sure. But I need one more thing.”

Empress Dowager Gu frowned, “What?”

“That Deng Yi doesn’t like women. Why should he waste Commandery Princess Ningyi’s youth?” Empress Jiang said, “Ask him to break off the engagement with Prince’s Mansion of Xihe. Then I’ll take care of the marriage of Changping. I’ll give her a beautiful and unforgettable wedding. What do you say?”

“That’s impossible!” Empress Dowager Gu rejected it without even thinking. She was supervising the Kuang Family to eliminate the last threats. Qiu Jinglan controlled the organization Tianya that existed before Darui. How could it be eliminated if not using official power? Qiu Jinglan’s biggest weakness was Commandery Princess Ningyi, so Empress Dowager Gu wouldn’t let it go. Besides, once Commandery Princess Ningyi married into the Jiang Family, Qiu Jinglan would have a patron. He could just show his identity and persuade the elders in the Western Army. The consequence was unthinkable!

Hearing this, Empress Jiang darkened her face, “Then I’m definitely going to meddle with Changping’s marriage!” Empress Jiang thought that if Empress Dowager Gu wouldn’t let her nephew have a good marriage, then she would mess with Empress Dowager Gu’s favorite granddaughter’s marriage!