Chapter 11 Are you really Estella Rose ?(02)
1717 Words
Watching the old Queen deftly handle the relationships between the many concubines, I suddenly admired this old lady from the bottom of my heart.
Maybe being an Empress Dowager wasn't that difficult, but to be an impartial and decisive one like her required great wisdom and patience.
The old Queen's grace and Matthew Austin's politeness were truly deserving of their reputation as mother and son, both as steady as Mount Tai... or rather, like a beautiful woman who remains calm even as others around her fall apart.
"Empress Dowager, Lady Jackson has sent some fruit from the south again," Aunt Hall, the steward, came over with a box.
Lady Jackson was the old Queen's maternal relative, and Lady Jackson's mother was the old Queen's own mother. Lady Jackson's family had moved to the south to avoid the influence of the powerful eunuchs, and they rarely appeared at court except to send gifts of local specialties.
Like the Emperor and Empress Dowager, they were modest and knew how to advance and retreat.
The old Queen opened the box and saw that it was filled with plump lychees, with ice cubes still emitting cold air inside.
It was not the season for lychees, but they had been sent from afar, showing that Lady He was not only wealthy, but also genuinely cared for the old Queen.
the old Queen smiled and shook her head, closing the box. "I've told her so many times, but she still insists on sending things to the capital. It's a waste of time and effort."
Immediately, some clever concubines spoke up, "That's Lady Jackson showing her love for the old Queen. How could we find it troublesome?"
The old Queen was in a good mood and replied, "She's not showing love for this old woman. It's because the Emperor likes to eat this. Go give it to him."
She had originally instructed Aunt Hall, but a concubine immediately jumped out and said, "I saw Aunt Hall was so busy just now that she couldn't even touch the ground with her feet. Why don't I go give it to the Emperor instead?"
As she reached out to take the box, another beautiful woman sarcastically remarked, "Concubine Williams, you really are good at seizing opportunities. the old Queen's kind intentions, and you still have the face to go and snatch it."
Concubine Williams' hand froze in mid-air, her face turning red and white with anger as she gritted her teeth and said, "Concubine Qi, you're accusing me wrongly. I was just trying to help the old Queen share her burden."
Through observation during this period of time, I found that Concubine Williams and Concubine Simmons were the most incompatible, both of them were quite favored by the Emperor, and their fathers had similar ranks. Therefore, they always had conflicts.
Concubine Simmons was in a high position and lived alone, not bothering with them. As for the other concubines, they just watched the show with glee.
As a result, the one who often had headaches was the old Queen. These two women were arguing again, and the old Queen had to make a decision, with a clear "If you let her go, I won't let it go" attitude.
As I sympathized silently with the old Queen, I suddenly heard her say, "Estella, you're not busy. Why don't you help me deliver these lychees to the Emperor?"
... Was I being set up?
The two concubines stopped arguing when they saw the task falling on an outsider like me. They probably felt that neither of them had taken advantage of the situation, so they both agreed to let me go.
The old Queen was truly the champion of palace intrigue, as one sentence resolved their conflict.
"Yes, Mother Empress."
I stood up and bowed, then took the box and prepared to leave. After spending some time with them, I found that Emperor Matthew Austin was always gentle and didn't seem like an emperor, so I wasn't as afraid of him anymore.
As I turned around, I met Concubine Simmons's eyes. Her exquisite face suddenly gave me a smile. Although I was confused, I also smiled back.
I followed the servants all the way to the study, reported my mission, and then went in.
I walked with my head down, not daring to look around, and explained my purpose in a proper manner.
A voice came from above my head, "Give it to me."
After waiting for a long time without seeing any servants come to take the box from me, I had to walk forward and put the box on the table myself.
It was then that I noticed that the desk was full of memorials, and the workload was frightening. Being an emperor was really hard work.
"Do you know how to read reports?"
"Huh?" The sudden question caught me off guard, and I subconsciously looked up into Emperor Matthew Austin's clear eyes.
He didn't mind, and instead said, "Take a look at this."
His slender fingers picked up a yellow report, and after hesitating for a moment, I took it from him.
What was going on now? Was it right for me, a "sister-in-law" of the emperor, to read the report? But since he asked, how could I refuse? That would be disobeying the imperial order.
As I opened the report, cold sweat broke out on my back. It was full of all the "good deeds" that Philip Rose, that bastard, had done, ranging from bullying men and women to every detail. It even directly accused Ralph Rose of being lax in educating his son, and even hinted that there was a problem with Ralph Rose himself, which led to a trickle-down effect.
My fingers involuntarily tightened. I wondered why the old Queen suddenly asked me to deliver something. It didn't seem right no matter how I thought about it. If they had planned this together, it would make sense.
But what was their purpose? To test my reaction? Or to suppress the Rose family through me?
After watching the palace intrigue for nearly a month, I also began to think more. I immediately knelt down with a ashamed look and said, "Your Majesty, my elder brother has a damaged mind, and that is why my father indulged him and neglected his upbringing. I ask Your Majesty to punish him severely."
If Philip Rose had any brains, he wouldn't have done something like this so blatantly, and it's not my fault for calling him an i***t.
"Oh?" Emperor Matthew Austin raised his eyebrows and said, "You are reasonable. Then, in your opinion, how should I punish your brother?"
I tried to pinch myself hard to make myself cry. I looked up and said, "Philip Rose is my elder brother, my flesh and blood, and even though he has made many mistakes, there is a hierarchy of respect for elders and the young. As a mere woman, I do not know how to handle this. Your Majesty understands the principles of justice and will make the proper judgment. I dare not offer any suggestions."
Emperor Matthew Austin smiled wryly and said, "I have always heard Ralph Rose praise his daughter as unparalleled in the world. Why are you so restrained in front of me?"
"Parents always think their children are the best, so they are bound to exaggerate," I replied, bowing my head.
After a moment, I heard footsteps, and a pair of black shoes embroidered with gold thread stopped in front of me, casting a shadow over me.
Sensing him leaning towards me, I instinctively wanted to run. This was the first time I had felt the oppression of someone in power, or perhaps it was the first time he had shown his authority in front of me.
Indeed, the tenderness of the second male lead is reserved for the female lead. I had nothing.
Suppressing my movements, he leaned in, lifting my arm with one hand and pulling me up, while the other hand took the memorial from me and placed it on the table.
"Princess Jin need not be so nervous. I am not here to interrogate you. I was just asking casually," Emperor Matthew Austin said, returning to his usual gentle and polite manner.
However, the hand that was still holding my arm felt oppressive. I felt an ugly smile squeeze out of me.
Suddenly, a thin eunuch's voice came from outside, "Your Majesty, the old Queen has sent a message saying that Lord Jin has arrived and is looking for Princess Jin."
For the first time, I felt that Felix Austin's name was so familiar and welcoming, and I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Hearing Emperor Matthew Austin laugh, I realized that I was too relieved and unconsciously made an unmistakable exhale.
Emperor Matthew Austin let go of my arm and said, "Let's go, we're going to the old Queen's palace."
I followed him silently, and when I saw Felix Austin's face in the old Queen's palace, I wanted to cry.
I was wrong, really wrong. I shouldn't have thrown myself into this den of dragons and tigers in the palace just to avoid him. In the novel, the emperor didn't have such animosity towards the Rose family. Why did everything change as soon as I arrived? It's only getting worse.
Seeing my tearful appearance, Felix Austin's eyes were filled with confusion, but he didn't speak rashly.
It wasn't until we walked side by side and I tightly held onto his sleeve that my floating heart finally settled down.
"Lord Jin and Lady Jin have such a good relationship. It's really envy-inducing," Concubine Simmons's laughter rang out.
Given the good relationship I had cultivated during this period of time, other concubines also followed suit and made jokes.
Emperor Matthew Austin's gaze seemed to casually glance at Felix Austin's sleeve, he paused for a moment before shifting his gaze and asking, "It's been a long time since I've seen my brother in the palace. I wonder what my brother has been busy with lately?"
Felix Austin answered while smiling, silently holding my hand under his sleeve.
His large palm enveloped my entire hand. He seemed to know my anxiety, even though he didn't know the reason, he still comforted me.
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