freenovelworld Chapter 498 The Emperor Personally Appeals, He Has the Backing!
Chapter 498 The Emperor Personally Appeals, He Has the Backing!
Chu Ruohan said calmly, "If you don't teach her a lesson today, who knows how many dirty tricks she'll have up her sleeve in the future."
“They took advantage of your new arrival, thinking you had no one backing you, and tried to manipulate you and give you a hard time.”
"I want them to know that you, Su Wan, are someone protected by my Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, someone His Majesty cherishes. Anyone who wants to touch you will have to think twice!"
As Su Wan listened, the grievances and fears she felt due to Li Mama's harassment were gradually replaced by a firm strength.
She looked at Chu Ruohan and said earnestly, "Sister, I understand. I... I won't let you and the Duke down."
She knew she couldn't hide under someone else's wing forever.
She must cherish this protection and strive to become stronger as quickly as possible.
Chu Ruohan smiled with relief: "It's best that you think that way."
This matter quickly reached Gu Junze's ears.
When he came from the study, Chu Ruohan was talking to Su Wan, trying to help her relax.
"Is everything taken care of?" Gu Junze walked to Chu Ruohan's side, his tone casual, as if he were just asking about a small matter.
Chu Ruohan nodded: "Yes, someone has already sent Granny Li back to the palace, and the message has been conveyed."
Gu Junze squeezed her hand and said in a low voice, "Well done. Some people just won't shed a tear until they see the coffin."
He had no objection to Chu Ruohan's handling of the situation; on the contrary, he expressed his appreciation.
"But what about the palace..." Su Wan said with some concern, "Won't that put His Majesty in a difficult position?"
Gu Junze looked at her, his voice steady: "Since His Majesty has entrusted you to the Duke's Mansion, it means he trusts us to protect you. His Majesty will make his own decision on this matter, so you can rest assured."
Imperial Palace, Yangxin Hall.
Zhao Yunci's face darkened as he listened to the chief eunuch's trembling report.
When Granny Li was "sent" back to the palace by two burly old women, her disheveled appearance had already alarmed the inner palace.
"Does the Lady of the Duke of Zhenguo really say that? 'The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is too small to accommodate such a great Buddha'?" Zhao Yunci's voice was unreadable.
The chief eunuch was sweating profusely and prostrated himself, saying, "Your Majesty, that old woman did indeed relay those words. She also said that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion would teach Miss Su court etiquette on its own and dared not trouble the palace any further."
Zhao Yunci remained silent for a moment, the atmosphere in the hall so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
When Granny Li was brought in, she was already in tears, kowtowing repeatedly: "Your Majesty, spare my life! I know I was wrong! I will never dare to do it again! I have been wronged..."
"Who instructed you?" Zhao Yunci coldly interrupted her.
Granny Li shuddered violently, swallowing back the rest of her words, and could only kowtow repeatedly: "This servant was foolish! This servant deserves to die!"
She dared not reveal the identity of that important person; the consequences would only be worse.
Zhao Yunci looked at her with icy eyes: "Did I send you to teach the future empress etiquette so that you could put on airs and humiliate my empress?"
"You have quite the nerve! You dare to disobey and deliberately make things difficult for someone I personally selected!"
"I think it's not that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is too small, but that you, my servant, have too big aspirations and too high a standard!"
"Guards!" Zhao Yunci shouted sternly, "Drag this insolent servant away, slap him fifty times, throw him out of the palace, and never employ him again!"
Upon hearing this, Granny Li's vision went black, and she collapsed to the ground. She was dragged away by the guards, her cries for mercy fading into the distance.
The chief eunuch dared not utter a sound.
Zhao Yunci calmed his anger before speaking: "By imperial decree, the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo shall be rewarded with a jade ruyi and a hundred bolts of brocade, in recognition of her merit in protecting her master."
He paused again, then added, "Tell Madam Gu that Su will be fully responsible for the etiquette arrangements, and there is no need for the palace to send anyone else."
"All the items needed for the ceremony must be prepared by the Imperial Household Department according to the Empress's regulations and sent to the Duke's Mansion without any mistakes."
The chief eunuch quickly replied, "This servant obeys the decree!"
He secretly marveled at how much His Majesty truly cherished and doted on this future Empress Su.
The Duchess of Zhenguo's move not only failed to anger His Majesty, but also earned her a reward and the authority to teach. Her methods were truly remarkable!
The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion soon received the imperial edict and rewards.
Looking at the magnificent brocades and the warm jade ruyi, Su Wan was filled with mixed emotions.
"Sister, this..."
Chu Ruohan took her hand and smiled, "See? His Majesty understands everything perfectly. He knows your grievances and understands my intentions."
"Now you can rest assured. From now on, I will teach you manners."
Su Wan's eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded emphatically.
She knew that the "teaching" Chu Ruohan was referring to would never be the kind of torture that Li Mama had inflicted.
Sure enough, in the days that followed, Chu Ruohan did not rush to have Su Wan practice those tedious standing and sitting postures.
She first carefully explained the entire process of the investiture ceremony and the emperor and empress's wedding to Su Wan in the simplest and most understandable language.
"On the day of the ceremony, you only need to remember a few key moments. The rest will be handled by the master of ceremonies, and you won't make any mistakes."
"Most importantly, it is your demeanor and state of mind at that time. Being an empress is not just a matter of words; you must have that composure and grace."
Chu Ruohan did not force Su Wan to imitate anyone, but guided her to develop self-confidence from within.
She would enjoy tea with Su Wan, subtly weaving in palace taboos and social customs during their casual conversation.
She would also let Su Wan observe how the stewards in the mansion handled affairs, so that she could understand the use of power and responsibility.
Occasionally, Gu Junze would casually offer a few words about court affairs, giving her a better understanding of the environment her future husband would be in.
Su Wan absorbed everything like a sponge.
She was no longer just that timid country girl; her eyes gradually brightened, and her every move exuded a calmness she had never shown before…
Chu Ruohan felt very gratified to see the changes in her.
This capital city, this palace, is like a giant net. If Su Wan wants to secure her place in the world, the emperor's favor alone is not enough.
She has to stand up for herself.
Chu Ruohan was willing to be her initial guide and her strongest support.
A corner of the mansion was converted into a medicinal herb garden, which was rarely visited except by the mansion's physician, Doctor Qian.
That afternoon, Doctor Qian was spreading out a batch of newly purchased medicinal herbs on a bamboo tray to dry, his movements meticulous and attentive.
With Chu Ruohan's encouragement, Su Wan gradually dared to move around the mansion freely.
She was already familiar with herbs, and upon smelling their fragrance from afar, she unconsciously followed them.
She stood quietly to the side, watching Doctor Qian turn over the medicinal herbs, her gaze falling on one of the herbs, Astragalus membranaceus, which had a slightly dull color.
"Dr. Qian," Su Wan asked softly, "was this astragalus harvested from the shady mountains of the north?"