Chapter 976: Chapter 824, The Empress Dowager Causes Trouble_2 Chapter 976: Chapter 824, The Empress Dowager Causes Trouble_2 Luo Qiong felt uneasy and uncertain about why the Empress Dowager had suddenly become so kind to her, and seeing her mother-in-law only knowing how to giggle foolishly, she had no choice but to pretend to be obedient and keep her company.

“By the way,” the Empress Dowager recalled, “hasn’t the Countess of Shengping been married into the Prince Residence for almost half a year now? Has she brought any good news?”

The sudden mention of Daohua by the Empress Dowager caused everyone present to perk up in spirit.

Princess Consort Ma immediately replied, “Not yet.”

Old Princess Consort Yong thought about how the Prince had asked her to look after the Countess of Shengping and, after considering for a moment, smiled and said, “Yeyang and his young wife are still young. They’ve only been married for less than half a year; there’s no rush.”

The Empress Dowager glanced indifferently at Old Princess Consort Yong, “I’m old, and I don’t know when I might go to see the late Emperor. Before I go, I want to see all my grandsons have someone to carry on their line. Then, I can explain myself to the late Emperor.”

With the late Emperor mentioned, no one present felt it was appropriate to say much more.

The Empress Dowager looked towards Princess Consort Ma, “I’ve heard that Yeyang doesn’t even have a single concubine. How do you manage as the mistress of the Prince Residence? It’s true that Yeyang isn’t your biological child, but there are still some affairs you should manage.”

Princess Consort Ma didn’t expect the Empress Dowager to challenge her so suddenly and hastily knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

Seeing this, Luo Qiong thought for a moment and followed suit, kneeling down, “The Empress Dowager is wise. It’s not that my mother is unwilling to manage; she truly cannot.”

“Previously, Mother noticed that there were no women in my second brother’s chamber, so she wanted to reward a concubine to my second brother. Unfortunately, my second brother’s wife rejected it outright. She even claimed that my mother has no right to manage matters in Pingxi Hall.”

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s expression darkened, “Showing disrespect to her stepmother, the Countess of Shengping sure has some nerve.”

Everyone, including Old Princess Consort Yong, couldn’t help but look at Luo Qiong.

The Empress Dowager addressed the Palace Maid by her side, “You go pick out two beautiful Palace Maids and personally deliver them to the Prince Residence. I want to see if the Countess of Shengping dares to reject my decree as well.”

Hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, Princess Consort Ma’s face immediately lit up with joy, while Luo Qiong showed no reaction.

Just two Palace Maids, even if sent by the Empress Dowager, once they entered Pingxi Hall, they could be simply placed in any yard. Could the Empress Dowager force Xiao Yeyang to enter their rooms? They couldn’t cause any substantial harm to Yan Yiyi.

Suddenly, Luo Qiong felt a strong gaze upon her and looked up to find the Empress Dowager watching her with a profound intent.

The Empress Dowager pointed to the two Palace Maids brought by the nanny and asked, “Daughter-in-law of Yechen, what do you think of these two Palace Maids?”

Luo Qiong’s heart skipped a beat, and she instantly understood; the Empress Dowager intended to use her to deal with the Xiao Yeyang couple.

Thinking of the child in her womb, Luo Qiong did not hesitate for long before she spoke up, “People from the Empress Dowager’s Palace are naturally excellent, but my second brother has quite high standards. I believe he prefers girls from official families even more.”

As soon as these words came out, the noblewomen in the hall all turned to look at Luo Qiong, thinking to themselves about how adroitly she maneuvered.

A maid, even from the Empress Dowager’s Palace, was after all just a high-class servant; tossed into the backyards, no one would care about their life or death.

But a girl from an official’s family was different. Even as a concubine with support from her parental family, Xiao Yeyang and the Countess of Shengping would have to give consideration, and since it was a gift from the Empress Dowager, they couldn’t mistreat her too much.

Luo Qiong was indeed skillful!

The Empress Dowager looked at Luo Qiong approvingly and immediately smiled, “Yeyang is the legitimate heir of the Prince Residence, taking a girl from an official family as a concubine wouldn’t shame them.” She then looked at the people in the hall, “Do any of you have a suitable candidate?”

Madam Jiang spoke up: “It seems to me that the illegitimate daughters of the Earl Zhaode and Earl Yongqing residences are very good.”

The Empress Dowager immediately looked at the ladies from the two households, starting a conversation on the spot.

Old Princess Consort Yong frowned as she watched this unfold, knowing that the Empress Dowager had made up her mind to cause trouble for the Xiao Yeyang couple.

Princess Consort Ma smiled at Luo Qiong and whispered, “What you did today was very proper. I truly want to see Yan Yiyi’s face change color.”

The corners of Luo Qiong’s mouth also held a hint of a smile.

The Empress Dowager’s chosen concubine–if Xiao Yeyang were to accept her, given Yan Yiyi’s temper, the couple would surely drift apart gradually; if Xiao Yeyang didn’t agree, defying the Empress Dowager would bring down the weight of filial piety, and he would be in a difficult position to handle.

…

After Madam Han and Madam Fang presented their illegitimate daughters, the Empress Dowager decided on the spot to appoint them as concubines for Xiao Yeyang.

Such a quick decision made it clear to all the noblewomen present that the Empress Dowager must have already communicated with the two families.

Feeling the gazes from everyone, Madam Han’s face was full of smiles, while Madam Fang felt helplessly resigned.