Chapter 244 - Hide a Knife in a Smile
Yun Qianyu patted Hua Mei on the shoulder and gave her a comforting look.
Hua Mei felt moved by Yun Qianyu’s act. Feeling calm, Hua Mei whispered, “Young miss, I’m alright.”
Yun Qianyu nodded, then led the three into the hall.
Standing directly opposite to them, a person looked at the three of them with a sinister look. Not long after, the person disappeared into the crowd.
At the end of the hall sat the seventy-year-old Chiang old madam. She had a wealthy demeanor, gentle eyes, and looked very charitable. However, a smart person would never be fooled by her appearance. How could the old madam of the Chiang family be an ordinary person?
At the side of the old madam sat a woman who wore a red phoenix brocade long dress. The woman’s face was similar to that of the Chiang old madam. The difference was that the woman had an intimidating spirit, something that could only be accumulated through years of power and prestige.
Even with a smile on her face, people still dared not underestimate her.
This person was none other than the empress of Dongli state, Chiang Qinchang, the eldest daughter of the Chiang family. She was also known as Empress Chiang.
Seeing the crown prince and Xiao Jiuyuan, Empress Chiang let out a faint smile as she looked at them.
Immediately after they came into the hall, the two of them quickly greeted her.
“This prince greets Empress Mother.”
“This prince greets the Imperial Wife.”
“Your subjects greet Your Highness the Empress.”
Instantly, the room was filled with sounds of greeting. Like the others, Yun Qianyu also greeted the empress. Seeing how everyone was paying their respects, Yun Qianyu couldn’t help but think, ‘No wonder everyone wants to get into the royal family somehow.’
Thinking about the power they had, Yun Qianyu was actually not interested in any of it.
Empress Chiang, who was sitting on her seat, let out a smile and said, “Get up, all of you.”
After the empress got up, the crowd got up as well. The ladies of each family stepped back to one side, while the men stood in front of the empress without moving.
The empress looked toward Xiao Tianyu and Xiao Jiuyuan, then said, “I was going to chat with these noble ladies originally, why have you two come here too?”
Xiao Tianyu replied, “Empress Mother, we were watching the ladies play a game earlier. When we heard that Empress Mother was here, we decided to come to greet you.”
The empress nodded with a smile and looked at Li Prince Xiao Jiuyuan.
Xiao Jiuyuan said slowly, “Since the Imperial Wife is here, as the emperor’s brother, I must come and greet you.”
“Ninth imperial brother is sincere.”
With a calm look, Xiao Jiuyuan nodded.
After greeting the crown prince and Xiao Jiuyuan, the empress looked at the Huai Prince and Xuan Prince.
Seeing that the Xuan Prince, Xiao Tianyi was pale, the empress asked, “Why is the Xuan Prince looking unwell? Are you ill? Do you need a physician?”
Even though the empress seemed concerned, her question was actually a trap.
Since it was a celebration for the Chiang old madam, the occasion should be filled with joy and auspicious things. If the empress did get a physician for Xiao Tianyi, then the emperor would surely become angered.
In that way, Xiao Tianyi would surely get punished.