在皇后鞋裡散步 A walk in the empress shoes Zài huánghòu xié lǐ sànbù

CHAPTER TEN

As the sun began to rise, Princess Fangsu walked gracefully towards the lively main courtyard. The presence of Second Branch Wife Quingu and Third Branch Yujin was already known, eagerly anticipating her arrival. As Fangsu stepped into the courtyard, her eyes met the majestic figure of Old Madam Duchess, confidently seated in the grand chair.

With impeccable timing, Fangsu and the remaining First Branch Concubines followed her into the room. As a princess, Fangsu commanded respect from the others, who humbly bowed as she approached. In a gesture of utmost reverence, Fangsu graciously inclined herself before Old Madam.

"the daughter greets mother, and pays her respects to you."

Old Madam Duchess, exuding an air of regality, nodded with approval at Fangsu's show of respect. Her wise and authoritative eyes scanned the room before finally resting upon her daughter-in-law.

"Rise, daughter-in-law." she commanded.

her voice carrying the weight of years of experience and guidance. "Come sit by me." Old Madam beckoned Fangsu, her daughter-in-law.

Despite Fangsu's complicated background, Old Madam always had to defer to her, even though she preferred her second daughter-in-law. Fangsu, now standing tall, cast her gaze around the room, taking in the concubines who had gathered. Each one wore a different expression - some curious, others envious - but all understood the significance of this moment.

She was well aware that within the intricate web of palace politics and hierarchy, her every move was being observed and scrutinized. Quingu, the Second Branch Wife, approached Fangsu with a polite smile. Her undeniable beauty was accompanied by a hint of rivalry in her eyes.

"Princess Fang-su, it is an honor to have you grace us with your presence," she said, her voice tinged with concealed tension. Fangsu, ever graceful, reciprocated the courtesy with a warm smile.

"The honor is mine, Mei Mei," she replied, her tone calm and composed. As the tension between them lingered, Yujin, the Third Branch, stepped forward, attempting to diffuse the atmosphere.

"Princess Fang-su, I heard the duke has returned? We have been eagerly awaiting his arrival," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth and sincerity. Fangsu's eyes softened as she turned to Yujin.

"Thank you for your kind words, sister-in-law. I am grateful that he has returned safely." Observing the interaction between her daughters-in-law, Old Madam Duchess interjected with a knowing smile.

"My dear princesses, unity and harmony are the pillars of our family. Let us set aside our differences and tell me about the duke's health. This grandmother misses him dearly."

Old Madam knew that the entire household relied on the Duke and his accomplishments, so even though she didn't particularly like this daughter-in-law, she felt a sense of pride in her grandson being accepted by the imperial family. Fangsu's heart swelled with frustration at the hypocritical words of her mother-in-law. She understood that Old Madam didn't approve of her since she married into the family, and even after her husband's passing, their relationship remained surface-level. But Fangsu knew the truth of the matter.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its golden glow upon the courtyard, the princess and concubines stood together, awaiting her son's morning greeting. Though he was now the head of the household, he still had to show filial piety to his elders. Under the watchful gaze of Old Madam Duchess, Fangsu sat gracefully in the courtyard, her posture a sight to behold, like the princess she truly was. In the eyes of the concubines, she may have been an eyesore, but they all had to yield to her.

The knowledge of Fangsu's status as an imperial princess granted her an undeniable advantage within the palace walls. While some may hold resentment and envy towards her, they also recognized the grave mistake it would be to cross her. Though they yearned for power and influence, they had to acknowledge that Fangsu possessed a certain power bestowed upon her by birthright. Amidst the lingering tension, Fangsu remained poised and composed.

Years of navigating treacherous palace politics had taught her the importance of maintaining grace and dignity. She had honed this skill through endless lessons on etiquette and decorum. As the sound of footsteps echoed through the courtyard, all eyes turned towards the entrance. The Duke, Fangsu's son and the current head of the household, strode in with confidence. His gaze immediately sought out Fangsu, as he approached.

"Grandmother, this unfilial grandson pays his respect." he respectfully bowed before turning to Fangsu. "I hope mother's health is well." he added, his voice devoid of affection.

Fangsu rose gracefully, offering her son a smile. She knew this son of hers rarely displayed emotion, always maintaining a cold and aloof demeanor, yet he always adhered to protocol.

The concubines, closely observing the interaction, couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and envy. They could sense the genuine respect between the Duke and Fangsu, understanding that the bond between mother and son was unbreakable. Their minds were filled with jealousy, manipulation, and deceit.

Old Madam Duchess, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction, watched her proud grandson standing in the hall. In that moment, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of pride for the future. Perhaps, despite their differences and the intricate web of palace politics, her grandson would rise even higher. As the day progressed, Fangsu and the concubines found themselves engaged in conversation, inquiring about the Duke's journey.

The tension that once hung in the air slowly dissipated. While they listened to him speak, as fellow women, they couldn't help but regret not having non-female children, longing to also stand tall in the Duke's presence. In the following days, Fangsu's relationship with her son remained stoic as ever. He would leave early for the imperial court and return late at night. Fangsu had already sent her Steward to discuss marriage matters with the general, but she struggled to get a hold of her son for further discussions or a visit to the general's residence.

In the days that followed, Fangsu's relationship with her son was still stoctic as ever; he would leave early in the morning for the imperial court and return late at night. She already sent out her Steward to have talks of marriage with the general but she could not seem to get a hold of her son to discuss the matter, or to make a visit to the general manner.

She knew that her son's duties as the Duke kept him busy, but she couldn't help but worry about the progress of the marriage negotiations. The general's family had a long-standing reputation and powerful connections, making them an ideal match for the Duke.

Days turned into weeks, and still, Fangsu had not received any updates from her son. The anxiety gnawed at her, and she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. With each passing day, her concern grew, and she decided to take matters into her own hands.