The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 537 - 537 269 Entering the Palace (Second Update)

Chapter 537: 269 Entering the Palace (Second Update) Chapter 537: 269 Entering the Palace (Second Update) The news that Empress Dowager Zhuang could not eat was quickly relayed to the Zhuang family.

Zhuang’s Grand Tutor, worried that the Empress Dowager might be sick, promptly invited the royal physicians to check her pulse. However, her pulse indicated no significant issues. The physician speculated that it might be a matter of the heart.

“Perhaps… it’s because the Empress Dowager has been away from the palace for a long time and now she is having some difficulty adjusting to being back.”

Zhuang’s Grand Tutor coldly retorted, “She’s spent a lifetime within the Forbidden City, isn’t leaving it what she’s not accustomed to?”

She was returning home, what could be there to adjust to?

“Perhaps… we can let her family members spend more time with her,” the royal physician suggested.

Zhuang’s Grand Tutor thought this idea might work and consequently sent Zhuang Yuexi and Zhuang Mengdie to the Imperial Palace overnight.

When Empress Dowager Zhuang saw Zhuang Mengdie, she did not seem particularly relieved. However, when she caught sight of Zhuang Yuexi standing behind Zhuang Mengdie, her expression froze momentarily.

Zhuang Yuexi was still adorned in her magnificent gowns as before, except now there was a red Chinese Peony painted on her left cheek.

This was the current makeup trend in the Capital City. Ever since the valedictorian parade, the young ladies of the city had started to dab cinnabar onto their faces. Initially, Zhuang Yuexi didn’t favor this simple trend, but one day, while touching her left cheek, the Empress Dowager had mentioned that something seemed missing.

Zhuang Yuexi surmised, could it be the trending cinnabar makeup?

So, she started applying it herself. The apparent effect was pleasing; indeed, the Empress Dowager seemed to like it.

Empress Dowager Zhuang beckoned Zhuang Yuexi towards her.

Zhuang Yuexi obediently sat down next to her. She noticed that since the Empress Dowager’s return, she had been treating her differently. Even though she was not the type to act coy or seek attention, it was her simple-minded younger sister, Zhuang Mengdie, who was the favorite at home, despite Zhuang Yuexi being the one praised for her talents.

Even when her elder brother took his little sister on a trip to Jiangnan, he chose to take along Zhuang Mengdie, who was often teased as the dim-witted one.

“What did you have for dinner?” The Empress Dowager asked while holding her hand.

Surprised by the Empress Dowager’s attention, Zhuang Yuexi responded, “I had some mixed grains porridge for dinner.”

The Empress Dowager replied, “That’s not enough. You’re at an age where your body is still growing, you should eat more. Servants, bring the meal!”

The palace maids could hardly contain their glee. As expected, the Grand Tutor was known for his solutions. As soon as the two young misses were sent to the palace, the Empress Dowager immediately regained her appetite.

A table full of finely prepared dishes was presented.

Empress Dowager Zhuang declined the attendance of the palace maids, opting instead to personally serve Zhuang Yuexi a heaping bowl of food, “Eat a bit more, you are too thin. If you don’t put on some weight, you won’t be able to give me a great-grandchild.”

Zhuang Yuexi’s face turned red, “Empress Dowager…”

She was still unmarried.

Zhuang Mengdie asked in surprise, “Empress Dowager, are you planning to arrange a marriage for my sister?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang furrowed her brow, looking at Zhuang Yuexi, “Arrange a marriage? Aren’t you already married?”

“Ah?” Zhuang Yuexi was taken aback, “Empress Dowager, I’m not.”

The Empress Dowager looked bewildered.

Then, who was already married? And where was her great-grandchild?

“Empress Dowager, are you feeling alright?” Zhuang Yuexi asked, holding the Empress Dowager’s hand, showing concern.

Empress Dowager Zhuang was at a loss; she shook her head. “It’s nothing, I might have misremembered. Speaking of which, you’re already sixteen, and in half a year you will be seventeen. It’s about time that we arrange a marriage for you.”

Zhuang Yuexi whispered, “My wish is not to get married. I would rather stay at home to serve my parents, and to frequently visit the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager responded, “Even after you get married, you can return to your maternal home. No one dares to mistreat the daughters of the Zhuang family.”

Zhuang Yuexi picked up her chopsticks again with no further word.

During this meal, the Empress Dowager didn’t eat much either. The joy that Zhuang Yuexi’s visit brought seemed to have faded when she announced that she was not yet married.

Zhuang Yuexi couldn’t quite make sense of the situation. And the Empress Dowager was equally at a loss.

The next day, Empress Dowager Zhuang attended the imperial court meeting.

In public, the Emperor announced the decree to appoint the old Libationer as the Libationer of Guozijian.

“Does the Mother Emperor have any objections?” The Emperor asked, turning his body to glance at Empress Dowager Zhuang who was behind the bead curtain.

With thin lips slightly curved into a smile, Empress Dowager Zhuang responded, “An old friend of mine indeed. After all these years apart, I miss him dearly. The Emperor made a good choice by appointing Mr. Huo to Guozijian. Good work.”

The old Libationer, holding his tablet of rank, knelt in the Jinluan Hall. He seemed to be only few steps away, yet it felt like a distance of thousands of miles, “Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress Dowager!”

Empress Dowager Zhuang smiled faintly, “I have a decree to announce myself.”

Here it came.

The Emperor’s fingers tightened in anticipation.

Empress Dowager Zhuang spoke unhurriedly, “For a long time, the position of the Grand Marshal of the entire imperial army has been vacant. After discussing with the ministers, I felt it would be more appropriate to appoint someone. The Chief Cavalry General is brave and adept at warfare. He possesses unparalleled strategy and has the potential to assist the nation. His loyalty towards the Emperor is unwavering. He is fully deserving to be the Grand Marshal of the Imperial Army of Zhan Country. Does the Emperor agree?”