The Useless Heiress Is Actually A Bigshot
Chapter 665: A Demand

Chapter 665: Chapter 665: A Demand

"It seems you’ve hit the Empress Dowager where it hurts," Lu Yichen realized, "so your affairs will certainly go smoothly."

"Of course," Zhong Niangyao replied with a smile, nodding, "so tomorrow I’ll have a good chat with the Empress Dowager. It seems she must be well-versed in righteous principles and will surely make Nangong Xin pay for her deeds."

Lu Yichen smiled but said no more.

Early the next day, Zhong Niangyao went straight to the Empress Dowager’s palace, with Lu Yichen not accompanying her. Firstly, because that was the Empress Dowager’s bedchamber, and as an outsider male, it was not proper for him to enter. Secondly, there were some matters she wanted to discuss with the Empress Dowager alone.

Lu Yichen didn’t say anything and stayed behind. It was a good opportunity for him to watch over Zhong Mingxin. They were not at ease leaving Mingxin alone in the National Master Hall.

Soon, Zhong Niangyao arrived at the Empress Dowager’s palace. She didn’t even need the palace attendants to announce her presence, entering the Empress Dowager’s bedchamber directly.

The palace attendants and guards outside naturally wanted to stop her, but Zhong Niangyao merely glanced at them lightly, and they became as if petrified, fear starting to take root in their hearts, their legs trembling uncontrollably.

At that moment, they became acutely aware that this person before them was the State Preceptor, once the person who had made waves across Lai Country, once the person who had saved the people of Lai from calamity. In front of such a person, they found it difficult even to breathe, let alone dare to make any superfluous movements.

At this time, the Empress Dowager was having breakfast with Nangong Xin. There was silence between the two, not a word spoken, and the atmosphere felt incredibly still, even unsettlingly so.

In such an environment, Nangong Xin felt almost too choked to swallow her food. But she dared not show any discontent, for she knew very well that the only person who could save her now was the Empress Dowager.

Indeed, she was filled with confusion, not understanding why the Empress Dowager would step in to save her.

Before reaching the age of womanhood, she was raised in the palace—more precisely, she grew up in the Empress Dowager’s palace.

However, despite growing up in the Empress Dowager’s palace, she was not particularly close to her. It could even be said that they met about once a month. On every fifteenth day of the lunar month, she would pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. Only at this time would she see the Empress Dowager.

There was simply no affection between her and the Empress Dowager; therefore, she was shocked when the Empress Dowager suddenly came forward to save her yesterday.

But regardless of the Empress Dowager’s motives for saving her, it was her sole lifeline right now.

What puzzled her even more was that after bringing her back, the Empress Dowager hadn’t explained anything to her, nor shown her any concern.

She couldn’t help but wonder, why would the Empress Dowager be willing to protect her?

"If you have something to ask, then ask," the commanding voice of the Empress Dowager rose, "Don’t cower here, lacking the demeanor of nobility."

Her tone carried a hint of disdain.

At once, Nangong Xin felt aggrieved. However, since it was the Empress Dowager giving her a hard time, she couldn’t say anything and could only respond plaintively, "No."

Seeing Nangong Xin’s demeanor, the Empress Dowager frowned, a tinge of disdain in her eyes, "How come you’re nothing like your mother? This petty, lowly air you have, it really makes me wonder who you take after."

Nangong Xin became even more reluctant to talk back.

The Empress Dowager’s brows were tightly knit, just about to say something, but the unexpected change of events interrupted her.

"Who are you—" A sharp voice rang out; the person crying out wasn’t just anyone, but the Empress Dowager’s own Nanny Li, who was startled by the sudden entrance of a figure from outside.

Immediately, everyone’s attention was jarred by the unexpected shadow at the door. Upon closer inspection, they recognized that the arrival was none other than Lord National Master, whose rumored resurrection had been the talk of the time.

"How daring!" Nanny Li rebuked loudly, "Who are you? How dare you intrude upon the Empress Dowager’s palace so rashly, do you have a death wish?"

"How many lives I have is not of your concern," Zhong Niangyao continued walking forward smoothly, "I’m here today with the main goal of having a good talk with the Empress Dowager."

"Impudent," was Nanny Li’s stern retort, "What status do you hold to speak such words? The Empress Dowager’s status is exalted, not someone with whom you can just reckon as you please."

The Empress Dowager herself remained silent, letting Nanny Li speak.

Clearly, Nanny Li’s intentions were her intentions. She looked down on Zhong Niangyao and was certainly not going to regard Niangyao more favorably just because she was rumored to be the State Preceptor.

The moment Nangong Xin saw Zhong Niangyao enter the room, her heart shot into her throat. She, of course, remembered Niangyao; it was because of Nianyao that she had fallen to her current plight. She really worried about what Nianyao might do to her.

Now seeing the Empress Dowager’s attitude, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was clear that the Empress Dowager didn’t take Niangyao seriously, so as long as the Empress Dowager wanted to keep her safe, she would be fine.

Listening to Nanny Li, Niangyao never got angry but instead smiled warmly, "Empress Dowager, I would like to have a private chat with you, would that be okay?"

Nanny Li was about to chide her again but caught the fleeting glance from Niangyao. At once, all reproach was stuck in her throat, unable to utter another word.

Although there was no discernible emotion in Nianyao’s gaze, Nanny Li was overcome with an unprecedented fear that felt like hell itself had set its sights on her, as if she were an ant that could be crushed at any moment.

The Empress Dowager lifted her head and looked at Niangyao, her eyes filled with condescension and a cold sharpness, "Who do you think you are? What makes you think I would acquiesce to your demand?"

"Empress Dowager, you are mistaken," Niangyao replied with a smile, shaking her head. Though she said little, her tone carried an undeniable assertiveness, "This is not a request, but a demand. I’m not consulting with you; rather, I’m informing you."

That arrogant attitude instantly darkened the Empress Dowager’s face, and when she looked at Niangyao, her eyes faintly harbored murderous intent.