Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 862: Chapter 21: Lady Liang Is No Easy Target (Part 2)

Lady Liang, filled with doubt, received the letter from Gui Xing’s hands.

Pian Cairen, who was beside her, acted as if facing a formidable enemy: "What does Noble Princess Consort Rong want to do?"

Lady Liang opened the letter and glanced at it, immediately her expression turned peculiar.

"Noble Princess Consort Rong invited me to her palace for tea." After speaking, she handed the letter to Pian Cairen.

Pian Cairen took the letter, carefully read it two or three times, then also looked puzzled: "Sister, why is Noble Princess Consort Rong inviting you for tea out of the blue?"

Lady Liang was also puzzled: "I don’t know." Noble Princess Consort Rong had never invited her before; it was the first time since entering the palace that she was invited by Noble Princess Consort Rong for tea. What is Noble Princess Consort Rong up to?

At this moment, another palace maid, Gui Tao, hurriedly walked in, forgetting to even bow.

"Madam, Jiang Chuan from the Empress’s side has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Lady Liang stood up in shock and quickly walked out. Just as she reached the door, Jiang Chuan came to meet her.

Jiang Chuan properly bowed and greeted Lady Liang: "This servant greets Lady Liang."

"Please rise, Miss Jiang Chuan." Lady Liang did not dare to delay the grand palace maid beside Empress Xie, "Does the Empress have any instructions?"

Jiang Chuan politely said: "Lady Liang, the Empress invites you to Zhao Yang Palace to admire the plum blossoms and snow."

Empress Xie loved plum blossoms, and she had a plum grove planted specifically in Zhao Yang Palace. Every year when it snowed, the plum grove’s snowy scenery in Zhao Yang Palace was particularly beautiful.

Lady Liang was taken aback, her tone somewhat incredulous: "The Empress invites me to admire the plum blossoms and snow?"

"Yes."

"Today?"

"Yes, do you have time?"

Even if there’s no time, there must be time. Moreover, Lady Liang did have time.

"I will tidy up and then head to Zhao Yang Palace."

Jiang Chuan did not say anything further and turned to leave Kunde Hall.

Returning to the warm chamber, Pian Cairen said anxiously: "Sister, the Empress and Noble Princess Consort Rong are simultaneously inviting you to visit their palaces, what do they want to do?"

Gui Xing and Gui Tao also looked fearful and worried: "Madam, are the Empress and Noble Princess Consort Rong planning something unfavorable for you?"

"Probably not." Lady Liang glanced at the glass tea bowl on the heating couch table, then guessed the reason for Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong suddenly inviting her over.

"Madam, both the Empress and Noble Princess Consort Rong have invited you, where will you go first?" Gui Xing felt worried for Lady Liang, "If you go to the Empress first, Noble Princess Consort Rong will surely hold a grudge against you. If you go to Noble Princess Consort Rong first, you will offend the Empress."

Pian Cairen exclaimed urgently: "Sister, maybe you should pretend to be ill and not go to either."

"Jiang Chuan personally came to invite me, she saw I was perfectly fine, how can I pretend to be ill?" Lady Liang felt quite calm inside, "I’ll go see the Empress first."

"What about Noble Princess Consort Rong’s side?" Pian Cairen said with a serious expression, "Sister, you know that Noble Princess Consort Rong and the Empress don’t get along. If you go to the Empress first, Noble Princess Consort Rong will definitely resent you and make things difficult for you."

"The Empress is the master of the Six Palaces; there’s no issue with me seeing her first." Lady Liang said with a calm demeanor, "If this causes offense to Noble Princess Consort Rong, there’s nothing that can be done." After saying this, she asked Gui Xing and Gui Tao to assist her in dressing up.

After Lady Liang dressed deliberately, she headed to Zhao Yang Palace with Gui Xing.

Soon, Noble Princess Consort Rong learned that Lady Liang went to the Empress, naturally feeling displeased. However, since she had matters to discuss with Lady Liang, she decided not to hold grudges temporarily.

In Changding Palace, upon hearing that the Empress invited Lady Liang to admire the plum blossoms and snow, Princess Consort Li felt unsurprised.

"Madam, I heard Noble Princess Consort Rong also invited Lady Liang, but Lady Liang went to the Empress first." Qiu Sang’s tone was filled with worry, "Lady Liang has offended Noble Princess Consort Rong."

Princess Consort Li said: "There was nothing wrong with Lady Liang going to the Empress first."

"But, Noble Princess Consort Rong won’t see it that way." Noble Princess Consort Rong is petty, perhaps she’s already angry with Lady Liang. "Lady Liang is no match for Noble Princess Consort Rong."

"Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to Lady Liang." Even if not for the sake of Prince Han cooperating with Prince Chu in business, just for the fact that Prince Chu cares for Prince Han, Princess Consort Li would help Lady Liang. Besides, Prince Chu had already asked Princess Consort Li beforehand to keep an eye on Lady Liang.

In the Imperial Study, a glass vase with several blooming plum branches in it was added to the emperor’s desk, with snowy petals. This was personally sent just now by Empress Xie.

"Your Majesty, Lady Liang just went to the Empress." Sun Kui respectfully reported to the emperor, "The Empress sent Jiang Chuan to invite Lady Liang. Noble Princess Consort Rong also sent someone for Lady Liang."