CHAPTER 474: CHAPTER 474: ADVISING THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW

Mrs. Dong spoke earnestly and said.

"Don’t think about it, I know what you’re planning. Xige will have his own path, and forcing it might not yield good results."

Madam Dong felt a bit displeased hearing her mother-in-law speak this way.

But over the years, she and her mother-in-law had gotten along quite harmoniously.

So she didn’t argue back.

Just sighed instead.

"Mother, naturally I can’t hide my thoughts from you. In fact, I don’t want this either, but look at Qiulan’s husband. How many times has he taken the exam and still failed? I’m just worried that Xige won’t have a future."

Madam Dong’s face was full of worry.

Ultimately, everything was for the children.

Xige was Mrs. Dong’s beloved great-grandson, she naturally cared for him.

But some things needed to be stopped before they became problems.

Otherwise, if they grew and spread, that would be real trouble.

So she spoke with a slightly stern yet caring tone.

"You’re overthinking. Even if, one day, Qiulan’s husband isn’t successful, isn’t there still Ke Li, his uncle? It’s only natural for him to look after his nephew, but trying to connect with the Imperial Concubine and the Fifth Prince might not lead to good results."

"Back when the Empress Dowager helped the Emperor ascend the throne, how did she suppress her maternal family afterward? You can see her intentions from this. If you insist on giving Xige such advice and grabbing the limelight, aren’t you afraid of attracting the Empress Dowager’s attention?"

With just a few words, Mrs. Dong had Madam Dong breaking out in a cold sweat.

She didn’t know the specifics, but in all those operas, which of the women who lasted in the harem weren’t tough characters?

Especially the Empress Dowager, whom she had seen a couple of times.

Even from afar, the aura was so strong that she didn’t dare to look directly.

Thinking about her young grandson being watched by the Empress Dowager made her shiver.

She immediately said.

"Mother, you’re much more knowledgeable. I almost made a mistake. In the future, I won’t dare to think of such things. I’d better focus on making Qiulan’s husband strive for improvement."

Her expression was serious and earnest.

Mrs. Dong felt a headache after hearing this and said directly.

"I think you should stop visiting him. He’s probably terrified of you; you visit every so often to check on him, even more strictly than his teacher."

Madam Dong furrowed her brows upon hearing this.

At the same time, she couldn’t help but have doubts.

Could it be as her mother-in-law said?

Was she actually delaying her daughter’s family?

Perhaps taking a break for a few months might lead to other possibilities.

After all, the results of the county examination in August would be out soon, so at most, she would just wait four to five months.

Thinking this, she no longer fretted over it.

As her heart opened up freely, she felt a sigh of relief leave her.

Having lived alongside her eldest daughter-in-law for decades, Mrs. Dong knew her character.

When she says something, she means it.

If she’s given up the idea, then she’s truly given it up.

So Mrs. Dong was able to close her eyes and rest without worries.

Seeing this, Madam Dong rested as well.

The carriage swayed gently as it slowly drove toward the Dong Family residence.

On the other hand, the young couple on their way to the Dou Family were quite affectionate.

Their marriage could be said to be the result of perfect timing, location, and harmony.

The two were of similar age and had complementary temperaments.

When Dong Qiuyue was a girl in the boudoir, she was innocent and lively.

Doctor Xiao Dou, like his grandfather, was very cautious and meticulous.

Their first meeting was already during their wedding night, yet unexpectedly, it was love at first sight.

Thus, it naturally led to a happily married couple’s good ending.

In the carriage, Dong Qiuyue was animatedly recounting the day’s events.

"Husband, you didn’t see it. Today, we went to thank the Imperial Concubine, but who knew she’d suddenly get upset? Then the Sixth Prince arrived and startled us all."

"Fortunately, Mother was there so both the Imperial Concubine and her son were safe. But Grandmother was in the corridor, under the sun for quite a while. I was worried she might get heatstroke."

Doctor Xiao Dou knew that his wife had been raised by Mrs. Dong since she was young.

Therefore, she was especially close to her grandmother.

As a result, she mentioned her grandmother far more often than her parents.

Thinking of this, to lighten the mood, he teased.

"Don’t worry, my dear. When you give birth, I promise to ensure your safety and not let Grandmother worry!"

His righteous demeanor made Dong Qiuyue blush deeply.

"What nonsense are you speaking?"

Nonetheless, her heart felt sweet as honey.

In public, Doctor Xiao Dou appeared very serious, but in front of Dong Qiuyue, he was always smiling.

One described with vivid words, the other listened attentively.

The noise outside the carriage did not disturb the couple.

Happily, they returned to the Dou Family.

Life outside the palace moved on, and so did life inside the palace.

Ever since Lin Wanyi gave birth to the Sixth Prince, many had been speculating that there might be more joyous news from Yihua Palace.

The current hope was whether it would be a promotion to Imperial Concubine or an immediate ascension to Empress.

Outsiders were still guessing.

Mid-May.

Waves of heat rolled in.

The entire palace had used ice, but against the sun, it was merely a drop in the bucket.

In Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager was playing chess, accompanied by Princess Hui Xian.

The mother and daughter often played chess while they were at Wutai Mountain.

Sometimes the Empress Dowager dominated the board, sometimes Princess Hui Xian took things slowly.

Thus, wins and losses were hard to determine.

For example, today’s game had been going for almost an hour without conclusion.

Nanny Wen was fanning them, and ice cream that had been prepared beforehand was brought in.

Princess Hui Xian had a bowl in front of her, but the Empress Dowager did not.

After taking a few bites, the heat subsided quite a bit for her.

So she said.

"Mother, this ice cream is quite refreshing. Why not have them bring a bowl for you to try?"

The Empress Dowager shook her head and said directly.

"I’m old, can’t eat cold things, or it causes stomach pain. To seek momentary relief and trouble myself, I don’t like it."

Hearing this, Princess Hui Xian smiled.

Her mother really hadn’t changed a bit.

She wondered if her mother had been a Bodhisattva in a past life to have such steadfast self-control.

She was like this when young, and the same at an older age.

As a result, Princess Hui Xian joked.

"Don’t the ancients always say, ’one should enjoy life to the fullest when they can, not let the golden goblet face the moon in vain’? Mother’s different."

The Empress Dowager paused her chess piece for a moment, looked up at Hui Xian.

Then she softly said.

"Too many desires lead to turmoil within."

Though not explicit, her words made Hui Xian’s heart skip a beat.

But she quickly put on a smile, displaying a modest and receptive demeanor, and said.

"Mother, your teachings are right, I’ll remember."

Then, she placed her chess piece in a brilliant spot, turning all of the Empress Dowager’s strategic efforts into an illusion.