CHAPTER 356: CHAPTER 350: I AM THE MARQUIS MANSION DOWAGER 39

Tang Rong seemed lost in thought, as if he understood something yet not quite comprehending fully.

Anning patted his head: "Everyone has their own choices, and these matters are all your mother’s own choices. Since she chose this path, she must face the consequences."

Tang Rong blinked his eyes, looking at Anning: "I..."

He really couldn’t bring himself to plead on behalf of Ms. Zhang.

After all, it wasn’t just one life taken by Ms. Zhang.

"Can I go see her?"

Anning nodded: "Go ahead, have a good talk with her."

Tang Rong felt an unpleasant sensation as he stood up, turning to Anning and bowing deeply: "Thank you, ancestor, for your guidance."

Anning waved her hand: "Go now, hurry."

Upon returning to her room, Anning heard from Ruyue that not only Tang Rong went to visit Ms. Zhang, but Tang Qin did as well.

She smiled a little; Tang Qin was indeed a clever and smooth girl.

At this time, anyone else would likely stay far from Ms. Zhang, wishing never to see her again, and would even follow Mrs. Song and Tang Bai in making a clear break with Ms. Zhang.

But instead, Tang Qin drew closer, not shunning Ms. Zhang, and even personally brought food to visit her, showing the girl’s intelligence.

She was playing for a good reputation.

Indeed, as an illegitimate daughter, she was at a disadvantage in many aspects compared to legitimate children. That she could refrain from self-pity and take initiative in devising her own strategies made her a rare talent indeed.

Anning wondered about the Tang Family, unsure why the sons were mediocre while each daughter was not only attractive but also full of integrity and capability.

With Tang Xu and her sisters leading, followed by Tang Ying and others, none were inferior.

It was a question without an answer, and Anning didn’t care to figure it out.

Just as she was considering taking Xu Wan and others out to distract themselves, the Emperor had sent over a phoenix robe and phoenix crown.

Anning had to abandon the idea of going out for leisure, staying at the Tang Family in preparation for the upcoming coronation ceremony.

The Emperor was truly anxious; as soon as the phoenix robe was made, he urged the Ministry of Rites to quickly conduct the Empress’s coronation. Without dealing with state affairs, he was excessively idle, constantly bothering the Ministry of Rites, making the officials there miserable.

While Anning was learning the coronation etiquette from a nanny from the palace, the Emperor was busily arranging Ning’an Palace.

Now, the entire Ning’an Palace had changed.

Initially, Ning’an Palace was luxurious and full of wealth.

But now, Ning’an Palace had been redecorated quite simply; one could say, aside from the exterior, everything inside had been replaced.

Even the yard and the small garden of Ning’an Palace had been rearranged by the Emperor.

Emperor Yong Guang began to show filial piety, not only allowing the Emperor to fuss about, he also occasionally provided ideas and even used his private reserve of silver to buy decorations for the Emperor, truly the model of a filial son.

He wasn’t worried about the Emperor’s fussing over these decorations, as long as the Emperor didn’t interfere in politics, he was free to do as he pleased.

The Emperor pushed hard and slow, and the Ministry of Rites also hurried their work, finally holding the grand coronation ceremony ten days after the phoenix robe was weaved.

Anning first rode in the phoenix sedan chair from the main gate of the Imperial Palace and was carried into the palace, then following the Emperor, she presented herself at the Heavenly Altar in the phoenix robe. Under the witness of civil and military officials, she received the golden seal and the golden book, becoming the first Empress in the Dajing Dynasty to be carried in through the front gate.

Of course, the Supreme Empress was also an Empress.

When Anning became the Supreme Empress, many in the Tang Family almost floated when they walked.

Tang Bai, knowing Anning was his legitimate grandmother, couldn’t help but think, with his grandmother married to the Emperor, that made the Emperor his nominal grandfather and the Emperor his nominal uncle, hence his current status was almost on par with the princes.

Thinking this way, Tang Bai felt quite delighted.

As for his long-deceased grandfather, so many years had passed that Tang Bai had long forgotten what he looked like.

Of course, the other members of the Tang Family were quite happy.

Except Xu Wan felt uneasy and restless.

Before entering the palace, Anning had promised to take Xu Wan with her.

Now, Xu Wan wanted to follow Anning, but feared her status would be awkward once inside the palace.

She wanted to talk to someone, but not knowing whom to confide in, she could only endure alone.

But Song Jingman and Jiang Baoshu were somewhat taken aback.

When Anning entered the palace, the two girls began to regret not having fostered a good relationship with Anning, thus missing a great opportunity.

If they could gain Anning’s favor earlier, perhaps Anning would invite them to visit the palace, where they might have a chance to meet Prince Kang.

But now, Xu Wan had the best relationship with Anning. Unless something unexpected happened, Xu Wan was very likely to be brought into the palace to accompany her, and if she entered the palace, her chances of meeting Prince Kang would increase significantly.

Thinking this, the two felt even more uneasy.

Now that Ms. Zhang had fallen, Jiang Baoshu’s greatest support in the Tang Family was gone. She managed to endure it, continuing her interactions with the Tang Family as if Ms. Zhang had never existed.

Privately, Jiang Baoshu and Zhang Feng’er became more closely connected, frequently giving Zhang Feng’er gifts, hoping to follow her on visits in the future.

Song Jingman, however, could not match Jiang Baoshu’s composure.

Upon realizing that many plots were different from the books she had read, she became anxious.

She began to detest Xu Wan.

At the same time, she started to slowly spread rumors around the household.

Having no better ideas, she employed the tactics used by Ms. Zhang against Xu Wan in the books.

Saying things like Xu Wan had poor health, a bad temper, was petty, liked to sulk, and also mentioned that Xu Family had declined and Xu Wan, now living in Tang Family’s home, was depending on everything from them.

Meanwhile, Song Jingman also developed animosity towards Jiang Baoshu.

The reason being that Song Jingman noticed that Jiang Baoshu was always avoiding Tang Rong.

In the book, Jiang Baoshu was very enthusiastic towards Tang Rong, often creating opportunities to be alone with him, aiming to marry into the Tang Family and uplift her family’s status.

But Jiang Baoshu’s current behavior was very abnormal.

After observing carefully for a long time, Song Jingman suspected that Jiang Baoshu was from a similar background as her.

Thinking this, she felt that Jiang Baoshu’s intentions must be the same as hers, both aiming to enter Prince Kang Mansion.

Thus, Song Jingman naturally regarded Jiang Baoshu as her enemy.

Feeling most threatened by Jiang Baoshu, Song Jingman turned to attack her.

The first thing she did was to tarnish Jiang Baoshu’s reputation.

She bribed the servants in the household to spread rumors that Jiang Baoshu had a golden lock, inscribed with characters matching Tang Rong’s jade.

She also said the Taoist who gave Jiang Baoshu the golden lock had mentioned that she needed someone with jade to match.

Furthermore, she let people spread that Jiang Baoshu and Tang Rong were intimate, suggesting that the two were in love.

Song Jingman had some cunning.

Although these rumors originated from her, she did not want Jiang Baoshu to trace them back and target her upon finding out. Thus, she deliberately redirected the trouble towards Xu Wan.

In essence, Song Jingman wanted to use another’s hand to strike.