Luo Ningshuang dared not be negligent. The empress before her was difficult to distinguish as friend or foe, so she did not dare to be careless and quickly knelt down, making her voice sound calm and elegant. She knew that what such a person in a high position liked most was a person who was neither humble nor arrogant.
"This humble woman, Luo Ningshuang, greets Your Majesty the Empress."
Bai Mingyue had been watching in a daze for a long time. He had previously liked Luo Zhiheng because of her amazing talent and beautiful appearance, which had attracted him. But what man doesn't love a beautiful woman? Although Luo Zhiheng was beautiful, she was definitely not on the same level as the woman in front of him. His amazement was completely displayed on his face.
Seeing his expression, the Empress was displeased, but her face remained calm as she looked at Luo Ning Shuang and said, "Raise your head and let me see you."
Luo Ningshuang quickly looked up, but her expression was as pure and innocent as a little white flower, both innocent and delicate.
When the Empress saw Luo Ningshuang's face, it immediately overlapped with Luo Zhiheng's. The two faces were exactly the same. Luo Zhiheng's face was now rosy thanks to her touch-ups, but Luo Ningshuang's face looked just like Luo Zhiheng's from several days ago—pale and haggard.
Seeing Luo Ningshuang so suddenly, she really thought she saw Luo Zhiheng. The Empress had long been fond of Luo Zhiheng, so she naturally softened her heart a bit when facing Luo Ningshuang. Thinking that this girl was also her daughter's orphan and the second daughter of the direct line, the Empress felt both emotional and a little heartache.
The way older people treat younger generations is completely different from how their peers treat younger generations. Even if the younger generation is absurd or confused, older people will always show more tolerance and affection, especially when it comes to their own grandchildren.
Although the Empress knew some of Luo Ningshuang's methods and actions over the years, she did not know everything. The most serious thing she knew was that Luo Ningshuang had slandered and harmed her eldest sister in the Southern Dynasty, and also coveted her brother-in-law.
These things initially angered the Empress and made her look down on Luo Ningshuang, but when she saw Luo Ningshuang in person, Her Majesty couldn't help but soften a little, and could only sigh in her heart, "After all, she is Heng'er's daughter."
Luo Ningshuang had lived two lives, one a tragic death and the other a rebirth. In this life, she had become incredibly skilled at reading people and expressions to survive. She was very careful and attentive to the Empress's emotions and changes. Although the Empress did not show many emotional changes, Luo Ningshuang still noticed the softening in her eyes and gaze.
Luo Ningshuang sensed that the Empress seemed to have changed her attitude towards her all of a sudden, which reassured her somewhat, as long as she wasn't an enemy.
The Queen said, "Get up, the ground is cold."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Luo Ningshuang replied obediently, but when she stood up, she deliberately stumbled to the side as if her legs had suddenly gone weak, and exclaimed in surprise.
However, the pain she expected didn't materialize. A fragrant breeze wafted by, and Luo Ningshuang found herself in the Empress's arms. Her eyes widened instantly.
"Is Shuang'er alright?" The Empress asked, frowning as she held the rather small Luo Ning Shuang in her arms.
Luo Ningshuang's face paled slightly. Why was the Empress suddenly calling her so affectionately? And hugging her? Could the Empress be someone important? Did she like beautiful women? Did she know she was young and beautiful, and that's why she traveled all this way to find her? Luo Ningshuang broke out in a cold sweat. She had no desire to become a concubine; the thought alone made her nauseous. 12.
But the Empress said unhurriedly, "Is Shuang'er so weak? Is it because of the hard work in Zhou She? Someone, bring Huo Yun to see me quickly."
Luo Ningshuang was startled again. She hadn't expected the Empress to be able to mobilize that powerful Lady Huoyun. Yes, this was the Empress. If she was displeased, she could crush her with one hand. If she really took a liking to her and wanted her to be her concubine, then she wouldn't be able to resist. On the other hand, the Empress was powerful and influential, and could easily get her away from the Southern Dynasty Emperor. The fact that she went to such lengths to get her meant that she must have heard of her beauty and had been hoping for her for a long time. That meant the Empress would treat her well. Staying by the Empress's side was better than staying by that devil Bai Mingyue's side. Moreover, if she gained the Empress's favor, she could use the Empress to eliminate Bai Mingyue and Luo Zhiheng.
Second hour! Hahaha, three loud laughs! Thank God, my poor grandpa's love for his granddaughter has kept my internet so resilient and standing strong. My darlings, guess what Her Majesty the Empress's reaction will be when she finds out about Luo Ningshuang's disgusting idea? Haha, just thinking about the Empress's reaction makes me want to burst out laughing. Still asking for recommendation votes, comments, and monthly tickets! Group kisses!
426 A misunderstanding leads to embarrassment! The guilty party accuses the innocent first!
Updated: 2013-11-07 13:19:54 Word Count: 7661
Thinking about it this way, it's a win-win situation. Although it's disgusting and absurd to give myself to a woman, she's already at her wit's end and has no other choice.
Luo Ningshuang, in her self-righteousness, imagined the Empress to be a lecherous woman, the kind who enjoys women, and then, in her own self-righteousness, she willingly submitted to the Empress. She immediately nestled softly into the Empress's arms, crying pitifully, and teasingly rubbed her full, round breasts against the Empress's body, sobbing, "Your Majesty, you must do justice for Shuang'er..."
Her Majesty the Empress was a very perceptive and astute person. She immediately noticed the changing expressions on Luo Ningshuang's face, and coupled with her ambiguous little gestures, it made Her Majesty feel a sudden wave of nausea.
But this person was her granddaughter, and had only just returned, so she couldn't say too much. She released Luo Ningshuang and tried to speak, but unexpectedly, Luo Ningshuang clung to her again.
"Your Majesty, Shuang'er's illness is due to the fatigue of the journey, but it's because... Waaah, Shuang'er is so pitiful. She was forced into marriage by her own sister, and to someone she doesn't even like. This person not only doesn't like me, but also likes her sister. You don't know my sister; she clearly knows that Bai Mingyue likes her, but she still insists on doing this. It's clearly suppressing me. But I don't resent my sister; after all, she's already married. Yet Bai Mingyue has always been... Waaah..." Luo Ningshuang began to complain before the Empress could ask, her hesitant manner making one want to ask her what Bai Mingyue had done to her.
The Empress frowned slightly, her originally gentle expression turning colder, though her voice remained relatively mild: "How has he treated you?"
Luo Ningshuang seemed too terrified to speak. She glanced up at Bai Mingyue opposite her, then quickly grabbed the Empress's arm, shrinking back in fear, as if terrified of Bai Mingyue. This was Tang...
The Empress's cold, sharp gaze instantly fell upon Bai Mingyue. 107.
Bai Mingyue felt an immense pressure, like Mount Tai pressing down on her. She withdrew her amazed gaze, her heart pounding wildly, utterly terrified. Her sinister voice trembled slightly: "Your Majesty, don't listen to this vile woman's nonsense. Just look at her filthy face; you can tell she has no good intentions. She's deceiving Your Majesty. She wants to marry me, but I don't even want her. Hmph, does she think she's some pure and innocent person?"
"Bai Mingyue, don't talk nonsense! If you hadn't forced me, do you think I would have married a good-for-nothing like you? My sister can marry someone as outstanding as Prince Mu Yunhe, so why can't I? I'm no less than my sister!" Luo Ningshuang said angrily, her eyes bulging.
"Hahaha! What a joke! Are you telling a story? You're not much better than your sister, are you? You're far inferior! Someone like you wants to find someone like Mu Yunhe? You're dreaming!" Bai Mingyue said sarcastically, his gaze fixed on Luo Ningshuang as if he wanted to devour her whole. Luo Ningshuang had once again crossed his line; Bai Mingyue didn't want to hear the word "good-for-nothing" even if it meant death.
Luo Ningshuang understood the look in Bai Mingyue's eyes; he was warning her that if she said another word, she would be in trouble. Luo Ningshuang was indignant, but unsure whether the Empress would stand up for her, she dared not say anything more.
The Empress had long known about what Luo Ningshuang had done in the Southern Dynasty. She had initially been lenient towards her because she was Heng'er's daughter, but now that Luo Ningshuang had revealed it herself and even dared to drag her sister into the mess, the Empress was furious and enraged by Luo Ningshuang's character, which made her impression of her even worse.
"Enough! What do you take this place for? I didn't send you here to watch you argue." The Empress glanced at Luo Ningshuang, her tone authoritative.
Luo Ningshuang was shocked and quickly concealed her sharp tongue. She carefully choked out, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was forced into this situation. For so many days, this man has been hurt and bullied by me. I am afraid. Please, Your Majesty, save me and rescue me from this devil's clutches. I will do anything to repay Your Majesty, even if it means serving you like a slave. Whatever Your Majesty asks of me, I will do without hesitation."
It was utterly illogical for Luo Ningshuang to plead with a woman she had just met, but she was now desperate and had no choice but to seek help from the powerful Empress before her. She had truly had enough of those two despicable men and women.
The Empress remained indifferent to her granddaughter's opportunistic behavior, saying with a half-smile, "Oh? You'll agree to do anything I ask? What do you think I'll ask you to do?"
The empress herself was heroic, and because she had been in a position of power for many years, she naturally had a masculine air about her. When she spoke like this, her beautiful face and graceful demeanor made her extremely charming.
Luo Ningshuang thought that being kept as a concubine by such a woman wasn't too unbearable. She had long heard that those in power had very unique tastes, and it seemed to be true.
Luo Ningshuang feigned shyness and trepidation, yet also displayed her intelligence and understanding. She looked at Her Majesty the Empress with a bashful expression and said softly and slowly, "Even if Your Majesty desires Shuang'er, Shuang'er is willing. It is Shuang'er's blessing to serve such an outstanding person as Your Majesty. Shuang'er is only grateful and happy. I only beg Your Majesty, please save Shuang'er."
Upon hearing Luo Ningshuang's words, the Empress nearly turned pale with anger. Her eyes widened, and the Empress lost her composure, pointing at Luo Ningshuang as if her body had gone numb.
How could her granddaughter say such indecent things?! A granddaughter living with her own grandmother? What is this? Incest? Taboo? Or madness? She's insane!
Bai Mingyue was already disgusted by Luo Ningshuang's nauseating pretentious act, and immediately retorted sarcastically, "You shameless wretch! Have you no shame? You've actually stooped so low as to be a woman's plaything? You're disgusting!"
The people in the hall were stunned into silence. Their Empress was perfectly normal; she only liked men. Which eye of this woman had seen that Her Majesty the Empress would want her?
Luo Ningshuang was also extremely nervous. She thought that if she spoke up, the Empress would see her good qualities and intelligence, and the Empress would like her more. This would give her more leverage in winning the Empress's heart in the future. But now, seeing the Empress's ugly expression, Luo Ningshuang couldn't help but feel a chill. Had she guessed wrong? What should she do?
Startled, she knelt down abruptly and said tremblingly, "Your Majesty's mood is unpredictable. I was just acting rashly. I didn't mean anything by it. I was just saying that even if I could stay by Your Majesty's side and serve you as a maid, I would be happy."
"But Her Majesty the Empress doesn't need her granddaughter to serve as a maid. I never knew that a daughter of the Luo family could be so lowly as to willingly debase herself to become a maid? You, the princess consort of a prince of the Southern Dynasty, speak and act in such a way, aren't you afraid of disgracing the Southern Dynasty's dignity!" A delicate and melodious voice suddenly rang out, breaking the eerie atmosphere in the hall.
Luo Ningshuang froze for a moment, then turned around abruptly, her eyes flashing with a ruthless rage that seemed to want to devour someone alive.
Bai Mingyue turned around immediately, and her eyes lit up the moment she saw the person who came, but her eyes were filled with extremely complex emotions, including love and hate.
Luo Zhiheng ignored Bai Mingyue's fly-like gaze and, supported by Mu Yunhe, gracefully walked into the hall. Then, to everyone's surprise, she called out to the Empress in a sweet voice, "Granddaughter greets Imperial Grandmother."
A hint of helplessness flashed across Her Majesty's face, but her affection only grew stronger. When she saw Luo Zhiheng, her face lit up with a smile, a genuine smile that was far more sincere and tender than when she was with Luo Ningshuang.
"Why did you come out? You're not fully recovered yet; you should rest more," the Empress said gently.
Luo Zhiheng puffed out her cheeks and said sweetly, "I'm practically itching to get out of bed all the time. When I heard my 'good sister' was back, I was so happy that I felt refreshed immediately and couldn't wait to see her. Who knew my 'good sister' would be so filial? She even volunteered to be a maid for the Empress Dowager. Tsk tsk, compared to her, I really am the unfilial one. After such a long separation, I'm only focused on enjoying the Empress Dowager's love and the nourishing soup she made, while my good sister is thinking about how to serve her. The difference makes me quite uneasy."
Luo Zhiheng spoke with tears streaming down her face, her voice choked with sobs, yet not a single tear appeared on her face. She clutched the heart-shaped garment, appearing heartbroken and filled with self-reproach, but the charming and alluring look in her eyes held only a smile, not an apology.
Even her acting is so fake, it's so pretentious and disgusting! Luo Ningshuang thought maliciously.
But what's wrong with these people? Are they all idiots or blind? Luo Zhiheng is obviously acting, so why does Mu Yunhe look so nervous? Why does the Empress look so distressed?
Luo Zhiheng asked Mu Yunhe in a panic, "Am I so unfilial, so bad at handling things, so disrespectful to elders and children? Is that terrible? Will you divorce me?"
Mu Yunhe was overjoyed. Luo Zhiheng's insults were so elegant, he couldn't very well not play along. So he gently touched her face and subtly pinched it. It was so tender it looked like it was about to burst with moisture. His voice softened even more: "No, I love Aheng no matter what. Besides, how could you be disrespectful to your elders or unfilial? Look, as soon as your sister came back, you immediately disregarded your frail health and rushed out to see her. She will remember this kindness for a lifetime. This is your way of showing love for children."
"Furthermore, regarding respecting elders, your imperial grandmother knows best how you treat her. If you didn't respect elders, would she love you so much? She would even condescend to personally cook soups and broths for you every single day. How many elderly people in the world can do that? This is your blessing, and your imperial grandmother knows it."
"Really? Grandmother?" Luo Zhiheng was addicted to acting, and even more addicted to provoking others. Glancing out of the corner of her eye at Luo Ningshuang's pale, horrified face, she smiled coquettishly and asked Her Majesty the Empress with hope.
The Empress's lips stiffened slightly, but she smiled and said, "Yes, yes, my dear grandson is the most filial."
“That’s right, my Aheng is the best. Don’t belittle yourself, or your sister will laugh at you,” Mu Yunhe said indifferently.
Luo Zhiheng, however, seemed unwilling to give up. She walked to the Empress's side, wrapped her arm around her, and asked arrogantly, "Then who does Grandmother like the most?"
Her Majesty the Empress enjoyed her granddaughter's affectionate behavior and, of course, couldn't let her down. She smiled and said, "Of course, I love our Heng'er the most."
Luo Ningshuang's face turned completely white in an instant.
Luo Zhiheng smiled contentedly, her eyes narrowed. After a while, as if she had just noticed Luo Ningshuang still kneeling on the ground, she exclaimed in surprise, "Oh! Why is Shuang'er still kneeling on the ground? Your filial piety is commendable, but our Empress Dowager doesn't need you to be her maid. The people serving the Empress Dowager are not ordinary people. If you continue like this, you'll be making things difficult for the Empress Dowager."
Luo Ningshuang was so shocked that she became demented.
Luo Zhiheng… what on earth is this vile woman saying?! Grandmother? What grandmother? Granddaughter? When did they become the granddaughters of an empress?! Could their father be a prince of the Silver Moon Kingdom?
Luo Ningshuang's mind was full of questions and a complete mess, but she accurately grasped one piece of information: she really had a chance to turn her life around!
Trembling and incredulous, Luo Ningshuang looked at the Empress and asked cautiously, "You...you are actually my grandmother?!"
Luo Zhiheng laughed and said, "Wrong, it's not your imperial grandmother, but our imperial grandmother. Her Majesty the Empress is my brother, and your imperial grandmother is me. What? Shuang'er didn't know that?"
Luo Ningshuang instantly felt like she'd been played. What had she just done? She'd actually thought her own grandmother liked her, and even wanted to be her grandmother's plaything? Luo Ningshuang was dumbfounded, feeling like she'd been struck by lightning. She didn't know what she meant to Her Majesty the Empress at this moment. She was terrified and regretful; if only she hadn't been so clever. But even if she were clever, how could she have predicted that this important figure she'd never met before would actually be her own grandmother!
"Grandmother!" Luo Ningshuang suddenly knelt down and walked to the Empress, reaching out to hug the Empress's thigh. Tears streamed down her face instantly. "You are actually Shuang'er's Grandmother! Shuang'er really can't believe that Shuang'er can still be loved. Waaah, for so many years, Shuang'er has always envied others who have kind grandparents to love them, but I have never had one. My father has never mentioned that his mother is still alive. If I had known about Grandmother's existence earlier, Shuang'er might not have suffered so much."
Luo Ningshuang now had only one thought: this sudden appearance of the Empress Dowager was someone she hadn't known in her past life. This was someone she couldn't grasp and didn't know, but this person had appeared in this life, and with such a dazzlingly noble status. She had to seize this opportunity. If she could cling to the Empress Dowager's coattails, she wouldn't have to worry about anything in her next life. Wealth, power, and riches would be within her grasp; she could have everything she wanted. Then, she could kill all those who had wronged her, hurt her, and made her unhappy.
Luo Ningshuang was also filled with resentment. It happened again, Luo Zhiheng beat her to it. Looking at her grandmother's attitude towards Luo Zhiheng, Luo Ningshuang could actually sense that her grandmother truly favored her. She even said she loved her the most! How could she do this! All the good things and benefits went to that despicable Luo Zhiheng; hadn't she wasted her chance at rebirth?
We must snatch it away; we must completely steal the Empress Dowager's loving gaze.
Her Majesty the Empress frowned once more, displeased with Luo Ningshuang's sobs and words. It was as if she were about to die. And could Luo Ningshuang even understand the situation? She glanced at Luo Zhiheng, who was actually watching the spectacle with amusement. Helpless, the Empress glared at Luo Zhiheng.
Luo Zhiheng grinned and said lightly, "Oh, Shuang'er, get up quickly. Our Empress Dowager is perfectly fine. It's very taboo for you to cry like this; she won't like it. Besides, although she is our Empress Dowager, she's not Father's mother, but Mother's mother."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Luo Ningshuang's head was throbbing, resenting Luo Zhiheng for always only saying half of what she meant.
Luo Zhiheng stopped talking. She wasn't going to explain to Luo Ningshuang; she'd let Luo Ningshuang find the answer herself.
"Shuang'er, get up. I called you back this time to see how you are doing. After all, I have been separated from your mother for many years, and I still need to take care of her children. Now that I see that you two sisters are married and your husbands are both... very good, I am much more at ease." When the Empress said this, she glanced at Bai Mingyue, who was still in shock. The phrase "very good" was said insincerely.
Mu Yunhe is quite good, but Bai Mingyue... is extremely bad!
Upon hearing this, Luo Ningshuang panicked. Would she not take advantage of such a powerful imperial grandmother? She didn't want to continue living with Bai Mingyue.
"Grandmother, save me! Shuang'er is not happy at all. Look, look at all the injuries on Shuang'er's body!" Luo Ning Shuang emotionally took off her clothes. Her actions were unexpected, and she didn't care that there were other men present.
A fleeting shadow crossed Mu Yunhe's face as he quickly left the hall, followed by the other men.
The Empress's face darkened slightly, while Luo Zhiheng watched Luo Ningshuang's actions with a forced smile.
Luo Ningshuang straightened her chest and said with tears in her eyes, "Grandmother, please look at me, look at my body."
Even though the Empress was surrounded, she still glanced down, and that one glance made Her Majesty's expression turn extremely ugly. She shouted, "What exactly happened? Who hit this person?!"
Seeing those terrible wounds and bruises, one didn't need to ask to know what kind of inhuman treatment Luo Ningshuang had suffered. The Empress, who lived a life of high esteem, was definitely not the kind of woman anyone dared to defy. In the Silver Moon Kingdom, it was only women who bullied men; how could men dare to abuse a woman like that?
The Empress was furious. Although she didn't think highly of this granddaughter, the granddaughter was her daughter's orphan, and she had found her to make amends. The Empress couldn't ignore her granddaughter who was covered in wounds.
Luo Ningshuang angrily pointed at Bai Mingyue, crying out, "It's him! It's all that devil Bai Mingyue's doing. Ever since I married Bai Mingyue, my granddaughter hasn't had a single peaceful day. Bai Mingyue is a madman. He abuses his granddaughter every day, beating her until she's covered in bruises and welts. No matter how much she begs for mercy or cries out, he shows no mercy. Torturing my granddaughter like this is more painful than killing her. Sometimes I even think, he might as well just kill me. Why torture me and himself like this?"
The Empress looked at Bai Mingyue with extremely gloomy eyes and said in a somber tone, "Is what Shuang'er said true? Why did you torture her like this?"