Chapter Nine: Tenderness

With her words, she cast a meaningful glance around the room, as though everything was firmly within her grasp.

Perhaps her confidence and strength were too overwhelming, causing those managers who harbored guilty consciences to lose their defenses at once. First, Manager Zhang trembled and collapsed to his knees.

He sobbed bitterly, saying, "Your Highness, I confess to being greedy for profit and leaking some trivial information. Please spare me!"

He seemed oblivious to pain, his head thudding repeatedly against the floor. Though he loved wealth, his life mattered more.

Seeing this, the others knelt one after another, as if pleading on his behalf. Wei Baofu gave a mocking smile, "You may think it trivial, but you have no idea what others might deduce from it. Rest assured, I will keep you alive for now. Whether your life lasts, however, depends on your own conduct."

Manager Zhang, feeling as though a drowning man had been rescued, knocked his head even harder against the ground. "Thank you, Your Highness, for sparing me! Thank you for your mercy. I swear I will never betray you and will devote my loyalty to you!"

Wei Baofu paid him no mind. She rose, straightened her sleeves, and said with calm indifference, "All of you here must understand—paper cannot wrap fire. Whatever you have done, I will learn of it sooner or later. You had best conduct yourselves wisely."

Her words, though mild, weighed heavily on those present. As she turned to leave, everyone bowed respectfully.

Once she was out of sight, they helped each other up and departed. Manager Wen gave a bitter smile and pulled Manager Li aside, saying, "Old Li, I always thought Her Highness was gentle and easy-going, but I never expected her to be so sharp. Luckily, we don't harbor any secrets."

Manager Li patted him comfortingly on the shoulder, "It's over now, it's over. Let's have a drink to steady our nerves."

Leaving the council chamber, Wei Baofu's steely resolve softened. Nurse Qian's eyes reddened with concern.

"Your Highness, let's return and rest. You needn't force yourself."

Wei Baofu exhaled lightly, adjusted her emotions, and answered as cheerfully as she could, "Don't worry, Nurse. I'm fine. Let us go greet Grandmother. She's in the next room, isn't she?"

When the Empress Dowager had entered earlier, Bingxin had whispered to her, and Wei Baofu merely smiled, not objecting. If Grandmother could find peace by watching, let her watch.

"No need for you to go over; I will come keep you company," the Empress Dowager's voice was choked with emotion as she entered, supported by Nurse Feng.

Wei Baofu hurriedly rose and paid her respects. She always did so willingly, not out of fear of imperial authority, but from genuine affection.

"No need for such ceremony. Will you sit and talk with me a while?" The Empress Dowager took Wei Baofu's hand, affectionately pulling her up.

"How could I not have time to speak with Grandmother? Let us walk and talk, and I shall accompany you for lunch."

The Empress Dowager nodded in agreement. The palace was peaceful for now, and a private conversation between grandmother and granddaughter posed no harm.

Wei Baofu linked arms with the Empress Dowager. Nurse Feng and the others retreated a few paces, leaving the pair some space.

Sunlight bathed them, and Wei Baofu felt the gloom in her heart recede. She remembered how, as a child, she often walked with her grandmother, but later, with so much to learn, there was no time.

"I suddenly think that if you were merely an ordinary noblewoman, it might not be such a bad thing," the Empress Dowager mused.

Her words surprised Wei Baofu, for the strong-willed old lady suddenly seemed fragile. How deeply must she care?

Wei Baofu gently leaned on the Empress Dowager's shoulder, smiling, and said earnestly, "Grandmother, I adore my present state. If I were like other noblewomen, how could I protect you?"

The Empress Dowager stroked her hair, her gaze growing more sorrowful. "If your father were still alive, would we need to expend so much effort? Such is fate."

Wei Baofu shook her head, "Even if Father were here, I would be just the same. I was not born to cling to others—I like to walk my own path."

The Empress Dowager smiled, somewhat relieved, "You are stronger and more clear-sighted than I. What I can do for you is limited, but remember: never let your brilliance be too sharp."

She paused, watching Wei Baofu's expression. Wei Baofu found nothing amiss, and wholeheartedly agreed.

"Rest assured, Grandmother. My sharpness will only be shown to enemies. As for those irrelevant, I will not compete."

The Empress Dowager shook her head, speaking earnestly, "I mean that in your dealings with other noble ladies, you should be discreet. Sometimes your excellence blocks their way. Of course, should you become so outstanding that they look up to you, that's a different matter."

She wished Wei Baofu would act prudently. Wei Baofu had never intended to outshine every lady. She had few close friends—in her previous life, none, and in this life, no opportunity for any—but that did not mean she did not need them.

"Grandmother, don't worry. I understand. I am so likable, surely no one will unite against me."

She finished and playfully winked, as if the gloom had vanished.

Just as the two were about to speak further, a young eunuch hurried in and knelt, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Eunuch Zhang, Chief of the Imperial Household, has arrived with a decree from His Majesty."

The inevitable had come. Grandmother and granddaughter exchanged smiles, and the Empress Dowager said lightly, "Bring him in to see me."

It was Zhang Dewang's first visit to Jianzhang Palace. Seeing its refined arrangements, he kept his gaze lowered, mindful of the Emperor's instructions.

Even after more than ten years, the Empress Dowager recognized him instantly—after all, she had chosen him for the Emperor. She had chosen well.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty and wishes you peace, and greets Her Highness."

Though Chief of the Imperial Household, Zhang Dewang was not arrogant. Instead, he was cautious and respectful.

"Oh, I am far from peaceful. The home I've lived in most of my life is out of reach—where is there any peace?"

Zhang Dewang had expected her resentment and took no offense, maintaining his humble smile. "Your Majesty, you speak too harshly. His Majesty thinks of you constantly. He sent me especially to escort you and Her Highness back to the palace."

Though she heard what she wanted, the Empress Dowager was not pleased. Instead, her discontent grew. She was like a child suffering grievances, wanting to vent but finding no one to rely on.

Wei Baofu noticed her mood at once. Grandmother's greatest flaw was her emotional volatility—often, she could not control herself. Now she should graciously accept, not complain.

"Please rise, Sir. Forgive Grandmother if her excitement about seeing Uncle the Emperor makes her a little emotional," Wei Baofu spoke gently, without a trace of superiority, making everyone feel at ease.

Zhang Dewang knew the Empress Dowager's temperament well—some displeasure was inevitable. Yet he was impressed by Her Highness's ability to pacify her.

"Thank you, Your Highness. We servants know well: between mother and son, no grudge lasts overnight. We all hope for harmony in the family. Isn't it said that a harmonious home prospers?"

Wei Baofu sought to frame the discord between mother and son as family matters, and Zhang Dewang readily agreed.

The Empress Dowager was willing to listen to her granddaughter. With this diversion, her anger dissipated, and she said, "Dewang, help me to my seat so we may talk."

She donned her Empress Dowager's air, and Zhang Dewang dared not object, quickly stepping forward to assist.

Wei Baofu watched, both amused and exasperated. Her grandmother truly was an old child, always seeking some way to vent.

Zhang Dewang, long accustomed to serving others, supported the Empress Dowager slowly, his humility almost touching the ground. To rise to Chief of the Imperial Household, one must be flexible, and Wei Baofu admired him for it.