The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 19

As Lu Zhao approached the inner courtyard of the Princess’s residence, she could hear cheerful laughter and conversation from within. Frowning slightly, she lowered her voice and asked, “Xi Gui, are there other guests in the house?”

Xi Gui rubbed his nose and replied cautiously, “The Princess sent word that the Grand Dowager of the Song family, along with her granddaughter Song Jin, came specifically today to visit and reminisce with Her Highness.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhao abruptly halted in her tracks and turned to retreat to her own quarters, but she was spotted immediately by Gao Han, who was seated at the head of the room.

Gao Han fixed her beautiful eyes on Lu Zhao and called out, “A’Zhao, come and pay your respects to Grand Dowager Song and Miss Song.”

Princess Gao Han had her jet-black hair tied neatly behind her head and wore a striking crimson outfit with a fitted waist, exuding an air of effortless elegance. Time seemed to have been particularly kind to this beauty; though she was already past forty, she looked no older than thirty, her laughter bright and captivating. Seated at the head of the room, her every gesture radiated an imposing nobility.

Lu Zhao sighed inwardly. Her mother was truly relentless. She should have told her about Xia Xia sooner.

Lu Zhao’s mother, Gao Han, and her father, Lu Mu, had spent years traveling abroad. In her early years, they had left Lu Zhao in the care of their close friend Lin Huaian. As she grew older, she was left to live independently in Yindu. As a result, Lu Zhao had grown up self-reliant, her thoughts rarely revealed to others, and she always maintained a cool, detached demeanor toward people.

In earlier years, Gao Han had tried to arrange matches for her with sons of noble families, only to be taken aback when Lu Zhao confided that, like her mentor Lin Huaian, she was drawn to women. She wanted to find a gentle and virtuous woman, just like her mentor’s wife, Wan Ning.

Given that Dayin’s culture was relatively open-minded, Gao Han had let the matter rest. Yet, over the years, Lu Zhao had not allowed anyone, man or woman, to get close to her. Gao Han grew increasingly anxious, fearing her daughter would end up alone. Coincidentally, Song Jin, the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Song, had developed a deep admiration for Lu Zhao. Song Jin appeared gentle and lovely, and Gao Han began to entertain the idea of bringing the two together. Whenever she returned to the capital, she would invariably find a way to invite Song Jin to the residence.

Lu Zhao entered the room and respectfully bowed to Grand Dowager Song. “Greetings, Grand Dowager. Your humble junior pays her respects.”

Grand Dowager Song took Lu Zhao’s hand, admiring her handsome features, modest and courteous demeanor, and her accomplishments in court, which were in no way inferior to any man’s. She had even won the Emperor’s favor. The more she looked at Lu Zhao, the more she liked her. Her own granddaughter had always preferred the company of women since childhood, and as she grew older, she had set her heart on Lu Zhao, longing to marry into the Regent’s household.

Beaming with joy, Grand Dowager Song patted Lu Zhao’s hand and said, “This old woman is growing frail, but seeing young people like you fills my heart with happiness. The Regent is around the same age as our Jin’er, isn’t she?”

Gao Han laughed and replied, “Grand Dowager, I believe there’s a four or five-year difference. I remember when Jin’er was born, I brought A’Zhao to your residence to see her!”

Lu Zhao’s lips twitched involuntarily. She had spent almost her entire childhood in Liyang Town, when had she ever visited the Grand Tutor’s residence? Her mother’s ability to fabricate stories was truly improving.

Grand Dowager Song laughed even more heartily and turned to Song Jin, who was seated nearby. “Why haven’t you come to greet your elder sister A’Zhao?”

From the moment Lu Zhao entered the room, Song Jin had been stealing glances at her, her eyes shimmering with delight and shyness like autumn waters. Now, summoned by her grandmother, her cheeks flushed crimson, embodying the very picture of a young maiden in love.

She gracefully approached Lu Zhao and performed a slight curtsy. “Jin’er greets Sister A’Zhao.”

Lu Zhao felt her head spinning. She needed to clarify things with her mother as soon as possible otherwise, she would have to endure countless more situations like this.

Lu Zhao secretly shot a glare at Gao Han, then nodded toward Song Jin without even looking at her, sitting down to the side to drink her tea.

Song Jin’s maidenly demeanor was all noticed by Gao Han, who chose to ignore the glare from Lu Zhao. She walked over, draped an arm around Lu Zhao’s shoulders, and said to Song Jin with a cheerful smile, “Little Jin, I recall your portraits of beauties are quite exquisite. You should come to my residence someday to paint one for me, or perhaps discuss techniques with our A’Zhao her portraits of beauties are also quite remarkable!”

Song Jin cast a shy glance at Lu Zhao, her cheeks flushing lightly, and replied softly, “Then Jin’er will surely visit another day to seek advice from Sister A’Zhao.”

Lu Zhao frowned slightly, stealthily reaching back to pinch Gao Han’s waist, and said coolly, “I dare not claim to offer advice. It’s just that court affairs keep me busy, and I fear I won’t have the time, so as not to delay Miss Song.”

For some reason, when Xiaxia called her “sister,” her heart would soften. But when Song Jin addressed her as “sister,” she only felt a sense of discomfort.

At these words, Song Jin’s face instantly paled, her eyes reddening as she looked helplessly toward Gao Han.

Seeing the Old Matriarch’s expression darken, Gao Han immediately laughed and gave Lu Zhao a light pat on the back, saying, “Jin’er, don’t listen to her nonsense. Come anytime I’ll make sure she’s ready for you.”

Then, Gao Han took a closer look at Song Jin: her features were gentle and lovely, her speech soft and refined, and she came from a prestigious family she was practically a second Wan Ning! Hadn’t Lu Zhao always said she admired someone gentle and charming like her master’s wife? Well, here was one right before her eyes! She was afraid of scaring her away.

“I still have matters to attend to. Mother, Old Matriarch, please enjoy yourselves. I’ll take my leave now.” Lu Zhao stood up, bowed respectfully, and left without so much as a glance at Song Jin.

“Pay her no mind! That stubborn temper of hers deserves to be married off to court affairs for life! Our Jin’er is much more agreeable.” Gao Han laughed and scolded, then took the Old Matriarch and Song Jin for a long stroll in the courtyard.

As soon as the Old Matriarch settled into the carriage for the return journey, her face turned cold. “Jin’er, it seems the Regent King has no interest in you.”

Song Jin’s eyes welled up with tears as she twisted her handkerchief and murmured, “Grandmother, when the Eldest Princess invited me over before, although Lu Zhao was aloof, she never rejected me so outright. You don’t know the Regent King has recently been bewitched by an entertainer from the Hongxiu Pavilion, which is why she’s acting this way.”

The Old Matriarch’s face turned ashen. “Jin’er, if it weren’t for your sincere affection for her, I would never allow you to endure such treatment! And your grandfather wants to win her over the situation in Yindu is too unpredictable right now. The Eldest Princess shares a deep bond with the Emperor, so no matter who ascends the throne in the future, they will show her some respect. Since you have feelings for her, you should interact more with the Eldest Princess. The Eldest Princess has a say in the Regent King’s marriage.”

Song Jin nodded obediently. “Grandmother, don’t worry. Once the marriage is settled, won’t winning her heart be just a matter of time?”

The Old Matriarch hugged Song Jin tightly, her heart aching for her. “That’s right! Our Jin’er is so wonderful, how could Lu Zhao not like her?”

A faint blush crept up behind Song Jin’s ears. She must find an opportunity to investigate the situation in the Regent King’s residence had that entertainer already been cast aside or not?

After seeing off the Old Matriarch and Song Jin, Gao Han stormed off to find Lu Zhao. “Lu Xiao Zhao! Explain yourself, what was that about today?”

Lu Zhao lifted his head from the desk, his brow slightly furrowed and his thin lips pressed together. With slender fingers tapping the table, he tilted his head to look at her and said coldly, “Exactly as Mother saw.”

Rising to his feet, Lu Zhao spoke earnestly to Gao Han, “Mother, I already have someone I admire. She is the third daughter of Xu Xin, the Vice Minister of Revenue. Please do not get too close to the Song family from now on. I do not wish to be misunderstood.”

Gao Han, enraged, pointed a trembling finger at Lu Zhao’s chest. “Xu Xin? He is the Crown Prince’s man! Their eldest daughter is currently in marriage discussions with Prince Qing. How did you come to know this third daughter? That Xu Xin he’s placing bets all the way to our family!”

Frowning, Lu Zhao replied calmly, “Mother, she was not arranged by Xu Xin. If you trust me, you can go and learn more about her. I am certain you will like her.”

Hands on her hips, Gao Han stared at the tall, resolute figure of Lu Zhao before her, her anger boiling over. “You think you have it all figured out now! First, you kept that actress from the Hongxiu Pavilion without a second thought, and now this third daughter of the Xu family appears out of nowhere! If I don’t approve of her, you will obediently marry Song Jin!”