The Great General and the Eldest Princess - Chapter 5

The Empress Dowager was wearing a pale gold, ornate dress, draped with a deep purple sable fur, and her long hair was simply pulled up into a bun.

Just sitting there quietly, she exuded an air of inherent, unquestionable authority.

However, this stern authority instantly softened upon seeing Xiao Yinxue.

“Come quickly, let the Empress Dowager have a good look at you,” the Empress Dowager beckoned to Xiao Yinxue.

Xiao Yinxue obediently walked to the Empress Dowager’s side.

“Mmm, you’ve grown even more lovely,” the Empress Dowager said affectionately, her rough palm gently stroking Xiao Yinxue’s cheek. “Your boldness has grown too; you didn’t even discuss marrying a man into the family with the Empress Dowager.”

“Empress Dowager, the General is a very good person,” Xiao Yinxue glanced at Di Shengyue, seeing that she was still kneeling, and quickly said, “Empress Dowager, the General is still kneeling.”

“You’ve only been married a few days, and you’re already siding with your husband,” the Empress Dowager smiled kindly, waved her hand, and said, “Never mind, never mind. A girl grows up and moves on; the Empress Dowager can no longer control you.”

Xiao Yinxue playfully stuck out her tongue at Di Shengyue.

A hint of a smile appeared in Di Shengyue’s eyes. She thanked the Empress Dowager for her grace and stood up.

The Empress Dowager patted the back of Xiao Yinxue’s hand and said, “The chrysanthemums in my courtyard are blooming brilliantly, and they’re making my eyes dizzy. You are the best at selecting them. Pick a few beautiful pots for me.”

Knowing that the Empress Dowager deliberately wanted to send her away, Xiao Yinxue looked at Di Shengyue with a slight sense of unease.

Di Shengyue gave her a reassuring look, and Xiao Yinxue reluctantly left the main hall.

However, she didn’t go far, quietly lurking by the door to eavesdrop on their conversation.

The moment Xiao Yinxue left, the warmth surrounding the Empress Dowager abruptly faded. She motioned for her personal attendant to dismiss everyone around them.

Her sharp gaze settled on Di Shengyue. She scrutinized Di Shengyue for a long time before opening her mouth: “The Empress Dowager knows you are dissatisfied with this marriage. The Emperor was foolish in this matter. Rest assured, the Empress Dowager will find a way for you and the Princess to separate.”

The Empress Dowager had said these exact words in the previous life.

In the previous life, she had been eternally grateful, feeling the Empress Dowager was the most wise person in the world.

Now, with a different state of mind, she heard a subtle hint of something amiss.

The Empress Dowager was testing her for the Emperor.

The Emperor bestowed the marriage; how could the Empress Dowager have the power to dissolve it on a whim?

No matter how much the Empress Dowager doted on Xiao Yinxue, the Emperor was her own son, and she would certainly prioritize his interests in all matters.

She, a General who overshadowed the ruler, would be allowed to spend her life with Xiao Yinxue if she settled down peacefully after the marriage.

But if her ambitions remained impure, the Empress Dowager would not tolerate her.

No wonder in the previous life, she was abandoned by everyone even in the face of such obvious framing.

As for separation, her death would achieve the same result.

Di Shengyue pondered this, a flash of deep thought in her eyes. Despite everything, the Empress Dowager still held a few true feelings for Xiao Yinxue.

“This subject thanks the Empress Dowager for her kindness,” Di Shengyue replied.

Hearing these words, Xiao Yinxue outside the door grew anxious.

She couldn’t help but inwardly blame the Empress Dowager for being meddlesome, saying things about separation!

There was silence inside for a long while. Xiao Yinxue began to panic and was just about to rush in regardless of the consequences when Di Shengyue’s voice continued.

“No,” Di Shengyue shook her head, looking up, her expression firm. “This subject does not wish to separate from the Grand Princess.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yinxue was slightly taken aback.

Although she had a faint suspicion in her heart, hearing it genuinely spoken by Di Shengyue still brought a rush of sweetness.

The Empress Dowager was also momentarily stunned by Di Shengyue’s answer: “You don’t want your military authority back?”

“This subject did indeed want to separate initially.” Di Shengyue did not hide anything from the Empress Dowager, admitting honestly, “This subject once thought the Grand Princess was a willful and spoiled person.”

Listening, Xiao Yinxue pouted, thinking that this Di Shengyue was truly ungrateful.

“However, after spending these few days with the Princess,” Di Shengyue slowly continued, her eyes gradually softening, “this subject has gradually realized the Princess is merely genuine. Occasionally spoiled, but very endearing.”

Remembering the way she drank her medicine yesterday, Di Shengyue’s eyes were filled with amusement.

Xiao Yinxue’s cheeks felt a faint flush upon hearing this.

“Rest assured, Empress Dowager,” Di Shengyue said, her eyes earnest, “this subject has already decided that the Princess…”

Xiao Yinxue couldn’t help but lean in closer, straining her ears to listen, but unexpectedly, the hairpin on her head knocked against the door, making a slight sound.

“What are you doing still lingering by the door? Hurry and come in,” the Empress Dowager called out loudly to Xiao Yinxue outside the door.

Xiao Yinxue bit her lip and walked into the hall, not daring to look at Di Shengyue: “Imperial Grandmother.”

The Empress Dowager glared at Xiao Yinxue, then looked at Di Shengyue and said, “This girl has been spoiled by me. I wanted to speak to you privately, and she actually dared to eavesdrop.”

Xiao Yinxue playfully stuck out her tongue.

Looking at Xiao Yinxue’s playful demeanor, Di Shengyue couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter.

“Cui Zhi,” the Empress Dowager instructed her attendant, “bring the Glazed Phoenix Hairpin.”

Di Shengyue was momentarily surprised. The Empress Dowager’s attitude seemed different from the previous life; back then, she only told her and Xiao Yinxue to withdraw, with no mention of bestowing a hairpin.

But after a moment of thought, she understood. Given her performance in the previous life, the Empress Dowager had likely already harbored killing intent toward her.

Cui Zhi presented the tray to the two of them.

The hairpin was crystal clear throughout, the carved phoenix on the body was lifelike, and the two embedded pearls subtly emitted faint rays of light. Red tassels hung below, radiating an air of nobility.

“This was part of my dowry. I originally intended to give it to the Empress, but she was fighting on the battlefield and it wasn’t suitable for her to wear. After returning to the palace, I never had the chance to let her wear it,” the Empress Dowager sighed lightly when she spoke of the Empress. “Now, I will bestow it upon you.”

“Thank you, Empress Dowager,” Di Shengyue respectfully accepted the hairpin.

This gift of the hairpin signified the Empress Dowager’s acknowledgment of her.

She took Xiao Yinxue’s hand, entirely enclosing her small hand, and said, “Empress Dowager, please rest assured. This subject will never fail the Princess.”

Di Shengyue’s palm was slightly rough, and Xiao Yinxue could clearly feel several calluses.

Her tender little hand gently rubbed against Di Shengyue’s palm, causing a slight tingling sensation.

Di Shengyue looked at Xiao Yinxue, whose bright eyes shimmered with brilliance.

Xiao Yinxue inadvertently met that gaze and felt the emotion within it, like a burning flame, scorching her cheeks yet making it impossible to look away.

Xiao Yinxue knew her cheeks must be completely flushed at this moment.

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, watching the sweet atmosphere blossom between the two.

“The Emperor has arrived,” accompanied by the sharp voice of the eunuch, the Emperor entered the Empress Dowager’s hall.

Xiao Yinxue hastily shook off Di Shengyue’s hand and stood to one side.

The two bowed to the Emperor.

The Emperor wore a gold dragon and cloud robe, with a tall, upright stature and a pair of stern, clear eyes.

This was the first time she had seen the Emperor since her rebirth.

Before, she only felt that the Emperor carried an inherent, unapproachable dignity. Now, however, she felt a coldness hidden beneath those eyes.

“Rise,” the Emperor said blandly.

“Your son heard that Mother has returned to the palace and specifically came to pay his respects,” the Emperor bowed to the Empress Dowager.

His gaze shifted to Di Shengyue and Xiao Yinxue, and he asked, “It’s been a few days since the wedding; is everything well?”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty,” Di Shengyue replied. “Everything is well.”

“That is good,” the Emperor nodded. His eyes flickered subtly when he saw the hairpin in Di Shengyue’s hand, and he instinctively glanced at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager gave the Emperor a slight nod.

Di Shengyue took in the subtle interaction between the two, her eyes slightly darkening. The hand gripping the hairpin unconsciously tightened.

Di Shengyue unhooked the military tally from her waist and respectfully presented it to the Emperor, saying, “Now that this subject has married into the Grand Princess’s family, I can no longer command the army. This military tally, I return it to Your Majesty now. I implore Your Majesty to find another person to manage the military authority.”

In the previous life, the Emperor had also asked for the military tally at this time.

This time, she offered it up before the Emperor could even ask.

” The army will greatly miss a commander such as yourself, which we find deeply regrettable,” the Emperor said as he accepted the military tally, his tone suddenly softening considerably.

“Xiao Nation has a wealth of talent; Your Majesty will surely find a more suitable person,” Di Shengyue answered.

“This subject and the Princess bid you farewell,” Di Shengyue bowed and, pulling Xiao Yinxue, left.

“Shengyue, what was the last thing you said to Imperial Grandmother just now?” Xiao Yinxue stopped and looked at Di Shengyue, asking.

“I said many things just now. Which sentence is the Princess asking about?” Di Shengyue curled her lips, looking at Xiao Yinxue with a playful, half-smile.

“If you don’t remember, then never mind. This Princess wasn’t interested anyway!” Seeing the teasing in Di Shengyue’s eyes, Xiao Yinxue gave a light “hmph,” shook off Di Shengyue’s hand, and was about to walk away.

Di Shengyue pulled hard, bringing Xiao Yinxue back into her embrace.

She lowered her head, leaned close to Xiao Yinxue’s ear, and whispered, “I just said that I have decided that the Princess is my only one for this lifetime.”

The warm breath fanned her ear.

A blush gradually spread from her ear, slowly creeping over Xiao Yinxue’s entire face.