Chapter 21: To Whom Does the Flower Fall

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The Imperial Palace, within the gardens.

“Your Majesty, this humble daughter pays her respects to the Empress Dowager.”

A slender figure slowly bent her knees and performed a flawless formal bow before the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager lifted her eyes and studied the girl before her, who appeared to be no more than fifteen or sixteen. There was a striking resemblance between her features and those of Zhao Zhirou. Unable to resist asking, she said, “Which household are you from?”

“Your Majesty, this humble daughter is Zhao Zhifu.” Her voice was clear and carried the delicate charm unique to a young girl.

“So you are another daughter of General Zhao.” The Empress Dowager gave a slight nod. Then she turned to Zhao Zhirou, took her hand, and asked, “Your younger sister?”

Zhao Zhirou’s heart tightened, but her expression remained gentle as she inclined her head. “Please forgive her, Your Majesty. My younger sister is still young and does not understand proper etiquette. We hope she has not disturbed you.”

“It is nothing. This girl seems clever enough to me. Come, accompany me while I admire the flowers.” A smile touched the Empress Dowager’s lips.

Zhao Zhifu secretly rejoiced. She cast Zhao Zhirou a smug glance, the provocation in her eyes unmistakable.

Nanny Chang observed everything clearly and mused inwardly:

“The Empress Dowager clearly intends to arrange a marriage between these two Zhao sisters and Chief Chancellor Lu. As for which one will win him, that will depend on their own abilities.

“This battle between sisters should prove entertaining.

“To the Empress Dowager, it matters little which of them Chief Chancellor Lu marries. What matters is that he remains within her grasp.”

Lu Chuxiao fidgeted restlessly where he sat. Why had Su Yao still not returned?

After a while, he could bear it no longer. He rose quietly and left.

Lu Huaijin watched his departing figure with a deep gaze. Having raised the boy himself, he knew his temperament better than anyone.

“Chief Chancellor.” Zhao Zhifu’s cheeks flushed crimson as she called out timidly.

Lu Huaijin seemed not to hear her. His expression remained indifferent as he respectfully addressed the Empress Dowager. “Your Majesty, I still have matters to attend to. I shall take my leave first.”

With that, he turned and walked away, his steps decisive and brisk. His eyes did not linger for even a moment on either of the Zhao sisters.

Zhao Zhirou lowered her head in silence, while Zhao Zhifu stared at Lu Huaijin’s retreating back, her eyes filled with disappointment. She had been brimming with anticipation, only to be met with such cold indifference. Her tender girlish feelings were extinguished in an instant, as though drenched by a basin of icy water.

The Empress Dowager took everything in. Gazing in the direction Lu Huaijin had gone, she said meaningfully, “You are both good, obedient girls. As it happens, I have something I would like to discuss with you. Let us see what you think.”

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Zhao Zhirou opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed the words once more.

Within the side chamber, the fragrance of tea drifted through the air, while several plates of exquisite pastries were arranged upon the table.

The Empress Dowager raised a hand in invitation, a smile playing upon her lips. “Do not stand on ceremony with me. In terms of age, I am only a few years older than you. The late Emperor departed this world too soon, and life within these palace walls often leaves me feeling lonely…”

“Your Majesty, please do not grieve. Your health is what matters most.” Zhao Zhirou hurried forward with concern.

“Zhirou is such a sensible girl.” The Empress Dowager inclined her head slightly, her gaze moving between the two of them. “The Chief Chancellor and I have been friends for many years. Seeing him remain alone all this time, without even a companion by his side—in the end, I am the one who delayed him. What do you think of him?”

The implication behind her words grew increasingly unmistakable.

Zhao Zhirou’s heart gave a violent lurch. The color drained from her face, and her knees weakened. With a thud, she fell to the floor.

“Your Majesty, I know that I am unworthy of the Chief Chancellor. I was once betrothed, but fate played a cruel trick on us, and we were ultimately unable to be together. My heart already belongs to someone else. I truly cannot harbor any improper thoughts toward him. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

“Oh? There was such a matter?” the Empress Dowager asked, feigning surprise.

Long before the flower banquet, she had already investigated every detail concerning the noble young ladies present.

Ever since Zhao Zhirou had broken off her engagement with the Su Minister’s household, she had not considered another match. The Empress Dowager naturally understood that someone must be hidden within the girl’s heart. Such a person could prove useful.

After all, if any woman truly fell deeply in love with Lu Huaijin, the Empress Dowager would instead find herself displeased.

She had been the one to raise the matter of finding him a wife. If she did nothing, others would inevitably gossip. Zhao Zhirou, meanwhile, could serve perfectly as a pawn in her hand.

“Your Majesty, I have long heard that Lord Lu is upright and incorruptible, a man who has kept himself pure and untouched by women all these years. I have admired him for a long time. If I were fortunate enough to serve at his side, it would be the greatest blessing of my life.” Unable to restrain herself, Zhao Zhifu interrupted from beside them.

The Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed slightly. She said with profound significance, “It is most gratifying to hear that Third Miss Zhao feels this way.”

Zhao Zhifu secretly congratulated herself. As a concubine-born daughter, she had spent all these years beneath the authority of her legitimate sister, Zhao Zhirou, enduring one humiliation after another.

But she was young and beautiful, and that was her greatest advantage.

If she could marry Lu Huaijin, the most powerful man in the imperial court, both her own position and that of her mother would inevitably rise with the tide. From then on, she would finally be able to hold her head high.

“In that case, why not give it a try? Though I cannot force the Chief Chancellor, I will certainly lend you a helping hand.” The Empress Dowager wore a faint, elusive smile, its depths impossible for others to discern.

“Your Majesty, you are far too kind to me!” Zhao Zhifu cried, her face flushed with excitement. She hurriedly caught hold of the Empress Dowager’s sleeve and said coquettishly, “I shall do everything in my power and will not disappoint you.”

The triumph in her expression made it seem as though she had already become the wife of Chief Chancellor Lu.

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Yet she failed to notice that beneath the Empress Dowager’s sleeves, both hands had already clenched into fists. Her nails dug deeply into her palms, leaving vivid marks across the pale skin.

Lu Chuxiao was frantic with worry, his thoughts consumed by Su Yao as he hurried straight toward Cining Palace.

Just as he neared the palace, the corner of his eye caught sight of several young eunuchs sneaking out through a side gate, carrying something wrapped in quilts.

They moved with hurried steps, their expressions tense and panicked.

A sudden suspicion arose in Lu Chuxiao’s heart. As though possessed, he turned and quietly followed them.

The young eunuchs hurried on and soon arrived before Eunuch Hai’s quarters.

They carefully carried the “thing” inside, then departed in haste, as though a great burden had been lifted from their shoulders.

Lu Chuxiao concealed himself in the shadows. Only after the eunuchs had gone some distance did he slowly approach.

He raised a hand and gently pierced a small hole through the paper window. Holding his breath, he looked inside.

The sight struck him like a bolt of lightning. The blood in his entire body seemed to freeze.

It was Su Yao!

The fat, greasy Eunuch Hai had already stripped off all his clothes and was advancing toward Su Yao step by step, a nauseatingly lecherous smile spread across his face.

“The Empress Dowager summons you.”

Eunuch Hai’s hands froze.

“Damn it! Every time I’m about to enjoy myself, someone has to ruin it!”

He cursed under his breath, but as a servant of the palace, no matter how bold he was, he did not dare disobey the Empress Dowager’s command.

Reluctantly, he stopped and muttered resentfully as he hurriedly pulled on his eunuch’s robe.

Then he took an iron chain from the rack, strode over to Su Yao, and viciously fastened it around her ankle, locking it tight.

“Let’s see how you run this time,” he snarled. “Just wait until I come back. I’ll deal with you properly then!”

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