Kill That Transmigrator Woman - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: The Empress Dowager (1)

The little girl’s smile instantly captured the Empress Dowager’s heart. Like a dead tree meeting spring, her withered soul was suddenly drawn back to many years ago.

Back then, she was not yet the Empress Dowager, not even the Empress, just an ordinary concubine in the late Emperor’s harem.

Her first child had been a daughter, also this bright and radiant in appearance, with the same charming and lovable smile.

But within the deep palace walls, there was too much false affection, beautiful on the surface, but capable of devouring people whole.

Her daughter had been too beautiful, too delicate, and too good at winning the Emperor’s favor.

At the age of thirteen, she died within this man-eating red-walled palace.

The late Emperor had been heartbroken then, the most beloved little princess in the imperial city was gone, and it bought him only a few days of grief.

There is no place more devoid of true affection than an imperial household. Though the culprit had been right before their eyes, she was a Noble Consort.

And because the Emperor still needed the support of the Noble Consort’s father and brothers, he merely punished a few scapegoats for show.

But her Yuan’er would never return.

To make it up to her, the late Emperor granted her a higher consort title and showered her with countless treasures.
It was from that moment on that her heart grew clear and cold. She understood a truth: in the home of an emperor, there is no such thing as true love.

Even if His Majesty could dote on her daughter, even if Yuan’er had lived to grow up, once the political tides shifted, what was to stop her, as a princess, from being sent off as a diplomatic bride?

Later, she climbed step by step, first to Noble Consort, then Imperial Noble Consort, until finally, the mother of the nation. Now, she sat as the Empress Dowager.

She had seen many die, had watched turmoil bring piercing heartache, and had witnessed other princesses in the palace being forced into marriage alliances. At times, she had even felt fortunate, after her eldest daughter’s death, she never had another daughter.

Otherwise, to personally witness a beloved child being sent far away to marry in another country, never to return for life, how was that any different from killing her outright?

It wasn’t until the appearance of the War God General from the Shen family that this decades-old tradition of diplomatic marriages was finally broken.

The Shen family was truly remarkable. Great General Shen was the War God of the Northern Lin Dynasty, and his son Shen Jingzhou was also known among the common people as the Young War God.

In the future, once he inherited his father’s command seal, he would surely become the next generation’s great general, famed throughout the land.

With this father and son, the Northern Lin Dynasty grew strong. Victorious in every battle, they no longer lost to foreign nations, naturally, marriage alliances were no longer necessary.

When people age, they tend to grow nostalgic. The Empress Dowager slowly pulled herself back from her memories and noticed that the young girl below was still looking at her with wide-eyed curiosity.

“Whose daughter is that?” the Empress Dowager asked.

The elderly maid beside her lowered her head and replied, “Your Majesty, that is the only daughter of the Cui family, Cui Wanwan.”

“The Cui family’s girl, huh…” The Empress Dowager gently rubbed her fingertips together for a moment. Since she was a Cui, then she would be her granddaughter-in-law in the future.

She just didn’t know which grandson her imperial son intended to betroth the girl to.

“Have that child come sit by me. She looks obedient and innocent, this old woman finds her quite pleasing,” the Empress Dowager said thoughtfully.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Cui Wanwan watched as the Empress Dowager’s personal maid came walking toward her with a pleasant smile and said, “The Empress Dowager invites the young lady to come sit with her.”

“Yes.” Cui Wanwan stood up and gave a proper curtsey.

This scene fell right into the Empress Dowager’s eyes, making her even more satisfied.

These noble ladies were all cherished like treasures in their families from a young age. Some, as a result, grew spoiled and lacked manners.

A noble lady could be proud, could hold herself above others, but if she did not understand basic courtesy, she was utterly unfit to be a royal wife.

Very few people would bother bowing to an elderly maid without real power, even if it was only a light courtesy.

This small gesture of Cui Wanwan’s not only earned the Empress Dowager’s affection, but also gained the regard of this long-serving palace woman.

Today, Cui Wanwan was dressed in festive, dignified attire. With her bright and charming beauty, the effect was even more dazzling, every expression and smile was stunning. As she walked toward the Empress Dowager, the eyes of the entire banquet naturally followed her.

“So this is the Cui family’s young miss, truly a beauty capable of toppling a kingdom, just as the rumors say.”

“I’ve heard she’s not only skilled in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but also quite capable in martial arts?”

“Yes, and it seems the Cui family’s daughter has a close relationship with His Highness the Heir. A few years ago, the two of them even traveled the martial world together, doing many good deeds that won praise from the common folk.”

“Greetings to the Empress Dowager.” Cui Wanwan had just bent her knees when the Empress Dowager reached out and took her hands, stopping her.

“No need for such formality. Come, sit.” The Empress Dowager spoke kindly.

Even from afar, she had already taken a liking to this child. Now, having a closer look, she found herself even more fond of her.

Cui Wanwan looked far too much like her Yuan’er…

If her Yuan’er hadn’t fallen victim to that vicious woman’s hand and had grown up into adulthood, would she too have been this lovable at this age?

She definitely would have. The Empress Dowager swallowed the bitterness in her chest and reached out to gently stroke Cui Wanwan’s head.

Cui Wanwan sat there obediently, allowing the Empress Dowager to caress her.

She had done it on purpose.

She knew the Empress Dowager liked her, because in her previous life, when disaster befell her, the Empress Dowager had happened to be present once and, without any reason, had spoken up for her, stood on her side.

To the Empress Dowager, it had likely been just a small favor.

But to Cui Wanwan, it was something she would remember for the rest of her life.

She had spent two lifetimes inquiring before she finally learned one thing, it turned out that the Empress Dowager had once had a daughter with the late Emperor in her youth. After seeing the portrait of that little princess, everything became clear to her.

It must have been fate, her appearance greatly resembled that princess who had passed away young.

The same delicate features as if painted, and when she smiled, the light in her eyes was just as dazzling and spirited.

The beauty she shared with that princess was striking, radiant, and breathtakingly exquisite.

She thought, it was about time to meet that person.

By her own means alone, it would be extremely difficult to meet him.

After all, the imperial palace was not a place just anyone could enter.

She could only rely on the Empress Dowager as a bridge.
The Empress Dowager stroked her head while studying her features. Then, when she caught sight of that red teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her eye, she could no longer hold back her emotions, her hand trembled.

Teardrop moles were common, but blood-colored teardrop moles were exceedingly rare.

Her Yuan’er had one in the exact same spot.

It must be Heaven’s mercy that allowed her Yuan’er to be reborn and return to her side.

Once such a thought took root, the Empress Dowager’s heart softened completely.

If Cui Wanwan were to ask her for anything at this moment, the old woman would likely agree to everything without hesitation.

The Empress Dowager held Cui Wanwan’s hand and gently asked, “Wanwan, what do you like to eat? Are there any dishes at today’s banquet that you enjoy? If not, I’ll have someone prepare a special kitchen just for you. Once the banquet is over, you can eat as much as you like.”

Cui Wanwan shook her head and smiled at the old lady. “Thank you for your kindness, Empress Dowager. Wanwan likes all the delicacies served at the banquet.”

She then asked, “And does the Empress Dowager like them too?”

The young girl looked up, eyes wide and bright as she gazed earnestly at the Empress Dowager, radiant and striking. Few ever asked whether the dishes at the palace banquet suited the Empress Dowager’s taste.

The Empress Dowager was taken aback at first, then broke into a smile. “If Wanwan likes them, then naturally I like them too.”

The girl smiled with her lips pressed together, as if a little embarrassed.