Empress Dowager Jiang smiled. "Once you've married into the family, you can thank her in person. She'll be coming over in the next couple of days anyway." She set her teacup on the side table. The tea was gone; though it was only a tiny gesture, she meant to test how well this princess of Great Kang could read the situation.
Xi Yan was extraordinarily quick-witted. One glance told her what the Empress Dowager intended. Before anyone else could move, she rose, picked up the teapot, and refilled Empress Dowager Jiang's cup. Every movement was graceful, and her speech and manner displayed impeccable breeding.
Empress Dowager Jiang seemed quite pleased with Xi Yan's performance. She smiled and nodded. "I have other matters to attend to, so I should be going. Little Dongzi, hand over the things we brought to Xiaotian."
"Yes!"
Everyone rose to see her off, but Empress Dowager Jiang waved them back, allowing only Huo Shengnan to escort her outside. Once they were out of Qichen Palace, Huo Shengnan smiled. "Were you satisfied, Your Majesty?"
Empress Dowager Jiang said, "The child is rather ordinary-looking, but she is of noble birth, after all. Children from other families simply don't have that bearing."
Huo Shengnan asked, "Why didn't the Empress come?"
Empress Dowager Jiang said, "She isn't the one getting a daughter-in-law. If she showed too much enthusiasm, people would suspect her of ulterior motives. The Worthy Consort already hates her to the bone over this affair and has been coming to me lately with no end of complaints. His Majesty has enough worries managing affairs of state. Wherever I can ease his burdens, I should. The Empress can't keep the Worthy Consort in check."
Huo Shengnan laughed, then suddenly recalled what had happened earlier. She lowered her voice. "Actually,