Peaceful Farm Life-Chapter 1876 - 1877: Partiality
Now, he is also a noble consort, considered on equal footing with Liang Zhiyao and Sheng Qingfeng. By right, he should pay respects to Empress Zou Qian, as she is the mistress of the harem.
However, Su Yi Jing did not bow to Zou Qian but merely nodded slightly as a greeting.
Zou Qian was momentarily stunned, then looked at Su Yi Jing with particular appreciation. This person was not only good-looking but also had an extraordinary demeanor, nothing like a farmer’s child.
Liang Zhiyao and Sheng Qingfeng were quite surprised. Wasn’t it said this individual was the child of a farmer? Yet his entire bearing felt much more noble and extraordinary than any of them.
"Yi Jing pays respects to Father Emperor and Mother Empress." Su Yi Jing saluted the weak and bedridden Retired Emperor and the Empress Dowager seated by the bedside.
He didn’t address them as Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager but directly called them Father Emperor and Mother Empress, leaving everyone stunned. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
It must be noted that among those present, except for Empress Zou Qian, no one else could address the Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager as Father Emperor and Mother Empress.
Just like in an ordinary family, a concubine cannot call her husband’s parents father and mother.
The Empress Dowager was initially stunned, but quickly regained her composure, smoothing over the situation, "Yi Jing has only recently entered the palace, and he is unfamiliar with many of the rules and etiquettes, no harm done."
Zou Qian, Liang Zhiyao, and Sheng Qingfeng hurriedly wore smiles, echoing the Empress Dowager’s words.
Su Yi Jing only wanted to say, I am not ignorant of the rules; I did it on purpose.
"Empress, since you have already paid your respects, you may return," the Empress Dowager dismissed Empress Zou, Noble Consort Liang, and Noble Consort Sheng.
After the three left, the Empress Dowager gestured for Su Yi Jing to come closer with a kindly smile, "Yi Jing, come here, let Mother Empress take a good look at you."
It was evident that regarding Su Yi Jing calling her Mother Empress, the Empress Dowager was not at all angry and was indeed quite pleased with him addressing her this way.
Su Yi Jing obediently walked before the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager scrutinized Su Yi Jing carefully, becoming even more delighted, "Even the appearance of the Empress and the others cannot compare to you. No wonder Feiyan likes you and insisted on granting you the noble consort title. Retired Emperor, you take a look too."
The Retired Emperor also looked over Su Yi Jing, then weakly nodded with a smile, indicating Su Yi Jing indeed had an outstanding appearance.
Su Yi Jing, however, feigned ignorance and asked, "Does the Emperor like me?"
"She said it to us herself; how could it be false?" The Empress Dowager laughed happily. "Previously, she even promised to bring you over for us to see, but she has been busy with state affairs recently and hasn’t had time to even pay us respects, so she didn’t bring you over."
Su Yi Jing rarely allowed a slight smile to appear.
"Yi Jing," the Empress Dowager said kindly, "If Feiyan hadn’t told us you were a farmer’s child, we wouldn’t have believed it. Look at your bearing and demeanor, how could it resemble that of a farmer’s child? I think even the Empress doesn’t measure up to you."
Before Su Yi Jing could speak, the Retired Emperor weakly berated with a laugh, "Zou Qian is, after all, the main palace Empress. You can’t favor Yi Jing just because he is someone Feiyan likes."
The Empress Dowager laughed, "It’s rare for Feiyan to fancy someone; naturally, I have to favor Yi Jing a bit more. Besides, Feiyan’s life was saved by Yi Jing."
The Retired Emperor merely smiled, no longer wasting energy on words.
Su Yi Jing nevertheless inquired, "Mother Empress, what do you mean by saying the Emperor rarely likes someone?"
"Silly child, it means Feiyan only likes you," the Empress Dowager covered her mouth, chuckling softly. "Although Feiyan already had three before you, those three were not whom she wished to marry. It was for Wufeng’s stability, after discussions with Mother Empress, your Father Emperor, and the ministers, that she married them."
