Conquering the Emperor

Chapter 174: The Dowager Empress

“Don’t worry so much about it. As always, just smile and stay close to my side. If anyone asks anything, I’ll do the answering,” Ren instructed before he smiled reassuringly at me.

“Ok. Thank you, Ren...” I replied.

“No, thank you...for going through this with me...” Ren thanked me and I was sure that my heart just skipped a beat. freeweɓnøvel.com

...

It didn’t occur to me when Ren invited me to the gala that it would be such an extravagant event. Clearly the standards for birthday celebrations in the palace were very different from what I had in mind. The day of the gala had finally arrived and to prepare me for it, the maids along with Auntie started dressing me at a little past noon.

“Doesn’t the gala start at dinner time?” I asked in confusion.

“It’s going to take until then to dress you up appropriately for it,” Auntie replied. freewebnovel.cσ๓

“Really?” I asked in disbelief.

“Really. Every year the dowager empress’s birthday celebration has a theme. Of course, the theme is chosen by her and everyone, especially the ladies, dress according to that theme,” Auntie explained.

“Aha...” I mumbled. Clearly, Ren did not bother to tell me any of this beforehand.

“You don’t have to worry. I’ve prepared everything according to the theme. All you have to do is be patient while we dress you,” Auntie said reassuringly.

“What’s the theme this year?” I asked.

“Longevity. Considering the dowager empress’s age, it is a very wise choice for a theme,” Auntie commented.

“I see. So how does one dress to show longevity?” I asked curiously.

“Come in here and you’ll see for yourself,” Auntie replied as she led the way into one of the big dress rooms.

The dress displayed on a mannequin in the room was elegant and very beautiful. However...

“Isn’t the train of the skirt too long?” I asked.

My eyes were immediately focused on the trailing length of the skirt that seemed to trail endlessly until it reached the other end of the room.

“Longevity is the theme after all...” Auntie replied with a calculating smile.

Long...literally long...

“I...see....” I murmured without knowing what else to say.

“Time is of the essence. Quick!” Auntie said before clapping her hands to signal to the maids that they should help me get dressed now.

After many painful hours of changing clothes, putting on jewelry, getting my face and hair made-up, I finally got Auntie’s approval to appear at the gala. I wondered if Ren had to go through something similar for his outfit and then I realized that he probably didn’t. Why is life so unfair?

“I’m going to trip on this...and die...” I muttered to myself.

“Don’t say such inauspicious things!” Auntie reprimanded me immediately.

I looked at my reflection in the floor-length mirror and I sighed. The dress wasn’t as grand as the wedding dress that I wore before, and it was of a paler pastel color. However, the head jewelry that I had on was almost as big and definitely as heavy. It’s going to be a long night...

“My Lady, the crown prince is here. He’s waiting for you in the main hall,” a maid humbly reported.

“Time to go! Enjoy the gala...” Auntie said excitedly.

I only nodded at her as she helped escort me to where Ren was waiting. If only I shared even half of Auntie’s excitement, then life would perhaps be more joyful. Based on Ren’s warnings, I had a feeling that this gala would bring us more headache than enjoyment.

“You look beautiful, Rin,” Ren whispered in my ear when we got into the carriage together.

The dress almost did not fit in the carriage. That was the start of tonight’s disaster. Ren’s compliment made me smile a little, but it wasn’t long before my thoughts returned to how I was going to manage my outstandingly long skirt.

“The skirt is...a bit long...” I mumbled.

“Haha...I can see that,” Ren replied with a laugh.

I smiled weakly at him before I started laughing along. It would be great if my hardship for the night ended at just having an excessively long skirt.

...

The gala was held at one of the large halls at the center of the grand palace. The hall was very similar to the one where I had met Ren for the first time on my first day in the palace. To mark the auspicious celebration, the hall was heavily decorated with statues and fresh flowers. Dancers, musicians, and maids were everywhere to entertain and to serve.

“The crown prince and the Lady White Lotus has arrived!” a eunuch loudly announced our arrival.

I felt everyone eyes on us, and I cringed inside. Outwardly, I tried my best to maintain a composed look as I walked with a straight back at Ren’s side. Ren could probably sense my nervousness because his hand gripped mine a little tighter than before.

Ren led me to the end of the hall where senior members of the royal family sat. The emperor sat with the empress to the side and at the center sat a very old woman. The way she was dressed and the royal and intimidating air about her, told me that this woman is the dowager empress and Ren’s grandmother.

“Greetings, grandmother. Happy birthday. We wish you good health and happiness for thousands of years to come,” Ren said formally before bowing to his grandmother.

I silently did the same. Her presence was so intimidating that I didn’t dare look up at her. My eyes were on the floor as I prayed for this to be over with soon. After we greeted her, the plan was to excuse ourselves and blend in with the crowd along with the other guests. However, things don’t always go according to plan.

“Thank you, Ren...” the old lady said before glancing over at me.

“This is Lady White Lotus, Kamiya Rin,” Ren introduced me formally.

I looked up before bowing once more when I felt Ren squeeze my hand softly. Her gaze burned into me, and I found it very difficult to look at her.

“The mother of my great grandchildren...” the dowager empress said before laughing softly.

--To be continued...

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