Chapter 1008: Chapter 873 Saying Xiaosuisui Is a Calamity Star! _2

"Your Highness! You have no idea, the entire Capital City is abuzz with rumors, saying that Ji Suisui is a jinx, said to bring disasters wherever she appears!"

"Nonsense! What kind of rubbish is this?

Who dares to spread such rumors?

Once I find out, I will surely punish them for spreading malicious lies!"

The Empress Dowager was furious upon hearing this, slamming the table with authority, her regal aura exploding forth, her anger commanding respect!

"Your Highness, spare me, forgive my sin, this wasn’t said by my humble self! Please pardon me!"

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s rage, the Duchess of Zhenguo knew her tactic worked, though it seemed the Empress Dowager didn’t believe Ji Suisui was truly a jinx!

But if she added fuel to the fire, the Empress Dowager would surely believe it!

"It wasn’t you who said it, but such rumors must have a source, right?

Why don’t you tell me, what else have they said about Xiaosui’s case?"

Empress Dowager Xiao sat on the phoenix chair, staring intently at the Duchess of Zhenguo, her anger still palpable.

The Duchess of Zhenguo knelt on the ground, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Empress Dowager Xiao’s inquiry was one she had prepared for, as the Li Family had an eligible young lady!

That family too had their eyes on His Majesty’s harem, regardless of the Empress Dowager’s feelings, spreading such rumors was their doing.

It was a gamble; if the Empress Dowager disliked it, the Li Family would take the fall.

If the Empress Dowager believed it, she was simply the messenger, wasn’t she?

"It was... I... I heard it from someone at the mansion of Lord Li Xu, the Junior Minister of Zhongshu Province!"

"?"

Empress Dowager Xiao looked at her in puzzlement, but the Duchess was kneeling with her forehead on the ground, unable to see the Empress Dowager’s questioning gaze.

Nanny Xiao, having grown up with Empress Dowager Xiao, understood her thoughts and gave a little reminder seeing the Duchess’s state.

"Madam, how could you act so confused?

Chang Rongshun and Princess Shunhe were personally conferred by His Majesty, and are like treasures in the Empress Dowager’s hands!

Having heard such rumors, you should have defended Chang Rongshun and the Princess, yet you report it to the Empress Dowager?"

Nanny Xiao was implying that the Duchess of Zhenguo was not aligned with the Empress Dowager!

The Duchess could understand Nanny Xiao’s intended meaning!

But she was preoccupied with her own scheming!

She didn’t take Nanny Xiao’s advice seriously at all!

"Your Highness, please calm yourself, since the Li Family are saying such things, there must be a reason!

Think about it, when Chang Rongshun and Princess Shunhe first entered the capital, how much trouble did they cause?

The Xie Family of the Junior Minister of Guanglu Temple also suffered upon her arrival, supposedly their eldest daughter was disfigured!

Upon further inquiry, I learned that the Xie Family’s eldest daughter was not just disfigured!

She was blinded in one eye!"

"Ah!"

Empress Dowager Xiao subconsciously clutched her chest with her handkerchief, her mind conjuring an image of a young girl.

Seeing Empress Dowager Xiao’s reaction, Nanny Xiao quickly climbed up from the floor, whispering something to her ear.

The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.

So it was Pan’Er’s cousin, the one said to be born with a Phoenix Destiny!

"Does Your Highness also find this incident quite peculiar?

When I heard this, I too found it extremely curious.

Because during the Double Ninth Festival palace banquet, the Xie girl was also in attendance.

I heard her face seemed fine, and her eye was unproblematic.

So I had someone investigate further, and it’s said that the Xie Family’s eldest daughter was treated by a witch doctor!

Her face appeared fine, but that eye could not see; having practiced diligently, her demeanor in speech and actions was so graceful it hid the defect."

These words were also rehearsed by the Duchess of Zhenguo.

The Xie Family’s eldest daughter was considered born with Phoenix Destiny, a matter long orchestrated by the Xie Family. If reaching the Empress Dowager’s ears, she was bound to be invited into the palace.

But the Empress’ position—how could someone with a blinded eye occupy it?

Those who obstructed her daughter’s path had to be removed one by one.

The Duchess of Zhenguo thought as she heard the Empress Dowager’s cold laughter.

"Hmph! That Miss Xie ended up like this due to her own misdeeds, not others!"

The Duchess of Zhenguo was taken aback, quickly looking towards the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager met her gaze, snorting, "So it’s said, two little beggars were begging in Wuliuxiang, delayed just a little in moving out of the way, and her horse trampled them, crushing their internal organs. Not only did she refuse to let anyone fetch a doctor, but she also beat them nearly to death!!"

This matter was investigated by the Empress Dowager during Xie Pan’Er’s rebellion against the sect division.

Later, it was heard that Pan’Er and Suisui saved those two beggars!

One saved lives yet was called a disaster star, while another harmed lives yet was said to be born with a Phoenix Destiny!

The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly!

"Your Highness, you actually know about the Xie Family’s eldest daughter!"

Hearing the Empress Dowager’s unhappy tone, the Duchess of Zhenguo was unsure whether to continue speaking.

Nanny Xiao noticed the Empress Dowager didn’t want to engage further and hurriedly said, "Her Highness seems tired today. It looks like the palace gates will soon be locked. Madam and Miss should leave the palace promptly!"

The Duchess of Zhenguo and Xiao Ning’Er realized Nanny Xiao was subtly dismissing them.

Reluctant to leave without obtaining the luminous pearl.

But leaving after being explicitly asked to depart seemed too embarrassing.

Thinking this, the Duchess quickly signaled Xiao Ning’Er with her eyes.

Xiao Ning’Er understood and promptly said, "Indeed, the palace gates are about to close. Returning now would be quite late, why don’t Ning’Er and Mother stay the night in the palace, to accompany you, dear Aunt?"

Empress Dowager Xiao: "..."

Nanny Xiao: "..." Are you perhaps aiming for something other than wine, like the tipsy old man?