As she spoke, she finally managed to move the steward.
The steward pondered for a moment and finally agreed with her.
"Miss, remember not to talk nonsense. Otherwise, even the prince won't be able to protect you."
"I understand. Thank you, steward."
After saying that, Herou courteously stuffed a small embroidered pouch into the steward's hand. From the outside, the pouch was bulging, presumably filled with quite a lot of silver.
The steward had been working in the mansion for a long time. In the past, he always got some extra benefits following He Hui. Now that He Hui had become what she was, it had been a long time since he received so many benefits. Immediately, a big smile spread across his face.
"Miss, please follow me this way."
Soon, the two of them arrived at the neighboring courtyard.
Shi Muyuan was accompanying the little one in practicing calligraphy at this time. When she heard that there was a guest coming, she wasn't surprised. After all, they were bound to meet sooner or later.
"Let the guest in. Don't let her stand outside. We can't be impolite to a guest from afar."
Shortly after, Herou was led in by a maid.
She bowed gracefully. "This commoner pays respects to the Empress Dowager."
"Be excused. May I ask who you are, miss? And why have you suddenly come to me?"
Herou calmly introduced herself and incidentally mentioned what had happened some time ago.
"I've come to visit the Empress Dowager for another reason as well."
"Oh?"
"Father heard that elder sister offended the Empress Dowager and did so many wrong things. He insisted that I come here to apologize to the Empress Dowager on her behalf. We hope that the Empress Dowager can overlook the past. If the Empress Dowager wants anything, please just ask."
"The He family truly lives up to its reputation as the wealthiest family. They're so generous. I've really learned something today. But why should you come to apologize? It was your elder sister who made the mistake."
"There's nothing I can do. Elder sister has been known for her stubbornness in the mansion since childhood. Sometimes, even if she knows she's wrong, she may not admit it to others. Her stubbornness has given Father quite a headache for a long time."
"I see. But I haven't seen your elder sister for a long time. Since you, as the younger sister, are so sincere, why don't you call your elder sister here? Let's clarify things today to avoid any future problems."
"This... Alright. I'll do my best to persuade elder sister to apologize to the Empress Dowager."
"Apology isn't the most important thing. I just feel sorry for Huang'er. As a man, he has to struggle outside. I don't want him to be bothered by the affairs in the inner courtyard every day. So, it's better for us women to solve our own problems privately."
Before coming here, Herou had been prepared to be made things difficult for by the Empress Dowager. She never expected that things would go so smoothly today.
Thinking of the plans her father had made before she left, worrying that the Empress Dowager might not relent, it seemed all these plans were redundant now.
A smile spread across her face. She nodded in agreement and sat down on one side, waiting for the familiar figure to arrive.
Although she didn't know why the Empress Dowager wanted to see her at this time, she had also heard that there was a new person in the mansion.
At first, she didn't receive the news that this new person was the half - sister she despised the most. So when she reached the door, she didn't speak politely.
"After all, I'm still the equal wife in the mansion and the mistress here. I've helped the prince a great deal to achieve what he is today. The Empress Dowager wants to add concubines for him while the prince is away. Shouldn't she ask for my opinion first?"
Shi Muyuan took a sip of tea calmly and didn't respond to this. However, Herou's face changed instantly because of these words.
She had come here to take over the position of the mistress. Her father's grand plan had already abandoned her elder sister, the legitimate daughter. She never expected that her elder sister was still so persistent.
Well, there was nothing she could do. As the future mistress, she had to establish her authority. Otherwise, in the future, everyone in the mansion might dare to insult her.
Without hesitation, she stepped forward to greet her.
"I haven't seen elder sister for a long time. I didn't expect that we would meet again in such a distant place. Alas, Father said he sent me here to help support the prince. If I had known that elder sister had already reformed, I wouldn't have had to travel such a long distance."
As soon as she spoke, there was a tense atmosphere. Shi Muyuan was quite surprised that Herou was so quick to react.
Actually, she had already heard from her subordinates that Herou was a very patient person in front of Ji Huang.
She thought this woman was more sophisticated than her elder sister. But now it seemed that she was just the same. Just because of a few provocative words, she couldn't hold back anymore.
Well, she might as well just sit back and watch the fight. It wouldn't be too late for her to step in when the two of them were both exhausted.
At this moment, all of He Hui's thoughts were occupied by the unexpected arrival of her half - sister. She had thought that her father would give her more time, but she never expected that he couldn't hold back.
They had clearly said that she would handle everything here. Now sending her younger sister here, she knew exactly what his purpose was.
She gritted her teeth and just couldn't swallow this humiliation. So her anger had to find an outlet.
"Humph, I wondered who it was. So it's the half - sister. I can only sigh at the impermanence of life. Father might have sent you here to come up with ideas for the prince. Some people mustn't forget their own status just because they have someone backing them up. By the way, how's auntie? Should I write a letter and ask mother to go and visit her soon?"
She didn't spare Herou any face when she spoke. The last sentence especially touched a woman's sore spot.
Although her mother had been favored, she had been drugged by the mistress when giving birth to her and ruined her health. She couldn't give birth anymore. Over the years, her health had been getting worse and worse. She would always remember this hatred and never forget it.
He Hui always used this to warn her not to overreach herself. What didn't belong to her would never belong to her.
In He Hui's eyes, she was always the cowardly woman she used to be. Even though she had her father's favor, she never knew how to use it. So she was constantly oppressed by this maid - born sister, which disappointed her father many times.
But those were all old things. Just from the fact that her father now valued her, it was obvious that after He Hui did those things and ruined the He family head's plan, she would never be reused again.
Herou quickly composed herself and put on a haughty look on her face.
"So elder sister still remembers why auntie ruined her health. In that case, I'm relieved. But this time when I came here, I didn't just come with Father's expectations. I also came to tell elder sister some news."
Intuition told He Hui that nothing good would come out of this woman's mouth.
And indeed, that was the case.
As Herou spoke, she took out a jade hairpin from her body, a hairpin that He Hui was extremely familiar with.