Chapter 34 - Visiting empress Dowager

Dong Ning felt like a third wheel when seated besides the shameless couple so she would occasionally open the curtains of the carriage to see if they had arrived at their destination. It felt like she was sitting on pins as she couldn't relax. She was jealous and angry. Jealous that Tie Hongchen who is a princess of a foreign country is favoured than her by the man she loves. She is also jealous that she and Tai Jian can't enjoy such a relationship. At the same time she was angry at Tie Hongchen for seducing her cousin and stealing him from her. Tai Jian and Tie Hongchen did not care about this." Cousin,you seem uncomfortable. Why don't you ride the horse with Xue Kai?" Tai Jian asked when she was Dong Ning's weird behaviour. Tie Hongchen could understand the reason for the weird behaviours but Tai Jian was a blockhead who did not even care to understand rather he seemed to be chasing her out of the carriage. "Stop the carriage, " Dong Ning ordered and then stared at Tai Jian." Cousin, I am leaving," Dong Ning said through gritted teeth." Hmm," Tai Jian nodded without even staring at her. All of his attention was on the beautiful woman whom he called wife. The one before him. Dong Ning got off the carriage without uttering another word while Tie Hongchen stared at her in pity. "Why don't you give her a chance? You know that even if you take her as a concubine Xue Kai won't be dissatisfied, " Tie Hongchen asked." Even if he will not show any dissatisfaction but how about me? How will I be able to sleep peacefully while knowing that I took my brother's woman?" Tai Jian asked with an innocent smile. Tie Hongchen was shocked and found no words to rebuke Tai Jian. He was right. Even a blind man could see how Xue Kai stared at Dong Ning and Tai Jian treated Xue Kai as his brother so what would his soldiers and trusted aides say. Tai Jian would lose the support of his guards and personnels. "I am afraid that it won't be upto you anymore. The empress has always been supportive of the first prince so I am afraid that she will be used as a weapon against you. You have locked yourself up on your palace for the last two years and have never interfered with the state affairs ever since your brother was made regime. How can they not try and sound you out?" Tie Hongchen asked. According to traditions and customs of the empires women had an inferior status which was why they were seen as political tools by the royal family but Tie Hongchen wanted a change in the status quo which was why she was not accepted by many. She did not put herself above others but she believed that women were not inferior to men. She learned literacy and arithmetic and surpassed many scholars and was knowledgeable which was why she was so adept at state affairs. She had also learnt military strategies and deployments and became the first female in the heaven battling state with a title of a war god. After entering Tai Jian's mansion as his wife she had managed all the household affairs by herself and had integrated perfectly with the guards. Many people still believed that they had lost their martial arts but not many people believed in the term rise from dust. After destruction comes construction and they were now stronger than before. Although Tai Jian was stronger than Tie Hongchen he knew that her level was not far from his but even then his pride would not allow him to take his wife to the battlefield again as he believed that it was his duty to protect his wife." We have arrived, " Xue Kai's voice sounded out. Tai Jaim was the first to walk out of the carriage . He then stood besides the door of the carriage like a guard and offered his right hand for Tie Hongchen. She took the hand and alighted from the carriage under the envious gazes of the guards and Dong Ning. Tie Hongchen was beautiful and had the elegant bearing of a goddess while Tai Jian was handsome and had a sturdy and refined physique so the duo could best be described as the best couples. Most of the servants cast envious gazes at them especially after seeing how gentle and caring Tai Jian treated his wife. Who wouldn't want to have such a relationship? After alighting off the carriage, Dong Ning led the way while Tai Jian and Tie Hongchen followed behind her walking hand in hand with each other at their own pace as if they were taking a stroll. Tai Jian would occasionally whisper sweet words to Tie Hongchen and introduce various places in the huge palace for her. The palace of empress dowager was huge and had an amazing view. The environment was conducive and very peaceful. Tai Jian and Tie Hongchen breathed in the cool air from the serene environment and felt their minds relaxing. "Your highness,princess,her majesty is waiting for you in the courtyard, " a maid said greeting Tai Jian and Dong Ning but she didn't greet Tie Hongchen. Tai Jian was dissatisfied by this but Tie Hongchen stopped him from causing trouble." What about princess Hongchen?" Tai Jian asked." Her majesty only asked me to invite his highness and princess Ning in," the maid replied with a smile on her face." It seems that I have been in seclusion for long that most of you have forgotten about me. Haah! It's okay of grandmother doesn't welcome us then I guess that we should go back," Tai Jian said with a sigh as he prepared to leave." Your highness please don't make things difficult for us. Please understand your highness," the maid pleaded with Tai Jian. Tie Hongchen wanted to plead with Tai Jian but Tai Jian stared at her coldly forcing her to swallow back the words that had already made their way to her throat. She knew that Tai Jian would probably not listen to her at this moment. Dong Ning saw this and intervened." Aunt Chen,just allow them both to enter or else grandmother will be angry," Dong Ning said. The maid nodded her head and then allowed entry to the both of them. Tai Jian held Tie Hongchen's hands and entered the courtyard walking hand in hand. Dong Ning was probably having a hard time having to plead with the maid so as to allow Tai Jian and Tie Hongchen to enter the courtyard yet they did not even express any gratitude rather they arrogantly walked into the courtyard walking hand in hand. She stomped her feet and then walked into the courtyard. In the courtyard an old woman was seen seated near a small lake while drinking tea. She seemed to be enjoying herself and did not even notice the arrival of Tai Jian and company. A maid was seen standing besides her. The maid signalled for the trio who entered the courtyard to not make any noise as it may disturb the empress. The trio waited for a while before the empress turned to stare at them.