Consort of a Thousand Faces - Chapter 509

CHAPTER 509: IS IT THE EMPRESS DOWAGER

Watching the old uncle leave, Ruo Yuan involuntarily turned her head to look at Niu Niu. The once high and mighty Empress Dowager is now dressed in coarse clothes and smiling at me with clear eyes.

“You’re called Niu Niu?” Ruo Yuan couldn’t help but ask.

Niu Niu nodded and grinned in an adorable manner. It was at this moment that Hong Li rounded the corner, having come to remind Ruo Yuan to prepare the red bean soup. However, she was similarly struck dumb when she caught sight of Niu Niu.

“Empress Dowager!” Her expression was exaggerated as she shouted, shocking Niu Niu so much that she stumbled two steps back.

Ruo Yuan pulled Hong Li aside and softly said, “She’s called Niu Niu, and she’s the granddaughter of the old uncle delivering the firewood. However, she really resembles the Empress Dowager too much; we have to inform the Princess Consort.”

Both of them were aware of how Pei Yaran had targeted Su Xi-er while they had both been in the palace. Even if Niu Niu isn’t the Empress Dowager, we still have to take precautions.

Hong Li nodded and tugged at Ruo Yuan. “Stall her; don’t let her leave. I’ll call the Princess Consort over so that she can see for herself.”

“Mmm, quickly go.” Ruo Yuan repeatedly nodded, and when she turned to Niu Niu again, she looked at her with a different gaze.

“Why...are you looking at me like this? I’m scared.” Niu Niu stumbled a few steps back in fear, her back pressed tightly against the wall.

When the old uncle came back from collecting the silvers and saw Niu Niu in such a state, he thought that she had made a mistake, and immediately bowed to apologise. “Miss, my granddaughter is a fool. You are a magnanimous person; please don’t mind her.”

“This granddaughter of yours looks rather adorable and likeable.” Ruo Yuan tried to make small talk. I can’t let the two of them go; the Princess Consort will be coming over later.

“Many thanks for the compliment, Miss. Niu Niu, apologise to the young lady.” The old uncle pulled Niu Niu’s sleeve, but the latter lowered her head and remained silently frozen in place, causing him to panic.

“Niu Niu, quickly say something. Don’t become foolish again.” The old uncle tugged at her again, his face full of anxiety.

It was at this moment that the gentle voice of a woman could be heard. “Don’t force her; she’s a fool after all.”

The one who had spoken was none other than Su Xi-er. She was currently clad in a crimson dress with small golden flowers embroidered on the hem. Even her sleeves and collars were accented with golden thread, giving her a luxurious and noble look. On top of that, she was also exuding with charm after having just done the deed with Pei Qianhao.

Ruo Yuan immediately turned around and bowed. “This servant pays her respects to the Princess Consort.”

“You may rise; you need not stand on courtesy.” Su Xi-er slowly replied with a smile on her face.

Hong Li had already explained the situation to her on the way here. This woman called Niu Niu greatly resembles Pei Yaran. Since we still haven’t found the real Pei Yaran, it’s impossible for us not to be suspicious.

The old uncle could feel the noble aura emanating from Su Xi-er, and upon hearing Ruo Yuan address her as the Princess Consort, he immediately knelt down. “This peasant pays his respects to the Princess Consort.” He then pulled his granddaughter’s arm to make her kneel with him. “Niu Niu, quickly pay your respects to the Princess Consort.”

Niu Niu knelt on the ground, but her head remained lowered, and she refused to say a single word.

Su Xi-er went forward and helped the old uncle get up. “Let’s not make things difficult for her.” She then reached out her hand to pull on Niu Niu. “Stand up.”

Niu Niu softly replied with an affirmative and got up, but quickly hid behind the old uncle.

“Princess Consort, this granddaughter of mine has been foolish since she was young, and she’s afraid of strangers. Please don’t be offended.”

Su Xi-er’s gaze landed on Niu Niu. She looks exactly like Pei Yaran. Is she really foolish, or feigning to be? Let me test her.

Hence, Su Xi-er reached out an arm to pull Niu Niu over and smiled at her. “You really look like a fool. Niu Niu, do you remember how old you are?”

Niu Niu’s body trembled, but she kept her head lowered, preventing others from seeing her expression. Su Xi-er slipped a hand under her chin, looking into Niu Niu’s eyes and finding them filled with cowardice.

Getting anxious, the old uncle knelt again. “Princess Consort, I beg of you, please let this peasant’s granddaughter off. She has been foolish since she was young. After her parents passed away, this peasant has raised her alone.”

Su Xi-er’s finger brushed Niu Niu’s chin, her eyes filled with a probing look. “Is that so? Did you know that the granddaughter you single handedly raised looks a lot like someone I know from the past.” She paused and turned to look at Ruo Yuan. “Take the old uncle to the Bookkeeping Office to collect more silvers, and get a guard to personally send him back to his hometown. I find this granddaughter of his likeable, so I’ll have her stay in the residence and accompany me for a few days.”

“This servant obeys the order.” Ruo Yuan immediately walked towards the old uncle and gestured for him to follow.

The old uncle’s body shuddered, afraid that Su Xi-er would do something to Niu Niu. But I have no way to save her. I could only try to beg for mercy, but that didn’t work at all.

Finally, he sighed. I didn’t raise Niu Niu; I found her. My son died a few years ago, and my daughter-in-law also followed without leaving behind any children. When I saw this foolish girl, I decided to take her back home and raise her. However, I clearly can’t say this out loud.

Judging from the Princess Consort’s expression, the person from her past might have had some conflict with her. If I say the truth, it would be tantamount to harming Niu Niu.

Seeing that the old uncle was leaving, Niu Niu shivered in fear and looked at Su Xi-er with trepidation.

“You’re scared of me?” Su Xi-er chuckled and released her chin.

Niu Niu immediately lowered her head, not letting anyone discern her expression. The only reaction she gave was her trembling body.

“You really look like someone ー Pei Yaran.” Su Xi-er slowly stated. However, there was no response from Niu Niu.

“Hong Li, prepare a private room for her in the backyard. We have to properly entertain her for these few days.”

“This servant obeys the order.” Hong Li tugged at Niu Niu a few times before forcefully dragging her away.

Watching Niu Niu’s departing figure, Su Xi-er wondered if she was really foolish. This person must be Pei Yaran; there can’t be this many coincidences in the world.

After mulling it over for a while, she turned around to return to the main courtyard. Before she could take another step though, she bumped into a large and cosy embrace, a familiar scent filling her nostrils.

“Xi-er, since when did you start walking in such a hasty manner?”

“A-Jing, Pei Yaran is back. I don’t know if she’s really foolish or just pretending to be.”

Pei Qianhao caressed her, his eyes looking towards the direction Niu Niu had left in. “We’ll know after we test her.”

Su Xi-er moved her body and raised her head to look at him. “She entered the palace when she was 15, then became the Empress before exerting control over the entire imperial harem at the age of 18. We can’t underestimate a woman like that.”

Looking at her sparkling eyes, Pei Qianhao knew that she already had a plan in mind. “Xi-er, we’ll do as you like.”

“Really? Why don’t you ask me how I plan to execute the ruse? She’s your younger sister, after all.” Su Xi-er mischievously smiled.

“Xi-er, you’re jealous again?” Pei Qianhao teasingly smiled. 

She didn’t get jealous when Zhen Yu pounced into my arms, but she got jealous right after Pei Yaran appeared.

“What do you mean by ‘again’? I’m not like you ー a vinegar jar. Let me tell you, I plan to use a handsome man trap[1].”

Hearing the words ‘handsome man trap’, Pei Qianhao’s gaze deepened, and he flicked her forehead. “I don’t know what’s stuffed in this brain of yours.”

Su Xi-er pouted. “Did you even need to ask? Of course it’s stuffed with handsome men.”

Pei Qianhao lowered his head and whispered into her ear. “This Prince wants to ask you: who is the handsome man you have in mind?”

1. Adapted from ‘beauty trap’, which as the name suggests, is based around using a beautiful woman as bait or any ruse that involves using beauty.