The Empress Dowager, annoyed by the crying, scoffed sarcastically. "I'm old now, useless! What's the use of crying to me about court affairs!"
The Empress wiped away her tears. "Your servant..."
The Empress Dowager interrupted her, her voice laced with resentment and anger. "There's no need for you to cry. Who does the Emperor favor in his heart? For whom would he do such absurd things? As a mere woman of the household, you have no say in the matter! You'd best attend to the selection of the concubines diligently; bringing in a few good ones to distribute his favor more evenly is the proper thing to do!"
She had a distaste for the Empress, the Empress Dowager thought. Yet, the Shih family girl's entrance into the palace would ultimately go through the Empress's hands. I have to leave her a shred of dignity and not speak too harshly.
The Empress then stood up and curtsied respectfully. "Thank you for your guidance, Mother."
The Empress Dowager glanced at her but said no more.
