Empress Dowager Mo said coldly, "The Emperor's demands are too harsh. A woman should prioritize virtue. As long as her conduct is upright and her appearance is dignified, that should suffice. Why demand beauty? There's no point in filling the room with seductive foxes, all gaudily dressed up. How can seducing the ruler be good?"
Everyone could tell the Empress Dowager was taking the opportunity to criticize the Empress for her beguiling beauty, which had enchanted the Emperor. No one dared to make a sound; they just lowered their heads and stared at their noses to avoid inviting trouble upon themselves.
