Chapter 8, Audience with the Sovereign

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang let out a soft hum, without responding

The enchanting girl let out a sneer, her expression clearly indicating that she believed Ziqing was pretending, "I am Jingxian, dear sister, please do not 'forget' again."

It's her turn! Ziqing nervously prepared to perform the etiquette that Wei Mama had taught her. Just as she began to kneel down, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang chuckled softly and said, "Enough, my dear Qing! Stop with this pretense with me." With a wave of her hand, a palace maid came over to help Ziqing up.

Hmph! The ancestor still appears to be unconvinced. Do you truly acknowledge your mistake?

She doesn't really want to bear the consequences alone; she just feels that saying so makes her seem quite righteous

"Are you going to pursue this?" Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang angrily shifted her gaze back to the Grand Princess and Ding Fujin.

"Ancestor," Ziqing recalled something and sat up straight from Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's embrace, "This time when I was ill, I was greatly helped by Ziyu's care"

This is equivalent to resolving the matter. Ziqing secretly thought it was amusing

It is no longer possible to negotiate amicably; it is better to take decisive action and impose severe penalties on the two individuals, instilling fear in both families and silencing the voices of the crowd

Outside the Cining Palace, many servants who had come with their master were gathered. Ziqing was surprised to find that their quiet chatter and laughter were far more unrestrained than that of the Grand Princess's servants. With the presence of voices, the entire palace appeared lively and festive, brimming with vitality

Oh? A look of joy appeared in Xiaozhuang's eyes. Whether or not Ziqing is pretending to have amnesia to evade responsibility is another matter, but she has truly become more sensible.

Zi Qing looked up unhappily; the one speaking was a charming young woman, not entirely innocent but very alluring, with a captivating gaze that seemed rather flirtatious.

Tears come unexpectedly, suddenly arriving here, surrounded by either indifference or resentment, her pressure is truly immense

Meili also lowered her head, secretly pouting.

This grand princess is truly ! She simply does not know how to express herself. It would be better to let things end like this, rather than insisting on being stubborn. If this continues, no one will have a good outcome ! How does she not understand this ? She is even worse than a teenager !

Ancestors, considering my injuries and memory loss, please grant me another chance! Although I am currently confused, I also recognize my mistakes. Please do not be angry!" Add a bit more sorrow, alright, the tears are coming.

"Your Majesty!" She stood up and said solemnly, the originally peaceful atmosphere rapidly freezing due to her words. "Although Ziqing is no longer in danger of losing her life, the harm done to her is evident! It is time to settle the accounts properly."

Well, if a young man like Ruo Hong insists on making trouble with a girl and even attempts murder, he should be exiled to Mongolia! Ziqing, as a young lady, you acted ruthlessly by pushing the princess of the Ding Wang Mansion down the stairs, and you instructed the guards to beat the current prince, stripping the princess of her title, and you will be confined at home for three years to reflect on your actions

"Don't cry, don't cry..." The ancestor held her tightly, "I'm here, don't be afraid."

Thank you, ancestral deity! A crowd of people has knelt down, and Ziqing has followed suit.

Her heart was racing, constantly rehearsing the etiquette that Wei Mama had taught her in her mind, reminding herself not to panic and make a fool of herself

"I don't recognize you." Ziqing detested such hypocritical people who smiled on the surface but were insincere underneath, and she replied without courtesy.

"Ancestors..." Ziqing spoke anxiously, kneeling at the feet of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang. She was uncertain whether her gamble was the right one

The Grand Princess and the Concubine both lowered their heads even further. The Ancestor usually dotes on them and does not hold them accountable for their impudence, but when she truly becomes angry, the situation becomes serious, and they might even be accused of disrespect.

Observing this scene, the noble ladies in the room secretly displayed their disdain, yet all made great efforts to conceal it. No one needed to provoke this mother and daughter duo and invite trouble upon themselves

The Empress Dowager, still seething with anger, turned her head and remained silent, causing the situation to reach a stalemate

The ceiling of the palace is very high, and although many windows have been opened, it still appears dim due to the absence of stained glass.

This is tantamount to acknowledging Ziyu's identity

When it was truly used as the emperor's residence, it was surprisingly resplendent. Everywhere there were vivid carvings and painted beams, and the floor tiles were polished to a subtle shine. The colors of the ceiling and walls were very bright, and the copper wind chimes hanging from the eaves emitted a distant and solemn sound intermittently.

When Ziyu went out, that "improper" girl started talking with a grin: "Sister Ziqing, do you still remember me?" Her smile should have been very sweet, but her unfriendly eyes made the smile appear quite strange. Once the smile lost its sincerity, it seemed particularly hollow.

Although Ziqing has caused such a great trouble, it seems that the ancestor is determined to protect her after all

Ziqing stole a glance at the Grand Princess, who was glaring at her, urging her to hurry up and go up.

The voice became active! Ziqing hurriedly nodded like she was pounding garlic.

A pleasant laughter of a young girl came from behind the screen, yet it seemed quite audacious due to its incongruity with the atmosphere

It seems that she does not dislike "Ziqing Gege" and appears to be quite fond of her

Standing so close, Ziqing was finally able to see clearly this woman, who was renowned throughout history. She was over sixty years old, with a robust figure that was not overly fat but exuded a commanding presence. Her voice was not very loud, yet it carried a strong resonance.

Zi Yu suppressed his excitement, turned around, knelt down, and knocked his head on the ground

She smiled, exuding a kind demeanor. Her gaze was not piercing; she appeared to be merely a noble lady of refined temperament. The fabric of her clothing was of high quality, yet understated, light and comfortable

"Ancestor, I am scared! I don't remember anything..." Zhiqing rushed into her warm embrace, instinctively holding her tightly. She reminded her of her late grandmother

You have all gone too far! Grand Princess, Consort Ding! You have caused a scene that has never happened throughout history! If word gets out that a princess and a consort quarreled in front of the Empress Dowager, it will be a laughingstock for the world!

Sigh. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang furrowed her brows and sighed, "I am endlessly worried about you all! Qing girl, after this incident, you must work on your temper. It is true that I am angry with you, and it is also true that I feel pain for you because you have been hurt."

She embraced the calf of Xiaohe * Tu * Shuzhuang with seven parts sincerity and three parts performance, and although tears did not flow in coordination, her expression was filled with profound sorrow

This matter is neither too big nor too small! It is not good for anyone involved. Ziqing, if you can make that stubborn kid Ruohong forgive you, I will consider this just a child's quarrel! If..." The voice grew heavy, "If reconciliation is still not possible, then go to Mongolia if you must, and reflect on your actions if you need to!

Everyone's gaze towards Ziyu has changed. As a result, he is not only recognized as the son of the prince, but his future status is also predictable; he is no longer an awkwardly positioned illegitimate child

Who is foolish? Even pretending requires acting as if everything is fine

As she just arrived at the edge of the kang, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang patted the cushion beside her, signaling Ziqing to sit down.

This time, the Grand Princess and the Dingfu Jin were both pale-faced as they knelt on the ground, pleading for mercy

"Grand Princess, have you arrived? I heard that Qing'er is ill..." Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang sat on the kang by the east window, speaking as she took a sip of tea, her demeanor neither warm nor cold

You have learned your lesson this time, haven't you? the ancestor said with a hint of reproach

All elderly people enjoy lively gatherings, relishing the company of their grandchildren around their knees, including Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang. Ziqing observed the feet of many individuals, some seated and some standing

Ziqing felt a bit embarrassed and timidly took a seat

The Empress Dowager did not expect Ziqing to say this, and she raised her head in surprise

Upon hearing her words, a subdued laughter emerged from the crowd, indicating that everyone believed that Ziqing's amnesia was a well-rehearsed act orchestrated by the Grand Princess and her daughter

Enough! Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang finally could no longer contain herself and spoke out, "Do you still see me in your eyes?"

Haha, interesting, interesting! They started arguing! It's so amusing that they are arguing in front of the ancestors

"Get up, there is no need for formality among family." The Empress Dowager said kindly, "Come here, it is rare for this child to enter the palace, take him to the Hall of Nourishing Heart to see his cousin the Emperor!"

"Your son actually wants to kill my daughter. According to our Great Qing legal code, this would be considered attempted murder!" The Grand Princess was relentless.

"I heard you forgot everything after the fall?" a soft and charming voice said. Although it was a question, the tone of mockery indicated that she did not believe it at all

What is now lacking is the ladder to descend

Ziqing looked at her with emotion; she was the highest-ranking woman in the Qing Dynasty, yet her words were so warm and heartfelt that they naturally drew people closer to her

While crying, one must also wipe away the tears, and it must be done thoroughly; otherwise, it will affect the overall effect

Her complexion seems fine. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang carefully scrutinized her.

This is an opportunity to meet a historically renowned figure

Come here. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang put down her teacup and said, Did you fall and break all your sweet words?

The issue of the heir to the Shun Wangfu has also caused her considerable headache. She looked up at the silent and upright young man standing there, "This must be Ziyu, such a handsome young lad! He looks just like a child of the Shun Wangfu"

Everyone stood up, bowed their heads, and no one dared to speak again

A room full of people looked at this and then at that, some in astonishment, others with glee at the misfortune of others

The dignified and orderly palace maids come and go; the young eunuchs run swiftly to deliver messages; the head eunuch stands tall and imposing; and there are also some noblewomen and young ladies dressed in luxurious attire, supported by servants, towering above others due to their "flowerpot-bottom" shoes. Everywhere, there is a gathering of crowns and splendor, a scene of brocade and elegance.

"Meili! Come out!" Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang said sternly to the screen behind which a beautiful young girl emerged, clearly frightened. "At your age, you are about to get married, yet you still act so wildly! You should assess the situation before speaking! With your behavior, you will suffer endlessly after marriage! Who would want such a daughter-in-law!"

The Grand Princess merely bowed to the Empress Dowager, and a palace maid, understanding the situation, assisted her while a eunuch brought a chair for her to sit down.

This is what it means to have a human touch, sitting majestically in her room like a grand princess, speaking to the children in a tone that is likely rare.

"What accounts do you wish to settle?" Before the words of the Grand Princess had fully faded, a noblewoman in her forties, accompanied by a charming young girl, unexpectedly barged in without waiting for an announcement. It was evident that they had overheard the Grand Princess's words and could not wait to enter.

"If the punishment is really that severe, I cannot bear it!" said Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang resentfully, "You all are so inconsiderate! The young ones cause a ruckus, and the elders also get involved!" Her gaze swept over the eldest princess and Ding Fujin, who were kneeling on the ground.

Ziqing stood there in a daze, momentarily unsure of what to do next

"My son attempted murder? What about your daughter? Look at my Ruoyu!" The noblewoman pulled the young girl beside her, who was so frightened by the situation that her face turned pale. "With such a delicate and weak daughter of mine, your daughter could easily push her. Ruoyu is fortunate; if she were to suffer any disability, your daughter would be in enough trouble!"

Ziqing lowered her head, not daring to look around. She had visited the Forbidden City in Beijing before. Although there were many palaces, they were quite dark, and many things appeared rough, making it difficult to discern what was remarkable about them

There is no choice but to plead in this manner! Is it really necessary to go into exile!

The palace maid announced their entry, and Ziqing followed the Grand Princess, only looking at her own toes, her heart seemed to be pounding in her throat

Zi Qing also began to see some clues; the Grand Princess and the Dingfu Jin were unwilling to yield to each other. Their argument in front of so many people embarrassed the ancestors and left them in a difficult position.

Indeed, I can't remember anything at all. Zi Qing coldly went along with the flow.

Hmm," Ziqing replied ambiguously, lowering her head

All the mistakes and faults stem from me, and I am willing to admit my errors and accept punishment, but please do not make things difficult for Young Master Ruo Hong... Crying too deeply leads to real tears, choked and unable to speak, the greatest blunder being the runny nose

The eldest princess on one side secretly let out a sigh of relief, having been worried that the child would embarrass herself. Unexpectedly, she has become even more affectionate and endearing than before her amnesia, winning the favor of the ancestors even more.

As they entered, everyone fell silent. Ziqing felt all eyes upon her, as if they were bearing down with warmth, and she sensed the atmosphere around her growing warmer

The Grand Princess also sensed everyone's intentions, and anger surged in her eyes. Hmph, did they think she would simply let it go like this?