Chapter 1226: Smoke Rises 37
ks were still faintly visible. It was far from perfect."Second Aunt, that servant truly deserves to die! This Purple Jade Guanyin was a betrothal gift from the Emperor to the Fourth Prince's Mansion....Feng Lingxi, hearing Zhao Gonggong's words, hurriedly said, "Then please trouble Zhao Gonggong to thank the Emperor on my behalf."
Grandfather Zhao continued walking forward without a word. This Emperor had sent Grandfather Zhao to escort her to the Empress Dowager's, but she didn't know how long they would have to stay there.
Upon reaching Ci'an Palace, Feng Lingxi whispered to Wan'er, "When you see the Empress Dowager later, remember what your mother told you. Be sure not to speak too much."
Wan'er looked at her mother, saying nothing and nodding. Feng Lingxi was a little anxious and reminded her again, "It's okay not to speak, just don't talk nonsense." This might really result in punishment.
When Zhao Gonggong heard Feng Lingxi and Wan'er's conversation, he smiled and said, "Princess Chen, Princess Wan'er is still young, don't scare her. The Empress Dowager misses you both dearly and would be overjoyed to see you happy."
"Thank you, Master Zhao."
Feng Lingxi bowed and thanked them, but in her heart she was very clear. This trip to the capital, she was afraid that besides the Empress Dowager, the Emperor would also be watching them. She didn't know what would happen, and she had been restless all night.
Having entered Cishan Palace and reported to Empress Shu, Zhao Gong公 brought Feng Lingxi and Wan'er inside. He hurried forward with Wan'er and knelt down.
"This concubine, along with her young daughter Dugu Wan, bows before the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty is revered for a thousand years, ten thousand years, eternally!"
Shu Taizi looked at Feng Lingxi pulling Wan'er to kneel before her, that constrained appearance, respectfully speaking, made her feel uncomfortable.
She returned to the palace soon after and heard about Feng Lingxi's poisoning in Linxi County, she even miscarried a child. All of this was caused by the Conceive Soup she had given her, which led to the miscarriage, and the medicine had been tampered with, but she remained unaware of it.
This has always been a thorn in her side, she felt guilty towards Xier and Cheng'er.
Today, when I saw Feng Lingxi, there were many words in my heart that I wanted to say, but I didn't know where to begin.
"Get up."
The tone was gentle, yet more imposing than before.
"Greetings, Empress Dowager."
Feng Lingxi got up and pulled Wan'er up.
"My lady of the Chen Wang, have Wen'er sit down and speak. It is rare for you to come back once, there is no need to be so restrained."
Feng Lingxi didn't even look at her, such a situation was unprecedented for Shu Taizi. It seemed that Feng Lingxi was still afraid of what had happened before and was very wary of her.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
Feng Lingxi took Wan'er to sit down aside. A palace maid served tea and pastries.
"Empress Dowager, please have a leisurely chat with Princess Chen and Miss Wan'er. This servant will return to report first."
Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Zhao Gonggong chose to withdraw first.
The Empress Dowager looked upon the palace maids and eunuchs within this hall.
"All of you, go out and wait outside. This Empress and the Crown Princess have some private matters to discuss."
"Yes."
After the maids and eunuchs withdrew, there were only three of them left in the hall.
Empress Shutai looked at Feng Lingxi holding Wan'er, that restrained appearance was indeed very different from before. Her former kindness towards her no longer existed, now she didn't even want to look at her
"Princess Consort of the Chen Dynasty."
Feng Lingxi heard the Empress Dowager calling her, she quickly got up and respectfully said, "This servant is here." This action made the Empress Dowager feel uncomfortable.
"Feel free to sit down and talk."
"Yes."
Feng Lingxi watched Wan'er reach out to grab the pastry, and she reached out to grab her hand. Wan'er looked up at Feng Lingxi, and under her gaze, Wan'er could only give up.
"Wan'er, take whatever you like and eat it. It's rare for you to return to Beijing, these are pastries made by the imperial chefs of the Imperial Kitchen. They taste pretty good, so eat more."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager. This servant will thank Princess Wan'er on your behalf."
Feng Lingxi looked at Wan'er and whispered, "Only take one piece."
Waner took a piece, her eyes timidly looking at the Empress Shu, her head bowed as she nibbled it in small bites, not daring to make a sound.
When Shu Taizi saw Wan'er's actions, her expression softened considerably, making herself appear less severe and preventing her from scaring the mother and daughter.
"Your Highness, the Princess Consort of Chen, I have been back in the palace for some time now. These days have been pleasant. I have heard about what has been happening there. There is something I need to speak with you about clearly."
Feng Lingxi was very surprised to hear this from Shu Taizi.
Is Imperial Noble Consort Shu here to report her well-being
But, Shu Tai was doing well, and she and Dugu City were relieved.
At least you know the Emperor is truly good to the Empress.
"The Empress may command."
Feng Lingxi remained as still as ever, her expression unchanged. Her voice was respectful.
“After I returned to the palace, I heard about your miscarriage. I also know that it was because of the soup I made for you every day. Empress wants to tell you that the recipe for the Conceive Soup has been changed. The empress truly didn't know about it. However, this matter is also due to me. Empress will accompany you through this.”
After Empress Shu finished speaking, Feng Lingxi hurriedly got up, her expression flustered.
"Your Majesty, this absolutely cannot be done. You are too kind to me."
Empress Dowager Shu looked at Feng Lingxi bowing and performing a curtsy. Seeing her frightened expression, the Empress Dowager rose and walked to her side, placing a hand on her arm. Feng Lingxi's heart was pounding in her chest, unsure of what the Empress Dowager wanted.
She still remembered vividly how she had treated her back then. Even today, she wasn't sure if the other party remained unchanged or if her memories had simply returned.
"Xi'er, are you still blaming Ai Jia"
Feng Lingxi hearing her voice, "Xi'er," lifted her eyes to meet Empress Shu's tear-filled gaze. She hurriedly lowered her head.
"I dare not, Your Majesty Empress Dowager. Please remain seated."
Empress Shu gently pulled her to the side and sat down, sighing deeply.
"Does becoming Empress Dowager mean you think I'm no longer your former mother"
"I meant no disrespect, Your Majesty. I..."
Empress Shu raised her hand, stopping Feng Lingxi's explanation. Hearing this, her heart ached.
There were so many things she wanted to say, but she didn't dare. She didn't know where to begin. She wanted to explain, but she couldn't. Looking at Feng Lingxi's current respect towards her, it was more strange than being indifferent like the former Empress Cen.
How is Cheng'er doing
"Reporting back to the Empress Dowager, everything is well. Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager."
Feng Lingxi respectfully replied, her attitude still proper, making the Empress Dowager's eyes well up with tears.
Feng Lingxi ignored her again, and so she didn't know how to act.
Feng Ling Xi could not receive any messages from his eyes.
It seems that after last time, her relationship with Xi'er can never go back to how it was before.
"If things are going well, this old lady will be at ease. Is Wan'er two years old now Would she like to call me grandmother"
Wan'er heard what the Empress Dowager said and looked at her with pleading eyes. There was too much confusion in her gaze, and she looked timidly at the Empress Dowager.
Feng Lingxi hurriedly lowered her head and said, "Wan'er, the Empress Dowager is speaking to you, quickly respond."
Wan'er heard her mother speak, timidly calling out, "Grand Empress."
The Empress Dowager's heart felt like it had been pierced by a needle, a piercing pain. This child, he wouldn't even call her grandmother. It was because of this that she had been so dismissive of him in the past, saying she didn't want to acknowledge him as her grandson. How could he possibly be willing to call her grandmother
This Wan'er has always been exceptionally intelligent, yet now she looks like this.
Empress Shutai's eyes welled with unshed tears, her heart heavy with sadness. Though they glistened red and blurred with emotion, she masked her pain, carefully keeping it from view.
The Empress has arrived.agined. When she was gentle, she was also a kind woman."Xier, there's something this king wants to tell you."Feng Lingxi responded with a hum, without even lifting her head, continuing to eat hers."Wo...