Empress Xu said with a stern face, "His Majesty is in his prime, yet he rarely enters the inner palace. I thought His Majesty was busy with state affairs and had grown indifferent to matters of men and women. I didn't expect... for a lowly maid from who knows where to take advantage of the situation!"
Granny Zhao, who served Empress Xu closely, observed her expression and said softly, "Your Ladyship... please calm your anger. From what the Imperial Household Department says, His Majesty doesn't value this woman much."
"Whether His Majesty cares about this woman or not is unimportant. What's important is that I want this person under my control," Empress Xu said in a deep voice.
"This Palace does not wish for a bastard child to appear months from now!"
"Find her!"
Empress Xu's voice was exceptionally cold.
As she was speaking.
A voice announced from outside.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
When Xiao Yi entered, Empress Xu's face was already filled with a gentle smile.
"Your Majesty, you are here." Empress Xu rose to greet him and personally removed the Emperor's cloak, hanging it aside.
Xiao Yi nodded and sat down.
Empress Xu ordered someone to serve tea.
As Xiao Yi drank his tea, Empress Xu quietly observed him. When she noticed a slight injury on his thin lips, she was momentarily lost in thought.
"Empress?" Xiao Yi called out, frowning.
Empress Xu snapped back to attention and smiled, "What did Your Majesty just say?"
Xiao Yi was still patient with this Empress and continued, "I say, the Crown Prince is not young anymore. I heard the Eldest Miss of the Yong'an Marquis Manor has returned."
"This marriage was arranged long ago, and it is time to make preparations," Xiao Yi continued.
Empress Xu hesitated upon hearing this.
Xiao Yi frowned and asked, "What? Is something inappropriate? Is the Empress dissatisfied with this Miss Pei?"
Empress Xu quickly replied, "I am naturally satisfied with the person Your Majesty has chosen. It's just that this Eldest Miss Pei has just returned from her hometown in Huaiyang. She hasn't had time to be close to her parents yet and is already to be married..."
"I merely feel a bit of pity. I thought, why not ask for her opinion first? If she wishes to stay home and be filial to her parents, what's wrong with Chen'er waiting another three to five months?" Empress Xu continued.
Xiao Yi nodded upon hearing this, "The Empress is indeed thoughtful. This matter will be handled according to your wishes. Go and ask Miss Pei's opinion."
...
Jin Ning had just returned to her bedroom from Pei Mingyue's residence when she saw Huanxi, the Empress's head palace maid, waiting there.
Huanxi was around twenty years old, appearing very dignified and steady. Although just a palace maid, she carried a certain presence, clearly serving someone of high status.
"Eldest Miss Pei, Her Ladyship requests your presence," Huanxi said kindly.
Jin Ning nodded, "Yes."
Thus, Jin Ning, braving the wind and snow, followed Aunt Huanxi up the mountain.
The Que Mountain Imperial Palace was built against the mountain. The more noble the person's status, the closer their residence was to the mountaintop.
The Yong'an Marquis Manor, enjoying considerable favor, was located on the upper half of the mountain. Further up were the residences of imperial relatives, followed by the living quarters of the Crown Prince and other princes. The main hall and various side halls on the mountaintop were where the Emperor and Imperial Consorts resided.
Huanxi led Jin Ning to Qifeng Residence, where the Empress lived.
"Your Ladyship, Eldest Miss Pei has arrived," Huanxi announced.
At that moment, another older Mama walked out from inside the room.
Jin Ning recognized her; this was Granny Zhao, the Empress's most trusted Mama.
Granny Zhao lowered her voice and said, "Her Ladyship has been waiting for Eldest Miss Pei for quite some time and has just retired for a rest."
She paused slightly and looked at Jin Ning, "Her Ladyship has been suffering from a headache due to the cold wind lately. Please bear with us, Eldest Miss Pei."
Jin Ning said respectfully, "Her Ladyship's phoenix body is of utmost importance. Jin Ning can wait a little longer; it's no trouble."
This wait.
lasted for half an hour.
Jin Ning stood in the wind and snow outside the hall, her entire body almost frozen through, when.
A voice finally came from inside the hall, "Her Ladyship requests you to enter."
Jin Ning shifted her stiff legs and walked inside.
Inside Qifeng Residence, Empress Xu was seated in the main seat, looking at Jin Ning.
Empress Xu was in her thirties. She had maintained herself well and looked younger than her actual age.
Crown Prince Xiao Chen was her own son, born shortly after she entered the palace.
Over the years, she had only this one son.
"Jin Ning, you've arrived. Come closer to this Palace," Empress Xu said with gentle eyes.
Jin Ning nodded and walked forward, sitting down next to Empress Xu.
"Good child, how have you been these past three years in your hometown in Huaiyang?" Empress Xu continued to ask.
Jin Ning nodded, "Thank you for your concern, Your Ladyship. I have been very well."
Empress Xu then asked casually, and Jin Ning answered politely.
After a long while, Empress Xu sighed, "You are such a thoughtful child. I can't wait for you to marry Chen'er and become my daughter-in-law."
Jin Ning's face turned red, looking very shy.
Empress Xu then said, "However, you have just returned home. I imagine your father and mother are reluctant to part with you."
"You should stay home and spend more time with your parents and family. Your marriage with Chen'er is not something to rush," Empress Xu continued.
Jin Ning's brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this.
Going in circles.
She simply didn't want to rush the engagement into the open.
Jin Ning put on a docile expression, "Jin Ning will obey Your Ladyship's arrangements."
Empress Xu took Jin Ning's hand and said with exceptional gentleness, "What a sensible and good child."
Empress Xu's hand was warm, but as Jin Ning's hand was held, she felt very uncomfortable, sensing a chill that seemed to spread from Empress Xu's hand.
"Why are your hands so cold? Did you not use the ginger wine that this Palace sent someone to deliver to you yesterday?" Empress Xu asked, frowning.
Jin Ning's heart tightened upon hearing this.
She hadn't expected Empress Xu to directly mention the ginger wine! That cup of ginger wine laced with an aphrodisiac potion!
Jin Ning looked at Empress Xu. Empress Xu's expression was calm, full of concern, as if she had merely bestowed a simple cup of ginger wine, and whatever happened afterward, who had put what medicine in the wine, had nothing to do with her.
If it weren't for the fact that Empress Xu was the final straw that broke her back when her family forced her to die in her previous life.
Even if the ginger wine that changed her fate was bestowed by the Empress, she would never have suspected that the Empress had put the aphrodisiac in the wine, assuming it was someone else who acted using the Empress's ginger wine.
Regardless of whether the aphrodisiac in the wine was from the Empress or not, Jin Ning could not let anyone know that she had used that ginger wine.
So, she said apologetically, "Your Ladyship's bestowed ginger wine is something Jin Ning cherishes greatly. I had Shiliu carefully store it away. Who knew that when I was about to drink it... that maid accidentally knocked over the ginger wine."
Jin Ning paused slightly and continued, "Please forgive me, Your Ladyship."
Empress Xu smiled upon hearing this, "It's just a cup of ginger wine; if it spilled, it spilled."
She continued, "If you like it, you can drink more here. Huanxi, go fetch some ginger wine."
Huanxi returned quickly, bringing the ginger wine.
After pouring the wine, Huanxi handed the ginger wine to Jin Ning.
Jin Ning looked at the ginger wine with some hesitation.
Ginger wine, again ginger wine! After living like a ghost for three years, there wasn't a moment she didn't regret drinking that cup of ginger wine.
Now... the Empress was offering ginger wine again.
What did this mean?
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