The main hall was deathly silent, with only the clear sound of water droplets from a copper clock.
Xiao Jingheng remained silent for a while, then furrowed his brow and scrutinized Prince Rui.
"Are there any inaccuracies in these incriminating pieces of evidence?"
Prince Rui bowed deeper, speaking with conviction, "The families of the implicated soldiers have been controlled by my younger brother. With them under control, those soldiers dare not utter a word. If Your Majesty doubts it, you can summon them and question them one by one."
"You are my brother, devoted to the welfare of the dynasty. I trust you," said Xiao Jingheng.
Xiao Jingheng absentmindedly toyed with the ring on his thumb and muttered with a cold tone,
"The Ning Family... very well!"
"Creak!"
As they conversed, the closed doors of the main hall were gently pushed open.
Jiang Deshun entered and bowed deeply to Xiao Jingheng, standing at the lower level of the hall.
"Your Majesty, Empress Yi sent some pastries. She is waiting outside," he respectfully reported.
Xiao Jingheng had no leisure at the moment and replied, "Tell her to return for now. Inform her that I will visit her palace to have dinner later."
"I understand," Jiang Deshun replied. Just as he was about to take his leave, Xiao Jingheng called him again.
"Hold on. Go and summon the Grand Secretary, Minister of War, Commander of the Nine Gates, and the Imperial Executioner."
After a brief pause, he added, "Secretly."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Deshun's face immediately turned grave.
The officials Xiao Jingheng mentioned were all important figures in the court.
Summoning them all together meant that there was an important matter to discuss.
Jiang Deshun dared not delay and quickly retreated.
He first relayed Song Zhao's message outside the door.
"Empress Yi, His Majesty is currently discussing matters with the officials and is unable to meet you at the moment. His Majesty said you should return to your palace and that he will accompany you for dinner tonight."
"Thank you, Gonggong," Song Zhao said to Yun Shan, handing the food box to Jiang Deshun. Without lingering, she left the Chaoyang Palace.
On the way back to the palace, Song Zhao looked at the clear sky and thought of taking a stroll in the Imperial Garden. It would also be an opportunity to pick some fresh flowers to add to Cheng Yu's supplementary food.
Xiao Fuzi suggested, "I heard that the peonies at Qingyu Terrace have been blooming exceptionally well recently. Why don't we go there?"
Yun Shan also chimed in, "Peonies are good for nourishing the liver and improving eyesight. They are also great for replenishing qi and blood. They would be excellent for the Crown Prince and the Empress."
Qingyu Terrace happened to be near Shoukang Palace, where the empresses often frequented. So, Song Zhao asked Xiao Fuzi, "Who is that person? I haven't seen her in the palace before."
Xiao Fuzi stood on tiptoe, peering ahead. After getting a clear view of the appearance of the empress, he quickly replied,
"Your Majesty, that is Princess Dowager Jinggui. She lives up to her title and greatly enjoys tranquility, so she rarely moves around the palace. Even during previous palace banquets, she always excused herself and stayed alone. Therefore, Your Majesty has not had the chance to meet her since entering the palace."
"Princess Dowager Jinggui?" Song Zhao paused and asked, "Is she the birth mother of Prince An?"
Xiao Fuzi nodded and replied, "Exactly."
Due to the past incidents where Prince An had threatened Song Zhao and the unclear relationship between him and Rong Yue, Song Zhao had developed a dislike for him deep in her heart.
It is often said that love extends to everything associated with a loved one, and the same applies to hatred.
Originally, Song Zhao had no intention of paying attention to Princess Dowager Jinggui. However, coincidentally, just as Princess Dowager Jinggui, who had been bending down to search for something, suddenly stood up, her gaze met Song Zhao's.
If Song Zhao were to continue pretending not to see her, it would be somewhat disrespectful. Therefore, she had no choice but to walk forward with a smile and bow respectfully to Princess Dowager Jinggui, saying,
"I pay my respects to Princess Dowager, may you be blessed."
Princess Dowager Jinggui glanced at her and said indifferently, "Please rise."
After this perfunctory remark, she lowered her head again and continued rummaging through the flowers and plants, searching for something.
Song Zhao spoke, "Princess Dowager, have you lost something? Could you please inform me so that I can assist you in finding it?"
Princess Dowager Jinggui ignored her and let her maid reply, "Replying to Your Highness, Princess Dowager lost a sachet in the flower garden."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhao glanced back and gave Xiao Fuzi a meaningful look. "Hurry and help Princess Dowager find it."
Xiao Fuzi was clever and efficient in his work. Before long, he retrieved a bright yellow sachet from the flower garden.
"Is this what Princess Dowager was looking for?"
Princess Dowager Jinggui took the sachet that Xiao Fuzi handed over, gently dusted off the dust on it as if it were a treasure, and her solemn expression relaxed slightly, revealing a faint smile.
Song Zhao looked at the sachet, embroidered with mandarin ducks and dragon patterns, and speculated that it must have been a gift from the late emperor to Princess Dowager Jinggui. It's no wonder she treasured it so much.
Now that the sachet had been lost and found, Princess Dowager Jinggui's attitude towards Song Zhao also softened a bit.
"The people under your command are quite clever," she said.
While speaking, she tried to walk out of the flower garden but accidentally stepped into the muddy ground, causing her body to tilt and almost fall.
Fortunately, Song Zhao was by her side and quickly supported her. "Please be careful, Princess Dowager."
After Princess Dowager Jinggui stabilized herself with Song Zhao's support, she finally looked at her directly for the first time.
"I haven't seen you before. You must be the Emperor's new favorite?" she asked respectfully.
Song Zhao replied, "I am Consort Yi, Song Shi."
"Song Shi?" Princess Dowager Jinggui's eyes trembled visibly, and she was clearly taken aback. The joy on her face instantly disappeared.
She forcefully pulled her hand out of Song Zhao's palm, and the sharp armor cut Song Zhao's tender flesh, causing blood to seep out immediately.
"Your Highness!" Yun Shan quickly stepped forward, guarding Song Zhao's side, and took out a handkerchief to wipe the bloodstains on her palm. "Are you alright, Your Highness?"
Song Zhao shook her head without answering, and she looked at Princess Dowager Jinggui in confusion.
She saw the dull and dim gaze of Princess Dowager Jinggui, with a hint of resentment flowing within.
"Princess Dowager, I..."
Before Song Zhao could finish her words, Princess Dowager Jinggui suddenly turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, puzzled.
Xiao Fuzi whispered, "Don't take it to heart, Your Highness. Princess Dowager has always been peculiar, even the Empress rarely interacts with her."
Song Zhao tightened the blood-stained handkerchief in her hand and fixed her gaze on the slightly hunched figure of Princess Dowager Jinggui. She spoke with a hint of unease,
"They, mother and son, truly know how to provoke others. Well, let's return to the palace."
