Was it truly over? What happened to the selection of consorts? What about the proclamation of the Empress? How about filling the young Emperor’s harem? Was there nothing to show for the performance before the Emperor?
The ministers looked at each other in dismay, unsure of how to proceed.
As they lifted their heads, they saw Old Lady Ji and her party. Instantly, a group of older ladies sward over to greet them.
"My, Old Lady Ji, you’ve finally returned to the capital! How is your health?"
This was a lady who looked about the sa age as Old Lady Ji; she was the wife of Inspector Lv, the very man who had just forcefully advised the young Emperor to establish an Empress and select consorts.
"Mada Lv, it’s good to see you well! How have you been?"
Old Lady Ji chatted with the crowd of new and old acquaintances who had spontaneously gathered to greet her. From the corner of her eye, she noticed the anxious expressions on Zhu Xiuxiu and Huo Xing’Er.
She heard Zhu Xiuxiu ask Xie Pan’Er, "Did you see which way the Empress Dowager and the Elder Princess went when they left their seats?"
The young Emperor’s indisposition had been too sudden.
The Empress Dowager’s departure had also been unexpected, leaving them montarily unprepared.
As the banquet dissolved into chaos, the elderly ladies from various families gathered to converse with Old Lady Ji.
As her daughters-in-law, Huo Xing’Er and Zhu Xiuxiu could not leave Old Lady Ji’s side prematurely.
Hearing Zhu Xiuxiu’s question, Xie Pan’Er replied, "I don’t know which direction they went, but I heard the Empress Dowager and the Elder Princess say they were going to take her to so hall to pay respects to the late Emperor Grandfather."
Zhu Xiuxiu and Huo Xing’Er were both aghast at Xie Pan’Er’s words.
"What did you say? Are you sure you heard correctly?"
Xie Pan’Er shook her head hurriedly. "I’m not mistaken. I was keeping a close watch on the Elder Princess’s movents."
"Quickly, go find His Majesty and tell him about this!"
Xie Pan’Er was puzzled. "Why should I find His Majesty? Couldn’t we just ask for directions and go directly to bring the Elder Princess back? The young Emperor’s imposing majesty and his inviolable Dragon Qi always made her unconsciously shrink back in intimidation whenever she saw him. It always felt as if his eyes, when they stared at her, were trying to see through her every secret."
"I don’t have ti to explain much now. Just go find His Majesty! You must emphasize to him that the Empress Dowager is taking Suisui to kowtow before the late Emperor!" Zhu Xiuxiu urged in an anxious whisper, giving Xie Pan’Er a little push towards the young Emperor.
Old Lady Ji interrupted the Duchess and the Consort, who were anxiously trying to engage her in conversation. She turned to look at Zhu Xiuxiu. "This is Pan’Er’s first visit to the Imperial Palace. Be careful she doesn’t offend anyone important. What are you sending her to do?"
With the wisdom of her years, Old Lady Ji naturally sensed sothing was amiss when she saw Zhu Xiuxiu urgently prompting Xie Pan’Er to do sothing. She couldn’t help but frown and ask.
Zhu Xiuxiu cupped her hand to Old Lady Ji’s ear and whispered about the Empress Dowager taking Suisui to the Hall of Ancestors.
Old Lady Ji’s expression changed instantly.
"My apologies, dear ladies, but sothing urgent has co up. I must take my leave. I will visit to offer my apologies properly another day."
Before Old Lady Ji could finish speaking, she was already urgently heading towards the Hall of Ancestors, supported by Zhu Xiuxiu on her left and Huo Xing’Er on her right.
"What does Old Lady Ji an by this? Is she looking down on us?" a young woman in her twenties muttered.
Instantly, the older woman beside her shot her a fierce glare. "You, from a minor family, have no tact at all! Every titled lady of the court is a significant figure. Do you think soone like Old Lady Ji would leave in such a hurry if it wasn’t sothing truly important? And she holds a First Grade Imperial Mandate! Among all the wives of civil and military officials in this court, you can count the number of those who have received such an honor on one hand! In the future, watch that tongue of yours!"
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