"This token is quite useful," Nian Qianqian glanced at the gold medal, then tossed it to Yang Ruxin.
"Indeed, at least we don’t have to queue up in the cold," Yang Ruxin stashed the token away.
The carriage quickly arrived at Kangshou Palace, but for some reason, Yang Ruxin sensed that Nian Qianqian’s aura seemed to change slightly; it was just a momentary thing, but she felt it and frowned, wondering if there was more to this palace visit.
Originally, she thought Kangshou Palace would be bustling with people, but unexpectedly, there was no one. Only Qi Zizi acpanied the Empress Dowager, and upon seeing Yang Ruxin arrive, she joyfully rushed over, her gaze fixed on the three little ones.
After paying her respects, Yang Ruxin noticed that the Empress Dowager’s eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Nian Qianqian.
At that moment, Yang Ruxin was sure that Nian Qianqian and the Empress Dowager knew each other and had a story.
"Didn’t expect it to snow today. Are the three little ones not cold?" The Empress Dowager soon regained her posure and quickly attended to Yang Ruxin.
"They have a lot of energy; they’re not cold," Yang Ruxin brought the children closer for the Empress Dowager to see, "But they’ve just awoken; I’ll take them to the side hall to feed them."
The three little ones let out a few soft hums.
The Empress Dowager instructed the nanny, Zhuo, to take them over and had two more braziers added.
Qi Zizi followed without needing to be told.
"Empress Dowager, it’s been a while," Nian Qianqian waited for Yang Ruxin to leave before addressing the Empress Dowager with a slight smile, which looked chilling.
The Empress Dowager furrowed her brows and then waved her hand, sending everyone away. Without her mand, no one was allowed to enter. Once the room was empty, she rose and approached Nian Qianqian: "Qianqian, it’s really you, how..." She hadn’t been sure before, given the other party’s full head of silver hair, appearing older than herself.
"Heh," Nian Qianqian raised her hand to brush aside her silver strands, "The feeling of overnight turning grey, you haven’t experienced it." Saying this, she circled around the Empress Dowager, "Indeed, the most noble woman, seventy years old, yet looks like fifty."
A hint of plexity flashed in the Empress Dowager’s eyes, and she sighed softly, "You do hate me after all."
"Shouldn’t I hate you?" Nian Qianqian suddenly darkened her expression, raising her hand to grab at the Empress Dowager. "Back then, Yao Guang and I could have annulled the engagement, each going our separate ways in peace, but it was you, Jiang Concubine, who refused the annulment and brought him to catch me in an affair."
Originally appearing dignified and graceful, the Empress Dowager suddenly leaped backward, dodging the attack: "Why don’t you admit your own misconduct? Aguang is my nephew; I’ve watched him grow, yet you destroyed him. Shouldn’t I hate you?"
"Why don’t you admit you destroyed me?" Nian Qianqian’s eyes blazed with anger, "Back then, if it weren’t for our Nian Family, you Jiang Family and Yao Family would have vanished long ago. And you think repaying the favor was to bind me with marriage, but I didn’t like him. How dare you control my marriage?" As she spoke, she advanced.
"I..." The Empress Dowager was at a loss for words and wasn’t skilled in martial arts, only managing a few maneuvers before tiring out.
Nian Qianqian’s face was full of fury: "You not only ruined me but also Yao Guang." With that, she struck with a palm.
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