Song Zhiyuan accompanied Emperor Chu to Cining Palace to visit the Empress Dowager. The reason being that Song Ci would inquire about the Empress Dowager’s health whenever she caught Song Zhiyuan at ho, yet she couldn’t enter the palace, so it was up to him to visit and report back to her.
Emperor Chu felt warmth in his heart and said, "The old lady is also ill herself, yet she still worries about the Empress Dowager. How can this be right? You should go back and tell her to rest well. Once the Empress Dowager feels better, she will surely summon her to the palace to talk."
Song Zhiyuan nodded in agreent.
The two arrived at Cining Palace, only to find it bustling with activity.
Song Zhiyuan couldn’t help but take a step back and glance at Emperor Chu, whose face was as dark as a pot’s bottom, with anger faintly bubbling forth.
Inside Cining Palace, all the princes brought their princesses and even children, under the guise of filial piety and attending to illness. But, what’s the real reason?
No need to say it, those who understand, understand.
What angered Emperor Chu was their coming with families, noisily bustling around, while the tiny children knew nothing of filial piety, only crying and causing trouble, yet they were still brought here.
With such noise, how could Empress Dowager Wang rest quietly? All the commotion gave her a headache.
Moreover, they spoke with sarcasm, exchanging mocking glances, creating quite a lively scene, similar more to a theatrical performance than attending to illness.
"What are you all doing?" Emperor Chu asked sternly with a cold face.
Everyone only then realized Emperor Chu had arrived. Instantly, they knelt down, and in a chorus, wished him well.
"Who allowed you all to co over, creating such a noisy scene? You’ve disturbed the Empress Dowager’s peace; can you take responsibility for that?"
Prince Xiao raised his head and said, "Father, your sons are worried about the Imperial Grandmother, wishing they could bear the ailnt themselves, hence ca to attend to the illness. Please see clearly, Father."
"You, a dignified man, how could you attend to illness? You still need servants to help you dress, can you feed soup or wipe hands? Attend to illness indeed, better not to add to the chaos," Emperor Chu retorted coldly.
Others, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but let their drooped eyes reveal a smile, feeling it was just right, satisfying.
Prince Xiao’s face turned pale, trembling, not daring to argue.
Song Zhiyuan thought to himself, truly everyone cares for their own mother; the Emperor is no exception. In his heart, no one could surpass Empress Dowager Wang’s status, not even his son.
Moreover, the Emperor was quite clear-minded, not blinded by supposed filial affection, still recognizing that, when it cos to attending, the experienced servants are the most considerate.
Hmm, very rational.
Empress Gongsun rushed out from the inner hall, followed by several concubines. Seeing their own children kneeling on the ground, their expressions changed, and they too knelt down.
"All of you, leave here. Do not disturb the Empress Dowager’s peace at Cining Palace, nor perform under the guise of attending to illness for . In attending, none of you together could match one palace maid’s capability. The Empress Dowager here is being cared for by the Empress. Also, let Lady Liu assist you. She cos from a military general’s family, strong and energetic, she can manage better than you all. As for you, copy scriptures in the palace to pray for the Empress Dowager; that is your filial affection."
These words were like slaps on the faces of the concubines, making their faces redden and pale in turns, yet none dared to object, only muttering assent weakly.
"Empress, you are the Empress of a country; you should prioritize the Empress Dowager. How can you let these people act recklessly? If anyone cos again to disrupt the Empress Dowager’s peace and delay her recovery, they will be grounded as punishnt."
Empress Gongsun prostrated on the ground to apologize.
"Get lost quickly!" Emperor Chu snorted heavily, flicked his sleeve, and entered the inner hall, with Song Zhiyuan following closely.
Everyone exchanged glances, feeling aggrieved. They, as filial sons and grandsons, were not as important as Pri Minister Song.
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