The Princess Consort Ji began to speak of the late emperor, and once the words started flowing, she couldn’t stop, recounting the past while crying, each sentence with the late emperor, desolate and mournful.
At first, Empress Dowager Wang responded a bit, but soon lost interest, simply listening lazily, as if watching an actor perform.
The Princess Consort Ji grew thirsty from talking, paused, feeling sowhat dull, and lifted her teacup.
"Why did you stop? I am listening," Empress Dowager Wang raised an eyebrow and asked.
The Princess Consort Ji, embarrassed and frustrated, snorted, "No matter what, the late emperor loved the most. Sister, you cannot deny this fact."
Empress Dowager Wang’s face turned cold, wanting to retort but suddenly recalled Song Ci’s advice, so she replied with a sarcastic smile, "I never denied it, indeed the late emperor loved you most, and then what?"
Princess Consort Ji: "..."
It was not what she expected.
"And then?" The Princess Consort Ji exclaid triumphantly, "The vassal kings are not to return to the capital without a summons, but the late emperor left us a forbidden decree allowing us to return. Sister, you never expected this, did you?"
This forbidden decree, she had held onto all these years, fantasizing about Wang Jingxian’s expression upon learning of it. Ha, it would surely infuriate her.
"Indeed, I would never have thought, nor can I imagine what significance this forbidden decree of the late emperor holds for you? Just to let you see the capital once more, or to see how magnificent I am?" Empress Dowager Wang laughed, "As for you, are you foolish? What purpose for your return to the capital? Staying in Xuzhou as an Imperial Concubine, everyone respects you as noble. Are you seeking abuse by returning? You’ve read no books, do not understand reason, yet should at least know not to lower yourself."
The Princess Consort Ji stood up angrily, "Wang Jingxian, don’t bully too much! You are just jealous of , jealous that I received the late emperor’s devoted love, jealousy that even in death the late emperor protected my son and !"
"Ji clan, you are impudent." Empress Dowager Wang slamd the table, "Who gave you the courage to call my na directly? I am the Empress Dowager now, what do you even count as?"
The Princess Consort Ji’s face turned pale.
"Return to the capital if you must, speak properly and I might let it go, yet you act as if I owe you sothing, who gives you this audacity?" Empress Dowager Wang glared at her fiercely, "Don’t ntion the late emperor has passed for years, even if he were alive, I, the legitimate wife, would discipline a concubine like you without any dispute!"
What audacity, to dare challenge her!
"I, I..."
"I see the late emperor spoiled you, making you reckless. Ji clan, this is not Xuzhou where you may have acted undisciplined without restraint, this is the Imperial Palace, and I am the Empress Dowager! Out of respect for the late emperor and considering you’ve just returned and are muddled, I will not make an issue this ti. Next ti, I will strip your title citing disrespect and slander against the Empress Dowager."
"You dare!"
"Why wouldn’t I dare? I am the Empress Dowager, the legitimate wife."
"You, you... Waaa, my late emperor, why did you leave so soon, why didn’t you take your concubine with you, leaving to be bullied and humiliated, waaa, my emperor." The Princess Consort Ji cried holding a handkerchief.
Empress Dowager Wang said leisurely, "Since you and Prince Min have returned to honor the late emperor, and you miss him so dearly, blaming him for not taking you along, why not honor him by sacrificing yourself at the Imperial Mausoleum? The late emperor loved you so much after all."
Princess Consort Ji’s crying abruptly stopped, and she glared angrily at Empress Dowager Wang, her eyes could not conceal these two words.
Vicious woman!
Empress Dowager Wang contentedly picked up her tea, taking a light sip, feeling pleased in body and soul.
This round in the battle of wits had been won triumphantly!
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