Song Ci sent a visiting card to the palace, carried a basket of potatoes, and rode a carriage to the palace; as for the other basket, it was for Niu Pan’er and the others to present to the Emperor, along with all the planting data, which had been organized by the farm experts.
Empress Dowager Wang was sowhat surprised but also pleased to receive Song Ci’s visiting card, as it was rare for Song Ci to take the initiative to visit the palace.
"After Ci’s illness last year, the frequency with which she cos to see in the palace has increased compared to the past. Lian Qiao, send a capable eunuch to welco her."
Lian Qiao laughed and said, "I’ve already sent Xiao Xizi to welco her."
Empress Dowager Wang nodded, saying, "Even though Ci cos more frequently now, the more she does, Lian Qiao, the more uneasy I feel."
"Lady, why do you say that?" Lian Qiao was a bit surprised.
Empress Dowager Wang sighed, "Humans, after experiencing the great hurdle of life and death, naturally beco more open-minded, but there are also old people who, knowing their ti is limited, return to their true nature, and I am afraid of that."
Lian Qiao was stunned, then comforted her, "Lady, maybe it’s just the winter making you overthink. Madam Song’s health is fine; she also has skilled doctors with her, and the Imperial Physician visits every three days for a checkup. Isn’t everything said to be fine? I noticed that after her illness, Madam Song’s spirit and energy are even stronger than before, and she seems more cheerful and youthful."
Empress Dowager Wang was sowhat comforted by these words and said, "I hope it is as you say. In my lifeti, there haven’t been many people I truly connect with. When I was among the common people in the past, I went through hardships with Ci, like sisters. Now that I’m getting older, I’m even more afraid of losing those close to ."
When people age, heaven calls, and no one can stop it.
She was afraid of losing a close friend to confide in.
Lian Qiao felt a pang in her heart and smiled, "Don’t think like that, I see both you and Madam Song are destined for long lives. You two will have plenty of ti for heart-to-heart talks, enough to outlast not just your sons, but also your grandsons and great-grandsons."
"You cheeky devil."
A palace maid entered the hall to report that Song Ci had arrived.
Empress Dowager Wang imdiately bead and summoned her in.
Song Ci walked in and paid her respects with a court salute.
"No need for formalities, co sit here quickly." Empress Dowager Wang pointed to a stool beside her and smiled, "You’re usually too lazy to co to the palace, what brings you here in this weather? Is there sothing urgent?"
Song Ci chuckled, "Is it not possible to co to the palace for no reason other than to pay my respects to you? Besides, you backed up, so if I don’t swiftly co to thank you, that wouldn’t be right?"
Empress Dowager Wang clicked her tongue, "What backing up are you talking about? It was just a rare chance to see Princess Consort Ji suffer a setback and take the opportunity to act against her. The Ji Family is foolish to provoke you. How are you feeling now, is your mind at ease?"
"A few palace maids can’t make angry. It’s just a spectacle for amusent when idle." Song Ci laughed, "Besides paying my respects today, I also wanted to introduce you to sothing new."
"Oh?"
Song Ci motioned, and the palace nanny led a young eunuch forward with a bamboo basket covered with a cloth. Opening it revealed the potatoes she brought.
"Lady, these are potatoes, also known as yam, from overseas. I returned to my old trade and sowed so, and fortunately by the grace of the Great Qing, they have been successfully planted." Song Ci handed a clean potato wrapped in a cloth to Empress Dowager Wang, "My lady, are you interested in joining for a little kitchen fun?"
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