Song Ci turned her head, her brows curved with a smile, and she stood up.
The ladies, seeing the newcor, quickly stood and stepped forward to greet her: "Greetings, Princess Anping."
Princess Anping raised her hand lightly: "No need for formalities."
Her deanor was impressively dignified.
Princess Anping approached Song Ci, bowed slightly, and said, "I rely ca to offer a stick of incense and then leave. They inford you were resting here, so I ca to see you."
"I just sat down; you followed closely on my heels," Song Ci said with a smile.
"What a coincidence," Princess Anping was about to say more, but upon seeing the madams, she said, "Have you all rested well? Could I borrow the space to speak privately with the Dowager Madam?"
This was a dismissal.
The ladies, with forced smiles, could not dare disobey. They hurriedly bowed and took their leave, though internally they criticized that Princess Anping was playing favorites, using "I" with Song Ci and addressing them impersonally as "this palace."
Song Ci raised an eyebrow: "You’re quite the imposing figure."
Princess Anping replied, "Given the occasion, if it were a joyous event, you and I could stroll around the courtyard, but it’s a funeral here. To avoid gossip, we’ll just speak here, avoiding any bla."
A princess naturally carried the dignity and presence of the Royal Family.
"Indeed, you understand decorum, unlike so others."
Princess Anping was curious: "How, did those people offend you just now?"
"Not exactly offended, but there’s a hint of stirring trouble," Song Ci said softly. "In such a setting, that Madam Xie insisted on ntioning the honor bestowed upon my second son. How tactless, given the people of the Xia clan are present. Wouldn’t that sting?"
Princess Anping scoffed: "That Madam Xie is known for her gossiping and opportunism, always currying favor where it suits her. You’ve encountered her too little."
Song Ci nodded: "Did you offer incense at the front? I heard several families are jointly hosting the funeral."
"Yes, I intended to just offer incense and leave but didn’t expect to see you here," Princess Anping said softly. "The assassin incident left a negative impression, and there are rumors damaging to the Royal Family outside. I ca here representing the Royal Family’s position towards the Xia clan. Not just , Prince Xiao and others have been here too."
"I understand." Political interaction even appears in funerals, all for public display.
Won discussing politics remains a taboo, so Song Ci didn’t elaborate much, only ntioned what she saw at the mourning hall.
"...That young woman in deep mourning, yet wearing makeup, isn’t it inappropriate?" Song Ci recalled a woman she saw, with a mole at the corner of her eye. Though the makeup was light, it seed unsuitable for a widow.
Princess Anping, hearing her description, showed slight distaste, speaking quietly: "Not everyone at the Xia clan is well-behaved. There’s often intrigue here. The one you ntioned, with a tear mole, should be a sister-in-law of Prince Min’s consort. Her maiden na is Wang, she has a daughter, and her reputation isn’t good."
Song Ci was startled.
"When you say her reputation isn’t good, do you an?"
Princess Anping touched her face and coughed softly: "Her husband seems to be physically unwell."
Alright, understood.
Song Ci and she exchanged a knowing glance. It seed likely this woman would not remain a widow for long, given her husband’s poor reputation while alive, let alone after his death.
Neither expected that soon they’d witness that widow engaging in so indecorous behavior.
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