The Empress Dowager arrived hurriedly, and despite being accompanied by an impressive entourage, she maintained a modest entrance.
Emperor Jingming quickly went forward to greet her. “Imperial Mother, what brings you here?”
The Empress Dowager waved off the formal greetings from the assembled crowd and got straight to the point: “Has Fuqing’s eyes truly recovered?”
As they moved into the hall, Princess Fuqing stepped forward and performed a formal courtesy to the Empress Dowager. “Granddaughter pays respects to Imperial Grandmother.”
In Great Zhou, where customs were relatively relaxed and the emperor himself was known for his tolerance, constant kowtowing wasn’t required. Even officials meeting the emperor in private settings could get by with a simple bow.
Princess Fuqing’s formal courtesy to the Empress Dowager demonstrated the gravity of the occasion.
The Empress Dowager immediately helped Princess Fuqing up, saying, “Let Grandmother have a look at you.”
Princess Fuqing rose and lifted her gaze, smiling at the Empress Dowager.
Seeing her bright eyes sparkling with life, the Empress Dowager’s doubts instantly vanished. “They truly have healed!” she exclaimed.
Princess Fuqing smiled. “Granddaughter hadn’t realized how young and kind-hearted Grandmother looks.”
The Empress Dowager drew Princess Fuqing into her embrace, repeatedly saying, “There’s no child in the palace more lovable than you. Now that your eyes have healed, it’s truly heaven’s blessing…”
Princess Fuqing smiled radiantly. “Granddaughter is fortunate to receive heaven’s mercy, and especially thankful to Seventh Sister-in-law.”
The Empress Dowager’s sharp eyes swept toward Jiang Si, who stood beside Yu Jin.
Jiang Si curtsied. “Daughter-in-law greets Imperial Grandmother.”
The Empress Dowager’s gaze lingered on Jiang Si’s face. Her tone was neutral, neither suspicious nor friendly—her typical manner toward most people. “You treated the Princess’s eye condition?”
Maintaining her respectful posture, Jiang Si replied, “Daughter-in-law was merely fortunate.”
“Fortunate?” The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow. “Fuqing has suffered from this ailment for years and seen countless physicians. None of them had such fortune.”
The atmosphere grew tense.
Yu Jin naturally pulled Jiang Si closer, grinning. “Imperial Grandmother, Fuqing’s recovery is cause for celebration. While we might not declare a general amnesty, shouldn’t we rejoice together? If you’re thinking of punishing those doctors for failing to cure Fuqing, my wife and I would feel quite awkward…”
The Empress Dowager almost rolled her eyes.
Was that what she meant?
Before she could speak, Emperor Jingming scolded, “Seventh Son, if you don’t study properly, don’t misuse words!”
Yu Jin responded sheepishly, “Son will study harder.”
“Mother, please don’t be angry with this fool…”
The Empress Dowager smiled faintly. “Fuqing’s recovery is indeed wonderful news. I couldn’t be happier…”
Her gaze returned to Jiang Si, scrutinizing. “I wonder how the Princess Consort treated Fuqing’s eyes? I only know you’re from the Dong Ping Earl’s family. Have you studied medicine?”
Even if she had studied medicine, it seemed absurd that a teenage girl could surpass numerous famous physicians.
Jiang Si remained composed. “Daughter-in-law has never studied medicine. Perhaps heaven took pity on the Princess’s lovely nature and worked through my hands.”
The Empress Dowager frowned. “What kind of answer is that?”
“Mother, when Seventh Son’s wife first met Fuqing, she knew how to treat her eyes. It must truly be heaven’s will,” Emperor Jingming said with a smile.
The Empress Dowager gave him an odd look, thinking: He believes such talk? Has the emperor she watched grow up turned foolish?
Emperor Jingming showed no discomfort.
As the Son of Heaven, what was strange about Heaven taking pity on his daughter and healing her through another’s hands?
All rulers longed for supernatural signs to prove their exceptional status—hence why unofficial and even official histories often recorded auspicious omens at important figures’ births, like heavenly red lights, rooms filled with mysterious fragrance, or at minimum, mothers dreaming of immortals giving them divine pills before delivery.
The Empress Dowager, not understanding Emperor Jingming’s thoughts, asked directly, “Are you saying Princess Consort Yan was born with this knowledge?”
Emperor Jingming simply smiled. “Indeed she was.”
What nonsense!
The Empress Dowager decided to ignore Emperor Jingming and continued questioning Jiang Si: “What else can Princess Consort Yan treat?”
Jiang Si showed no fear, yet maintained irreproachable respect: “Daughter-in-law doesn’t know. Perhaps I’ll only know when I encounter someone with a particular ailment.”
“How mysterious indeed.” The Empress Dowager’s tone revealed nothing.
Jiang Si replied calmly, “Daughter-in-law once heard that Lady Cui cured Imperial Grandmother’s illness by cutting her flesh. That too seemed mysterious.”
The previously quiet Cui Mingyue’s eyes flashed with surprise.
Before she could speak, the Princess Consort had provoked her.
This feeling of shock and anger was one Cui Mingyue hadn’t experienced in a long time. The surprise in her eyes crystallized into ice.
Emperor Jingming laughed. “Speaking of joyous occasions, the Empress Dowager’s health has improved, Fuqing’s eyes are healed, and several princes have married. Seventh Son is right—we should celebrate…”
“Your Majesty!” The Empress Dowager cut him off.
“Mother?”
The Empress Dowager said flatly, “No need for public celebration. It would burden the people and diminish our blessings.”
Emperor Jingming disagreed. “How could praying for Mother’s health burden the people?”
The Empress Dowager was bewildered.
Why had the topic shifted to praying for her?
Seeing Emperor Jingming’s insistence, the Empress Dowager conceded, “Fuqing’s recovery is indeed worth celebrating. A family banquet will suffice, and it will give Fuqing a chance to recognize everyone.”
Emperor Jingming considered this and nodded. “We’ll follow Mother’s wishes.”
The Empress Dowager’s eyebrows twitched slightly as she extended her hand. “Empress, you’ll arrange the family banquet. Don’t slight Fuqing. I’m tired now. Princess Consort Yan, help me back to my palace. I’d like to hear more about this innate knowledge of yours.” She glanced at Yu Jin, her tone even. “Prince Yan need not accompany us. I’ll have someone escort the Princess Consort back later.”
As Yu Jin began to speak, a delicate hand gently pulled at him.
Jiang Si stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager. “Father Emperor, Mother Empress, daughter-in-law takes her leave.”
Being led away in the Emperor’s presence, Jiang Si wasn’t worried about the Empress Dowager punishing a new daughter-in-law.
As for verbal warnings? Who cared?
On the way to Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager remained silent. Only after entering the inner hall and dismissing the attendants did she speak coolly: “Princess Consort Yan, whatever abilities you may have, now that you’re part of the imperial family, you must conduct yourself properly. Don’t take a single misstep.”
“Daughter-in-law understands.”
“Also, speak less of these supernatural claims.”
“Daughter-in-law understands.”
No matter what the Empress Dowager said, Jiang Si remained unchanging yet irreproachably respectful.
Finally, the Empress Dowager’s mouth grew dry from speaking. She sipped some tea. “Mingyue, escort Princess Consort Yan out.”
Cui Mingyue smiled slightly at Jiang Si. “Cousin-in-law, let me show you out.”
Jiang Si gave Cui Mingyue a steady look and replied coolly, “Thank you for the trouble.”