When Qin Yining and Sun Shi reached the entrance, they saw a magnificent carriage already waiting.
“Madam Qin, Miss Qin, please board the carriage.” Nanny Chen instructed palace servants to bring over a stepping stool and personally helped the two women up, then carefully drew the curtains.
Bingtang and Ji Yun followed along with Nanny Chen.
Inside the carriage, Sun Shi nervously gripped Qin Yining’s hand tightly, worriedly lowering her voice: “What do you think the Empress Dowager wants with us mother and daughter? Could it be related to your father being summoned to the palace a few days ago?”
“Mother needn’t worry.” Qin Yining grasped Sun Shi’s hand in return and patted it. “Father is a capable minister valued by His Majesty. The Empress Dowager seeking us out may not necessarily be any serious matter—it could just be to grow closer. After all, since we arrived in the capital, we haven’t had opportunities to become close with the Empress Dowager.”
Hearing this, Sun Shi was finally able to breathe easier.
“With you saying this, I can rest assured.”
Seeing her mother being so dramatic, Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh: “It’s nothing, Mother. Just be at ease. Even if there is something, it certainly won’t threaten our lives. When the time comes, we need only be cautious with our words and actions.”
Sun Shi nodded solemnly.
The carriage soon arrived at the palace gates. Sun Shi and Qin Yining got out and transferred to sedan chairs, and under the service of Nanny Chen and other palace servants, they quickly reached the Empress Dowager’s Palace of Compassionate Peace.
Qin Yining and Sun Shi adjusted each other’s appearance, left Bingtang and Ji Yun outside the hall, and then stepped onto the red marble steps of the Palace of Compassionate Peace.
Entering through the main doors, they were directly faced with a large nine-footed bronze incense burner decorated with hundreds of flowers. The incense burning inside mixed pine fragrance and mint, with a faint trace of sandalwood, creating a very refreshing scent.
The mother and daughter pair kept their heads lowered, following Nanny Chen’s footsteps across the large red carpet emblazoned with blooming peonies all the way to the side hall.
Before entering the floor-to-ceiling screen, they could already hear women’s laughter and conversation.
It seemed the Empress Dowager hadn’t invited only them.
This made both Qin Yining and Sun Shi secretly breathe sighs of relief.
“Reporting to the Empress Dowager, Madam Qin and Miss Qin have arrived,” Nanny Chen curtsied.
The talking inside the hall instantly quieted down.
Qin Yining could feel everyone’s scrutinizing gazes.
The Empress Dowager said kindly: “Please invite them in quickly.”
“Yes.”
Nanny Chen smiled and stepped forward to lead the way.
Qin Yining followed behind Sun Shi, not daring to overstep propriety. She only looked down at her shoe tips, walking with perfect etiquette, curtsying, kowtowing, and addressing the Empress Dowager with proper titles.
As Qin Yining and Sun Shi entered, the ladies inside kept their eyes fixed on them without blinking.
Because of the rumors circulating that Qin Yining had been forcibly seized by Pang Xiao upon her arrival in Great Zhou, people had long described Qin Yining as some kind of seductress. Although many had seen her when she entered the city, since Qin Yining kept a low profile and didn’t show herself publicly, those fleeting glimpses had been forgotten.
Now observing her in plain lake-green dress and skirt, walking gracefully with delicate and quiet bearing, though her face couldn’t be seen clearly with her head lowered, she gave off a completely comfortable feeling. Everyone began praising her, whether sincerely or with ulterior motives.
“Rise quickly. This must be the Qin family girl? Come here and let me have a look.” The Empress Dowager smiled and extended her hand toward Qin Yining.
Qin Yining hurriedly extended her right hand, placing it on the Empress Dowager’s slightly wrinkled hand adorned with a ruby ring. After approaching, she curtsied again: “May the Empress Dowager live in peace.”
“Ah, what a fine girl. People say Minister Qin has the reputation of being both wise and handsome as Pan An, and others say the Qin family’s young lady looks extremely similar to Pan An in his youth. Seeing you now, this reputation is truly well-deserved. Lift your head and let me see.”
Qin Yining suppressed the discomfort of being examined like merchandise and raised her head, lowering her eyes to look at the Empress Dowager’s chin.
The Empress Dowager stared in surprise, then delightedly stroked the back of her hand: “Oh my, truly a jade beauty. You’ve put all these other girls to shame.”
A young woman nearby laughed: “The Empress Dowager sees a beauty and stops caring for us.”
“Exactly. The Empress Dowager is being partial, only favoring Sister Qin now.”
Amid the laughter and conversation, Qin Yining naturally turned her beautiful eyes, quickly surveying the surrounding environment.
Besides herself and Sun Shi, there were currently two young ladies and two middle-aged noble ladies beside the Empress Dowager.
It seemed they were all mothers who had brought their daughters. This made Qin Yining somewhat suspicious.
The Empress Dowager released Qin Yining’s hand and then pulled Sun Shi along, speaking many intimate words, asking whether their living arrangements were suitable and if they faced any difficulties. The other ladies also chimed in accordingly.
Qin Yining then stood together with the two other young ladies.
The Empress Dowager was a very talkative and loving person. The entire morning passed in casual conversation. During this time, the Empress Dowager also curiously asked Qin Yining about the customs and culture of Great Yan’s former dynasty, which Qin Yining objectively described for her.
When noon arrived, Nanny Chen entered to report: “Your Majesty, the meal has been prepared. The banquet is set in the western side hall. Please proceed there.”
“Understood.” The Empress Dowager stood up, taking Sun Shi’s hand, and under Sun Shi’s flattered gaze, smiled and said: “Come, let’s go eat.”
“Yes, thank you for the Empress Dowager’s gracious meal.”
Everyone responded in unison, curtsied, and then followed behind the Empress Dowager to the side hall.
The side hall wasn’t burning any incense; instead, it was filled with the aroma of food. On the large round table were placed exquisite gold-inlaid cups, plates, bowls, and dishes, with various delicacies that were perfect in color, aroma, and taste.
The Empress Dowager took the seat of honor and then instructed everyone to sit.
Sharing a table with the Empress Dowager—how could anyone dare?
The Empress Dowager then said: “Don’t be so formal. Today we’ll consider this a family banquet. Let’s treat this as finding an opportunity to grow close and intimate. Especially Madam Qin and Miss Qin—today you must enjoy yourselves before returning. In the future, once we’re familiar, you should often come to the palace to visit me.”
“Yes, thank you for the Empress Dowager’s great favor.” Sun Shi and Qin Yining curtsied together.
Everyone took their seats, with the positions to the left and right of the Empress Dowager indeed left empty.
Qin Yining sat diagonally across from the Empress Dowager, somewhat curious about why the Empress Dowager had summoned them today.
While lost in thought, she suddenly heard a eunuch announce loudly: “Second Master Lu has arrived!”
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager hurriedly smiled and urged Nanny Chen: “Has Brother Heng come? Quickly invite him in!”
As her words fell, Nanny Chen went out to greet him with a beaming smile.
Soon, they saw Lu Heng enter wearing an elegant light gray brocade robe and jade crown, smiling as he walked in.
Approaching the Empress Dowager, Lu Heng performed a grand bow: “This commoner pays respects to the Empress Dowager.”
“Rise quickly, rise quickly. Come, sit beside me.”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager!”
Lu Heng took his seat as instructed, sitting very properly. His eyes swept around and his gaze lingered on Qin Yining. When he looked away, his ears had actually turned red.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said: “Brother Heng, how is your mother? How is your family?”
“Thanks to your blessing, all is well at home. My mother also instructed me to inquire after the Empress Dowager’s health.”
“Good, good.” The Empress Dowager nodded with a smile.
Then she frowned and said: “I heard that your mother is arranging a remarriage for you, but you refuse?”
Lu Heng smiled gently: “The Empress Dowager’s divine powers are vast—nothing can escape your notice.”