Chapter 37: The Empress Dowager’s Peculiarity

The Empress Dowager frowned, slowly turning her head to look at her, her expression displeased: “You are a princess, always so excitable and alarmist, what kind of decorum is this?”

Princess Jiahe was stunned: “I…”

Mama Wei also found it strange and whispered in the Empress Dowager’s ear: “Your Majesty, the Regent’s Princess Consort previously hit Princess Jiahe and forced her to kneel and admit her mistake, have you forgotten?”

The Empress Dowager’s brows furrowed slightly, and she looked at Shen Ning expressionlessly. Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced her mind, her face turned slightly pale, and she instinctively raised her hand to her forehead, about to call for someone, but she was surprised to find that the pain disappeared without a trace in an instant.

It was as if nothing had happened, and the pain just now was merely an illusion.

The Empress Dowager steadied her mind, remaining silent for a while, before speaking coldly: “Regent’s Princess, do you know your mistake?”

Princess Jiahe’s expression relaxed, thinking that this was the normal reaction her mother should have.

So she turned her head, staring at Shen Ning with hatred, waiting for Shen Ning to admit her guilt and beg for forgiveness, or to continue resisting stubbornly, allowing her mother to have her dragged out and beaten.

However, Shen Ning looked straight at the Empress Dowager.

To be precise, she was staring back at the Empress Dowager, her gaze deep and her tone gentle: “Your Majesty, on the day of my wedding to the Regent, Princesses Jiahe and Jiayu recklessly barged into the bridal chamber, mocking and insulting me with cold words. As an elder, shouldn’t I have disciplined them?”

Princess Jiahe sneered: “What do you count as—”

“It should be done.” The Empress Dowager’s expression stiffened slightly, her gaze slightly unfocused,

“Indeed, they should be disciplined.”

“Mother!” Princess Jiahe stood up in shock, looking at her in disbelief, “What’s wrong with you?”

Mama Wei’s expression changed slightly, looking at the Empress Dowager uneasily, and in her astonishment, she couldn’t help but exchange a glance with Princess Jiahe.

The Empress Dowager’s reaction was too strange.

They were supposed to properly discipline the Regent’s Princess Consort, to make her understand that the imperial power must not be offended, and that those who humiliate a princess only have death as their path.

But why did the Empress Dowager…

“The eunuch who delivers the imperial edict said that the Emperor invited me into the palace to get the antidote for the Regent” Shen Ning continued to look at her, “Your Majesty, may I go to the Emperor now?”

Perhaps it was because her “Your Majesty” was too gentle, as gentle as the murmurs between lovers.

The Empress Dowager, meeting Shen Ning’s eyes that seemed to embrace all things, nodded involuntarily: “Go.”

“No!” Princess Jiahe shouted urgently, her anxious gaze falling on the Empress Dowager’s face, “Mother, what’s wrong with you? Didn’t you say you would seek justice for your child? Shen Ning is a lawless criminal. You should order her to be arrested, dragged out, and whipped! Caned! Her nails should be pulled out one by one! Mother—”

“Princess Jiahe.” Shen Ning’s gaze shifted slightly, looking at her coldly, “As the daughter of the Empress Dowager and a princess of the royal family, you should be dignified and kind, gentle and virtuous, and maintain the dignity of the royal family at all times, not roar without manners in front of the Empress Dowager.”

Princess Jiahe was furious: “Shen Ning, what kind of witchcraft did you use on the Empress Dowager? You can’t play tricks in the palace. Guards! Arrest her!”

“How insolent!” The Empress Dowager was annoyed by the noise and couldn’t help but rub her temples, “The Regent’s Princess has matters to attend to, let her go.”

The eunuchs and palace maids all withdrew, not daring to block her way.

Princess Jiahe was almost fuming with rage. She had no idea what had possessed her mother. Was it easy for Shen Ning to enter the palace?

If the Regent hadn’t had a toxic attack today, they wouldn’t have found an opportunity to catch Shen Ning alone.

With the Regent accompanying her, it would be difficult for them to move against Shen Ning. If Shen Ning stayed in the Regent’s State without going out, they wouldn’t be able to do anything to her.

Today was a rare opportunity.

Having missed this chance, who knows when the next opportunity would be? How could the Empress Dowager be so muddled?

“I’ll take my leave then, Your Majesty, please rest well.” Shen Ning turned to leave, ignoring the looks of shock and confusion in the eyes of the nursemaid and palace maids.

From behind, the sounds of Princess Jiahe’s unwillingness continued to emanate from the bedchamber: “Mother, I was also subjected to her anger at the Left Prime Minister’s residence today. Shen Ning publicly humiliated me, and I lost all face…”

The corners of Shen Ning’s mouth lifted slightly, a hint of ridicule flashing in her eyes as she walked straight out of the palace gates without looking around. Only then did she notice that Eunuch Hu, who had delivered the imperial edict earlier, was waiting outside.

He hadn’t followed her earlier, so why was he waiting for her here now?

“Regent’s Princess?” Eunuch Hu was surprised to see Shen Ning come out so quickly, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes, “You… you’re out already?”

“Is that a problem?” Shen Ning’s expression was cold.

“I… didn’t mean that.” Eunuch Hu quickly laughed awkwardly, “I meant, since the princess is new to the palace, didn’t the Empress Dowager keep you to chat for a while?”

“Wasn’t it the Emperor who wanted to see me?” Shen Ning’s tone was calm, “Getting the antidote for the Regent is the most important. There will be plenty of opportunities to talk later.”

Eunuch Hu subconsciously looked towards the inside of the palace gates, not seeing anyone come out to stop her, feeling suspicious but still gestured with his hand: “This way, please, Princess.”

As Shen Ning followed him away from the territory of the rear palace, she sensed a gaze from her side and slightly behind, fixed on her face, as if filled with inquiry and contemplation.

Shen Ning turned her head to look at her, meeting Shi Qin’s thoughtful eyes, and raised an eyebrow. Shi Qin realized she had been rude and quickly lowered her gaze, silently apologizing.

Eunuch Hu was completely unaware of the subtle eye contact between the two and simply led the way in front. Whether intentionally or not, his steps even seemed to slow down deliberately, perhaps waiting to see if anyone from the Longevity Palace would catch up.

After walking for a while and confirming that no one was chasing after them, his pace quickened.

Shen Ning pretended not to notice and followed him all the way to the Bright Hall.

The Emperor was only fifteen years old and had not yet taken personal control of the government.

All major political affairs were handled by the Regent. If the Regent was occasionally unavailable, he would order the left and right prime ministers to work with several key officials in the court to handle matters together. Then, in the evening, the left and right prime ministers would go to the Regent’s residence to report on important matters.

At this moment, Ji Jin was sitting at his desk reading. His handsome features still carried a hint of the youthful freshness and naivety that belonged to a teenager. However, in public, he was always accustomed to presenting a mature demeanor, exuding a sense of aloofness and an innate nobility.

As descendants of the imperial family, living in luxury since childhood, they were naturally noble. However, how long this nobility could be maintained would depend on their personal destiny.

Upon hearing Eunuch Hu report the arrival of the Regent’s Princess, a look of surprise flashed across the young Emperor’s face before he quickly realized his loss of composure and adopted a calm demeanor: “Let the Regent’s Princess in.”

“Yes.”

With Eunuch Hu’s signal, Shen Ning calmly stepped into Bright Hall. Seeing the young Emperor seated behind the imperial desk, she slightly bowed: “Your Majesty.”

Ji Jin’s eyes darkened slightly, displeased by her careless and dismissive manners, but his face remained unchanged: “You’ve seen the Empress Dowager?”

Shen Ning nodded: “I have.”

Ji Jin glanced at Eunuch Hu, who nodded in confirmation, before asking again: “The Empress Dowager didn’t say anything?”

Shen Ning said indifferently: “She said a few words.”

Ji Jin’s hand gripping the scroll tightened as he quietly observed Shen Ning’s unyielding demeanor, even carrying a hint of aloofness that kept people at a distance, causing him to frown: “Has the princess not learned the etiquette of paying respects to the Emperor?”

“Do you mean, Your Majesty, that I should kneel?” Shen Ning looked up at him, appearing puzzled, “According to the rules of the royal family, shouldn’t Your Majesty address me as ‘Royal Aunt’?”