Chapter 352 Undercurrents

After parting ways with Jiang Huan, Princess Ping'an, led by palace servants, went to Cining Palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

The closer you get, the quieter it becomes; even the palace servants walk very quietly, not daring to make the slightest unnecessary sound.

Unlike the bright and warm Weiyang Palace, Cining Palace exudes an indescribable gloom and depression even during the day.

The hall was dimly lit, with heavy curtains hanging low, and a strong, stale sandalwood scent filled the air, making it hard to breathe.

The Empress Dowager, dressed in a dark purple casual robe, leaned against a large chair covered with thick cushions. Her face appeared pale and haggard in the dim light, and the dark circles under her eyes were still faintly visible even though she tried to conceal them with makeup.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

Princess Ping'an bowed respectfully, her voice gentle and soft, her posture dignified.

The Empress Dowager raised her hand, her voice hoarse: "Rise, please take a seat. You must be tired from your journey all the way from Jiangnan."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am not troubled at all." After expressing her gratitude, Princess Ping'an carefully sat down on the chair brought by the palace maid, her back straight and her demeanor impeccable.

The Empress Dowager squinted slightly, scrutinizing her as if examining an object, its weight making one uneasy.

"Hmm, you seem more composed than when you were in the capital. The Jiangnan region certainly has a nurturing effect." The Empress Dowager spoke slowly, her fingertips unconsciously twirling a string of smooth Buddhist prayer beads. "How are the preparations for your marriage to that boy from the Gu family going?"

Princess Ping'an lowered her eyes slightly and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the elders at home are already taking care of things, and everything is being done in accordance with etiquette. Thank you for your concern."

"The Gu family has strict family traditions. I met Gu Yanzhi a few times in my early years. He seems to be a steady and promising young man."

The Empress Dowager spoke in a drawn-out tone, and the prayer beads made a soft rubbing sound between her fingers. "When you marry into the family, you must be mindful of your wifely duties, be a good wife and mother, and always remember your place. Understand that we are all in the same boat, whether we are honored or harmed."

Princess Ping'an felt a slight chill. The Empress Dowager's words sounded like a common admonition, but she always felt that they carried a different meaning.

Her expression remained docile, and she nodded slightly: "This humble woman will remember Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's teachings."

The Empress Dowager suddenly leaned forward, her voice carrying a hint of urgency: "This matter is good for you and for the family."

Princess Ping'an raised her head and met the Empress Dowager's eyes, which appeared particularly deep in the dim light, and seemed to be churning with some kind of anxiety and calculation that she could not understand.

Her heart skipped a beat, but her long-standing upbringing allowed her to quickly suppress her surprise and doubt. She merely frowned slightly, revealing just the right amount of worry: "Does the Empress Dowager mean..."

The Empress Dowager seemed to be suddenly awakened by these words, realizing that she had just misspoke.

She leaned back abruptly in her chair, instantly regaining her indifferent demeanor, as if her earlier eagerness had been nothing but an illusion.

She waved her hand, cutting off Princess Ping'an's further inquiry: "It's nothing. I'm just getting old and tend to worry. You just need to remember that getting married soon and living a quiet life will be your blessing. You may leave now."

Princess Ping'an knew that asking any further questions would be pointless, so she immediately suppressed her turbulent thoughts, stood up respectfully, and bowed.

"Yes, this subject will take her leave."

After leaving Cining Palace and stepping into the sunlight, Princess Ping'an felt the chill that had surrounded her dissipate slightly.

The cool air from outside the hall rushed into her lungs, dispelling the suffocating, stuffy fragrance and making her feel much more comfortable.

She glanced back at the majestic yet chilling palace, her eyes clear and calm.

This Empress Dowager is in a delicate situation and is by no means someone to be trifled with.

Her advice seemed more like a test and a strategic move to protect herself.

She took a deep breath, composed herself, and decided to go find Mingzhu first.

Although that girl is lively, she lives in the capital and often comes to the palace, so she might know something.

She found Mingzhu feeding the fish in the pavilion in the Imperial Garden.

"Cousin! Have you seen Grandmother?" Mingzhu saw her and immediately ran over, lifting her skirt with a smile. "How was it? Did Grandmother say you've become more beautiful?"

Princess Ping'an looked at her innocent and carefree appearance, sighed inwardly, pulled her to sit down by the waterside pavilion, and dismissed the others.

"I've seen her." Her tone was calm, but her gaze was serious. "Mingzhu, has Her Majesty the Empress Dowager been troubled by something lately? She doesn't look too well."

Since the incident of urging marriage, Mingzhu's relationship with the Empress Dowager has cooled considerably, and she hasn't visited Cining Palace for a long time.

Upon hearing Princess Ping'an's question, Mingzhu tilted her head and thought for a moment.

"I heard from the palace servants that the Empress Dowager has been sleeping poorly lately and her temper has been somewhat erratic, but I don't know the specifics."

Princess Ping'an pondered for a moment. It seemed that she could not get any specific information about the Empress Dowager's recent situation from Mingzhu. She could only wait for another opportunity to carefully inquire through other channels.

She recalled what the Empress Dowager had said to her in the Cining Palace, and looking at her innocent and carefree younger sister, she suddenly asked, "Mingzhu, do you have any plans for your marriage?"

Mingzhu was taken aback by the question and quickly shook her head: "Cousin, why are you suddenly asking this? I'm not in a hurry."

"You and I are about the same age, not young anymore."

Princess Ping'an looked at her with an unusually serious expression: "Take my advice, cousin. If you meet a suitable family, and you are mutually in love and of similar social standing, then settle down as soon as possible. The capital is a place of constant change, and things are not going to be peaceful."

The unease in her heart grew clearer. Regardless of the Empress Dowager's intentions, the situation in the capital was clearly already turbulent.

Born into a prominent family, she knew all too well that when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken.

Mingzhu is simple-minded. If she can find a good match soon and leave the center of this vortex, she may be able to live a peaceful life.

Mingzhu was startled by her serious tone and stared at her blankly: "Cousin, what's wrong? Why are you suddenly saying such strange things? Did Grandmother say something to you?"

Princess Ping'an patted the back of her hand and gave her a reassuring smile.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little worried because you're always so childish. Remember what your cousin said, and think more about your future, it's never wrong."

She stood up and looked in the direction of Weiyang Palace, her gaze distant.

The favored imperial concubine, the unpredictable young emperor, and the seemingly calm yet turbulent palace...

All of this made Princess Ping'an wary.

She was just a princess who had come from afar and was about to get married; all she wanted was a peaceful place.

She had no intention of getting involved in the turmoil in the capital; she only wished to protect herself and the people she cared about.

Getting married as soon as possible and leaving this place of trouble is perhaps the wisest choice at present.

Mingzhu looked at Princess Ping'an's profile as she gazed towards Weiyang Palace, her eyes filled with complex emotions she had never seen before.

Her heart skipped a beat, as if something had gently bumped into her chest.

My cousin has always been gentle and composed, her words and actions always carrying the softness of a Jiangnan water town; she has never shown such an expression before.

“Cousin…” Mingzhu instinctively clutched Princess Ping’an’s sleeve, her voice trembling with panic, “What’s wrong? Is… is something going to happen in the palace? Tell me, don’t scare me…”