Chapter 224 Establishing Authority for Her

"Is the Empress Dowager in good health?"

Then he looked at Wei Heng and asked in a calm tone, "Is the Crown Princess alright?"

Wei Heng's face stiffened; she tried to force a smile, but couldn't manage it.

The Empress Dowager sighed slowly: "Qinghe has grown up by our side all these years. It's good that you've returned."

"The emperor has finally fulfilled his wish."

Ji Shu lowered her eyes and gave a mocking smile: "This commoner has come to the palace only to treat His Majesty's illness. Once His Majesty is fully recovered, I will leave the palace and will not stay any longer."

Upon hearing that the emperor was ill, the empress dowager's expression changed abruptly.

"The emperor is ill. What illness does he have?"

"Why didn't the Imperial Medical Academy report this?"

Ji Shu gave a faint smile, knowing that Pei Yanzhi must be keeping it a secret from the Empress Dowager and everyone else. If the emperor of a country has health problems, the stability of the country will be compromised.

"His Majesty only suffered minor injuries during the siege of the King of Qin; he will recover in a few days."

Wei Heng spoke up at the opportune moment, her tone tinged with doubt: "I had no idea that Lady Ji... was also skilled in medicine?"

Ji Shu said casually, "There's more to the Crown Princess than just this..."

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!" A palace attendant suddenly announced from outside the hall.

Wei Heng's heart tightened, and she couldn't help but look at Ji Shu. Even the Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly. How could the Crown Prince arrive at such a convenient time?

Unless he kept a close eye on the movements of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Wei Heng's heart sank at the thought.

So many years have passed, and he still hasn't let go?

Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, were trembling slightly. She took a deep breath before rising to greet him.

Pei Xingjian walked straight into the inner hall, and as soon as he entered, his gaze fell directly on the person on his left.

How long has it been? Since she left, due to his status, he couldn't possibly do anything behind his father's back.

Besides, that was a matter between her and her father; she had already excluded him from the conversation.

Pei Xingjian concealed the turmoil in his eyes, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "Grandson greets the Empress Dowager!"

Empress Dowager Pei smiled gently: "Xingjian, why have you come at this hour?"

Pei Xingjian said, "I have heard that the Empress Dowager is unwell, and I am very concerned about her."

Then he looked at Wei Heng beside him and said in a detached tone, "You've worked hard taking care of the Crown Princess these past few days!"

Wei Heng immediately feigned fear and curtsied slightly: "This is all my duty, Your Highness is too kind."

Pei Xingjian's smile didn't reach his eyes. He made a move to grab her hand and led her to sit down to the side.

Wei Heng felt a surge of emotions. Over the years, he had never been intimate with her, not even when they were just pretending. What was going on now?

But when she looked at Pei Xingjian, she saw that his eyes were fixed on Ji Shu, and a sudden sadness welled up in her heart.

I see!

All of this was just a show put on for that person to see.

Wei Heng, the dignified Crown Princess, how did she end up like this?

The Empress Dowager lowered her brows, taking in the scene below. She didn't know what the Emperor was planning, that he had brought her back but wouldn't give her a proper title.

Instead, they simply allowed her to stay in the palace temporarily.

Suddenly, Pei Xingjian spoke up: "Madam—how have you been these past three years?"

The hall fell silent as everyone watched the scene unfold before them with bated breath.

Ji Shu replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am perfectly fine."

Wei Heng's eyes reddened at the sight before her. She glanced at the Crown Prince, then forced herself to remain calm: "Since Lady Ji's stay in the palace is short, it would be best if she stayed away from the palace in the future to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings..."

Ji Shu looked at Wei Heng and tried several times to call her "Lady Ji," but the Crown Prince called her "Madam." She couldn't help but find the couple ridiculous.

Wei Heng still sees herself as her imaginary enemy, never imagining that Pei Xingjian has never had her in his heart.

Even if other women appeared, she would only resent them and never consider that it was her fault.

Pei Xingjian's dark eyes narrowed as he coldly looked at Wei Heng, but she didn't flinch, meeting his gaze directly with a defiant look.

Empress Dowager Pei's expression darkened, and she slammed her cane heavily on the ground, saying in a deep voice, "Madam Ji is a guest now, how can we detain a guest? If you want to go anywhere in the future, just give the order."

"Heng'er, you need to know your limits."

Wei Heng stood up, bowed, and said softly, "Yes."

Just then, a cold rebuke came from outside the door: "When did it become anyone else's place to criticize my people?"

With that rebuke, Pei Yanzhi strode in, his resolute and imposing face expressionless.

His overwhelming aura made people afraid to even peek inside.

The hall was immediately filled with people kneeling down.

Ji Shu had no choice but to stand up and curtsy.

Pei Yanzhi quickly walked up to her, helped her up, and said in a low voice, "Didn't I tell you that you don't need to pay attention to anyone who summons you?"

"Why are you still dressed so thinly?"

Having said that, he instructed Wu Yang, "Bring me my cloak."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wu Yang strode out.

Empress Dowager Pei was furious when she saw that he had completely forgotten the people in the palace and only cared about the person in front of him. His face turned ashen with anger.

The atmosphere was tense. Ji Shu gently squeezed his fingers, and Pei Yanzhi then looked up at the Empress Dowager and the person on his right.

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Pei Yanzhi, seemingly oblivious to their presence, rubbed her slightly cool hands and whispered, "Are you still cold?"

Ji Shu shook her head, indicating that she felt much better.

After he sat down, his sinister gaze fell on Wei Heng. "Does the Crown Princess think I'm dead?"

Wei Heng trembled and knelt on the cold ground with a thud. "Daughter-in-law... daughter-in-law had no such intention."

Pei Yanzhi lifted Ji Shu's hand, raising his chin slightly. "What is her status, and what is yours? Do you think that just because you've been the Crown Princess for a few years, you can question me?"

Pei Xingjian noticed something was wrong and quickly glanced at Ji Shu, but then looked away.

She rose and said, "The Crown Princess misspoke; please forgive her, Father Emperor."

Pei Yanzhi looked at the Crown Prince and sneered, "You all know best who she is. If you think you can manipulate her with your status, you've miscalculated."

Pei Xingjian lowered his eyes, suppressing all his emotions.

"She is not only Qinghe's birth mother, but also the Queen Mother of the Great Yan!"

Pei Yanzhi's voice was like iron, each word piercing into the heart of everyone in the hall.

"Do you have anything else to say?"

Wei Heng trembled violently, her forehead covered in cold sweat.

She knew in her heart that the emperor was using her to warn those around him, and also to warn the empress dowager.

She also knew very well that as long as the emperor was on the throne, she would never be able to touch Ji Shu.

No, not only that, as long as either of these two people, father and son, is still alive, no one in the world can harm her in the slightest.

Thinking of this, a sense of despair gradually welled up in my heart, far more painful than killing her.

The Empress Dowager, seated at the head of the table, closed her eyes briefly; she understood the Emperor's meaning.

That's enough. They're all grown up now, and she doesn't have much time left. What is there to hold onto?

Ultimately, he conquered this world.

What right does she have to point fingers?

She turned to Granny Chang beside her, her voice filled with deep weariness: "I'm tired!"

Granny Chang glanced at everyone and said in a low voice, "Yes, this old servant will help you to rest now."