A cold glint flashed in Consort Xiao's eyes: There is a kind of physical weakness in this world that makes the Empress Dowager think you are in poor health, even if you are strong enough to kill three oxen.

But this time, oh!

She's actually quite happy to be sidelined and watch the show.

Sure enough, Zheng Mama's rigid gaze swept across the room, and her voice was scathing: "What? The Empress Dowager has personally issued an imperial decree to restore royal etiquette, yet Princess Chonghe still hasn't come?"

Granny Wang, standing nearby, had a swollen old face and wanted to complain, but she simply couldn't open her mouth. Besides, the room was full of masters, so she couldn't complain at this time.

Empress Dowager Xiao said lightly, "She must be feeling unwell."

Upon hearing this, Granny Zheng disagreed: "The Dowager Consort is being far too lenient with them."

Consort Xiao slightly twitched the corners of her lips and silently rolled her eyes:

You're so capable, try managing those bandits and you'll see.

Granny Zheng turned to the eunuchs at the door and said, "Go to Huinuan Pavilion and invite Princess Chonghe here."

"Yes, Auntie!"

Several eunuchs turned to leave, but Granny Zheng chased after them, took out a token from her waist, and said, "I have heard a little about Princess Chonghe's temperament. If you go to invite her like this, she probably won't come. Take this with you."

Several eunuchs accepted the token, bowed respectfully, and retreated.

As expected of those trained by Granny Zheng, these eunuchs were very respectful and courteous when they went to Hui Nuan Pavilion.

Upon seeing Ji Fengyao, he first greeted her respectfully, then presented the plaque given to him by Granny Zheng with both hands, and said humbly, "Princess Chonghe, the Dowager Princess requests your presence."

Ji Fengyao had already anticipated this, and after casually glancing at the token, she raised an eyebrow in surprise.

It wasn't the Empress Dowager's "Yi" token, but a token engraved with a lotus flower, and clearly had a very elegant and unique "lotus" character engraved on it.

Upon seeing the token, Ji Fengyao immediately thought of Shang Xiye's birth mother, Consort Lian.

"This token looks unfamiliar. There doesn't seem to be a master like this in the palace," Ji Fengyao said, sitting still and glancing indifferently at the eunuchs.

The eunuchs remained humble and respectful, bowing their heads the entire time without ever raising their heads: "Your Highness, this is the token used by Consort Lian when she was alive. It was personally made for Consort Lian by the late Emperor and specially commissioned to be crafted. Because the Empress Dowager said that since Granny Zheng is here to assist the Consort Lian in managing affairs at the Ninth Prince's residence, and Consort Lian is the Ninth Prince's birth mother, since we respect the Consort Lian, we should also respect Consort Lian; therefore, Granny Zheng was allowed to bring the Lotus-character token that Consort Lian had personally bestowed upon her into the residence."

"A token personally bestowed upon Granny Zheng by Consort Lian?" Ji Fengyao raised an eyebrow again.

The eunuchs replied respectfully, "Yes, Princess Chonghe, Granny Zheng was once Consort Lian's personal tutor and was highly regarded by Consort Lian."

Ah, interesting!

Ji Fengyao sneered inwardly: The Empress Dowager and Consort Lian are irreconcilable enemies, and she even framed Consort Lian.

This caused Consort Lian to leave for distant lands, and she has not been able to return to this day.

The tutor most trusted by Consort Lian was ordered to obey the Empress Dowager.

Holding the token personally bestowed by Consort Lian, they've come to the Ninth Prince's residence to act arrogantly and domineeringly.

To say that Zheng Mama was innocent when Consort Lian was framed back then is something no one would believe!

Ji Fengyao and Shang Xiye were just worried about not being able to find any people related to Consort Lian from back then so they could start investigating Consort Lian's affairs, when the Empress Dowager sent them one, and a rather crucial one at that.

She even wondered if the Empress Dowager was getting old and her mind was going mad, and whether she and the Ninth Prince were fools.