The Empress Dowager reached out and took Zhaoping's hand in hers, patting the back of her hand gently. She said in a cool tone, "Now that everyone is here, please take your seats."

After speaking, Aunt Sun stepped forward to help her up, and Zhaoping also got up and helped the Empress Dowager to the other side.

Seeing this, Ji Fengyao knew that the Empress Dowager was upset that she had wronged Zhaoping and was deliberately showing off the closer relationship between the two of them, aunt and niece, in front of her. Even though she was the Empress Dowager's savior, she could not surpass Princess Zhaoping.

But what does this have to do with Ji Fengyao?

She's so oblivious, she doesn't understand any subtleties at all, she's a bandit!

Ji Fengyao pretended not to see it and was about to get up calmly when suddenly a hand reached out from beside her and grabbed her. The hand was well-defined, long, and fair; it was an extremely beautiful hand.

Shang Xiye, who had been silent and cold throughout, suddenly looked up and said to her in a soft voice, "Your Highness is not used to wearing thick-soled palace shoes. You should be careful when you get up in the future. You are not fully recovered yet, so don't be so reckless. Be careful not to get dizzy and fall."

"Dizzy...?" Ji Fengyao was completely bewildered. This guy was putting on such an act without giving her any warning, leaving her almost unable to react: "Oh...yes, Your Majesty, I do feel a little dizzy."

"Would you like me to carry you over?" Shang Xiye asked earnestly, showing great concern.

Ji Fengyao: "!"

Princess Zhaoping: "!!!"

Empress Dowager: "???"

A collective gasp of disbelief appeared above everyone's heads: Could the usually aloof Ninth Prince actually utter such witty remarks?

Is the world going to end?

It was Aunt Sun, who had a less direct relationship with the Empress Dowager, who reacted first. She tightened her grip on the Empress Dowager's hand slightly and teased, "Everyone says that the Ninth Prince is aloof, but now that he's married and has a principal wife, he knows how to be caring."

The Empress Dowager chuckled twice, said nothing, and turned to lead everyone to their seats in the side hall.

Zhaoping lowered his head even further, and a hint of red moisture could be seen in the corner of his eye.

Ji Fengyao and Shang Xiye showed off their affection. As they entered the room hand in hand, she noticed that he was still holding her hand and hadn't let go. She glared at him and said, "Who are you trying to get revenge on? You're showing off your affection so much, I might not be able to handle it!"

Shang Xiye's eyes were indifferent and arrogant: You are the first woman I have publicly protected. Be grateful, little bandit.

Clearly, the two were not on the same page this time. Their pulling and tugging at each other looked like the newlyweds' sweet and affectionate moments, dazzling everyone's eyes.

Princess Zhaoping, in particular, almost burst into tears on the spot, her delicate face full of grievance.

The Empress Dowager's expression grew increasingly grim. She picked up her chopsticks, took a small piece of green bamboo shoot that Aunt Sun had brought, took a bite, and put it down again. She said in a deep voice, "It's been overcooked and lost its freshness."

Then Aunt Sun picked up a small piece of deer meat, and the Empress Dowager's expression worsened after taking a bite: "Too tough, not cooked enough!"

After taking another bite of the fish, the Empress Dowager slammed her chopsticks on the table and finally snapped, "Is this cook so useless today? The dishes he makes are so inedible! Take them away! Give him ten lashes and deduct three months' salary!"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Aunt Sun replied respectfully.

The palace maids and eunuchs present were all terrified and meek, fearing that the Empress Dowager's anger would fall on them.

Zhaoping seemed to be stunned as well, staring blankly at the Empress Dowager without making a move.

The Empress Dowager slapped the handkerchief on the table after dabbing at her lips, and added, "Tell him that I said if he continues to neglect his duties and fail to perform his duties diligently, I will chop off his hands and kick him out of the palace!"