Having said that, Ji Fengyao's face fell, tears welled up in her eyes, and she stared at Shang Xiche as if she were about to cry and complain: "Your Majesty, I am wronged! I just want to severely punish those who dare to bully me. There's a saying among the common people: even when beating a dog, you have to consider its owner. I am the person Your Majesty bestowed upon me in marriage, the person Your Majesty favored, and the person the Empress Dowager personally said she liked. Their bullying of me is a disgrace to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, and I cannot tolerate it!"

After delivering a passionate speech, she added hesitantly, "Your Highness sometimes gives me the cold shoulder, Your Majesty, you must stand up for me."

It was practically an open declaration: I'm going to teach him a lesson!

Shang Xiche could roughly imagine the amusing scene of this little bandit girl acting like a tyrant in the Ninth Prince's mansion after obtaining his protective charm, while the Ninth Prince dared not provoke her.

Sure enough, Ninth Prince's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, looking very unpleasant.

This marriage is a good gift, a wonderful gift!

Shang Xiche's smile, which had been suppressed for a few seconds, returned with renewed joy. He took the dragon-shaped jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Eunuch De, clapping his hands and laughing. He said, "The Ninth Princess Consort is right. You are the Ninth Princess Consort appointed by me and the Empress Dowager, representing the face of the royal family. I hereby bestow this jade pendant upon you. It is my personal possession, and seeing it is as if I am here with you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ji Fengyao held the jade pendant with great joy, and asked with a beaming smile, "Then, can I punish that woman in the Prince's mansion who harmed me?"

Shang Xiche chuckled: "Any official's spouse who offends you without an official title or honorary title is at your disposal."

"That's wonderful! Your Majesty, you are truly the best person in the world!"

Everyone present watched with immense envy, jealousy, and resentment.

How could it not be good? This jade pendant is possessed only by the Emperor and the Crown Prince; it's a symbol of royal power, the kind that even a first-rank official would kneel before. I never imagined the Emperor would bestow such a thing upon a bandit. Did the Emperor not sleep well last night and get confused?

At noon, the Empress Dowager sent someone to invite the Ninth Prince and his wife to lunch, but the Emperor did not go with them.

The Cixi Palace is filled with flowers and plants, and is decorated in a very tranquil and elegant manner.

Shang Xiye and Ji Fengyao first went to the main hall to kowtow to the Empress Dowager, serve tea and pay their respects.

The Empress Dowager seemed very pleased to see Ji Fengyao and repeatedly instructed people to help her up: "Good child, don't be so formal. Look how restrictive this outfit is for you. It must be hard on you."

Ji Fengyao stood up, sweetly called out "Empress Dowager," and then, as if they were old friends, stepped forward to shake the Empress Dowager's hand.

Aunt Sun tried to stop her, but the Empress Dowager quickly gave her a wink, and she withdrew.

"Empress Dowager, how come you look even younger after just a few months? Your complexion is also better than last time I saw you," Ji Fengyao said, lying through her teeth. In fact, she didn't even know whether the Empress Dowager was round or flat.

But what woman doesn't like to be complimented on her youth? Even an empress dowager who was over fifty was no exception.

One sentence made the Empress Dowager very happy, and she said, "Your words are sweeter than before."

They never mentioned her poisoning.

Ji Fengyao didn't mention it, and instead teased her with pleasant words.

Just then, a eunuch outside the door called out in a high-pitched voice, "Empress Dowager, Princess Zhaoping has come to pay her respects."

"Quickly invite her in," the Empress Dowager said hastily, releasing Ji Fengyao's hand as she spoke.

Ji Fengyao withdrew her hand without making a sound, walked to Shang Xiye's side, and sat down in her seat.