In the Cining Palace, when the Empress Dowager saw Jiang Shuyue, her enthusiasm was so great that even Aunt Cai couldn't bear to watch.
"Moon, it's been several months since we last met. I've been waiting for you so long, and I'm so glad you've finally come."
"You know, Kang'er's illness has never relapsed. You are a great benefactor to our family."
"That child Sui Sui is so adorable. That bastard Emperor has already told me what happened. Yue'er, you've been wronged." The Empress Dowager held Jiang Shuyue's hand tightly, unwilling to let go for a long time.
The Empress Dowager was so happy that she forgot the etiquette of a noble lady. She poured out all the words that had been on her mind for many days, as if she had to get them off her chest.
Jiang Shuyue couldn't get a word in edgewise, she just kept nodding or shaking her head with a silly smile on her face.
"Don't worry, Yue'er, His Majesty will give you a satisfactory explanation. If he doesn't handle it well, I will not let him off the hook."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Yue'er doesn't feel wronged at all. His Majesty is busy with state affairs, so please don't make things difficult for him. Yue'er is doing quite well now."
The Empress Dowager addressed her as "Yue'er" so affectionately, as if she were her own daughter. Jiang Shuyue was not pretentious; if she addressed herself as "commoner" repeatedly, she would seem ungrateful.
The Empress Dowager understood the underlying meaning in Jiang Shuyue's words: she didn't care whether the Emperor would take responsibility, or she didn't want to enter the palace.
No wonder her son kept telling her not to worry, because it was no use worrying.
The Empress Dowager cursed Xiao Jingzhao in her heart again, and said with a smile, "It's always good for the family to be together. Sui Sui is so cute. I wish I could move to the Jiang residence so I could see my precious grandson every day."
Watching the Empress Dowager speak like a machine gun, Jiang Shuyue thought to herself, "So Chang Le's straightforward and lively personality comes from the Empress Dowager."
"Please have some tea, young lady."
At this moment, a palace maid brought tea, and Aunt Cai personally took the teacup and placed it in front of Jiang Shuyue.
After being interrupted by Aunt Cai, the Empress Dowager released Jiang Shuyue's hand and said with a smile, "You must be tired from walking without a sedan chair. Have some tea to refresh yourself."
Before Jiang Shuyue could even take her first sip of tea, the palace maids brought out a whole host of exquisite pastries and dried fruits.
Aunt Cai said with a smile, "Miss, you can often bring the young master to Cining Palace. Chang Le and Yong He also miss the young master very much."
The Empress Dowager nodded, "Yes, Yue'er should come to the palace often. There's no one else here, so don't be shy when you come."
"Did Sui Sui go to the Imperial Academy today?" The Empress Dowager had been holding back for a while, but she couldn't help asking.
Jiang Shuyue took a sip of tea and said, "No, I came in a hurry today, so I didn't bring him into the palace."
Aunt Cai bowed and smiled as she continued, "If Your Highness wants to see the young master, it's very easy. There's a girls' school in the Imperial Academy, and Princess Chang Le is there too, isn't she?"
"Why didn't I think of that? I could have Chang Le bring Sui Sui over to stay overnight every now and then."
Only after the Empress Dowager finished speaking did she belatedly realize that this matter should be discussed with Sui Sui's mother.
Then, looking at Jiang Shuyue, he asked with a smile, "Does Yue'er agree?"
Jiang Shuyue smiled and nodded.
Xiao Jingzhao's family is very kind, and Jiang Shuyue is willing to grow up in a loving environment every year.
Seeing that Aunt Cai hadn't opened the gift box, Jiang Shuyue said, "I came in a hurry today and only brought two fresh Ganoderma lucidum. Your Majesty, could you have them prepared as tea?"
"There are still fresh Ganoderma lucidum in the capital? Yue'er has gone to great lengths." The Empress Dowager said in surprise.
The Empress Dowager knew, of course, that Ganoderma lucidum was a good thing, and she immediately ordered someone to send it to the Imperial Hospital for Chief Physician Lin to process it personally.
Jiang Shuyue explained, "Of course, there aren't any in the capital. These were collected from Yan Hui Mountain and transplanted into the garden."
With no outsiders present, Jiang Shuyue recounted the story of Sui Sui's discovery of the Ganoderma lucidum.
Seeing the Empress Dowager's stunned expression, Jiang Shuyue smiled and said, "Yue'er is just using this as an excuse to present something to the Buddha. Sui Sui doesn't know that I've kept two of them alive in the small garden."
After calming down, the Empress Dowager chatted with Jiang Shuyue about everyday matters.
They talked about training female doctors at Jishetang and the business of Juxian Pavilion.
The Empress Dowager listened with admiration in her eyes, but her heart was also ice-cold.
This girl is no ordinary person; she silently mourned for her son in her heart.
No wonder my son said you can't rush things. This girl is not hot tofu, she's like a piece of Hetian jade that you can't chew!
"Sister Jiang!"
Just when the Empress Dowager was in despair, Chang Le flew over like a little bird.
Jiang Shuyue quickly stood up and bowed, "Greetings, Princess."
"Sister Jiang, you've forgotten again. We don't need all that formality between us. Just call me Chang Le."
Chang Le rushed over and hugged Jiang Shuyue's arm affectionately.
When Jiang Shuyue met the Empress Dowager for the first time in the palace, she couldn't be as casual as she was in her own home. Even if the Empress Dowager didn't mind, there were still palace maids watching.
While Chang Le was entangled with Jiang Shuyue, the Empress Dowager gave Aunt Cai a wink.
Aunt Cai suddenly realized that the Empress Dowager was sending her to inform the Emperor.
Aunt Cai quietly slipped out.
Chang Le spoke with great enthusiasm about her plans to study at the Imperial Academy.
Chang Le was happy not because she loved reading so much, but because the girls' school and the boys' school of the Imperial Academy were separated by only one wall.
Just as Chang Le was talking happily, Yong He also rushed over upon hearing the news.
The two greeted each other and sat down. The group chatted like long-lost family, with endless things to talk about.
Jiang Shuyue occasionally glanced at the door. She hoped Xiao Jingzhao would arrive soon so she could leave the palace as soon as possible. She also planned to visit the restaurant and the grain shop in the afternoon.
"Sister Jiang, try this freshly made water chestnut cake, and this walnut shortbread." Chang Le kept eating herself and kept urging Jiang Shuyue to try it.
Unable to refuse Chang Le's kind offer, Jiang Shuyue took a small piece to try.
An hour passed, and Aunt Cai still hadn't returned, but Xiangyang arrived.
Jiang Shuyue was puzzled. Didn't the Emperor say he would come?
After entering the room, Xiang Yang bowed to the masters and then cupped his hands to Jiang Shuyue, saying, "His Majesty is busy and cannot leave. Please come with me to the Imperial Study."
Chang Le rolled her eyes. "Tch! My brother the emperor is lying. He's too busy to see Sister Jiang. Isn't that a contradiction?"
The Empress Dowager was eager for her son to spend more time alone with Jiang Shuyue.
She wished she could grab a piece of pastry and shut Chang Le up.
However, he couldn't show his anger in front of Jiang Shuyue, so he had to put on a warm smile and say to her, "Yue'er, you can go now. We'll meet again another day."
Yonghe gently tugged at Chang Le's sleeve, "Second sister, don't talk nonsense. It's quite a walk from here to the Imperial Study. By the time Sister Jiang gets there, Second brother will have finished what he was doing."
“The princess is absolutely right.” Xiangyang, fearing that Jiang Shuyue would take advantage of the situation and not go to the imperial study, quickly echoed Yonghe’s words.
Seeing Jiang Shuyue get up to say goodbye, Chang Le also stood up: "I'm free anyway, so I might as well accompany Jiang Shuyue. After Sister Jiang finishes her business, I'll go back to Mother's place with her for lunch."
The Empress Dowager quickly called out to Chang Le, "Stop! Help your mother with some things in a moment."
Chang Le: "..." What can I do?
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