After a long while, she clenched her fists and closed her eyes tightly. When she opened them again, her eyes were filled with a determined light.
When Zi Teng returned, she heard Consort Lan trying to find topics to talk about between the Empress Dowager and Sang Ruo. She pursed her lips and stood next to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was amused and became more talkative. She looked at Sang Jiang and said, "Fourth Miss has been in the palace for some time now. You should go out for walks more often. The scenery in the palace is quite nice."
Sang Jiang seemed rather uninterested. When she was suddenly called upon, she jolted and blurted out, "This subject obeys."
Seeing her reaction, Consort Lan knew she hadn't been listening carefully, so she immediately smiled and smoothed things over: "Look at this Fourth Miss, she's not even a stranger, yet she's being so polite."
Sang Jiang pursed her lips and remained silent.
She really didn't want to get involved in their complicated relationship; if she could, she would just want to lie in bed and die.
Seeing that she was about to fall asleep, Sang Ruo got up and curtsied to the Empress Dowager: "Empress Dowager, I have some things to attend to. Perhaps I should take my sister back first."
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "Go, everyone go. I'm tired too."
Seeing this, Consort Lan also stood up with Sang Ruo and said, "Your Majesty, I take my leave."
When the three of them entered the courtyard, Consort Lan called out to the two of them: "Sister, Fourth Miss."
Sang Ruo turned around: "Is there something you need, little sister?"
Consort Lan smiled and said, "Since we're going the same way, let's go back together."
Sang Ruo nodded without refuting her. It would be somewhat unsatisfactory if she disagreed with even this small matter.
"Sister, has the brocade I gave you been made into a garment?"
Sang Ruo was taken aback, as if she hadn't expected her to suddenly ask about this: "Not yet."
Seeing her like this, Consort Lan smiled and said, "Sister, don't be nervous. I just heard that a tailor has recently come to the palace. She only designs clothes and doesn't make them. I wonder if you would like to learn more about her?"
Sang Ruo frowned. She had been in the palace the whole time and knew nothing about what was happening outside. Thinking about it, she shook her head: "No, I'd like to try making it myself."
"Very well." Consort Lan nodded and said nothing more.
...
Jingren Palace.
"Bang!" The Empress threw down the porcelain bowl in her hand.
"What is this? Is it even fit for human consumption?" the Empress roared, staring at the porcelain bowl on the ground.
"Your Majesty..."
"Get out! Get out of here!"
Before the palace maid could finish speaking, a writing brush was smashed into her face.
The young palace maid quickly knelt on the ground, trembling as she pleaded, "Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! I'll leave right away!"
The young palace maid was about to head outside when she spoke, and she was almost at the door...
"Stop!" the empress suddenly called out to her.
The young palace maid felt her legs go weak and almost collapsed to the ground. Trembling, she turned back and knelt before the Empress once more: "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
She didn't even dare to lift her head now.
The Empress pursed her lips and glanced at her a few times before speaking sternly: "Where is Lin Mama? Go and fetch her."
"Yes, ma'am." The little palace maid said this and ran out as if fleeing.
The Empress often beat and scolded them, and now that she was in a bad mood, they were even more afraid.
The emperor watched her retreating figure and sneered, "Useless!"
Lin Mama quickly came in from outside. She closed the door before walking up to the Empress, picking up the pen that the Empress had just thrown away, and placing it on the inkstone next to her.
"Your Highness, what brings you here?" Granny Lin stood beside her, her eyes filled with affection.
The Empress softened her expression and leaned against Lin Mama, closing her eyes to rest.
After a long while, the Empress sat up straight, her eyes sharp as she looked ahead: "Lin Mama, go and fetch her..."
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