Su Jinli hurried back to the Prime Minister's residence and hid in her own courtyard, as if only here could her frantic heart find some peace. Jiang Yan's passionate words, "I love you," were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up ripples that left her flustered and unable to recover for a long time.
"Miss, are you okay? Why is your face so red?" Lingge looked at her, eyes full of worry.
"I'm fine!" Su Jinli waved her hands hurriedly and hurried to the mirror. Seeing her red cheeks in the mirror, she felt even more shy. "It's just... it's too hot today."
Lingge responded softly, with a hint of doubt in her eyes, but she was sensible enough not to ask any further questions.
At this moment, a maid's clear voice came from outside the door: "Miss, the master wants you to go to the front hall. He said someone is coming from the palace."
"Someone from the palace?" Su Jinli was stunned, her mind awash with doubts. She was merely the daughter of the prime minister, and had rarely interacted with the palace. What could have caused someone from the palace to come?
"I got it. I'll go right away." Su Jinli quickly straightened her clothes, trying her best to look calm, and then followed the maid to the front hall.
When they arrived at the front hall, they saw Prime Minister Su chatting with a middle-aged man dressed in eunuch's clothes. The middle-aged man was estimated to be over fifty years old and had a kind face. When he saw Su Jinli enter the hall, he immediately stood up and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"This must be the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Su's family, Su Jinli, right?"
Prime Minister Su quickly interjected, "It's my daughter. Jinli, why don't you pay your respects to Eunuch Li?"
"Jinli greets Eunuch Li." Su Jinli bowed gracefully according to the etiquette.
Eunuch Li quickly reached out and helped her up. "Miss Su, you're too polite. We've come here on the orders of the Empress Dowager to summon Miss Su to the palace."
"Empress Dowager?" Su Jinli was increasingly shocked, secretly wondering when she had any connection with the Empress Dowager.
Seeing this, Eunuch Li smiled and explained, "The Empress Dowager heard that Miss Su was very talented and that her poetry club was very successful. She was very happy and sent us to invite Miss Su to the palace to have a chat with you."
Prime Minister Su was also surprised and delighted, and hurriedly said, "It is a great blessing for the Empress Dowager to have her favor. Thank you, Eunuch Li, for coming to inform us."
"You're so polite, Minister Su," Eunuch Li said. "Then, Miss Su, shall we set off now? The Empress Dowager is still waiting eagerly in the palace."
"Okay." Su Jinli took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and then followed Eunuch Li out of the Prime Minister's Residence and boarded the carriage specially sent by the palace.
Inside the carriage, Su Jinli's heart remained uneasy. Although she had been reborn, she still knew very little about palace affairs and could not guess the empress dowager's intention in summoning her this time.
Eunuch Li seemed to sense her nervousness and smiled, reassuringly, "Miss Su, don't worry too much. The Empress Dowager is kind and gentle, and has always favored talented young ladies. Just treat your visit as a casual chat with the Empress Dowager. There's nothing to worry about."
Hearing what Eunuch Li said, Su Jinli's tension eased a little.
Soon, the carriage slowly arrived at the palace gate. Su Jinli followed Eunuch Li into the palace, passing through the magnificent and magnificent palaces, and finally arrived at the Cining Palace where the Empress Dowager lived.
Entering the Cining Palace, one is struck by its elegant decor, each detail evoking the royal dignity and majesty. A faint scent of incense hangs in the air, creating a sense of tranquility and peace. An elderly woman, dressed in regal palace attire, sits peacefully on a soft couch, gently twirling a string of Buddhist beads. Several palace maids and eunuchs stand respectfully beside her.
"Empress Dowager, Miss Su is here." Eunuch Li stepped forward and reported respectfully.
The old woman slowly raised her head, and Su Jinli quickly knelt down and saluted: "Your humble servant Su Jinli pays respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager live a thousand years."
"Get up, child." The Queen Mother's voice was gentle and kind, like a spring breeze. "Come to me quickly, so that I can take a good look at you."
Su Jinli stood up as she was told, and walked lightly in front of the empress dowager.
The Queen Mother looked her up and down with a gentle gaze, a satisfied smile gradually appearing on her face. "What a pretty child! I heard that you are very good at writing poetry and painting, and you even run a famous poetry club."
"Your Majesty, these are just some insignificant little gadgets. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you." Su Jinli responded modestly, with a hint of shyness in her expression.
"Alas, how can this be called childish play?" The Queen Mother waved her hand gently, her expression serious. "It is truly rare for a woman to have talent. When I was young, I also loved reciting poetry and painting, but after entering the palace, I was busy with all sorts of things and had no time for them."
After saying this, the Queen Mother sighed slightly, then smiled again. "I heard that a few days ago you mercilessly refuted that plagiarist Lin Wanyue? Well done! People like this who seek fame and reputation should be taught a lesson."
Su Jinli really didn't expect that the Queen Mother knew everything about this matter, and she couldn't help but secretly admire the Queen Mother's well-informedness.
"Your Majesty, I am only speaking the truth."
"Well, don't be so modest all the time." The Queen Mother affectionately took her hand and asked her to sit down beside her. "I called you here today for nothing important, but simply to have a chat. I heard your vernacular novel 'Jianghu Xiao' has been widely praised. I specifically asked Eunuch Li to find a copy. I've read a few chapters and found the plot fascinating and the writing very interesting."
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