As the Empress Dowager arrived in her imperial carriage, everyone bowed in respect.
Lu Qiqi followed Xuan Wenying's example and copied her actions exactly.
When she looked up and stood up, the Empress Dowager was already sitting in the stands, so she didn't see even half of her figure.
They did see an eunuch pushing Song Binyu in a wheelchair, slowly heading towards the Empress Dowager's viewing platform.
When the Empress Dowager arrived, Ding Wanyue did not linger outside and returned with her two daughters.
Before long, two palace maids entered the viewing platform where the officials' wives were located.
One of the palace maids was carrying a tray covered with a red cloth.
The head maid said, "Madam, Miss. These are the families of officials who attended the Spring Banquet last time and this time, as well as the Empress Dowager's family."
As she spoke, the palace maid carrying the tray placed it on the low table and gently lifted the red cloth.
Xuan Wenying, as a representative of the officials and their families of the Marquis of Lin'an, expressed her gratitude along with the palace maids in charge.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the head maid glanced at Lu Qiqi and then left with her young maid.
The gift from the Empress Dowager was an exquisite hairpin, adorned with delicate kingfisher feathers that shimmered in the sunlight.
Such jewelry is neither too old-fashioned nor too childish, making it truly suitable for the wives and children of officials of a certain age.
The two sisters each chose one; Lu Yao's was a butterfly, while Lu Qiqi's was simpler, a phoenix feather hairpin.
The Chen sisters wore peony and peony-shaped hairpins.
Chen Siqi, who had chosen the peony-patterned hairpin, couldn't help but glance at the phoenix feather hairpin in Lu Qiqi's hand.
After comparing the two, I still felt that the one in my hand was more elegant and luxurious.
Just as she was feeling smug, another palace maid came.
"Princess Kang Le, the Empress Dowager requests your presence."
Lu Qiqi put on the hairpin, a smile playing on her lips. She'd finally arrived.
After instructing Lu Yao not to wander off, she followed the palace maid to the viewing platform where the Empress Dowager was located.
Chen Siqi clutched the hairpin in her hand, venting all her jealousy on it.
Even when her palm was pricked and bleeding from the kingfisher feathers, she didn't feel any pain at all.
When Lu Qiqi saw the Empress Dowager, she bowed to everyone.
After receiving permission to dispense with the formalities, she looked up and saw the Empress Dowager sitting on a rosewood armchair.
The Empress Dowager is well-maintained; although she is over sixty years old, she looks like she is in her fifties.
This is quite remarkable for an era without technology.
Even though the Empress Dowager's face bears the marks of time, it cannot conceal the splendor of her youth.
The Empress Dowager's expression as she scrutinized her revealed an unintentional air of authority.
The two sized each other up. Lu Qiqi, being the younger generation, naturally didn't speak first.
Moreover, in this era of absolute imperial power, only by following the rules can one survive longer.
After a long pause, the Empress Dowager finally spoke, "You are Lu Qiqi? Chen Wenjun's daughter?"
Lu Qiqi nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager looked at the phoenix feather hairpin in her hair, her expression softening. "Your mother was once known as a talented woman in Huating Prefecture. I wonder how much of that talent you have inherited?"
Lu Qiqi said, "My mother passed away early, and I am not talented enough to have learned even a fraction of what she has learned."
My mother gave me life and taught me how to be a person; she only prayed for the peace and happiness of my sisters and me.
Chen Wenjun was a lady from a prominent family, proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She personally taught both Lu Yao to read and write.
In the countryside, it's not easy to even read, let alone learn music.
Rather than giving the Empress Dowager high expectations, it might be better to lower her standards, which could have an unexpected effect.
Seeing that she answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, the Empress Dowager was somewhat inclined to favor her. After the woman had been standing for a while, she slowly said, "Sit down and watch the game with me."
Upon hearing this, Lu Qiqi thanked him.
After she sat down, she saw Song Binyu sitting in a wheelchair, flipping through a book with great interest.
Lu Qiqi saw the words "Geography" on the cover in his hand, which meant it was a book that recorded the scenery of various places.
Following her gaze, the Empress Dowager glanced at the wooden wheelchair beneath Song Binyu, then sighed almost imperceptibly.
"Royal Grandmother."
Song Yanqing knew early on that the Spring Festival Banquet was being held today. After finishing up his work, he changed his clothes and rushed over.
He glanced at Lu Qiqi and smiled, knowing that he was lucky to have made it in time.
The Empress Dowager feigned anger and scolded, "Just like your father!"
"I'm already quite old, how could I possibly bully a junior?"
Song Yanqing smiled faintly, "I'm just afraid that she's timid and might say something wrong that would displease you."
The news about what happened under the garden pavilion had already reached the Empress Dowager's ears. If she hadn't sent her maid to inquire, she would have been fooled by her grandson.
Lu Qiqi, standing alone in the pavilion, engaged in a fierce debate with the scholars, showing no sign of cowardice whatsoever.
Song Yanqing said a few more words, completely winning over the Empress Dowager.
Upon seeing Song Yanqing, Song Binyu's eyes never left him. His mature expression vanished, replaced by a youthful, innocent smile. "Uncle!"
Song Yanqing ignored him and walked up to Lu Qiqi, saying softly, "This dress is very beautiful."
Song Binyu was close by and heard everything his uncle said.
He had heard his father say such things to his mother.
Could it be?
He quickly turned his head to look at Lu Qiqi, only to see her smile faintly, "Your outfit isn't lazy either!"
He seemed to have discovered a great secret: the dresses worn by his uncle and this Princess Kang Le were not only the same color, but also made of the exact same material!
Lu Qiqi never expected that Song Yanqing would wear clothes made of the same cloth in front of the Empress Dowager.
It gave her the feeling of wearing matching outfits in front of her parents.
The feeling was so wonderful that it made her ears feel a little hot.
Just as she was about to look away, her gaze shifted to the side and she saw the head maidservant hurrying to the Empress Dowager's ear and whispering a few words.
The head maid stepped back a few paces and heard the Empress Dowager's order, "Have the imperial physician examine them. They must not be allowed to get into trouble at the banquet I am hosting."
Upon hearing this, Lu Qiqi's expression remained unchanged.
The head maid walked out of the stands, and Lu Qiqi knew that the itching powder she had given to those noble ladies under the pavilion had taken effect.
She guessed that the Empress Dowager's order to summon the imperial physician must be because of the group of noble ladies under the pavilion.
After all, when she led Lu Yao out of the pavilion, she didn't forget to teach those noble ladies a lesson.
Just now, when she was leading Lu Yao back, she learned that it was a palace maid who led her to the garden and then disappeared.
Lu Qiqi didn't even need to guess to know that someone must have bribed a palace maid to deliberately lead her to the garden.
All for the sake of that unfounded charge under the pavilion.
It was just that these noble ladies wanted to teach their sisters a lesson.
Unfortunately, he couldn't win an argument, and she easily intimidated him with a few words when he tried to fight.
Their combat effectiveness is truly worrying.
Now that the itching powder is working, it's a lesson they've learned!
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