The crown prince ordered his advisors to change the ending overnight, adding or removing some plot points and creating a more tragic atmosphere.
Subsequently, the aide sent the play to a familiar opera troupe.
The troupe leader was experienced and had a keen eye for talent. After rehearsing the first act, they began to perform on stage.
Dramatic scenes are not as complicated as action scenes, and the rehearsal time is much shorter.
Because the lyrics were written in vernacular Chinese, the story was down-to-earth, and the plot was full of twists and turns, it won the hearts of the people of Beijing as soon as it was performed.
The troupe leader made a fortune and was overjoyed. Various legends, stories and rumors about the "Flower Goddess" spread like wildfire in the capital at an unexpected speed.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Palace, Song Xibai received a summons from the Empress Dowager of Renshou Palace.
The messenger was a simply dressed aunt.
Song Xibai thought she had misheard and pointed uncertainly to her nose.
"The Empress Dowager called me? Not the Crown Princess?"
The aunt shook her head with a smile: "The Empress Dowager said that Consort Xi will be invited."
Song Xibai touched his nose, wondering what the Empress Dowager wanted to see him about.
It was impossible to refuse; after all, she was the Empress Dowager.
So Song Xibai said to the aunt in a gentle manner, "Please wait a moment, Aunt, I will change my clothes and come right away."
After her aunt left, Wei Hong hurriedly ran to find some clothes.
"My lord, we can't wear our old palace dresses anymore, and the new ones aren't ready yet! What are we going to do?!"
These days, Song Xibai stays at home and rarely goes out, except when he goes to pay his respects to the Crown Princess in the morning.
There was no need to be particular about clothing when meeting the Crown Princess. Song Xibai wore everyday clothes every day, with loose tops and skirts that concealed her belly very well.
But it was different with the Empress Dowager.
Since the Empress Dowager had issued such a formal summons, Song Xibai should have worn special palace attire. However, the palace attire was all standardized, and since she had recently gained weight, it would definitely accentuate her waistline.
Song Xibai touched her stomach and sighed.
"Fine, I'll just wear that lake-blue casual dress!"
Wei Hong found it, helped Song Xibai change into it, and then restyled her hair, inserting a newly made turquoise hairpin.
This combination looks much more refreshing.
After getting ready, Song Xibai sucked in her stomach and, along with Wei Hong, Fu Liu, and two eunuchs, followed the aunt and left the East Palace, heading towards Renshou Palace.
The weather was exceptionally hot today. As soon as I stepped out of the East Palace gate, the scorching sun shone down, making me squint.
On the way, she couldn't help but think that it was fortunate that Renshou Palace was very close to the East Palace, otherwise, in such hot weather, she would have been covered in sweat by the time she got there.
Her skirt is made of gauze, I don't know what kind of fabric it is. It looks a bit puffy after it's made into a skirt, but if she sweats, it easily sticks to her body.
Song Xibai and his party remained silent throughout the journey and soon arrived at Renshou Palace.
Two nannies kindly led her into the Empress Dowager's bedroom.
When Song Xibai entered the room, she was surprised to find that Dingxiang and her father were not there.
The Empress Dowager's condition has been improving recently; she can move her upper body again, so her father no longer needs to watch over her every day. He only needs to come and check her pulse every three days.
But acupuncture and rehabilitation massage are necessary every day, so Dingxiang should be there!
Song Xibai was puzzled and couldn't help but roll her eyes to scan her surroundings.
Before she could even finish turning her gaze around, she heard the Empress Dowager's voice coming from inside.
"No need to look anymore, I sent Physician Ding away, she's not here right now."
Song Xibai was startled and abruptly raised her head.
The curtains in the inner room were drawn, and on the opulent canopy bed, the Empress Dowager leaned against the headboard, looking in this direction.
Song Xibai composed herself and gave a slight curtsy.
"This humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. How is Your Majesty feeling?"
The Empress Dowager extended her slightly stiff left hand, clenched her five fingers, then released them and sighed.
"It's much better now, but it's probably impossible to go back to the way things were before."
Song Xibai's heart tightened, and she quickly reassured her, "With Physician Song and Dingxiang here, they will definitely be able to cure the Empress Dowager, so you don't need to worry. It's just that this stroke will take a long time to treat, and it will require more patience and perseverance."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand.
"I'm already this old, I've long since let go of the past. I owe a debt of gratitude to Physician Song and Physician Ding for pulling me back from the brink of death, but the greatest credit doesn't go to them."
Song Xibai's eyes flickered.
So, the Empress Dowager guessed it and that's why she sent me here?
Song Xibai fell silent, struggling with how to respond.
She wasn't worried about her safety. Firstly, the Empress Dowager's tone sounded quite kind, and secondly, although she had concealed something, she had saved the Empress Dowager's life back then, and the Empress Dowager wouldn't repay kindness with enmity.
However, it seems this identity can no longer be kept secret...
Song Xibai frowned slightly.
I wonder how far along the Crown Prince's plan has progressed...
She lowered her head in thought. When the Empress Dowager saw that she was not speaking, she waved to the others, dismissing all the palace servants except for an old nanny.
"Don't be afraid," the Empress Dowager said gently. "Everyone in this palace has secrets. Your medical skills are nothing special. I didn't call you here to interrogate you; I'm just curious about your identity."
At this point, the Empress Dowager paused, and before Song Xibai could answer, she continued.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t force you. But I can’t accept this life-saving grace for nothing.”
She smiled and nodded at the old woman.
The old woman understood and turned around to bring out a large wooden box.
"These are some things I used when I was young. Now that I'm old, I don't need them anymore, so I'll give them to you, Xi'er."
The wooden box was handed to Song Xibai.
The old nanny opened the box, which was filled with gorgeous jewelry: tassel hairpins, hair ornaments, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces—a dazzling array. There was also a smaller box containing various gemstones and pearls the size of a fingertip.
Song Xibai repeatedly declined.
"That's too much."
"These are all worldly possessions; they'll just gather dust if they stay with me, and I can't wear them out anyway," the Empress Dowager said dismissively. "Or perhaps you think you don't have enough?"
Song Xibai was afraid that the Empress Dowager would do something big again and attract attention, so after thinking about it, she felt it was best to accept the box of jewelry.
However, she didn't reach out her hand, but instead spoke to the old nanny.
"Please trouble you, Granny, to give this box to my maid."
A glint flashed in the old nanny's eyes. She smiled and replied, "Yes," before going out to hand it over to Wei Hong.
"Now that we've laid it all out on the table, Xi'er, come and take my pulse! See if there's any chance my old bones can recover."
The Empress Dowager spoke.
Song Xibai did as instructed, sat on a small stool by the bed, extended two fingers, and pressed them on the Empress Dowager's right hand, carefully sensing them.
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