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"Sister-in-law."
As Yue Jiang was about to step into the sedan chair after leaving the East Palace, a call suddenly rang out from afar.
She glanced over and saw that Jingyi was coming this way.
As she got closer, Yue Jiang asked in surprise, "Jingyi, why are you here at this time?"
Jingyi has always been unruly and does whatever she wants, so it wouldn't be surprising if she came at any time.
However, after the incident at Yongshou Palace, Yuejiang heard that Jingyi was crying and getting angry in Jiaofang Palace every day, and it would take her a long time to recover.
Now that Consort Cheng's funeral has just passed, her anger can't have subsided.
When Jingyi arrived, she waved for the palace servants to get off the carriage, her frustration finding no outlet.
"It's not even the Longevity Hall yet, but a few broken pots of flowers are enough to make a big deal out of it. They're making a big fuss about it all over the palace and inviting people everywhere."
“I didn’t want to go at first, but the Longevity Palace sent someone to my palace to deliver a message, so I had no choice but to go. The Empress Dowager went there early this morning, and I only set off now, so I asked my sister-in-law to accompany me.”
Jingyi's eyes are still a little red and swollen. She had cried before coming out, still because of the deception that Empress Dowager Cheng had given her.
Later, Jingyi went to Yongshou Palace to ask Empress Dowager Cheng if she had been feigning kindness towards her all along.
Empress Dowager Cheng refused to admit it at all, insisting that her love for Jingyi had always been genuine.
Empress Dowager Cheng was stubborn, but the truth was laid bare before Jingyi.
If they hadn't been taking advantage of her all along, how could Consort Cheng have appeared at the Hundred Beasts Garden and said those hurtful things?
Despite being deceived by Yongshou Palace, Jingyi has also truly experienced the happiness and care she has received over the years.
Jingyi will never forget the dislike and disdain she received from the Longevity Palace, and she can never pretend that it never happened.
Even if she has no further contact with Yongshou Palace, she will not fawn over Changshou Palace.
Therefore, Jingyi was very angry.
Upon hearing this, Yue Jiang instantly understood.
In the past, with Empress Dowager Cheng and Empress Dowager Zheng acting as counterbalances, Jingyi had someone to protect her. Even if she contradicted Empress Dowager Zheng, all that could be said of Jingyi was that she was just a child who didn't know any better.
Now that Jingyi has lost her protection, Empress Dowager Zheng, while establishing her authority over the entire palace, is unwilling to let go of this troublesome little girl, Jingyi.
Jingyi would have to be given a hard time to recognize who her real grandmother was.
Yue Jiang cast a sympathetic glance at Jing Yi, and then the two of them headed towards the Longevity Palace together.
Upon arriving at the Longevity Palace, Yue Jiang witnessed a bustling scene, with not only the palace concubines but also many relatives of the Zheng family.
This reminded her of the scene at Consort Cheng's funeral, where the Cheng family relatives came to the palace to mourn and pay their respects—two very extreme scenes.
When Yue Jiang and Jing Yi arrived at the entrance of the main hall, the palace servants of Changshou Palace greeted them warmly and led them into the main hall.
Empress Dowager Zheng sat in the main seat in the hall, Empress Ye sat to the left of Empress Dowager Zheng, and Consort Zheng sat on the other side.
The guest seats below were for the imperial concubines and relatives of the Zheng family.
"Yue Jiang greets Empress Dowager Zheng and Empress Mother," Yue Jiang said as she entered the hall and bowed to Empress Dowager Zheng and Empress Ye above.
Empress Dowager Zheng glanced at Yue Jiang, a hint of arrogance flashing across her lips, and said with a faint smile.
"The Crown Princess has arrived. I've heard she's very fond of incense and flowers. Did you see the flowers in my palace when you came in? What do you think?"
Empress Dowager Cheng's scheming against Jingyi was, in theory, no different from Empress Dowager Zheng's marriage to Jingning.
However, Empress Dowager Zheng had the advantage of getting through to the Jade Emperor first, making it impossible for Jing Huaixu to refuse the friendly offer from the Jade Kingdom.
Because she was Jing Huaixu's biological mother, Jing Huaixu would always be lenient towards Empress Dowager Zheng's behind-the-scenes actions.
This does not mean that Jing Huaixu was not angry with Empress Dowager Zheng's actions, but she still made a big show of it in order to show that she was different from Empress Dowager Cheng, and that Empress Dowager Zheng was a very calculating person.
Yue Jiang offered a few flattering words: "The palace of the Empress Dowager Zheng is adorned with flowers. When Yue Jiang first stepped in, she thought she had entered some kind of paradise on earth. It is absolutely beautiful."
"I am extremely honored to be invited by the Empress Dowager to come and admire the flowers."
Empress Dowager Zheng smiled and said, "No wonder I've been looking forward to the Crown Princess's arrival. Look at her sweet words."
"I won't let the Crown Princess come for nothing. If you see a flower that catches your eye, just tell me and I'll have someone send it to her. Let's make it as lively as the tasting event. Please take a seat."
Yuejiang: What do you mean? You really are calculating, still remembering how you were taken advantage of at the tasting event.
She remained calm and showed no sign of guilt. After thanking him, she went to her seat.
As Yue Jiang took her seat, Jing Yi curtsied to Empress Dowager Zheng, her voice listless: "Greetings to Grandmother Zheng, and greetings to Mother."
"Jingyi, come here," Empress Ye said, worried that her daughter couldn't even put on a show of politeness, so she quickly beckoned her to come to her side.
"Wait," Empress Dowager Zheng called out expressionlessly. Jingyi paused in her forward steps and looked up warily at Empress Dowager Zheng.
After taking a sip of tea, Zheng Taitai spoke sternly after a long while.
"She's almost of marriageable age, yet her manners are still so poor. Who taught her to behave like this? Just now, I thought she was paying her respects, but anyone who didn't know better would have thought she was offering sacrifices to me. Who was she looking at with that long face? Did someone die in the palace?"
"Let's start over!"
Before, Jingyi was in the presence of whom? Every word Empress Zheng spoke clearly implied that Empress Cheng had not taught Jingyi well. In Empress Zheng's words, the recently deceased Consort Cheng was a nobody.
Most of those present today are members of the Zheng family, or those of low status and little influence; none of them will speak well of Jingyi.
After a long while, the entire hall remained quiet, everyone waiting for Jingyi's move.
Jingyi looked at Empress Ye with a pitiful expression. Empress Ye wanted to plead for her daughter, but Empress Dowager Zheng snorted first.
"Your Majesty, please don't spoil her. I only had Jingyi perform the proper courtesies again; I didn't hit or punish her. Is that not enough?"
For a princess to be harshly criticized and humiliated in front of a group of officials and their families is tantamount to being disgraced.
Empress Ye was stopped from protecting her daughter. A look of heartache flashed in her eyes, but she forced herself to remain composed and beckoned to Jingyi: "Jingyi, be respectful."
Jingyi used to have Empress Dowager Cheng backing her up, but now the difference is so great, she felt resentful and angry, and wanted to turn around and leave.
Empress Dowager Zheng chatted casually with Empress Ye: "Empress, if Jingyi still can't learn to greet people properly before she comes of age, I'll find a nanny to teach her."
"Moving to the Longevity Palace is fine. Once Jingning gets married, I'll have plenty of free time, and it won't be difficult for me to teach her myself."
Empress Ye's face was grim, but she forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty has gone to great lengths to think of Jingyi."
Upon hearing Empress Dowager Zheng's words, Jingyi felt as if her feet were made of lead and she could not move. She did not want Empress Dowager Zheng to discipline her personally.
Turning around, she greeted the emperor respectfully and in a clear voice, "May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
Empress Dowager Zheng didn't take Jingyi seriously at all, but Empress Dowager Cheng had taken advantage of Jingyi's rudeness towards her, which Empress Dowager Zheng had long resented.
Upon hearing Jingyi's words, she breathed a sigh of relief, finally releasing the pent-up resentment she had harbored for years.
"Alright, go sit in your seat."
Empress Dowager Zheng nodded, and Jingyi walked towards Empress Ye with a sigh of relief.
With the situation resolved, Yue Jiang breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that this was probably the first scare tactic Empress Zheng had used today.
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