Chapter 65 The Empress Dowager Leaves the Palace to Pray for Blessings
"Zhang Mama, quickly prepare some daily necessities. I'm going to Cining Palace." Now that the news has been released, she, as the Empress, must go and show her filial piety.
"Yes, this old servant will go and prepare right away." Seeing that the Empress was so happy, Zhang Mama was happy, though she didn't understand. The Empress's happiness was her happiness.
Fanghua led her entourage to Cining Palace, but instead of going to the Empress Dowager's residence immediately, she went to the Grand Empress Dowager's residence.
Because of the death of Consort Hui, the Empress Dowager has not seen any outsiders these days. Fanghua thought she would not see anyone today either, but unexpectedly, when she came, the Empress Dowager summoned her to an audience.
Without any hesitation, Fanghua followed a maidservant from the Empress Dowager's side into the inner palace.
Upon entering, one sees the Empress Dowager sitting high in the head seat, with Su Ma standing behind her, massaging her head.
It is clear that her medicine was very effective.
Fanghua has always been very careful with her medications. Although with Xiaofeng's abilities, no one could possibly detect the drugs she produces, what if they do?
So she was always very careful and cautious, and she wasn't in a hurry even if the results were less than ideal.
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager, may the Empress Dowager enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
The Empress Dowager opened her eyes, her cloudy eyes scrutinizing Fanghua.
"The Empress has arrived. Is it about the Empress Dowager?"
It was only a moment before the Empress Dowager withdrew her gaze.
“Sigh, go and persuade your mother. Mount Wutai is a place of ascetic practice. When has she ever suffered such hardship?”
Fanghua listened respectfully, still maintaining her bowing posture; it was quite tiring, to be honest.
But since no one had called her to get up, how could she, the empress, dare to rise?
"Your Empress Mother has also suffered a lot. You and Xuan Ye are of one mind and one heart, so you can't understand her suffering. You should be more understanding. Empress, I know you are a filial son. I will entrust your Empress Mother's affairs to you. I look forward to your good news."
After speaking, the Empress Dowager raised her hand and then dismissed the person.
Fanghua was led out of the main hall by Su Ma without saying a word.
"Your Majesty the Empress and the Empress Dowager are just too worried about the Empress Dowager. Please don't take it to heart. Please also take good care of the Empress Dowager's departure from the palace." Su Ma's smile was gentle, but the words that came out of her mouth were chilling.
They wanted her to persuade the Empress Dowager, but they didn't give her a friendly look. Ha, did they really think she, the Empress, was easy to bully?
"Aunt Su is too kind. I am not worthy of such high regard from the Empress Dowager. I will try to persuade the Empress Dowager, but whether it will be successful depends on what she thinks."
Fanghua didn't linger any longer; she turned and left after saying that.
Su Ma shook her head as she watched the Empress's retreating figure, muttering, "Why bother, Your Majesty?"
Su Ma only turned and entered the main hall when the figure could no longer be seen.
"The Empress has passed away?" The Empress Dowager pressed her temples, her voice sounding extremely distressed.
Su Ma immediately stepped forward to take over from the Empress Dowager and massaged her, saying, "Yes, but when she left, the Empress said she would do her best, and whether or not to listen was up to the Empress Dowager."
"Outrageous!" Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was furious. "She's becoming more and more outrageous. Does she really think that she can secure her position as Empress after giving birth to a legitimate son?"
Seeing that the Empress had escaped her control, the Empress Dowager was very indignant. "Hmph, Qiqige is something else. She only lost a niece. Haven't I lost enough nieces? She doesn't even consider her maternal family. I really misjudged her."
Fanghua couldn't hear the conversation here, nor did she want to.
Upon arriving at the Empress Dowager's palace, she heard the palace servants say that the Empress Dowager was chanting Buddhist scriptures. She was not in a hurry and sat in the main hall to wait.
The Empress Dowager didn't keep her waiting too long before she came out.
"The Empress has arrived. Please sit down. No need for formalities." The Empress Dowager seemed to have regained her former kind demeanor, but a closer listen revealed the sadness in her tone.
"The Empress Dowager sent you to persuade me."
Fanghua nodded and stepped forward to personally pour tea for the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your Majesty, you are wise."
"You," the Empress Dowager said, taking the tea from the Empress, "you are the only one who truly cares about me." At this moment, the Empress Dowager still held the Empress in high regard, believing that the Empress genuinely came to persuade and comfort her.
"Of course, your daughter-in-law wishes for the Empress Dowager's happiness and good health. No one wanted Consort Hui's fate to happen." Fanghua sat down, her face full of pity and sorrow for Consort Hui and her son.
“I think Consort Hui in heaven would not want the Empress Dowager to be so sad. If you don’t think about yourself, think about Consort Hui. If she were still here, how could she see that you don’t cherish your health? Mount Wutai is a harsh place, and you are suffering like this.”
"There are places for reciting Buddhist scriptures in the palace. Why can't the Empress Dowager stay in the palace to pray for Consort Hui and her son?"
The Empress Dowager looked at the Empress, and suddenly felt a pang of sadness in her heart. "Empress, you are a good person. You don't need to try to persuade me about this matter anymore."
"My mind is made up. You should take good care of Chenghu. Survival in the harem is difficult. Even if you are the empress, you need a healthy prince by your side. You can't be too demanding in everything."
Although she didn't know why the Empress Dowager said that, Fanghua still felt her concern.
"Yes, I will do as Your Majesty says. Your daughter-in-law will take good care of Chenghu. When you return to the palace, I will have Chenghu personally go to the palace gate to greet you."
When talking about children, Fanghua's smile became more genuine.
Although the Empress Dowager had neglected the other women in the harem because of Consort Hui's affair, it was understandable, given the difference in kinship.
However, the Empress Dowager's concern for Chenghu was genuine, and Fanghua was also grateful for her concern for the child.
"Alright, I will wait for Chenghu to come and fetch me then. Empress, please be careful in everything you do and take good care of the child. I am tired, you should go back now. My decision to retire into seclusion is final, and no one can change it."
After leaving Cining Palace, Fanghua looked at the sun outside and felt a different kind of emotion towards the Empress Dowager.
This one might really be different from the Empress Dowager.
If she can continue to take things so lightly in the future, she wouldn't mind letting her live as long as she did in her previous life.
"Let's go back to the palace."
Before long, the day arrived for the Empress Dowager to leave the palace. The Grand Empress Dowager ultimately came in person to see the Empress Dowager off.
Fanghua stood behind her, listening to her many instructions to the Empress Dowager. For some reason, she noticed that the Empress Dowager's already gray hair had turned even whiter.
It is evident that the affair between Consort Hui and the Empress Dowager dealt her a significant blow.
The emperor standing beside her had his lips tightly pressed together, and it was unclear what he was thinking.
However, the Empress Dowager did not say a word to the Emperor today, which shows that there is a conflict between the grandmother and grandson.
These young women saw it all but didn't intend to interfere.
After the Empress Dowager left, the palace suddenly felt much quieter.
Fanghua hadn't noticed it before, but now she could clearly feel the chill and desolation of the Cining Palace.
When she went to pay her respects, there was no longer that person who would chat with her about everyday things.
While the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were arguing, Fanghua's Kunning Palace became quite lively.
"Fang'er doesn't care about me anymore, she just stares at this brat all day long. Fang'er, I won't allow it."
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