Chapter 244 Summoning to the Palace Was a Bit Too Hasty
Ji Qingwu looked directly into Mo Lingling's eyes.
"Nothing is more important than your life. Even if the clinic is gone, you can't be gone. Do you understand?"
Mo Lingling's excitement came to an abrupt end.
Tears welled up uncontrollably in her eyes. Ever since the incident at the Mo family, no one had ever told her that her life was the most important thing.
Mo Lingling blinked wildly, trying to force back her tears.
She didn't want to appear vulnerable, so Ji Qingwu pretended not to notice her unusual behavior. She looked around at the lush Welwitschia mirabilis surrounding her.
It's such a waste to throw away such beautiful flowers.
But with all of this in front of me, it always reminds me of things from the past, which is kind of annoying.
Ji Qingwu said, "Lingling, if you have some free time today, ask around on the street which shops buy flowers and sell them all."
Mo Lingling initially thought that Ji Qingwu had bought the flowers and plants, but then she realized why Wei Ting had looked so bad on the way.
She assured her, "Miss Ji, don't worry, I will sell every last bit!"
*
The fourth day after Princess Qingyun's wedding.
The Empress Dowager snapped out of her reverie and sent her maid, Fanghua, to the Ji residence to deliver an imperial decree.
The Ji family members all arrived at the front hall of Shou'an Hall to wait, but the imperial decree had not yet been announced because not everyone had arrived.
The person who is missing is Ji Qingwu.
Of all the people in the room, only Old Madam Ji was sitting; Aunt Fanghua and Madam Qiao were all standing in the hall.
The old lady exchanged a few polite words with Fanghua, and then inquired about the well-being of the Empress Dowager and Princess Qingyun.
Fanghua said, "The Empress Dowager and the Princess are both well. Yesterday, the Princess and the Prince Consort returned to the palace together. They were very happy together, and the Empress Dowager was very pleased to see them."
Seeing that Fanghua had said so much but hadn't mentioned the Empress Dowager's decree, Madam Ji realized that the person most obligated to hear the decree hadn't arrived yet.
She said slowly to Madam Qiao, "Eldest daughter-in-law, send someone to check where Qingwu has gone."
Ms. Qiao agreed and quickly called Chunhua to her side, asking her to go and greet Xiao Wu on the road.
Standing next to Wu was Ji Qingyuan. Since her son died, Wu's spirits had deteriorated significantly, and she didn't react much to what others were saying.
Ji Qingyuan looked displeased; the whole family was waiting for Ji Qingwu.
This was an even grander affair than when she first returned home; even the head palace servants serving the Empress Dowager and Old Madam Ji had to wait for her arrival.
Ji Qingyuan said sourly, "Aunt, Fifth Sister has been leaving early and returning late lately. Could it be that she hasn't been staying at home again and is on her way back from outside?"
Qiao glanced at her and said, "No, that's not true. Xiao Wu is coming over."
Ji Qingwu was indeed on her way; she was a little late, not because she didn't want to come.
However, although the Wutongyuan area where she lived was quiet, it was a bit remote, and it would take longer to get there.
She had already counted down the days at home.
Princess Qingyun was to return to the palace on the third day after her wedding. The Empress Dowager had no time to attend to her, so it would be the next few days.
But the Empress Dowager was even more anxious than she had expected. On the morning of the fourth day, almost as soon as the palace gates opened, she sent someone over.
This morning, Ji Qingwu deliberately stayed home and even ordered Lanzhi to carefully style her hair and makeup, and she actually got it right.
Before Ji Qingwu's men arrived in the main hall of Shou'an Hall, everyone heard a soft tinkling sound coming from the corridor at the entrance.
It was the sound of the jade pendants at the hem of her dress clinking together.
Upon entering, Ji Qingwu smiled before saying a word.
It was a jade pendant with a relief of lotus flowers and mandarin fish, and an unremarkable green jade ring. The two pendants hung on her slender waist, swaying and colliding slightly as she walked, making a light and pleasant sound.
Ji Qingwu first greeted the old lady with a smile. The old lady was also a master at hiding her emotions, and praised her for being good, without complaining at all that she was late.
They put on a very good show, and outsiders couldn't tell at all that there was a deep rift between the grandfather and grandson.
Fanghua, whose expression remained calm, stepped forward and said with a smile, "Fifth Miss."
Ji Qingwu said, "Greetings, Aunt Fanghua."
Fanghua said loudly, "Everyone in the manor is here. This servant is here on the orders of the Empress Dowager. The Emperor's birthday is coming soon. The Empress Dowager is in charge of the preparations every day. This year, the Empress Dowager is thinking of coming up with some new ideas."
"The ladies of the harem couldn't come up with any good ideas either. The Empress Dowager thought that the young ladies of the Ji family might have something new, so she sent me to invite two young ladies from the family to come to the palace for a while to help with the arrangements until His Majesty's birthday is over."
After listening, Ji Qingyuan said with a happy expression, "I helped my aunt and mother with the preparations for my grandmother's birthday before. I am willing to share the burden for the Empress Dowager."
That's the excuse they came up with.
Ji Qingyuan had experience, but Ji Qingwu had never even celebrated a proper birthday, so how would she know how to conduct birthday ceremonies, let alone the emperor's birthday celebration?
Ji Qingwu asked, "What is the Emperor's birthday?"
Fanghua bowed respectfully and replied, "It is indeed the ninth day of the eighth month."
Upon hearing this, Ji Qingyuan also realized that something was wrong, because there was not much time left, only half a month.
Ordinary families would prepare birthday gifts one or two months in advance, so the Empress Dowager's excuse was too hasty.
Qiao immediately realized what the Empress Dowager wanted to do.
“Aunt Fanghua, I am grateful for the Empress Dowager’s favor. However, since Xiao Wu has been home, I have not been to any birthday banquets. If I go, I might just do more harm than good to the Empress Dowager.”
Fanghua said, "Madam, there's no need to be so modest. The Fifth Miss is intelligent and kind-hearted. Even if Your Majesty keeps her by your side and sees her every day, you will feel at ease."
Ji Qingwu never imagined that he would one day be able to bring about the effect of this auspicious ornament.
They said it nicely, but what they really wanted was to send her to the emperor's side.
Mrs. Qiao said, "But..."
Madam Ji said sternly, "Ruying, I know you are reluctant to part with Qingwu, but the Empress Dowager has issued an order, and you cannot refuse again and again."
Fanghua nodded and said, "What the old lady said is true. This is the Empress Dowager's decree."
This completely shut down Qiao's words.
Ji Qingwu looked at Qiao Shi and nodded to her. Qiao Shi frowned and stopped talking.
Fanghua said, "Please pack some clothes, ladies, and then come with me to the palace."
Ji Qingyuan asked in surprise, "So you're in such a hurry? Are you leaving soon?"
The imperial decree has just been issued, and they're already being taken away? That's a bit too hasty.
Fanghua's gaze fell on Ji Qingwu. She noticed that Ji Qingwu had been smiling ever since she entered the room. No matter what surprising things Ji Qingwu said, she showed no great joy or surprise. Instead, she exuded a calm and composed aura.
She said, "Please, ladies, pack your things as soon as possible. The Empress Dowager is waiting for us at Cining Palace."
Ji Qingwu curtsied and then left Shou'an Hall.
Qiao followed behind her with a solemn expression.
Upon arriving at Wutong Garden, they closed the door tightly, and the mother and daughter sat facing each other.
"Xiao Wu, what are you really thinking?"
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