Isn't she afraid he won't understand all this convoluted nonsense?
Chi Yan looked up at the Imperial Guards and eunuchs not far away, and his heart stirred slightly.
They probably wouldn't have even stepped through the palace gates before their every move was being watched.
He was secretly reminded that this was the imperial palace, and he should be careful with his words and actions.
——
"Her Majesty the Empress heard that the eldest young lady was going to the palace, so she sent me here to wait for her early in the morning."
Shen Tangning glanced at the woman with gentle yet sharp features; this was Wenlan, the head aunt beside her aunt.
She smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. This isn't Tang Ning's first time in the palace, so there's no need for you to make the trip yourself."
Wenlan glanced at her, her tone teasing: "It's been a long time. Miss is still as gentle and respectful as ever. Are you being too polite with me?"
Shen Tangning smiled but remained silent.
Upon arriving at Kunning Palace, Aunt Wenlan entered the hall to announce their arrival. Shen Tangning, who was standing with her head bowed at the palace entrance, heard a familiar female voice: "Ningning is here? Quickly let her in, so that I can have a good look at her!"
Shen Tangning's brow twitched slightly as she entered the hall and curtsied in greeting.
The Empress, her eyes filled with reproach, told someone to stand up: "You child, I have to urge you three times and four times before you will come. Come closer and let your aunt take a good look at you!"
Shen Tangning smiled and stepped forward as instructed. The moment her eyes met the Empress's, her eyes welled up with tears.
This was the first time she had seen her aunt since her rebirth. In her previous life, shortly after the Crown Prince committed suicide, bad news came from the palace that the Empress had set herself on fire in Kunning Palace.
The Xie family was known for its loyalty and filial piety, yet in the end, not a single member of the family died a peaceful death.
The Empress took her hand and carefully wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, her tone filled with concern: "Look how wronged our Ningning is. Did you suffer some mistreatment outside? Tell your aunt, and your aunt will stand up for you!"
Shen Tangning lowered her moist eyelashes and shook her head: "Tangning misses her aunt."
The Empress pulled her down to sit, sighing softly, "You've always been a strong-willed girl. Even if you've been wronged, you won't tell me." She straightened her expression, "Your aunt is asking you, how does that boy from the Chi family treat you?"
Mentioning Chi Yan, Shen Tangning's lips curled up slightly: "He treats me very well."
The Empress scrutinized her expression, discerning something, and smiled slightly: "It seems I was overthinking things."
Thinking of something, her phoenix eyes turned cold. "That brat Chi Jingyu, I originally believed the rumors outside and mistakenly thought he was a person of noble character, someone I could entrust my life to. I never expected him to be such a heartless and two-faced wretch!"
Shen Tangning's eyes darkened slightly, and her tone was extremely soft: "Aunt, it's all in the past..."
The Empress's expression was icy, brooking no argument: "It's not that easy. He's currently favored by the Emperor, so I can't touch him now, but he'll be in trouble sooner or later! And your father, who favors his concubine over his wife..."
She glanced at Shen Tangning and saw her eyelashes tremble a few times, as fragile as a butterfly's wing, and couldn't help but feel sorry for her. "Ningning, your aunt won't let you and your mother suffer in vain!"
Shen Tangning's shoulders trembled slightly, and she looked up at him with a bewildered expression: "But he is, after all, Father. What can we do?"
The Empress's eyes were deep and unfathomable, her gaze flickering uncertainly: "If we can find fault with him, we can persuade your mother to divorce him..."
Shen Tangning's heart stirred slightly. As expected of her aunt, she had the same idea as her.
However, divorce is not easy. Her father cherishes his reputation and has worked hard to get to where he is now. He will not easily let anyone find fault with him and accuse him of abandoning his wife.
This matter needs to be addressed gradually.
With my aunt's help, the task became much easier.
"This matter may not be so easy." Shen Tangning forced a smile and changed the subject, "Aunt, I wonder how my cousin is doing now?"
The Empress suppressed her thoughts and smiled: "He can get out of bed now. Hearing that you are coming to the palace, he is probably on his way now."
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