Wuying, Wuhen, and Wuzhong were all stunned: "We know each other?"
The three thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement:
"It is very likely that it is someone we know, which is why we have repeatedly overlooked it; without suspicion, we could not detect it."
“But we know most of the people we know well; and that person has probably been lurking in Dazhao for more than just a year or two. Where do we even begin to investigate?”
Shang Xiye pondered for a long while, then lightly tapped the long table beside him with his long, thin fingers: "Since he can freely enter and leave the palace, then investigate everyone who can enter and leave the palace, including everyone inside. This person is cunning and treacherous; no matter how much effort or cost it takes, we must find him!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" The three guards stood at attention with their hands behind their backs and answered in unison.
In the evening, Wang Mama, beaming with joy, returned from the palace.
She first went to Dianxiang Pavilion with the Empress Dowager's edict, and handed it to Simeng and Siyi in a proper manner. Then, carrying a large bag of rewards given by the Empress Dowager, she happily returned to Ningxi Hall.
Consort Xiao looked at Granny Wang's servile face and a hint of contempt flashed across her eyes: "What did the Empress Dowager say when she summoned you to the palace?"
Wang Mama smugly smoothed her temples and straightened her clothes before stepping forward and saying, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has asked me to convey this message to you."
At this point, Granny Wang cleared her throat in a pretentious manner.
He adopted a different tone once more before saying, "The Empress Dowager's original words were: 'The sage said that rites should not be abandoned; a country that values rites will be strong, and a family that values rites will be prosperous.'"
"It would be best to have the Dowager Consort reinstate the daily rituals and etiquette of paying respects to the emperor morning and evening. Otherwise, the common people might hear and laugh at our royal family for lacking manners."
Empress Dowager Xiao lowered her eyes and remained expressionless.
She held the tea lid in her right hand, stirring the foam on the surface of the green tea in the teacup: "Since I entered the Ninth Prince's mansion, I have not followed these rules. If I suddenly call them over to wake me up at dawn and dusk, not only will they be uncomfortable, but the Ninth Prince will probably also have some reservations."
"Your Highness need not worry about this. As daughters-in-law of officials, it is only their duty to pay their respects to Your Highness morning and evening."
With a smug look on her face, Granny Wang took two steps closer to Consort Xiao and said, "The Empress Dowager has personally issued an edict, ordering Princess Zhaoping to respect you as she would the Empress Dowager, and to pay her respects to you with the same courtesy."
Even Princess Zhaoping, personally cared for by the Empress Dowager, sets a good example, so naturally the other concubines in the household will follow suit. Once everyone is here, if that bandit still hasn't arrived, the Dowager Consort can use family discipline to have him properly disciplined; even the Prince can't say anything.”
A knowing glint flashed in Consort Xiao's lowered eyes.
She knew that the Empress Dowager had summoned Wang Mama to the palace for no other reason than for that bandit. But was that bandit so easy to deal with?
After dismissing Granny Wang, Consort Xiao secretly sent her trusted maid to Hui Nuan Pavilion.
A little while later, the girl returned with a note, the handwriting on it was messy:
The Empress Dowager deserves to be treated like a mother-in-law, so let's do as the Empress Dowager wishes.
Consort Xiao smiled, her eyes gleaming with interest: She had lived numbly for over a decade, thinking it would continue like this until her death.
Who would have thought that life would suddenly become interesting again?
The next morning, Granny Wang personally led several maids from Ningxi Hall, and went from house to house in a smug manner to spread the word: "In accordance with the Empress Dowager's benevolence, etiquette must not be neglected. From this day forward, all the masters of the mansion must, in accordance with ancestral rules, pay their respects to the Empress Dowager morning and evening, and kneel to greet her."
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