Although the Empress Dowager resented the Emperor's previous indifference towards her, the Ninth Prince's return to the capital and the resulting trouble were of great importance. She shared the Emperor's honor and disgrace, and knew she could not hold a grudge against him over this matter.
She had actually been planning this for a long time, just waiting for the emperor to ask her about it.
Now that the emperor has arrived, she has regained her dignity.
The Empress Dowager maintained her inscrutable expression with satisfaction and advised, "Right now, the Ninth Prince has reached the pinnacle of both prestige and power. All factions in the capital want to avoid his sharp edge. The Emperor should also think twice."
"What Mother Empress means is that I should return that half of the beast talisman to the Ninth Prince," Shang Xiche's face twitched, truly reluctant: "Wouldn't that be adding wings to a tiger!"
Seeing Shang Xiche like this, the Empress Dowager seemed to see the young boy who used to depend on her for everything and was easy to control. Her sense of accomplishment was overwhelming.
She said with a smile, "No matter how powerful the Ninth Prince is, he will always be a subject. The emperor should not act out of momentary loyalty and give others a reason to criticize him, which would only give the Ninth Prince an excuse to rebel. There is a saying among the people that goes, 'You can't hit a smiling face.' If the emperor treats the Ninth Prince politely and amicably in public, he will not dare to overstep his bounds."
Shang Xiche: "..."
How could I not know these principles!
But I finally managed to get the Nine Kings' Half Beast, and before I could even enjoy it, they want to give it back? I'm not willing to accept that!
"Your Majesty, a small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. Have you forgotten that Zhaoping is still at the Ninth Prince's residence? Moreover, I heard that the Di Kingdom's envoy is coming to visit, arriving in the capital around the same time as the Ninth Prince." The Empress Dowager held her teacup, calmly using the lid to stir the foam on the surface of the water, her smile meaningful: "Back then, when the late Emperor defeated the Di Kingdom, Consort Lian contributed a great deal of effort. I imagine the Di Kingdom has a very deep memory of Consort Lian and the Ninth Prince."
Upon hearing this, Shang Xiche's eyes lit up, and he breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "As expected, Mother Empress is far-sighted. Your son has learned a lot."
The Empress Dowager, who had been feeling resentful for a long time, felt instantly relieved after receiving a compliment from the Emperor.
After Shang Xiche left.
The Empress Dowager said to Aunt Sun, who was now just skin and bones, "Send someone to the Ninth Prince's residence and tell Zhaoping and Granny Zheng to prepare to welcome the Ninth Prince; it's time to move the people in the palace who need to be moved."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Aunt Sun replied slowly, bowing and speaking in a weak voice.
Perhaps it was because Aunt Sun's voice was so weak that the Empress Dowager felt a rare moment of pity. She looked up at Aunt Sun's sallow face, which was not much better than a skull, and said, "Go ahead and do your best. Seize this opportunity. Don't worry, I promised you that I would treat your family well."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. This servant will do my utmost," Aunt Sun said numbly, her lowered eyes revealing an unconcealed bitterness.
After a bumpy journey, Kyoto is finally in sight.
Hearing the commotion ahead, Ji Fengyao finished refining the last bottle of Qi-restoring pills, put away the furnace, and peeked outside through the carriage curtain.
Good heavens, here it is:
The emperor himself arrived atop the city gate;
Beneath the city gates, civil and military officials lined the streets to welcome them;
Inside and outside the city gates, elite soldiers stood in formation to maintain order;
Men, women, and children all dressed up in their finest attire, waving colorful ribbons and holding bouquets, their expressions fervent; the crowds were immense, even more lively and grand than her first wedding in the capital!
As soon as the triumphant horn sounded on the Ninth Prince's side, gongs and drums resounded at the gates of Kyoto, creating a deafening clamor.
The entire city's inhabitants shouted, "Welcome back the Ninth Prince in triumph!"
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