...
In the early hours of the morning, before dawn, someone requested an audience at Cixi Palace.
It was someone from the Western Mansion who came to see the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was alarmed and got up to ask what had happened.
The young master of the Western Palace, the Empress Dowager's younger brother, spoke with a look of disappointment and frustration.
"Has something happened to Princess Zhaoyang?"
"What trouble has she gotten into this time?"
The Empress Dowager raised her eyebrows. She hadn't paid attention to anything lately, not even seeing Xi Yan. Now that she heard west Yan was in trouble, she wondered what trouble she had caused this time. It was truly infuriating. Her eyes turned cold.
west Daren quickly spoke up: "This is going to be a big problem."
"What is it?" The Empress Dowager was startled and asked. Minister Xi quickly reported that west Yan had actually framed Baoji Hall by harming someone. Because she had suffered a major hemorrhage from the Empress earlier, she was still filled with resentment and ordered her personal maid to cause trouble. Now, the maid named Xiaoxia had confessed to everything. Although Xi Yan had gotten rid of her own maid, she was still her maid, so the Minister of Justice had her arrested and thrown into the Ministry of Justice's prison.
Upon hearing her younger brother's words, the Empress Dowager's face darkened and she remained silent for a long time before finally uttering a single sentence.
"She's utterly despicable. I knew she was simple-minded from the start, and now it seems that's true. Who would order their own maid to do such a thing? It's clearly giving others ammunition against her. Oh well, let the Ministry of Justice arrest her if they will. Don't let her get in the way."
The Empress Dowager didn't want to pay attention to this niece anymore; she was of no use to them anyway, so the Ministry of Justice could decide how to sentence her.
"But?"
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Lord Xi was stunned. After all, that was the daughter he had raised. west Yuan was already dead, and now west Yan was in such a state: "Can't we find a way to rescue her?"
The Empress Dowager was annoyed when she heard this. She was already struggling to take care of herself. The Emperor favored the Empress and didn't even listen to her. What ability did she have to protect Xi Yan? Besides, what good would it do to protect Xi Yan?
The Empress Dowager thought to herself, her face grim, and said, "Don't forget, west Yan was just a pawn back then. She's not really your daughter, so why are you so worried about her? Now, just do what needs to be done."
The Empress Dowager glared at her younger brother, somewhat annoyed by his concern. Seeing the Empress Dowager's anger, Lord Xi quickly spoke in a gentler tone.
"I see."
"Hmm," the Empress Dowager nodded, quite satisfied to see that her younger brother was still obedient to her. In fact, she was a strong woman at heart, and liked to have everything under her control. In the past, everything went as she wished, but ever since Ji Hailing came along, everything had deviated from its original course, which was why she hated Ji Hailing.
The young master bid farewell to the Empress Dowager and prepared to leave. The Empress Dowager nodded, and as she watched her younger brother leave, she seemed to remember something and gave him some words of advice.
"Don't be like that brainless west Yan, messing around recklessly. The Empress is very shrewd. Don't try to save Xi Yan at the expense of the entire Xi family. If the Empress accuses you of orchestrating Xi Yan's actions, the Xi family will have a hard time getting away with it."
As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Lord Xi's expression hardened. He had indeed been thinking about what to do when he got back, but now that the Empress Dowager had spoken, he dared not say anything more. The Xi family had hundreds of members, and if he harmed the entire Xi family because of his improper actions, he would be a sinner.
"Yes, I understand."
After the official left, inside the main hall, the Empress Dowager leaned against a soft couch, yawned, and then reached out to help Granny Ying into her bedchamber.
The old woman's hands were very cold. The Empress Dowager knew that she thought the old woman was heartless, and couldn't help but speak up.
"Do you think I'm heartless?"
Granny Ying trembled. The Empress Dowager didn't even care about her own niece, let alone a servant like her. She stammered in fear, "This servant wouldn't dare."
"Granny Ying, I have no choice. You know that the Emperor and Empress don't listen to me. Even if I wanted to help, I couldn't." If she really had the power, she would naturally try to save Xi Yan, but she couldn't now. Right now, she just wanted to rest and do nothing.
"This servant understands."
The two of them went into the palace to rest while talking. It wasn't quite light yet, so they decided to sleep some more.
When Hailing got up in the morning, there was no one else in the palace. Shimei immediately went up to report.
"Your Majesty, before dawn, the Xi family's people entered Cixi Palace to request an audience with the Empress Dowager."
Hai Ling nodded, thought for a moment, and wondered if it was because Princess Zhaoyang, west Yan, had been arrested by the Ministry of Justice, which was why the west family went to the palace to see the Empress Dowager and wanted her to intervene?
"What is the Empress Dowager's plan?"
"No, there was no sound at all. That Master Xi rushed in and left dejectedly a little while later. I guess the Empress Dowager probably doesn't care about this matter, which is why Master Xi was disappointed."
Hai Ling smiled faintly: "She probably wouldn't bother with people she considers useless."
Then Shi Mei reported another matter, which came from outside the palace.
"I heard that Ye Liushuang, the young lady of the Ye family, was beaten by the guards and developed a fever after returning home. Medicine was ineffective, and she died suddenly."
Ye Liushuang is dead.
Hailin was quite surprised; she didn't expect to die after just one beating. However, what exactly happened is probably unknown to most people. The people in the capital are truly ruthless; they can be heartless towards anyone who harms their own interests, whether it's their children or anyone else. Human nature is truly unpredictable.
"I see."
Hai Ling nodded, and Shi Mei helped her up and then tidied her clothes. Footsteps sounded in front of the palace door, and Fu Yue led two people in to report.
"Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice has arrived."
Upon hearing that the Minister of Justice had arrived, Hai Ling knew it must be related to the case of the Prince of Zhaoyang's residence, so she instructed Fu Yue, "Have the Minister wait in the main hall; I will be there shortly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Fu Yue responded and led the people away. Shi Mei tidied up Hai Ling again, and after checking that there was nothing wrong, she said, "Your Majesty, it's done."
"Let's go see what Lord Wu has to say? How exactly did this happen?"
"Yes," Shi Mei reached out and helped Hai Ling out, followed by several palace maids. The group left the palace and walked along the corridor, eventually entering the main hall of Liuyue Palace. Wu Shang was waiting on one side of the hall. Fu Yue had ordered someone to serve him tea. Upon hearing footsteps, he quickly stood up and bowed to Hai Ling first.
"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects."
"Lord Wu, please get up. Is there any news regarding the Baojitang case?"