"Miss, don't worry. We did nothing wrong last night. I believe the Empress Dowager is a reasonable person."
Ji Shaocheng was unaware of what Hailing and the others had encountered the previous night, so upon hearing this, he anxiously pressed for details.
Shi Mei said angrily, "It's all because of that Miss Xi Yan from the West Mansion. She deliberately picked a fight with us and blocked our way with her carriage on our way home. So, in a fit of anger, I destroyed her carriage. She must have gone to the palace to complain, which is why the Empress Dowager summoned Miss Xi Yan to the palace so early this morning."
"Such a thing is actually true."
Ji Shaocheng raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes filled with annoyance, and said in a deep voice, "Then I'll go to the palace with you and see what those people from the West Mansion are up to."
Before, what was the Western Mansion? How dare they bully the Ji family just because Ye Lingfeng ascended the throne? How despicable!
However, Hai Ling stopped Ji Shaocheng. The Empress Dowager had only come to take her to the palace, and she didn't know what she meant. If her brother went to the palace with her, the Empress Dowager might overthink it, so it wasn't necessary for the time being.
“Brother, I’ll just have Shimei accompany me to the palace. We don’t know what the Empress Dowager means yet. If she just wants me to go to the palace to ask about the situation, then you coming with me will prevent her from overthinking it.”
Ji Shaocheng didn't speak for a while before saying, "Then you can go now. I'll wait for you in the manor. If the Empress Dowager makes things difficult for you, you should immediately send Shimei back to inform me."
Hai Ling nodded, while Shi Mei behind her smiled faintly.
With the master in the palace, how could he let the young lady suffer? So the young general is overthinking it.
As the group left the mansion, a eunuch stood outside the carriage. Upon seeing Hailing approach, he respectfully greeted her, saying, "Greetings, Miss Ji."
"Yes, get up."
Hai Ling waved her hand and led Shi Mei, Shi Lan, and Fu Yue into the palace.
Ji Shaocheng stood in front of the Ji residence with a worried expression. Could something have happened?
The carriage traveled for more than an hour before entering the palace and going directly to the Cixi Palace, where the Empress Dowager resided.
At the gate of Cixi Palace, eunuchs and palace maids waited. As soon as they saw the beautiful and ethereal woman alighting from the carriage, they knew that she must be the Emperor's favorite young lady from the Ji family. No one dared to be negligent. They rushed over and lined up in a row. When Hailing got off the carriage, everyone respectfully bowed and said, "Greetings, Miss Ji."
This Miss Ji is, unsurprisingly, the future empress. They should naturally be careful; who would dare to court death?
Hai Ling nodded, signaling everyone to stand up. A row of eunuchs and palace maids stood up, and one of the eunuchs stepped forward: "Please wait a moment, Miss Ji, while I go in to report to the Empress Dowager."
"Okay, go ahead."
The eunuch darted inside to report, while the others waited cautiously at the door.
Hailing didn't like to make things difficult for these eunuchs and palace maids; they were just trying to make a living, and it wasn't an easy task for them.
She looked up and surveyed the surroundings of Cixi Palace. Cixi Palace was indeed a suitable place for quiet recuperation. It was secluded and far from other places. There were no other palaces within several hundred meters. Instead, there were flowers, trees and shrubs planted around it. The air was fresh and pleasant. The Empress Dowager really knew how to enjoy life.
Hai Ling was engrossed in observing when the eunuch who had gone in to report came out and rushed to her, respectfully saying, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager requests Miss Ji's presence."
After saying that, she turned around and led the way. Hailing led Shimei, Shilan and Fuyue into the main hall of Cining Palace.
Although the main hall of Cixi Palace is very magnificent and resplendent, the decorations are simple, making it quite pleasing to the eye at first glance.
The Empress Dowager, the current ruler, sat at the head of the main hall.
This was Hailing's second time seeing the Empress Dowager, but this time it was different from the first time she met her at Guangyang Palace.
The Empress Dowager was dressed very simply this time, without any gold or silver hairpins or ornaments. Her clothes were plain and simple, and her face was serene and peaceful. As soon as she saw Hailing walk in, she smiled.
Hai Ling couldn't bring herself to dislike her, and gave a slight curtsy.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
"Rise, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Hai Ling got up and sat down on one side of the main hall. There was another person beside the Empress Dowager, but it was not Xi Yan. Instead, it was a cute little girl with a round face and bright eyes. She was nestled next to the Empress Dowager. As soon as Hai Ling sat down, she covered her mouth and smiled, and then looked at the Empress Dowager.
"Aunt, is this the young lady of the Ji family? She's so beautiful. No wonder people say she's the most beautiful woman in Northern Lu. It really is!"
Hailin felt a little uncomfortable being praised so directly, but she could tell that the girl who spoke was a simple person, so she didn't take it to heart.
The Empress Dowager nodded and smiled as she took Xi Yuan's hand: "That is Miss Ji. Be more polite to Miss Ji in the future, and don't be like your sister who is always annoying people."
After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, she looked at Hai Ling and introduced the little maid beside her: "This is my niece, west Yuan. She is simple-minded, unlike west Yan who is always causing trouble."
"Oh, Miss Xi looks like a simple-minded person."
Hai Ling nodded. Since the Empress Dowager was all smiles, she naturally couldn't show any displeasure.
The Empress Dowager was somewhat satisfied with Hailing's behavior. It seemed that the young lady of the Ji family was reasonable and understanding. However, Xiyan's personality was always unreasonable and argumentative. Thinking of Xiyan, the Empress Dowager's face darkened. She looked at Xiyuan and said, "Go and have your sister come out and apologize to Miss Ji."
"Yes, Aunt."
west Yuan responded and got up to walk towards the side hall. Inside the main hall, the Empress Dowager was talking kindly to Hai Ling.
Soon, west Yuan brought her older sister Xi Yan in. Xi Yan's facial injuries had healed considerably, but she felt depressed upon seeing Ji Hailing. Not only that, her aunt also made her apologize to Ji Hailing. How could she not be angry? Unfortunately, she probably wouldn't be able to get past her aunt's hurdle without apologizing.
west Yan's pretty face was filled with resentment, but the Empress Dowager seemed not to notice and coldly ordered her.
"Go and apologize to Miss Ji. If you cause her any more trouble in the future, see how I punish you."
Upon hearing this, west Yan turned pale and could only walk up to Hai Ling, speaking respectfully, "I'm sorry, Miss Ji, it's my fault. I shouldn't have caused you trouble."
Hai Ling raised an eyebrow. She had originally thought that the Empress Dowager would definitely protect west Yan, but she didn't expect that she would actually make west Yan apologize to her.
The Empress Dowager was not confused. Since the other party had apologized to her, and it was also to save face for the Empress Dowager, there was no reason for her to hold a grudge. Hailing nodded: "Let bygones be bygones. I hope Miss Xi will behave herself in the future."
"You better watch yourself, my foot!" west Yan cursed inwardly, but dared not show it on her face, nodding obsequiously.