After Yan Zhi finished speaking, Hai Ling couldn't help but laugh and patted her shoulder: "Remember, the Crown Prince is not a dog. He is much smarter than a dog. Right now, besides dealing with the Jiang family, he also has to deal with Prince Ning, Feng Ziyu. Do you think he would make a move against me at this time?"
"That's true."
Rouge stopped speaking. By this time, it was already broad daylight. The two of them lifted the curtain and looked around the palace.
The palace eaves, layer upon layer, swirl like clouds; the carved beams and painted rafters, the corridors and jade pillars, are magnificent and grand, truly befitting an imperial palace.
The carriage traveled all the way to the Empress's Zhengyi Palace.
Zhengyi Palace remains the residence of the Empress in the inner palace. It is characterized by its grandeur and magnificence, complemented by rich and vibrant colors. In front of the palace gate, many precious flowers are planted, swaying in the morning mist and filling the air with a rich fragrance.
The eunuchs guarding the gate saw someone getting off the carriage from afar and came over to greet them.
However, as soon as he looked up, he was startled by the sea lily and for a moment forgot to react until the coachman reminded him.
"This is our Crown Princess."
"Your Highness, the Crown Princess."
Everyone was taken aback. Wasn't the Crown Princess supposed to be a woman of both talent and virtue? Such a woman should be a virtuous lady, but now she seemed like a demon, or even more like a country bumpkin.
However, no one dared to question it. They quickly paid their respects to Hailing, and then the head eunuch went into the hall to report.
He quickly came out again, invited Hailing into the hall, and reported to them as they walked.
"Her Majesty the Empress has not yet risen. Please wait in the palace for a moment, Your Highness the Crown Princess. She will rise soon."
The Empress stayed with the Emperor all night and didn't go to sleep until almost dawn.
Hai Ling nodded and was invited by the eunuch to sit down on one side of the main hall.
Zhengyi Palace was even more luxurious than Linxiang Courtyard, where she lived. It was magnificent and full of wealth. After all, it was the place where the Empress lived, and it was indeed extraordinary.
The eunuchs and palace maids standing throughout the hall all stared at Hai Ling with terrified expressions, some even muttering under their breath.
Rouge felt ashamed, but her master seemed oblivious, preoccupied with admiring the decorations in the main hall of Zhengyi Palace, looking quite pleased with himself.
The main hall was completely silent.
Hailin wasn't in a hurry; she sat leisurely and drank her tea.
About an hour later, the sound of orderly footsteps came from the inner hall, and soon a group of people came out.
The leading noblewoman was dressed in fine silks and satins, her hair adorned with pearls and hairpins. Every gesture she made exuded elegance and nobility. Her still-charming face wore a proper smile. Although she was the empress, she appeared kind and loving. However, to be able to thrive in the palace, this woman must be extraordinary. Her kindness was merely a facade.
To think that a mother would sacrifice her daughter's happiness to consolidate her power shows how ruthless she is.
However, Feng Qian does resemble her somewhat; both are tall and have elegant and noble manners.
The Empress led her entourage out of the inner palace and immediately saw Hai Ling sitting on one side of the main hall. Her terrifying makeup startled her, and her expression changed slightly, but only for a moment, so fast that it was almost imperceptible. As the head of the six palaces, the Empress naturally had the ability to remain calm in the face of such a situation. However, the palace maids behind her were all startled, and some even gasped in surprise.
The empress glanced at her, and the palace maid immediately knelt down in fright.
“This servant deserves to die; I have disgraced myself.”
"Get up, it's not a serious mistake."
The Empress's gentle voice rang out, and the palace maid breathed a sigh of relief and rose to retreat to the back. However, the other palace maids beside her all looked at her with disapproval. What did the Crown Princess mean by this? The painting looked like a ghost. If it were nighttime, it would surely scare many people.
"Ninghua, Youhua, take the Crown Princess downstairs to wash her face."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ninghua and Youhua were clearly the Empress's personal maids. The two women were getting older, but they were exceptionally beautiful. They walked over together to Hailing, bowed gracefully, and then asked her to go out and wash her face.
"Your Highness, the Crown Princess, please."
Hai Ling was surprised by the Empress's composure; she was indeed a formidable character.
She wore that makeup to scare Feng Zixiao, but now that the Empress has told her to wash it off, she's done it.
She got up and followed Ninghua and Youhua, the two maids, out of the main hall and into the side hall to wash her face. She quickly washed away the makeup and regained her original appearance, which was chubby but very cute.
Ninghua and Youhua exchanged a smile and said softly, "Your Highness the Crown Princess still looks best like this."
Rouge nodded in agreement. Although her young lady wasn't very beautiful, she was still quite cute.
Hai Ling, however, did not take it to heart and returned to the main hall with Ning Hua and You Hua.
Inside the main hall, the Empress was having her meal. When she saw Hailing enter, she invited her to join her. Her attitude was very friendly, and she did not blame Hailing. Hailing raised her eyebrows. She was a little hungry, so she followed two palace maids to sit down next to the Empress.
Breakfast was simple, consisting of just a few snacks and dishes, accompanied by white fungus porridge. Hailin dined with the Empress.
While eating, I observed the Empress. To be honest, the Empress was an absolute beauty when she was young. Although she is old, she still retains her charm. The way she eats is also very graceful. Unlike me, who is extremely rude.
As Hailing ate, she pondered for a moment. The Empress looked over and said gently, "Isn't it much better now? When you come to visit me in the future, you don't need to paint all those messy things on your face."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hai Ling responded, saying that she hadn't wanted to draw it in the first place, but only wanted to annoy Feng Zixiao.
"You should call me Mother."
The Empress lowered her head to eat again, and Hailing responded, "Yes, Mother."
"You may all leave."
The Empress took a couple of bites and then ordered all the palace maids and eunuchs in the main hall to leave. Rouge looked at Hailing for instructions, and Hailing nodded. "Everyone else has left, so you should leave too. Besides, the Empress must have something to say to her, which is why she dismissed the servants."