Old Madam Xiao watched Xiao Man's retreating back and said wistfully, "This child is becoming more and more like her father. Why did I make such a grave mistake in the past?"
Nanny Xu remained silent. She had advised against it back then, but the old madam refused to listen, always believing the eldest daughter was a bane. Yet, now it was this very "bane" who was protecting the Xiao family!
"Old madam, the past is the past. What you need to do is live well in the present," Nanny Xu persuaded gently. "Although the eldest daughter speaks harshly, she is the most soft-hearted. Otherwise, she wouldn't have sent the third and fourth young ladies out of the capital. She is a member of the Xiao family and still cares for them."
The old madam sighed, her expression forlorn. "Before, she used to chase after me calling me 'Grandmother,' and I ignored her. Now, I wish to hear her call me Grandmother, but she no longer does."
Nanny Xu said nothing. The eldest daughter hadn't harbored malicious intentions against you, which was already a blessing. Given what the old madam had done in the past, any other young lady would have fought her tooth and nail.
"Old madam, don't worry. You still have the third and fourth young ladies."
Old Madam Xiao stood up shakily and walked to the doorway. Spring had arrived, everything was reviving, and new leaves had sprouted on the trees. The willow trees in the courtyard had many new shoots.
"In my lifetime, I don't know if I will ever see them again." Old Madam Xiao had a vague premonition that she might not be able to leave the capital, nor see her other two granddaughters, let alone her eldest grandson.
"You will see them. Old madam will live a long and healthy life, and you will surely see them."
Old Madam Xiao merely smiled. Xiao Man asking her to visit the Empress Dowager must have had another purpose. Although she couldn't fathom Xiao Man's intentions for the moment, she knew that Xiao Man was undertaking a very dangerous endeavor.
"Nanny Xu, how many years have you been with me?"
"Old madam, this servant has been with you since I was sixteen, and it has been forty years now," Nanny Xu said with a smile. "Back then, you were still a young lady in your maiden chamber, newly come of age. The Grand Madam had me come to serve you. Later, I followed you into the General's manor, watched you get married and have children, and dote on your grandchildren. Unknowingly, forty years have passed."
"So many years," the old madam said with emotion. "Nanny Xu, is there any place you wish to go, or any wish you'd like to fulfill?"
Nanny Xu's heart skipped a beat. "This servant only wishes to serve old madam until I grow old."
Old Madam Xiao smiled. "Good, I understand."
The next morning, Nanny Xu helped the old madam put on her noble consort's attire and dress neatly before she set off for the palace by carriage.
The once lively and bustling Ci'an Palace was now rather desolate.
Old Madam Xiao waited outside Ci'an Palace for an summons.
She noticed that the guards at Ci'an Palace were exceptionally strict. While it seemed to protect the palace like an iron barrel, preventing even a fly from entering, it was also a form of veiled imprisonment.
Old Madam Xiao lowered her eyes, understanding that the rumors from a while ago must have caused the Empress Dowager much suffering. Ministers outside had been impeaching her, and Prince Qi, while ostensibly asking to go to his fiefdom, was in fact being exiled. If Prince Qi were truly the Emperor's son, how could the Emperor bear to exile him?
The Empress Dowager was falling! If her indulgence in court affairs was true, the Emperor would likely not tolerate her.
"Old Madam Xiao, the Empress Dowager requests your presence."
Old Madam Xiao followed in meekly. Upon entering, she smelled a strong medicinal scent pervading the hall. Seeing the Empress Dowager lying weakly on the bed, Old Madam Xiao was also somewhat shocked. She never expected the Empress Dowager, who once commanded the imperial harem, to become so frail and aged.
"This humble subject pays her respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager enjoy good health and peace."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand weakly. "I didn't expect that after being ill for so long, you would still come to see me."
"A few days ago, this humble subject was not feeling well. Upon hearing that the Empress Dowager was ill, I kept thinking of you. I was also afraid of passing on my illness and worsening your condition, so I endured. As soon as I recovered, I rushed to visit."
The Empress Dowager tried to sit up, and the attendant nanny quickly helped her, placing a cushion behind her back.
"You are thoughtful. So many things have happened in the General's manor, yet you still remember me. I am greatly comforted," the Empress Dowager said, then began to pant slightly. The nanny immediately patted her back to help her breathe. "I am old and my body is failing. I start to pant after saying just a few words."
"What did the imperial physicians say?"
"The imperial physicians said that the Empress Dowager's melancholy has aggravated her old ailment and that she requires good rest," the nanny interjected. "It is also because Old Madam Xiao sent a card to visit. The Empress Dowager sees no one else."
"Don't listen to her nonsense. It's just that my mind is not working well these days, and I always want to sleep. I just want someone to accompany me and chat properly," the Empress Dowager said, panting with each sentence. "Originally, Little Jiu and Thirteen often accompanied me. Now, Little Jiu has disappeared from the palace, neither seen nor heard of, and Thirteen has gone to his fiefdom. This old woman misses them terribly."
"Empress Dowager, please relax. The Ninth Princess will surely turn misfortune into good fortune, and Prince Qi will likely return to the capital in some time," Old Madam Xiao said softly. "As for my own unfortunate child, I will never see her again in this life."
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes reddened, and she said with great sorrow, "For a white-haired person to send off a black-haired one, I understand this pain. When my own child was young and tender, before I could even properly dote on him, he was gone. It was as if my heart was being gouged out."
Old Madam Xiao wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Two women who had lost their children found they had endless topics to discuss when talking about them. Even though the Empress Dowager was unwell, she seemed to have perked up considerably.
Xiang Xue had been secretly observing the Empress Dowager's complexion. The Empress Dowager's complexion was poor, appearing to be deficient in both qi and blood. However, Xiang Xue understood that the Empress Dowager might not be simply ill. The specifics would likely only be known after taking her pulse.
Unfortunately, the attendant nanny remained by her side, giving her no opportunity to get close to the Empress Dowager. The old madam also couldn't find a chance for her to diagnose the Empress Dowager.
"Old sister, the maid beside you looks so sharp. Nanny Xu usually accompanies you to the palace. Why has she been replaced today?"
"Nanny Xu fell a few days ago and injured her leg, making it difficult for her to walk. This humble subject brought this maid along. This maid is clever. Xiang Xue, quickly kowtow to the Empress Dowager."
Xiang Xue quickly stepped forward and kowtowed to the Empress Dowager. "This servant pays her respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager recover soon."
"Good child, come forward, let this Empress Dowager have a good look," the Empress Dowager beckoned Xiang Xue forward.