"Whether she wishes to see me or not, we shall find out tomorrow," Xiao Man's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Prince Qin respects the Empress Dowager greatly, and Prince Qi fears her immensely. I am most curious, what sort of woman is this Empress Dowager, to be able to control these two wild horses."
"Prince Qi fears the Empress Dowager?" Qiu Tong's face was filled with disbelief. "With Prince Qi's unruly nature, he'd actually fear the Empress Dowager?"
"Yes, with Prince Qi's unruly nature, he actually fears the Empress Dowager. Isn't it incredible?" Xiao Man also found it incredible. But in her memory, Nangong Yi feared no one except this Empress Dowager. Whatever this Empress Dowager ordered, he would not dare to disobey.
"This servant feels that tomorrow's palace banquet will likely be a Hongmen banquet. Who doesn't know that our Old Madam has a good relationship with the Empress Dowager?"
"We'll deal with whatever comes our way." Xiao Man licked her lips. "If she merely wishes to meet me, that would be best. If she harbors ill intentions, I will let her know that it is never a good thing to meddle with me, no matter the time."
The next morning, Old Madam Xiao arrived at the Water Moon Pavilion to wait. Autumn had arrived, and the weather was gradually turning cooler. It was only a blink of an eye from thin shirts to autumn clothing.
"Let's go when you're ready. Don't keep the Empress Dowager waiting," Old Madam Xiao said, looking at Xiao Man, who was being helped out. She appeared sickly. The weather wasn't cold, but rather cool, yet Xiao Man was wrapped in a cloak, seemingly extremely sensitive to the cold.
Xiao Man nodded and, supported by Yin Zhu, followed the Old Madam into the carriage and headed for the palace.
On the way, the Old Madam stared at Xiao Man for a long time and sighed, "Once we enter the palace, be cautious with your words. The Empress Dowager is not like the Emperor. Do not speak rashly and offend her."
"I heard that when Old Madam was young, she was good friends with the Empress Dowager?"
Old Madam's pupils contracted. She nervously clutched the handkerchief in her hand. "Some things are better left unknown than known."
"Was it your idea or the Empress Dowager's for me to come to the palace to pay my respects?"
Old Madam knew Xiao Man didn't trust her. "I wish you could have stayed in the manor all along."
Xiao Man smiled knowingly. So it was the Empress Dowager who wanted her to visit the palace, not Old Madam Xiao. However, looking at Old Madam Xiao's uneasy demeanor, it seemed different from what she had imagined.
"Is Old Madam afraid of the Empress Dowager?"
Old Madam's eyelids twitched. She glanced at Xiao Man. "The Empress Dowager is of noble birth. I respect the Empress Dowager, I do not fear her."
"Really?" Xiao Man's voice was slow. "Then why are you so uneasy?"
Old Madam glared at Xiao Man. "Once we enter the palace, control your tongue. Otherwise, you won't even know how you died!"
Xiao Man smiled indifferently. "Isn't it easy for me to die? Just leave me alone. Didn't the imperial physicians in the palace say I wouldn't live for more than three years? With my health, a little stimulation might make me gasp my last breath..."
"Bah, superstitious nonsense!" Old Madam spat. "You're always talking nonsense."
Xiao Man stared at Old Madam for a long time. She always felt that Old Madam had changed recently, but she couldn't pinpoint where. The way Old Madam looked at her was different from before.
"Old Madam, before we enter the palace, why don't you tell me what kind of person the Empress Dowager is?"
Old Madam Xiao swallowed. "Do not speak ill of royalty."
Xiao Man leaned against the carriage wall, a half-smile on her face. "I heard that the Empress Dowager entered the palace in place of her elder sister. Before she entered the palace, the Empress Dowager's elder sister fell into the water and died. Did she really just fall?"
"Xiao Man, do not speak such nonsense!"
Xiao Man pursed her lips. "You say you're not afraid, but you're trembling."
"Once we enter the palace, control your tongue. Otherwise, it won't just be you who dies!"
"Yes, I understand." Xiao Man carelessly played with the tassel at her waist. Old Madam greatly feared the Empress Dowager. To have navigated the deep palace and climbed from imperial concubine to Empress, and now to Empress Dowager, her disposition and shrewdness were beyond ordinary people.
At the palace gates, the grandmother and granddaughter alighted from the carriage, and a soft palanquin immediately came to take them to the Empress Dowager's Ci'an Palace.
All the way, Old Madam was in a state of trepidation. Xiao Man was headstrong, and she truly feared Xiao Man's words would offend the Empress Dowager, thus causing her displeasure. Yet, she couldn't do anything about Xiao Man!
"You unruly little brat!" Old Madam Xiao couldn't help but curse. Though her voice was low, Xiao Man heard it. She remembered when she was young and angered Old Madam, she had also gnashed her teeth and called her a little brat.
Xiao Man couldn't help but shake her head. If she was a little brat, then Old Madam would be an old brat. She didn't even know how to curse without including herself.
The soft palanquin stopped near Ci'an Palace. "Princess Yongning, Old Madam Xiao, Ci'an Palace is just ahead."
The grandmother and granddaughter got out of the palanquin and, led by a eunuch, entered Ci'an Palace.
"This humble subject pays her respects to the Empress Dowager."
"This humble wife pays her respects to the Empress Dowager."
"Please rise quickly," the Empress Dowager said with a smile. "Someone, grant them seats."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
"Xiao family girl, come forward and let this Empress have a look." The Empress Dowager beckoned her forward.
Xiao Man slowly walked to the Empress Dowager's side and curtsied.
The Empress Dowager took her hand and looked her up and down. "It's been a few years, and you've grown into a young lady. But why is your face so pale? Are you not feeling well?"
"Replying to the Empress Dowager, this humble subject's health has been fluctuating recently. I was unable to come to the palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager, and I beg for your forgiveness."
"You child, you've become so distant with this Empress now." The Empress Dowager pulled Xiao Man to sit beside her. "Before, you and Prince Qi often came to this Empress's palace. Have you forgotten?"
"This humble subject has not forgotten."
"My old friend, you have no idea. If it weren't for your granddaughter keeping that rascal Prince Qi in check, he would have likely torn down the palace roof."
"Your Majesty is joking."
"Oh, right. Send for Scholar Zhong. Scholar Zhong is a skilled physician. Have him come and examine Xiao girl. Look at her pale little face, it truly pains this Empress."
"Yes."
In less than the time it takes for a cup of tea to brew, a figure entered from outside. He wore a blue robe and white shoes, his long hair tied up with a wooden hairpin. He stood tall with a relaxed posture, as if walking in his own garden. As he approached, Xiao Man saw clearly that it was a middle-aged man. His appearance wasn't striking, but he had a comfortable aura.
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager."
"Scholar Zhong has arrived." The Empress Dowager's smile widened. "You are a skilled physician, quickly come and examine Xiao family girl. Look at her pale little face, it truly pains this Empress."
Scholar Zhong slowly stepped forward, glanced at Xiao Man, then took out a handkerchief and placed it on Xiao Man's wrist before taking her pulse. Seeing this, the Empress Dowager's smile deepened.