TSWRLM -Chapter 203 What Kind of Person Does Madam Shen Think the Young Master Wei Is?

The gates of the imperial palace were much taller than Chun Xi had imagined, and the guards were extremely strict.

Although she was accompanying Princess Hengyang and her husband, and was carrying the golden token given by the Empress, she still had to undergo a thorough inspection before being allowed inside.

The palace road was wide and long, wide enough for carriages to pass side by side. Once inside, a sedan chair came to receive Princess Hengyang, and Chun Xi and Wen Yanshu automatically followed behind.

The palace attendants leading the way walked with their heads lowered, and at regular intervals, guards carrying long halberds could be seen. The atmosphere exuded solemnity and authority everywhere.

Chun Xi didn’t dare look around and quietly followed along. After some time, Wen Yanshu separated from them and went elsewhere. With no one beside her, Chun Xi could finally breathe more freely. At that moment, Princess Hengyang’s voice came from the sedan chair: “Don’t be afraid. The prince consort is going to the imperial garden. You come with me to the back palace first to meet some people.”

“Yes, Princess.”

Chun Xi respectfully replied, though she still felt tense.

Since it was still early, Princess Hengyang first took Chun Xi to meet the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager’s Cining Palace was large, filled with all kinds of rare and beautiful flowers. She doted on Princess Hengyang and, knowing she would come to the palace, had specially prepared the princess’s favorite pastries.

Upon entering the hall, Princess Hengyang warmly threw herself into the Empress Dowager’s arms, acting coquettishly. The mother-daughter bond was clearly very close.

Chun Xi silently knelt, waiting until Princess Hengyang introduced her before she spoke and performed her bow: “Your servant, Madam Cao Chun Xi, pays respects to the Empress Dowager. Long life, Your Majesty, long life!”

“My dear child, I understand that you and Chun Xi get along very well and would like to be friends. Let her rise and speak.”

Princess Hengyang spoke in Chun Xi’s defense. Naturally, the Empress Dowager did not make things difficult. She had Chun Xi rise, asked her a few questions, and, unable to resist Princess Hengyang’s playful insistence, rewarded Chun Xi with several gifts.

After receiving the gifts, Princess Hengyang chatted with the Empress Dowager about some amusing stories, then took Chun Xi to the Empress’s Kunning Palace.

Kunning Palace was roughly as large as Cining Palace, but the palace maids were younger and more lively, lacking the solemn quiet of Cining Palace.

When they arrived, the imperial concubines were just leaving after paying respects to the Empress.

These concubines were roughly the same age as Princess Hengyang, all well-maintained and in their prime, and their fragrance could be detected even from afar.

Chun Xi did not dare to look at them, keeping her head lowered as she bowed.

Once the concubines left, Chun Xi finally raised her head and saw a magnificent woman standing before her, watching with interest.

The woman was extremely beautiful, with almond-shaped eyes, willow-like brows, and striking features. Her skin was flawless. Though she wore a traditional hairstyle for women, her age was indiscernible. Beneath her aura of nobility, she still gave off warmth and gentleness.

Previously, Chun Xi had thought Yun Wantang carried a unique charm, but now seeing this woman, she realized Yun Wantang was nothing special by comparison.

Chun Xi only glanced once before lowering her head, about to speak and apologize. The woman spoke softly: “You must be Yuan’er’s new bride. Both his mother and elder sister-in-law have mentioned you to me.”

Hearing this, Chun Xi immediately understood the woman’s identity and hurriedly bowed: “Your servant, Cao Chun Xi, pays respects to Consort Xian.”

“There’s no need for such formalities. When I was young, I was very close to Yuan’er’s mother. Now that he has finally married the girl he favors, I am very happy for him. I have lived in the inner palace for a long time and cannot often leave the palace. Today, it is rare to meet you, and I can take this opportunity to give you a little wedding gift.”

Consort Xian then handed Chun Xi a ruby ring.

The ring was made of gold, and the ruby had been cut into many diamond-shaped facets, sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight, even more dazzling than the gold itself.

This was extremely precious.

Shen Qingyuan had never mentioned this Consort Xian before, and Chun Xi didn’t know whether she should accept it. She hesitated, but Princess Hengyang nudged her elbow: “What are you standing there dazed for? Quickly thank your cousin.”

Princess Hengyang’s use of “cousin” instantly brought the two closer. Chun Xi took the ring with both hands, repeatedly expressing her gratitude.

After exchanging a few words, Consort Xian left. Chun Xi carefully put away the ring and followed Princess Hengyang into Kunning Palace.

Receiving the greetings of the concubines was tiring. In the main hall, the Empress was drinking tea, with a palace maid massaging her head.

Seeing the two enter, the Empress immediately waved the maid away, smiling: “Hengyang, you’re here! You used to come to see me every few days. It’s been a while recently.”

The Empress hadn’t changed into her formal attire, but her commanding presence as a mother of the nation made one instinctively want to submit.

Chun Xi was about to kneel when the Empress said: “Madam Shen, no need for formalities. You are Princess Hengyang’s good friend and were invited here on my behalf. Do not be too restrained.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.”

Chun Xi thanked her and obediently stood to the side.

Princess Hengyang had a close relationship with the Empress, speaking freely about recent events, the new young master at Wuyou Pavilion, and her everyday friendship with Chun Xi and Xiao Qinghe.

She was especially proud of the night she and Chun Xi had fought the other noblewomen while drunk, recounting in detail what the hidden guards had later told her. She ended with: “Your Majesty, you wouldn’t know—if Chun Xi hadn’t been with me that night…”

Princess Hengyang was subtly giving Chun Xi credit, but Chun Xi felt a cold sweat.

Although others had started the fight, her drunken outing with Princess Hengyang was hardly something to be proud of. The Empress was the moral exemplar of the realm and could not condone the princess’s recklessness.

Sure enough, the next moment, the Empress said: “Hengyang is known for her strong tolerance of alcohol. I didn’t expect someone to be able to get her drunk. It seems Madam Shen also has a high tolerance.”

Chun Xi quickly replied: “Your Majesty, I can indeed drink a bit, but usually only nameless wines. I didn’t realize the strength of the wines at the princess’s residence. I was careless and got drunk, nearly committing a serious mistake. I have reflected carefully these past days and will only sip lightly in the future, never to get drunk again.”

Her tone was firm, her attitude sincere, and she took no pride in the fight.

The Empress raised her brow slightly and looked at Princess Hengyang. The princess said: “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I won’t get drunk again. Even if I do, I’ll stay in the residence and never go out to cause trouble.”

Satisfied with Princess Hengyang’s words, the Empress let the matter go and even had gifts brought for Chun Xi.

Chun Xi breathed a quiet sigh of relief and knelt to give thanks.

However, just as she finished, she heard the Empress ask: “I heard Madam Shen served the Wei family’s eldest young master closely for three years. What kind of person do you think the young master Wei is?”

The Empress’s tone was casual, as if she had suddenly remembered and asked in passing. But Chun Xi’s mind went on high alert.

The Empress, as the moral exemplar of the realm, would not interfere directly in politics, but her words and actions always carried deeper meaning.

Could it be that His Majesty is planning to employ Wei Lingze so soon?