The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 115: Chapter 115 Empress Dowager is Heartbroken for Me

Song Ci sat in Kunning Palace for less than the time to drink a cup of tea before being carried to Cining Palace again.

Along the way, she filled in the original memories, recalling what sorts of things happened with the most noble personage in Cining Palace, and how they interacted.

She tried hard to supplement quite a bit, but some memories were blurred, scaring her so much she almost pinched her tiger’s mouth to clear her mind, not daring to be arrogant.

That Empress Dowager had shared past hardships with her. Thinking of those times, the Empress Dowager would likely remember, but she herself could hardly recall. If she misspoke, would the other party strangle her for being a demon?

Song Ci felt somewhat nervous.

Yet upon seeing that Empress Dowager, her eyes slightly warmed and her feelings became somewhat uncontrollable.

How curious.

The current Empress Dowager’s surname is Wang. During the chaos of war, her maternal family was entirely wiped out, leaving only a clan five generations removed. The closest relative was a brother, their grandfathers were cousins, who was conferred the title of a loyal but powerless lord to show favor.

Empress Dowager Wang was hard-hearted and wasn’t close to her current maternal family. Initially, she didn’t even plan to let the Emperor confer the title to the loyal lord, worrying her son would be criticized, but she allowed it to protect him from disgrace.

However, even so, she wasn’t close to the loyal lord’s mansion. In her heart, her real family was only her branch, which had all perished without leaving an heir. Others were merely relatives sharing her surname. Why should she give them so much favor, how could her family underground rest in peace?

Don’t mention ’family honor’ to her; her true family was dead. Others enjoying their wealth irritate her heart.

Moreover, the loyal lord’s mansion had been constantly seeking to have an heir adopted from her branch.

She knew why, but adopting someone was merely to continue basking in the glory of Empress Dowager Wang.

Empress Dowager Wang did not allow it.

Therefore, in the eyes of others, even the loyal lord was not favored and was less favored than Song Ci, who appeared suddenly midway.

”Look at you, after an illness, you have become estranged from me. How many times have I told you, there is no need for so many courtesies; we should be as carefree as before. Why don’t you listen?” Empress Dowager Wang looked somewhat helplessly at Song Ci, who was trembling as she paid her respects.

Song Ci replied, ”Lady, the rites cannot be abandoned. These words are heard outside, let alone within the palace? Our mutual intimacy is something we know; if those Imperial Censors found out, they’d start proposing impeachments one after the other. The Ministry of Rites might come to my house to retrain me in the rules of propriety. I’m old and don’t want to suffer this again.”

When Song Ci finished speaking, even she was surprised. Such words flowed without a hitch; they might be emotions left by the original.

However, she wasn’t just being polite. Familiarity notwithstanding, hierarchies exist, better to adhere to them. Who knows what the other party thinks; they might think you disrespectful. Previously, you were a destitute sparrow; now, as a phoenix, wouldn’t you behave differently?

Song Ci actually felt that some people didn’t like recalling past hardships, as those would remind others and themselves of their former destitution.

Empress Dowager Wang said, ”In this palace, who dares to spread rumors? Come, sit here beside me, let’s have a good talk.”

Song Ci did not refuse, and with the help of a Palace Attendant, she sat on an embroidery stool below Empress Dowager Wang’s phoenix throne, looking at this noble person.

Although clearly older than her, the Empress Dowager’s maintenance was unparalleled, looking ten years younger than Song Ci. Indeed, she was a person who lived in luxury, exuding nobility and dignity.

”Ah Ci, I haven’t seen you for a while, and you’ve aged quite a bit.” Empress Dowager Wang examined Song Ci’s face closely, then suddenly sighed with some sadness.

Song Ci: ”...”

Realizing your tenderness, but could you not mention aging? Aren’t we still good sisters?