The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

On New Year’s Eve, at the palace feast, Song Ci was somewhat surprised to see Princess Consort Ji, who had been specially pardoned to attend the feast.

The Prince Min Mansion had not yet been unsealed; wasn’t she not supposed to come? How could she appear in this setting? She was sitting there comfortably, so Prince Min must be here as well.

Could it be that the results regarding the radioactive ore have already come out?

Song Ci’s seat was deliberately arranged near the front, very close to Empress Dowager Wang, which also allowed the Empress Dowager to call on Song Ci to speak at any time. Princess Anping was sitting next to Song Ci. Noticing her gaze on Princess Consort Ji, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and spoke softly.

”You aren’t aware, but Princess Consort Ji knelt at the main gate of the Prince Mansion with the Death Exemption Token bestowed by the late Emperor, crying out for injustice. She said that the imperial brother deliberately treated Prince Min Mansion harshly, keeping them under house arrest without any evidence, and that they couldn’t even join a family feast for the New Year. Then, with the support of the Imperial Censor and the Ministry of Rites petitioning, our imperial brother specially pardoned them to attend the palace feast.”

If not for the inappropriate occasion, Song Ci would have wanted to burst out in exclamation.

Princess Consort Ji truly has no reservations.

Following Princess Anping’s example, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief, leaned over, and whispered, ”Isn’t the Empress Dowager angry?”

”Mother just thinks of it as a clown putting on a show.” Princess Anping looked at the dancing performers in the hall with a faint sneer at the corner of her mouth.

Song Ci fell silent, glancing at Princess Consort Ji. Despite her thick makeup, it was still unable to hide her exhaustion; she must have been through a difficult time lately?

Princess Consort Ji seemed to sense something and looked over, meeting Song Ci’s gaze, then rolled her eyes.

Song Ci: ”...”

At this moment, a familiar image of a certain concubine rolling her eyes flashed in her mind.

Exactly the same.

Princess Consort Ji then picked up her wine cup, walked slowly to Empress Dowager Wang’s phoenix throne, and raised the cup, saying, ”On this festive occasion, I respectfully wish the Empress Dowager good health and many years of well-being.”

Empress Dowager Wang raised an eyebrow, casually picked up a wine cup, looked down at her, and said, ”Your thoughtfulness is appreciated. The wine is good, but you’re not young, and I’ve heard you’ve been resting for quite some time; don’t drink too much.”

Princess Consort Ji pretended not to understand the sarcasm and said, ”Empress Dowager, I have an impertinent request, and I beg you to allow me to speak.”

Empress Dowager Wang frowned slightly and said, ”Whatever it is, tell me after the feast, at Cining Palace.”

”Empress Dowager, I must say it now. If you do not grant it, I will remain kneeling,” Princess Consort Ji knelt down, saying fervently.

Empress Dowager Wang’s temples throbbed, and her face darkened.

What, does she plan to leverage the presence of so many outside relatives to forcibly coerce her?

That Ji witch, kneeling and crying for the late Emperor to demand access to the feast, wasn’t enough? Now she wants to blackmail her?

Shameless.

The atmosphere in the great hall became subtly tense.

The music played softly, but the dancers nearly lost their rhythm due to the increasingly oppressive atmosphere.

”It certainly won’t be anything good,” Song Ci whispered to Princess Anping. This Princess Consort Ji is practically a fighter jet.

Princess Anping nodded, her gaze fully agreeing.

Empress Gongsun pursed her lips with a smile and chided, ”It seems today’s wine is indeed extraordinary, see how even the princess consort is somewhat inebriated. Consort De, why don’t you help the princess consort down to sober up a little?”

Consort De stood up, smiling and agreeing.

Princess Consort Ji glared at her, then looked at Empress Dowager Wang, opened her mouth, and said, ”Empress Dowager, I merely had a dream of the late Emperor, requesting the return of my family to our fief. Please, Empress Dowager and Emperor, fulfill my wish and allow Ze’er and me to return to our fief.”