The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

As soon as Consort Fan spoke, everyone’s gaze instantly fell on Song Daying, who was sitting almost at the end.

Song Ci looked over; it had been a while since he last saw her. This child had entered the palace but remained as round and calm as ever, with her head bowed and submissive demeanor, giving a peaceful and easygoing impression rather than being aggressive.

Song Daying seemed a bit flustered, hesitatingly stood up, and looked at Song Ci.

Song Ci smiled and said, ”Song Daying, don’t be too formal. Consort Fan was just joking with you. This is Kunning Palace, not a busy temple street in the market. With the Empress here, are we going to gather and chat thoughtlessly as if we were outside the hall and disregard the host? If Song Daying misses her family, she should respectfully request the Empress to have them sent a card to enter the palace for a visit. Would the Lady not agree with you?”

Everyone coughed lightly; only this old lady would dare say such things.

The Empress smiled and said, ”The Dowager is right. If Song Daying really misses her family, during next year’s festivals, it’s possible for her family to enter the palace and reunite.”

Upon hearing this, Song Daying knelt down with a thud, kowtowed to the Empress, and expressed her gratitude with a sincere face, ”Thank you, Empress, for your kindness.”

”Oh, quickly stand up, this is not something worth kneeling and kowtowing for. Bilu, help Song Daying up,” the Empress raised her hand.

Song Ci laughed again, ”Lady, this child is sincere, you should allow her. As the nation’s mother, you are worthy of this courtesy.”

The Empress couldn’t help but laugh, teasing, ”She is just too honest.”

Consort Fan smirked, saying, ”Old Madam Song truly cares for the juniors. Song Daying is indeed fortunate to have the Dowager speak well for her.”

Song Ci clicked her tongue and pointed mockingly in her direction, teasing, ”You child, did you by chance eat dumplings with aged Shanxi vinegar this morning? How come this old lady smells something sour?”

Consort Fan’s face turned green, what nonsense, who would eat such pungent food before a palace banquet? It’s unbecoming for others to smell it.

After a moment, she grasped that this was a veiled insult toward her.

Just about to respond, she heard Song Ci speak again, ”Consort Fan, don’t be jealous. From this old lady’s perspective, all of you young people seated here are juniors, and I care for all of you. Ah, you must be missing your family too? Hold on, once the Fan family completes their mourning period, they can soon send in a card to enter the palace and reunite with you.”

Consort Fan: ”...”

This old woman really knows how to sting, so poisonous.

Song Ci’s face was filled with a smile, but inside she was coldly huffing.

I, the relentless bully, Song Duidui, as Song Ci, will battle any foe daring enough to provoke me.

Everyone silently took out their handkerchiefs to cover their mouths, glancing between Consort Fan and Song Ci.

Would Consort Fan dare to retaliate? Probably not, right?

Of course, Consort Fan dared, she’s rather unruly, but just as she was about to speak, the eunuch announced the arrival of Princess Anping, Princess Consort Ji, and Princess Consort Min.

Everyone immediately looked towards the hall entrance, their necks stretching tall.

Since the incident with Prince Min, Princess Consort Ji and Princess Consort Min hadn’t appeared before people for a long time, especially since the Emperor had subtly confined Prince Min, how could these two have appeared now?

Song Ci was also somewhat puzzled.

The Empress said, ”The Emperor’s grace, due to the joy of the nation having a Crown Prince, has allowed Prince Min to attend the New Year’s Eve palace banquet, the Dowager and Princess Consort Min as well.”

Everyone realized, so it was the Emperor’s grace, no wonder!

Consort Fan’s face twisted a bit, glaring bitterly at the hall entrance; why did they choose this moment, right after she was rebuffed, to appear, so vexing!