The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 34

Seeing that Ling Qingyi had no objections, the Empress Dowager was overjoyed. Truth be told, she longed for her children and grandchildren to be by her side. But the imperial princes and princesses only visited daily out of fear of her position. Shen Sijing and Ling Qingyi, however, willingly came to keep her company without needing to curry favor with an old woman like herself.

After dinner, Ling Qingyi and Shen Sijing accompanied the Empress Dowager on a stroll within her palace grounds. The Emperor had once brought lotus tanks to the palace as a gift to the Empress Dowager, but now the lotus flowers had withered, leaving behind only stagnant pools of water that appeared dark and murky under the overcast sky.

Shen Sijing held Ling Qingyi’s hand and took the Empress Dowager’s arm as they walked circle after circle. The Empress Dowager was happier than ever, and the matrons gathered to offer tea before settling down at the stone table. Pastries and tea were served, though none of them seemed in the mood to eat. Dark clouds obscured the moon, revealing only a sliver of light. The faint moonlight reflected in Shen Sijing’s teacup, and he lifted it to Ling Qingyi’s lips.

“Look, look! There’s moonlight in the teacup!” Shen Sijing exclaimed, laughing as she sat down beside Ling Qingyi. Ling Qingyi, however, wasn’t paying attention to the moonlight in the teacup. Instead, she met Shen Sijing’s gaze, her eyes full of warmth and amusement.

The Empress Dowager had quietly risen and returned to her chambers to rest. Shen Sijing and Ling Qingyi seemed completely absorbed in each other, oblivious to their surroundings. The Empress Dowager, observing this, didn’t disturb them but simply withdrew without a word.

“You went to see His Majesty late today. Did His Majesty say anything to you?” Shen Sijing asked absently, playing with Ling Qingyi’s fingers. Ling Qingyi smiled and leaned closer. “The Empress Dowager accompanied me. I suspect she was worried His Majesty might be angry.”

Shen Sijing nodded. With the Empress Dowager’s intervention, there was likely nothing to worry about. Just as she was about to rise and return to her chambers, Yun Nian rushed in through the palace gates, falling to her knees.
“Young Miss! Consort Yu of the Cold Palace suddenly started frothing at the mouth, babbling nonsense as if possessed! Imperial Physicians are swarming the place, and the entire Inner Palace is in an uproar. News of Consort Yu’s banishment to the Cold Palace will likely reach the Imperial Court tomorrow. The Empress is currently maintaining a tight lockdown, sealing off the entire Cold Palace.”

“What?!” Shen Sijing exclaimed, feeling a sudden headache coming on. It was almost the Mid-Autumn Festival, yet here they were dealing with this mess. Had her words this afternoon upset the Empress so much?

But… even someone like Consort Yu, who had been confined to the Cold Palace, hadn’t gone mad. How could a few words from her have driven anyone to insanity? Besides, she was the one who had been startled this afternoon.

Ling Qingyi’s expression darkened, clearly sharing Shen Sijing’s frustration at this headache-inducing situation. She took Shen Sijing’s hand. “Sister Shen, let’s go back and rest. The flames of war will likely reach us next.”

Shen Sijing was initially pleased to be called “Sister Shen,” but as soon as Ling Qingyi took her hand, the eunuch’s voice echoed from beyond the palace gates.

“Her Majesty the Empress issues a decree. A fragrance pouch has been discovered in the Cold Palace, one not belonging to any of the palace ladies. Therefore, this humble servant has been sent to request the presence of the two Young Misses.” The eunuch’s tone was deferential, but Shen Sijing could hear the unspoken threat: they were being summoned.

Just as they were hesitating, the Empress Dowager’s sharp rebuke rang out:

“What is this… disturbing this Dowager’s rest?”

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