CHAPTER 545: CHAPTER 545: PLAYING THE MEDIATOR

In the eighth month, Song Lingsu had already gone to his hometown in Yu Hang to participate in the academy’s examination, allowing the Prime Minister’s Mansion to become more tranquil. Song Ci then returned to the mansion amidst the constant summons from Madam and others.

After all, she had been away from the mansion for a long time; furthermore, the baby in Niu Pan’er’s womb was stable, and with the Autumn Festival approaching, it was natural for her to return home.

However, Song Ci had hardly been at the Prime Minister’s Mansion for two days when she was summoned to the palace to meet the Empress Dowager Wang. The reason was that the Empress Dowager was ill and wished to see Song Ci.

Song Ci initially assumed the Empress Dowager Wang had caught a simple cold, a minor illness, but she was startled when she saw her.

"What has happened to you? Why do you look so haggard? What do the Imperial Physicians say?"

The Empress Dowager Wang, who had always maintained herself well with excellent spirit and complexion, looking ten years younger than her actual age, now had some silver strands at her temples, appearing like an elderly lady in her sixties.

"This is an illness of anger." A cold gleam flickered in the Empress Dowager’s eyes.

Song Ci felt a shiver in her heart, recalling what her astute son had hinted at: Empress Dowager Wang and the Emperor had some disagreements, and the mother and son were in the midst of a silent feud, hoping she could mediate.

Ah, I realized my role: I’m the peacemaker!

"What could make you so angry that you fall ill, even causing white hair to sprout?" Song Ci didn’t inquire about the reason for her anger, instead, she sat by the bed persuading her: "At our age, with one foot in the coffin, if you don’t mind me saying, every day we live is a gain, and it’s not enough. Yet here you are, letting yourself get upset. Isn’t that a waste?"

The attendant Lian Qiao beside them: "..."

Madam Song, you really dare to say anything, mentioning the taboo word ’death’ so openly in the palace, it’s almost as if you openly said it.

But the Empress Dowager merely gave a willful cold snort: "Collapse, then collapse. There’s probably someone hoping for my early demise."

These words, truly touch the heart deeply.

The palace attendants in the Cining Palace, frightened, kneeled all over the place.

Song Ci: "..."

Look at how you’ve scared everyone!

"Lian Qiao, let them all leave. I want to have a private conversation with the Lady." Song Ci said, looking at Lian Qiao.

Lian Qiao glanced at the Empress Dowager, who waved her hand somewhat irritably, not wanting to see so many people around.

Lian Qiao heaved a sigh of relief, thinking it was good that she was willing to listen. She dismissed the others and herself changed two cups of tea, standing with the chief eunuch, Lord Hai, at the palace door.

"Do you think Madam Song can persuade our Lady?" Lord Hai asked in a low voice.

Lian Qiao’s voice was very low: "The Lady prefers speaking with Madam Song, so she should be able to listen to a few words."

Lord Hai sighed, "Let’s hope so. The Lady being in a standoff with the Emperor like this is not ideal. If the Lady refuses to eat, the Emperor will only get increasingly angry."

When the Emperor gets angry, millions suffer, and the unlucky ones are still the servants like us who serve.

"The Lady also reminisces about the past, this anger needs to be vented. Otherwise, holding it in will be detrimental to the Lady’s health," Lian Qiao sighed softly.

Lord Hai was momentarily at a loss for words, and only after a long pause did he exhale a mouthful of stale air.

"The late Emperor indeed left such a decree for Princess Consort Ji—they were patient, never revealing it until now..."

Lian Qiao glanced at him, "It’s no longer Princess Consort Ji, but Imperial Concubine Ji now."

Lord Hai curled his lips, "Soon, there will be a lively scene in the capital."

With Imperial Concubine Ji returning with Prince Min, the long-dormant Ji Family will become active again in the Beijing circle or court, while various demons and monsters will start scheming everywhere anew.