As Old Madam Xie thought this, the carriage CLIP-CLOPPED to a stop in front of everyone.
Everyone craned their necks to see. A woman in Palace Attire descended from the carriage. She appeared to be in her thirties, her hair neatly combed into a court style, adorned with a seventh-rank palace swaying hairpin. Her face was stern and austere.
The Xie Family had fallen, and from the older generation with any discernment, only Old Madam Xie remained.
Old Madam Xie was stricken with horror. Old Madam Ji hadn’t even appeared, yet a palace Nanny was already descending from the carriage—what an extraordinary honor this was!
In the Capital City, it was not unheard of for families to hire retired nannies and Palace Maids to educate their daughters. However, once these Palace Maids and nannies left the Palace, they no longer possessed the honors and ranks they held within its walls. They were forbidden from wearing Palace Attire or court headdresses.
"This must be the Old Madam of the Ji Family? She looks surprisingly young!" a Maid standing next to Old Madam Xie whispered.
The women of the fallen Xie Family’s inner court had long lost the privilege of entering the Palace. Thus, a young Maid naturally lacked knowledge of the attire and hairstyles of palace nannies. Hearing this, Old Madam Xie frowned slightly and coughed discreetly, signaling the Maid to be quiet. The Maid, realizing her impoliteness, dared not speak further.
"Be careful!" Zhang Nanny, whom Ji Youze had personally selected from the Palace, assisted Old Madam Ji down from the carriage.
Everyone gasped in unison upon seeing her. She was dressed in the purple attire of a First Grade Imperial Madam, her hair adorned with an imperially bestowed ornate palace comb.
Leaning on Zhang Nanny for support, Old Madam Ji walked towards the Main Gate of the Xie Mansion.
All the Xie Family members present bowed. "We pay our respects to Old Madam Ji!"
Old Madam Ji looked at Old Madam Xie and said coolly, "Old Madam Xie, I apologize for this sudden intrusion. However, there is an urgent matter I must discuss. I trust you will understand."
Upon hearing Old Madam Ji’s words, Old Madam Xie understood instantly. She had indeed come for the girl from the fifth branch.
"Old Madam Ji, please come inside. Let’s talk in the house!"
Old Madam Ji followed her without ceremony. Under Old Madam Xie’s guidance, she entered the Xie Family’s Flower Hall. Before Old Madam Xie could even make a polite gesture, Old Madam Ji had seated herself in the foremost guest seat.
Seeing this, Old Madam Xie dared not comment. She took the host’s seat, forced a smile, and instructed a Maid to serve tea. Only then did she smilingly inquire about the purpose of Old Madam Ji’s visit.
Old Madam Ji held the teacup, idly flicking at the tea dregs with the lid, but remained silent for a long time. Old Madam Xie’s expression grew increasingly unsightly.
Zhang Nanny glanced around. Not seeing Xie Pan’Er, she spoke on behalf of Old Madam Ji.
"May I ask, who among you are the parents of the Third Young Miss Xie?"
At her question, the Second, Third, and Fourth Madams of the Xie Family exchanged uneasy glances.
Xie Zian stepped forward and said respectfully, "Please forgive us, Old Madam. Pan’Er is a child of our Xie Family’s fifth branch. Due to some delicate family matters, my fifth younger brother and his wife are not present. They are unable to come and pay their respects to you. I, this humble official, apologize on their behalf for this discourtesy. Please, forgive our lapse!"
Old Madam Ji slowly placed her teacup down. From start to finish, her lips hadn’t touched the rim.
"It is no discourtesy," Old Madam Ji stated. "I have come today precisely for someone from the fifth branch of your Xie Family."
Upon hearing Old Madam Ji’s words, everyone present couldn’t help but let out a collective, heavy breath.
"Old Madam, what is the meaning of this?" Xie Zian asked, wiping cold sweat from his forehead as he bowed with clasped hands.
"Lord Xie," Old Madam Ji began, "you are presumably aware that I only returned to the Capital City yesterday?"
Xie Zian quickly replied, "This humble official is aware. If Old Madam has any instructions, please state them. This humble official will certainly comply!"