At the Empress Dowager’s words, everyone instinctively focused their gaze on Xiaosuisui’s face.
They were all curious about the newly titled Princess, bestowed by the Emperor.
Under the expectant gazes of everyone, Xiaosuisui gently nodded. "Sure!"
With her consent, the Empress Dowager forcefully pulled the veil from Xiaosuisui’s face.
Then, everyone gasped.
The Empress Dowager, especially shocked, exclaimed, "What happened? Who hurt your little face?"
From her voice, it was not difficult to detect anger and distress.
Xiaosuisui sensed a current of Qi within the Empress Dowager’s chest. It felt like this Qi was coiling there, creating a stifling sensation, as if it couldn’t be released.
She reached out and gently patted the Empress Dowager’s chest. "Grandma, don’t be angry, don’t be upset. Suisui isn’t in pain."
Xiaosuisui watched the expression on the Empress Dowager’s face. It reminded her of the time at the Nanjiang Altar when the Emperor, her adoptive father, first saw the scar on the mask she was wearing. He had the exact same look on his face. Back then, the Emperor had asked her, "Does it hurt?" Now, seeing the Empress Dowager’s expression, she naturally empathized with how the Emperor must have felt.
"Who... who... did this to you?"
The Empress Dowager was inflamed with anger. She stared intently at Xiaosuisui, waiting for her to reveal the perpetrator’s name so that they could be brought to justice.
The Empress Dowager watched eagerly, expecting Xiaosuisui to name someone, but instead, she heard Xiaosuisui say, "It was Uncle Six!"
"What?" The Empress Dowager’s anger erupted even more fiercely, her sharp gaze swiftly turning towards Matriarch Ji.
"As an uncle, to injure his own niece’s face so grievously! Matriarch Ji, your sixth son is so kind-hearted!"
The Empress Dowager was so furious her chest heaved, and her glare towards Matriarch Ji was like daggers.
Matriarch Ji quickly cupped her hands, intending to explain that what was on Suisui’s face was merely a mask, not a real scar, when she heard Xie Pan’Er, who was sitting in a corner, speak out.
"May the Empress Dowager calm her anger. There’s more to this matter than meets the eye. Allow this humble one to elaborate."
Xie Pan’Er’s sudden intervention drew everyone’s attention. She was a delicate, seemingly fragile young maiden with an extremely beautiful face.
Whose family does this maiden belong to? Why did they have no impression of her?
The Empress Dowager recognized Xie Pan’Er. She had entered the Palace with the Ji Family and was said to have been specifically brought from the common folk to accompany Xiaosuisui.
"You may approach and elaborate."
After the Empress Dowager gave her permission, Xie Pan’Er nervously approached and whispered a few words into her ear.
Everyone in the room strained their ears, trying to catch her words, but no one could hear what Xie Pan’Er was saying.
After hearing her report, the Empress Dowager’s face was filled with surprise, followed by doubt. "Is what you say true? You are not deceiving Us, are you?"
Xie Pan’Er quickly looked at the Emperor. "His Majesty is also aware of this matter."
"The Emperor knows as well?" The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor, who nodded towards her. "I am aware."
The Empress Dowager then said no more.
The Emperor said to Xie Pan’Er, "You may be dismissed."
Xie Pan’Er curtsied and returned to her seat. As she settled down, she suddenly felt a direct gaze fixed upon her.
Puzzled, she looked around, and her eyes met those of a man with a full head of white hair.
She didn’t know him, but she had heard of him. In the entire Great Han Imperial Palace, the only person with a full head of silver hair was the National Master, Feng Wushang!