Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, Old Madam Ji performed a curtsy. The Empress Dowager granted her a seat and, looking at the little one nestled in Old Madam Ji’s embrace, sighed helplessly.
"Look, look, look at this little girl. Even after living in the Palace for so many days, she’s still so attached to you!"
These words were tinged with envy! Old Madam Ji said, a touch of playful pride in her voice, "I am her maternal grandmother, after all! Besides, she has spent much more time with me than with Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager harrumphed. "Don’t you get too complacent. Be careful, or I might just keep her in the Palace for a lifetime!"
"That would not do! I came to the Palace today specifically to take her home!"
"Ah!" The Empress Dowager gasped, her expression turning serious.
"It was Suisui’s second aunt who asked me to come to the Palace. The Nanjiang Princess was assassinated, and this incident involves Pan’Er’s brother. Suisui’s second aunt said that if Your Majesty allows Pan’Er to leave the Palace, then Suisui must also leave!"
Old Madam Ji relayed Huo Xing’Er’s words, much to Empress Dowager Xiao’s bewilderment.
"Why is that? Is Suisui’s second aunt perhaps afraid that my people here in the Palace can’t take good care of Suisui?" A hint of anger now touched Empress Dowager Xiao’s face.
Sensing her unconcealed displeasure, Old Madam Ji quickly moved to kneel. "This servant deserves death!"
"Rise. I’ve said it long ago: the Ji Family need not kneel before myself or the Emperor." Empress Dowager Xiao quickly had Nanny Zhang help Old Madam Ji to her feet.
She then asked earnestly, "Can she truly not stay in the Palace a few more days?"
Old Madam Ji replied with utmost respect, "Your Majesty, please forgive this servant!"
"But why must she leave the Palace?"
The Empress Dowager was reluctant. She had lived alone in the Palace for many years, and it was terribly desolate. The young Emperor had no harem, so she had no daughters-in-law to keep in line or instruct to pass the time, and certainly no grandchildren to dote on...
Now, she finally had a god-granddaughter to keep her company, but before she could even enjoy it for a few days, the child’s actual grandmother had come to take her away...
If I don’t take her back, I’m afraid this Palace won’t know peace! Old Madam Ji thought. But aloud, she said, "Your Majesty! Once the matter of Princess Nanjiang’s assassination is resolved, this servant will bring Suisui back to the Palace to pay her respects to you!"
Seeing Old Madam Ji’s resolute stance, Empress Dowager Xiao no longer insisted on keeping Xiaosuisui. She ordered the Palace Maids to pack Xiaosuisui’s favorite toys, beloved pastries, and her accustomed tea set, and had them all sent to the Ji Mansion. Googlᴇ search 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩
Also sent to the Ji Mansion were the Empress Dowager’s various gifts of silks, satins, and gold and silver jewelry for Xiaosuisui and Xie Pan’Er!
Old Madam Ji escorted Xie Pan’Er and Xiaosuisui out of the Imperial Palace.
She had Nanny Zhang accompany Xiaosuisui in one carriage, while Xie Pan’Er shared another carriage with her.
As soon as they were in the carriage, Xie Pan’Er could no longer contain herself. She anxiously asked Old Madam Ji, "Old Madam, do you know what happened with the assassination of the Nanjiang Princess? Did my elder brother truly assassinate the Nanjiang Princess?"
Seeing her anxious expression, Old Madam Ji patted her hand reassuringly. "Don’t be anxious just yet. Although your elder brother did stab the Nanjiang Princess with a pair of scissors—it seems the blades struck Princess Ata over the heart."
Old Madam Ji’s words undoubtedly confirmed the fact that Xie Si had assassinated the Nanjiang Princess!
"Old Madam! You... you mean... my brother... my brother... he truly assassinated the Nanjiang Princess?" Xie Pan’Er’s face was a mask of disbelief and worry.
"No! I don’t believe it! My brother... he... he has no reason to assassinate the Nanjiang Princess!"
Xie Pan’Er simply couldn’t believe it was true!