In the afternoon, Song Ci left with her eldest daughter-in-law on the palanquin bestowed by the Empress Dowager, waving her handkerchief at everyone present as she left, infuriating those who witnessed it.
"Truly, a petty person in power," grumbled Madam Fan, leaning on her daughter-in-law’s hand, her teeth grinding in hatred.
Madam Zhao stepped forward with a flattering face, stammering as she offered a salute, "Madam..."
Madam Fan found her even more annoying, coldly remarking, "Clever by half."
What was the point in provoking Song Ci? Before entering Cining Palace, did she not know that Song Ci had already been inside for a long time conversing with the Empress Dowager? Useless waste of space, only bringing down disgrace instead of success, even causing the Empress Dowager to remember her, not even granting her a sedan chair.
Oh, her old rheumatism, walking out of the Palace Gate , it’s bound to recur.
Madam Zhao watched the back of Madam Fan’s figure, her face pale, her body swaying. Oh, what sin has she committed to be scolded .
Song Ci, assisted by the maidservant, got onto the carriage and sat down, lifting the curtain to look at Madam Song, who was standing by the carriage door, seeking credit.
"So, did I not embarrass you and Dalang today?" She proudly raised her chin.
Madam Song stared blankly at the old face that seemed to say "Hurry and praise me, I can’t wait," feeling an inexplicable sense of sourness in her chest.
She sincerely smiled and said, "Mother did very well."
Song Ci grew even more pleased: "I thought so too."
It was her first time entering the palace, and she managed not to make a fool of herself and got through it safely. Very good.
But remembering the words of the Empress Dowager Wang, her face fell slightly, a little disheartened, and said, "Let’s return to the manor."
She still had to inform her cunning son, lest he remain clueless when people came knocking.
Madam Song bowed slightly to the carriage whose curtains were already drawn, preparing to return to her own carriage, when she heard a voice from Song Ci’s compartment.
"Gong Ma, can this golden crown be taken off? Oh, my neck is about to be crushed. Forget it, better not remove it, lest we look unpresentable when we return to the manor, just help me prop it up a bit..."
The various empresses and concubines returned to their respective palaces, inquiring whether the banquet for the ministers was over.
This year, on the Duanwu Festival, there was no dragon boat race, all because the Empress Dowager dreamed that the late emperor forbade it, insisting on saving the national treasury for disaster relief.
The Empress Dowager’s tearful plea left Emperor Chu with no choice but to comply. Nonetheless, since it was a significant festival, a small banquet was arranged at Hong Lake in the palace, featuring juggling and dragon boats, where the emperor and his ministers could enjoy merriment.
After the small banquet ended, the concubines learned that they had a new sister, a dancer who performed the Goddess of Luo dance on a small dragon boat and was welcomed into the harem by the Emperor, bestowed the title "Luo," ranking as a permanent attendant.
Empress Gongsun calmly handed her eight-year-old son Chu Hongye a sliced apricot, indifferently replying that she knew, then instructed to prepare the palace and have replacements for the broken porcelain in each palace.
Meanwhile, Madam Zhao of the Minister of Public Works’ family, upon returning from the palace, fell ill and couldn’t get out of bed, even handing over the household affairs to her second younger sister-in-law from the Zhao family.
Song Ci was unaware of all this. Upon returning to her courtyard, she clamored for the maids to prepare a bath and change her clothes. Only an hour later did she, rubbing her sore neck, collapse on her Arhat bed, instructing the maidservant to massage her.
"Go see if the Prime Minister has returned, if he has, ask him to come here," Song Ci instructed Hong You.
"Forget it, I’ll see him at the family banquet in the evening. Have Lin Qing come and give me a few needles, I need to rest for a while," Song Ci called out to Hong You, who was about to leave.
Oh, she’s utterly exhausted, her neck feels like it’s about to break.