In the midst of her complaints, Song Ci arrived at the entrance of the West Gate, boarded the soft sedan chair granted by Empress Dowager Wang, and was gently rocked on her way to the Cining Palace.
Upon entering the palace for the second time, she was much calmer than the first, even managing to chat and laugh with the young eunuch accompanying the sedan chair, passing the time.
"Is that Madam Song?"
Among a procession of concubines, a concubine, high and mighty, sat in a soft sedan chair, watching Song Ci head towards the Cining Palace.
"In response to Lady Consort Fan, I heard the Empress Dowager summoned Madam Song into the palace again for a conversation. It should be her, without a doubt." The Palace Maid standing by the sedan chair replied respectfully.
Consort Fan curled her lip, "She seems quite smug."
It’s nothing but a friendship formed in adversity, yet the Empress Dowager is so mindful, always remembering her fondly, saying she’s the first lady among all the officials’ families, and even my own mother can’t compete with her prominence.
Song Ci hadn’t even bowed to Empress Dowager Wang when a Palace Maid helped her up, guiding her to sit at the other end of the Arhat bed where Empress Dowager Wang was seated.
"Your health isn’t good, there’s no need for so much ceremony," Empress Dowager Wang said with a gentle smile.
Song Ci was about to say that the rites could not be dispensed with, but the other seemed to know what she was going to say, "Don’t talk about rites when it’s just the two of us here; there’s no need to put on a show for anyone."
Ha, Lady, with your words, it seems these serving Palace Attendants aren’t even considered people.
"Lady, you are considerate of your subject’s wife, and yet your subject’s wife dares not take it lightly," Song Ci said in an official tone.
Empress Dowager Wang gave her a teasing glance, pretending to be sentimental, "Life has become easier, but your way of speaking isn’t as casual as it was before."
In the past, what was your status, and what is it now? If one were to speak freely, some with ulterior motives might twist it, and I’m afraid it’d become bothersome for you.
"Are you still in good health?" Song Ci changed the topic.
"Thank you for your concern, I’m not troubled by anything, everything is well. Ah Ci, try this rose pastry; it’s said that the cooks in the imperial kitchen added milk while making it." Empress Dowager Wang pushed a plate of rose pastries in front of Song Ci.
Without hesitation, Song Ci expressed her apologies for the discourtesy and picked up a piece to taste, smiling as she said, "All the pastries here with you, Lady, are wonderful—soft, sweet, and easy to digest. Before coming here, I boasted to the maids in my room that I must have you reward me with some, so I could flaunt and let them also taste the palace’s good things."
Empress Dowager Wang smiled gently, "See how you make such a fuss over just a few pastries? Lian Qiao, have someone prepare some pastries, so Ah Ci can take them back when she leaves the palace."
Song Ci did not expect it to be so easy and got up to express her gratitude.
"You’ve just recovered, and according to reason, you shouldn’t have been made to come all this way. But since I’ve found a suitable heir, I wanted you to see the child as well," Empress Dowager Wang said.
Song Ci thought to herself, clever, she was always clever, guessed it in one go.
"Lady, you truly flatter your subject’s wife," Song Ci made a face of being overwhelmed by favor.
She was not just acting; indeed, she was somewhat overwhelmed because, ultimately, this was personal family business. To decide on someone, just a word was enough.
But for Empress Dowager Wang, to let Song Ci have a look was not just ordinary favor; it was trust and heartfelt communication.
Empress Dowager Wang, speechless, said, "Stop saying ’your subject’s wife’ all the time, it’s making my ears numb. Just be at ease."
Song Ci smiled wryly, "Lady, if the one from the Ministry of Rites catches me slipping, they’d surely say the Song Family doesn’t know the rules and use etiquette to criticize."
Minister of Rites Li Da: Are you sure you’re not subtly giving me a hard time?