Chapter 115: The Empress Dowager Feels Sorry for Me

Song Ci had barely spent the time it takes to drink a cup of tea in the Kunning Palace before she was carried again to the Cining Palace.

Along the way, she tried to piece together the memories of her original self—what matters had transpired with the most esteemed figure of Cining Palace and how they had interacted.

She filled in many gaps with effort, but some memories remained blurry, frightening her enough to pinch the web between her thumb and index finger to stay alert, no longer daring to be arrogant.

After all, this was the Empress Dowager who had shared hardships with her. Those past events were surely well remembered by her, but not so much by herself. If she slipped up and said something amiss, would the Empress Dowager seize her by the throat and call her a demon?

Song Ci felt a surge of nervousness.

When she saw the Empress Dowager, her eyes grew slightly moist, and her emotions became difficult to contain.

How strange.

The current Empress Dowager’s surname was Wang. During the chaos of war, her natal family had been wiped out, leaving only one distant clan member still in mourning. The closest relative was a man whose grandfather and her own grandfather were cousins, and he had been granted the title of Duke of Loyalty and Diligence—a title without real power, bestowed as a favor.

Empress Dowager Wang was stern-hearted and not close to her present family. Initially, she had even intended to refuse the emperor’s plan to confer that title on the Duke of Loyalty and Diligence, fearing that her son would be disgraced. It was only out of concern that she reluctantly accepted the bestowal.

Yet even so, she was not close to that duke’s household. In her heart, her only true family was her own branch, which had since been extinguished without an heir. The others, though sharing her surname, were merely distant relatives. Why bestow so much favor on them? Could her own branch rest peacefully in the underworld?

She would never tolerate talk of family honor. Her true kin were all dead, and although others enjoyed their wealth and status, she felt nothing but bitterness.

Moreover, the Duke of Loyalty and Diligence’s household continued to stir trouble, still hoping to adopt an heir from her branch.

She understood why: the adoption was only to perpetuate the glory that had been conferred upon Empress Dowager Wang.

But Empress Dowager Wang refused.

To outsiders, the Duke of Loyalty and Diligence appeared unloved, less favored even than Song Ci, who had appeared out of nowhere.

“You see, after being ill, you’ve grown distant towards me. How many times have I told you there’s no need for so many formalities? Let’s be as comfortable as we used to be. Why won’t you listen?” The Empress Dowager looked on helplessly at Song Ci, who trembled as she bowed.

Song Ci replied, “Your Majesty, protocol must not be neglected. That’s what they say outside, and even more so within the palace. We know our closeness, but if the censors heard, they’d keep submitting memorials against us. The Ministry of Rites might even come to my home to re-educate me on proper etiquette. I’m old now and don’t want to suffer such trouble again.”

When Song Ci finished speaking, even she was surprised at how smoothly the words came—perhaps a residue of her original self’s feelings.

Still, she was not being merely polite. Familiarity aside, hierarchy must be observed. Who could say what the Empress Dowager might think? Would she feel disrespected? Once a fallen hen, now reborn a phoenix, should she still be treated like a drenched, bedraggled bird?

Song Ci believed that some people preferred not to dwell on past hardships, for it reminded both others and themselves of their former misfortune.

The Empress Dowager said, “In this palace, who dares to spread rumors? Come, sit beside me. Let us speak plainly.”

Song Ci did not refuse. She took the hand of a palace attendant and sat on an embroidered stool near the foot of the Empress Dowager’s phoenix throne, gazing at this illustrious figure.

Though older in years, the Empress Dowager’s upkeep was impeccable, making her appear a decade younger. Truly, she was a noblewoman accustomed to privilege, radiating dignity and grace.

“Ah Ci, you’ve aged quite a bit since I last saw you,” the Empress Dowager observed carefully, then sighed with a hint of sorrow.

Song Ci remained silent.

She understood the Empress Dowager’s concern, and though she might not mention age openly, they were still close sisters at heart.

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