Chapter 12: The Empress Dowager Summons
Jiang Jin raised her brush, ready to begin, but the tip hovered in the air for a long while without touching the rice paper.
Suddenly, a drop of ink fell, staining the paper.
Jiang Jin sighed softly in resignation and set the brush down.
For some reason, her mind had gone completely blank the moment she picked up the brush—she couldn’t even recall the most basic outline.
Even if she persisted, it was unlikely she would remember.
Jiang Jin left the writing desk, intending to take a walk in the courtyard.
But as soon as she pushed open the door, she saw Furong hurrying toward her.
“Miss, someone from the palace has come. The Empress Dowager wishes to see you!”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
Hearing this, Jiang Jin frowned.
As the ordinary daughter of a minister, the Empress Dowager probably didn’t even remember what she looked like. Why would she want to see her now?
This was something that had never happened in her previous life. Jiang Jin thought carefully and quickly realized that the Empress Dowager’s summons must be related to Ning Wang, Xie Chengzhi.
Ning Wang’s birth mother, Consort Yu, was the daughter of the Empress Dowager’s close friend. After Consort Yu fell ill and passed away, the Empress Dowager took the seven-year-old Ning Wang under her care and raised him personally.
Later, when the Empress Dowager fell ill and went to Jiangnan to recuperate, she also brought the twelve-year-old Ning Wang with her.
It wasn’t until three years later that the grandmother and grandson returned to the capital and the palace.
Having spent years together, their bond was incomparable to others.
The only one who could move the Empress Dowager to act was Ning Wang!
And Ning Wang, at least based on his current demeanor, seemed quite amiable.
This visit likely wouldn’t be too difficult for her.
Understanding the situation, Jiang Jin said, “Furong, help me redo my hair and change my clothes!”
She had dressed casually today, and it would be inappropriate to meet the Empress Dowager like this.
Furong complied and quickly redid Jiang Jin’s hair.
Jiang Jin had only seen the Empress Dowager a few times in both her lifetimes and had never had a private audience.
Thus, she could only prepare based on distant observations from banquets and uncertain rumors.
Soon after she finished getting ready, her mother, Lady Shen, arrived.
Lady Shen entered the room and smiled approvingly at Jiang Jin’s attire.
Jiang Jin’s hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with hair accessories matching her cyan gown, and complemented by tassels of the same color pinned at the back.
The cyan-green dress was dignified without making her look overly mature.
Moreover, the swaying tassels added a touch of youthful vitality as she moved.
Lady Shen stepped closer, took Jiang Jin’s hand, and reassured her, “Jin’er, although I don’t know why the Empress Dowager has summoned you, there’s no need to be overly anxious. If you make any minor mistakes in your behavior, don’t blame or fret over yourself. The Empress Dowager is kind and won’t hold it against a young person like you.”
Jiang Jin nodded. “I understand, Mother.”
“Good, let’s go. The palace envoy is waiting.”
Mother and daughter left Qinghe Courtyard and soon arrived at the outer courtyard.
Lady Shen intended to accompany Jiang Jin to the carriage, but as they passed through the moon gate, she saw a maid approaching nervously.
The maid whispered a few words to Mama Lin, who then hurried over to Lady Shen.
“Madam,” Mama Lin called, nodding to Jiang Jin as well.
Seeing Mama Lin’s anxious expression, Lady Shen knew the matter was serious.
She turned to Jiang Jin and said, “The household guards will escort you, Jin’er. Don’t be nervous. Go ahead.”
With that, she nodded to Mama Lin.
Mama Lin quietly reported to Lady Shen, “Something has happened with the Second Young Master. I heard it’s…”
After listening, Lady Shen’s brow furrowed tightly.
She hurried back to the inner courtyard with Mama Lin.
Jiang Jin watched Lady Shen’s retreating figure, slightly raising an eyebrow as she took a deep breath, seemingly indifferent.
“Let’s go.”
Jiang Jin led Furong out the main gate, where the palace envoy smiled and nodded to her. “Third Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Jin returned the smile and promptly boarded the carriage.
Throughout the journey, Jiang Jin sat upright, maintaining her posture without a hint of laxity.
She had never met this person before, but she could guess that this was someone sent by the Empress Dowager to observe her.
Compared to the palace maids who served trays and water during previous palace banquets, this person’s demeanor and conduct were more refined.
Moreover, her clothing seemed somewhat loose, as if it didn’t fit her properly—almost as if it had been borrowed from someone with a fuller figure.
Jiang Jin quietly averted her gaze, refraining from further scrutiny.
The carriage proceeded until it reached the Dismounting Stone. Seeing the wheels slow, Jiang Jin assumed it was time to disembark.
Just as she was about to rise, the palace maid opposite her called out, “Keep going!”
Jiang Jin blinked, casting a surprised glance at her, but quickly understood.
Typically, family members of ordinary officials would stop here and proceed into the palace on foot.
Those of higher rank or from noble families would stop at the Meridian Gate.
Given her current status, she should have naturally alighted here.
But since the other party insisted the carriage continue, it was undoubtedly on the Empress Dowager’s orders, showing her some consideration.
Naturally, Jiang Jin was pleased with this arrangement.
Otherwise, she would have had to walk the remaining distance, and saving any part of the journey was welcome.
Before long, the carriage stopped at the Meridian Gate.
Jiang Jin watched as the palace maid presented a token, and the guards swiftly allowed them entry into the palace.
Following behind the palace maid, Jiang Jin maintained a respectful distance—neither lagging too far behind nor rushing to catch up.
Now inside the palace, she had to tread with utmost caution at every step.
Jiang Jin walked with heightened alertness until she reached the entrance of Cining Palace, where she suddenly heard a dog’s bark.
Her eyes widened—the sound was strangely familiar!
“Third Miss Jiang, be careful,” the palace maid leading the way suddenly warned.
Jiang Jin looked ahead and saw a white figure charging toward her.
Then, it came to an abrupt halt right beside her legs.
The small white dog nuzzled her legs and whimpered softly twice.
Its gentle whimpers made one want to pick it up immediately.
Jiang Jin’s fingers twitched slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.
The palace maid ahead sighed in relief upon seeing she was unharmed.
Soon, someone emerged from the hall, approached Jiang Jin, and picked up the little white dog.
“Song Ren, you mustn’t scare people!” She gently tapped the dog’s head. Once the dog settled down, she turned to Jiang Jin with an apologetic tone. “Third Miss Jiang, were you frightened just now?”
Jiang Jin shook her head. “No, it… is very well-behaved.”
“That’s because it’s your first time meeting it. Once you spend more time with it, you’ll realize what a little devil it truly is!”
Despite her words, the woman gently stroked the dog’s fur.
“I forgot to introduce myself. Third Miss Jiang, I am the chief stewardess serving the Empress Dowager. My surname is Meng.”
“Auntie Meng,” Jiang Jin nodded in acknowledgment.
“Third Miss, come with me. Her Majesty is eager to see you!” Auntie Meng said, her face beaming with a smile.
Jiang Jin observed her, growing even more vigilant inwardly.
In the palace, everyone wore multiple masks.
Some people may appear to be smiling, but behind the scenes, one never knows what schemes they might be plotting.
As the most capable and trusted chief stewardess by the Empress Dowager’s side, Auntie Meng was naturally not someone Jiang Jin could afford to underestimate.
Every move Auntie Meng made likely carried deeper intentions.
Unconsciously, Jiang Jin clenched her fingers and followed her into the hall.