Chapter 211
Chapter 211
By the time Ji Hanyi reached the Empress’s palace, the Empress had been waiting for some time.
Ji Hanyi approached with great respect and performed a wanfu salute, taking care that her etiquette was flawless.
She knew the Empress disliked her and could not guess what difficulties today’s summons might bring.
Yet after Ji Hanyi bent her knees, Her Majesty did not tell her to rise. Ji Hanyi could only endure the strain.
After a long silence, the Empress finally told her to stand and come closer.
She examined Ji Hanyi. Her teal robe, jewelry, and adornments were all appropriate. Two elegant white pear blossoms embroidered at the high collar enhanced the pure brightness of her face.
She looked exceedingly likable.
Her beauty was extraordinary, but it flowed gently rather than overwhelming the eye, pleasing the beholder and slipping unbidden into the heart.
Only after taking a sip of tea did the Empress speak. “I know your upbringing was respectable, and the Grand Princess has praised you. But the Shen Family’s standing concerns the dignity of the imperial house. Your bearing, conduct, and etiquette remain insufficient.”
“Now that you have married into the Shen Family, you are a Shen wife. Countless eyes outside will watch you. You cannot make the slightest error in bearing, behavior, or character.”
Her gaze settled on Ji Hanyi. “Beginning tomorrow, you will remain here for one month. You will study palace etiquette and the conventions of noble families under my female officials.”
Ji Hanyi froze.
When she did not immediately agree, the Empress sneered and her face chilled. “What? Are you unwilling?”
Of course Ji Hanyi was unwilling. But she had married into the Shen Family, and the Empress had spoken. She could only accept respectfully.
Besides, Old Madam Shen had sent her here. Evidently this had already been arranged.
The Empress’s expression eased. “Do not imagine I mean to torment you. Ah Si is my only younger brother. Whatever the matter, I want only the best for him.”
“He insisted on marrying you, and I could not dissuade him. I can only make you worthy of him. Do you understand my intentions?”
Ji Hanyi lowered her eyes. “I understand.”
Seeing her obedience, the Empress softened further. “Good. In addition to studying etiquette, remain at my side and observe how I manage the inner palace. It will help you govern your household in the future.”
Ji Hanyi agreed at once.
Meanwhile, in Cining Palace, Sun Baoqiong sat beside the Empress Dowager peeling loquats while a palace servant quietly reported events at Kunning Palace.
When she heard that the Empress had summoned Ji Hanyi and intended to keep her in the palace to study etiquette, her expression darkened slightly.
She dismissed the servant. Only Sun Baoqiong and Commandery Princess Fengning remained with the Empress Dowager in the Western Warm Chamber.
The Empress Dowager ate a peeled loquat and studied Sun Baoqiong’s quiet, uncompetitive expression. She sighed.
“This is my fault. If I had asked His Majesty the Emperor for a marriage decree sooner, the Ji girl would never have had the opportunity.”
Sun Baoqiong shook her head, offering a cloth for the Empress Dowager’s hands. “Marquis Shen is not the only man in the capital.”
The Empress Dowager thought she truly had let go and relaxed.
Commandery Princess Fengning, Jiang Ru, spoke from the other side. “I wonder what Marquis Shen saw in Ji. She even has to study etiquette under Her Majesty the Empress. Could it be she knows none of the proper rules?”
“I also heard she went three years without a child in the Xie Family. Perhaps something is wrong with her, yet Marquis Shen still married her.”
The Empress Dowager frowned. “You must change this temperament. Being raised at my side has made you willful. Never say such things outside.”
“It would damage a young lady’s reputation.”
Jiang Ru stuck out her tongue and playfully linked arms with her. “I’m only telling the truth. I was curious.”
The Empress Dowager tapped her nose helplessly. “I heard of the divorce between Ji and the Xie Family. Supposedly a young cousin drugged the Eldest Grandson of the Xie Family. Who knows what truly happened?”
“The marriage is settled now. There is nothing more to say.”
She turned to Sun Baoqiong. “You have come of age, and your marriage cannot be delayed. I will find another excellent match for you.”
“Is there anyone you favor?”
Sun Baoqiong lowered her lashes.
There was only one man in the capital she desired: Marquis Shen.
His birth was illustrious, and he possessed both power and ability. As the Crown Prince’s maternal uncle, he would retain enormous influence in the future. Only marriage to him fulfilled the hopes with which she had first come to the capital.
After meeting a man like Shen Si, every other man seemed unworthy of her notice.
She asked meekly, “May I choose my own marriage?”
The Empress Dowager felt indebted to her. Sun Baoqiong had also served her far more attentively than Jiang Ru. For the sake of her own clan, she intended to choose one of the finest men in the capital for Baoqiong.
She patted her hand. “Rest assured. Whichever man in the capital catches your eye, I will request an imperial decree and see you married in splendor.”
Sun Baoqiong nestled against her, eyes reddening with gratitude.
She was not truly moved. She merely wanted the Empress Dowager to feel still more indebted.
A servant announced that Cheng Cong, Heir to the Marquisate, had arrived. Sun Baoqiong’s expression shifted slightly as she sat upright.
The Empress Dowager quickly admitted him. Cheng Cong first glanced at Sun Baoqiong beside her, then looked at the Empress Dowager with concern. “I heard Great-Grandaunt has been ill. My mother has caught a chill and Father is away from the capital, so she sent me to visit.”
The Empress Dowager was fond of him. “How thoughtful of you. I merely coughed twice.”
Cheng Cong approached with continued concern and presented a ginseng root. The Empress Dowager praised his growing maturity, then mentioned his marriage.
“Your principal wife died young and left two children. You have not remarried in two years. This cannot be delayed forever. Settle the matter soon.”
Cheng Cong smiled evasively. “When this grandnephew meets someone he favors, I will certainly marry.”
She gave him a sidelong look. “You always say that. In three years, have you met anyone who pleases you?”
Cheng Cong merely smiled and fell silent.
When they dispersed, Sun Baoqiong returned to her rooms. The moment she pushed open the door, someone covered her eyes. Before she could cry out, a powerful arm pulled her close.