An eight-year-old kid emptied his scumbag father's warehouse and followed his grandparents into

After Xu Zize and the others left, Nanny Zhou's wrinkled face relaxed into a kind and warm smile.

Her slightly cloudy but still bright eyes looked at Jing Chunxi carefully, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes stretched out like a fan.

She bowed slightly and asked in a slightly hoarse but gentle voice, "Miss, would you like to explore the Cining Palace right away, or go to the side hall to have some tea and rest first?"

When the word "tea" was mentioned, a look of embarrassment suddenly appeared on Madam Zhou's face, which was covered with age spots. She subconsciously rubbed her rough hands and glanced wanderingly outside the hall.

After the passing of the Empress Dowager, the once magnificent Cining Palace was rarely visited. Apart from the necessary offerings on the first and fifteenth day of each month, not even decent cakes were prepared on weekdays.

If she wanted to entertain the distinguished guests, she couldn't even provide a decent plate of snacks. This realization made the old nanny, who had served in the palace for most of her life, feel embarrassed.

Jing Chunxi was unaware of Madam Zhou's complex thoughts. She was concentrating on gazing at the kind-looking old man before her.

Nanny Zhou wore a palace gown so washed out that it looked pale indigo. Her hair was meticulously tied into a bun, secured with a simple wooden hairpin. Despite her advanced age, she stood tall and straight, and her every move exuded the dignity typical of an elderly palace dweller.

Jing Chunxi leaned forward slightly and responded in a clear voice, "It's not too late to walk around later. Madam Zhou has worked hard in the palace over the years. The prince often mentioned you to me."

As she spoke, she observed Madam Zhou's reaction. Since Xu Zize was able to place his chess piece here, Madam Zhou must be his most trusted confidant.

Although the prince had never mentioned this old nanny to her specifically, Jing Chunxi speculated that the person who could stay in the Cining Palace after the Empress Dowager's death must be someone who had served the Empress Dowager in the past. How could she have such an honor?

Maybe she was the dowry maid who followed the Queen Mother into the palace from Cui's Mansion, and was the Queen Mother's most capable right-hand man.

When Madam Zhou heard this, her wrinkled eyes suddenly became moist. She raised her rough hands tremblingly and gently pressed the corners of her eyes with her sleeves, as if she had heard the most affirmative praise in the world for her.

The corners of her mouth trembled uncontrollably, and her voice choked with sobs: "It's not hard! It's a blessing for this old slave to be able to serve the queen and the young master with my old bones. As long as the prince can be safe and sound, everything this old slave does is worth it."

As she spoke, she carefully wiped the red corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, and then smiled tearfully at Jing Chunxi, a smile filled with the love of an elder for the younger.

"Madam, please take me to burn some incense for the Empress Dowager first, and then I'll take a walk around. If you're tired, feel free to rest. You don't have to accompany me. Just give me a candlestick for light," Jing Chunxi said considerately. She really couldn't bear to let this elderly person accompany her around the huge palace late at night.

"That's unacceptable!" Madam Zhou waved her hands repeatedly, her voice suddenly rising an octave. "The Cining Palace covers a vast area, with the palaces connected to each other. This is your first time here, and you're unfamiliar with the area. It would be inconvenient for you to walk around at night."

Although this old servant is old, he is still in good spirits and rarely talks to anyone on weekdays. He is eager to accompany the young lady for a walk."

She stood up and took a step forward, her attitude too firm to be refused. "Besides, the palace is very gloomy at night. I am really worried about you walking around alone."

Seeing that Madam Zhou was so insistent, Jing Chunxi couldn't refuse any more. She nodded gently and said softly, "Then I'll trouble you, Madam. But please don't push yourself. We can always rest if you get tired."

"Miss, you are so polite." The wrinkles on Madam Zhou's face smoothed out. "Then please follow me to the Great Buddha Hall to burn incense for the Empress Dowager."

The so-called Grand Buddha Hall is located deep in the Cining Palace's backyard, separated from the sleeping hall by a winding corridor, and situated in the southeast corner of the back garden. Although it's called a "Grand" Buddha Hall, it's actually not very grand; it's just a bit more spacious than the smaller one to the west, which only has room for one person to kneel.

The Great Buddha Hall was a simple and solemn building, its blue bricks and gray tiles gleaming with a cool luster in the moonlight. Eight carved wooden doors stood at the front and back of the hall, their hollowed-out swastika patterns casting subtle shadows on the ground in the candlelight.

When you push open the front door, you will be greeted by a gilded Buddhist shrine enshrined in the center. On the altar below the shrine, the tablet of the empress dowager has been wiped spotlessly clean and is emitting a warm glow in the candlelight.

Despite the late hour, smoke still curled from the incense burner before the altar. Three eternal lamps burned quietly before the Buddha, their wicks occasionally crackling softly. Fresh fruit and purified water on the altar indicated the constant burning of incense, meticulously maintained daily by Madam Zhou.

Jing Chunxi stepped forward solemnly and took three slender sandalwood sticks from Madam Zhou. The incense sticks felt heavy in her hand, exuding a delicate fragrance. She reverently lit them over the candle flame. When the incense tips ignited tiny sparks, she flicked her wrist gently to extinguish the flames, leaving only wisps of smoke rising.

Holding incense in both hands, she slowly knelt on the cushion and kowtowed three times respectfully to the empress dowager's spirit tablet. As her forehead touched the cold ground, she seemed to be able to feel the majesty and kindness of this empress dowager whom she had never met before.

After standing up, Jing Chunxi looked around. The furnishings of the Great Buddha Hall were extremely simple, without complicated decorations or unnecessary ornaments. Every item was placed just right. This minimalism actually made the entire space seem more solemn and dignified.

Her eyes were quickly drawn to the calligraphy and paintings on the walls on both sides - although they were called calligraphy and paintings, they were actually just two long vertical banners, one on the left and one on the right, hanging on the empty walls on both sides of the shrine.

The scroll was crafted from fine yellow-green striped rice paper, its surface gleaming with the gentle luster of time. Surprisingly, such a beautifully framed scroll bore only two large characters, written in bold, vibrant ink. The brushstrokes were powerful and imposing, each stroke revealing the calligrapher's profound skill and regal bearing.

The same banner on the right is completely blank, without even a single ink dot, creating an asymmetry that makes the entire hall appear particularly abrupt, like an unfinished painting, inviting pause for thought.

Jing Chunxi's eyes flickered between the two scrolls, her brows furrowing slightly. These two strange scrolls were clearly not accidental; they must hold a deeper meaning. She stared at the blank scroll, as if trying to see through the rice paper to the story behind it.

Seeing her pause for a long time, her gaze fixed on the blank banner, Matron Zhou couldn't help but sigh. The old matron slowly stepped forward, her voice low and gentle, "Young lady, you may not know that the banner on the right... was not inscribed by the Emperor Retired."

She paused, a look of reminiscence flashing in her eyes. "These two scrolls were originally intended to be hung in the main hall of the Cining Palace. The emperor painted the left one first, saying he would add the right one when he felt better. Who knew..."

Nanny Zhou's voice choked with sobs. "Who knew that the emperor would die suddenly, leaving this couplet empty forever."

She raised her hand and gently stroked the blank banners, her movements as gentle as if caressing the face of a loved one. "The Empress Dowager later devoted herself to worshipping Buddha and rarely went to the main hall. She moved the two banners to the Great Buddha Hall. I know that the Empress Dowager is...she is missing the Emperor."

Jing Chunxi listened quietly, without saying a word. She suddenly recalled the deeply moving love story between Prince Jing and his wife. Now, looking at the unfinished scrolls, she imagined the same deep affection between the retired emperor and the empress dowager.

It turns out that within this seemingly heartless palace, there is also such sincere love. At least, the two brothers of the Xu family are both people who value friendship and loyalty.