The beloved is reborn as a substitute, and the tyrant begs for forgiveness every night.

Faced with the Empress Dowager's instructions, Cai Die slightly raised her head, but dared not look up.

"She's quite a beauty."

Although the Empress Dowager said this, her tone remained calm and composed.

"Speak now, what do you want to exchange for the things you brought out to me?"

Faced with the Empress Dowager's question, Cai Die kowtowed deeply to the ground, not daring to raise her head.

"Your Majesty, this was sent by our Ladyship. She only said it was a gift for Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but scoff.

Bringing gifts as presents—only Jiang Yunxue would do something like that.

However, she and Jiang Yunxue had never crossed paths.

I have no idea what difficulties she encountered that led her to seek my help.

As she pondered, the Empress Dowager unconsciously touched the jade hairpin she had taken out of the wooden box.

Well, at least Jiang Yunxue put her mind to it by returning this item to her.

In this matter alone, the Empress Dowager owes Jiang Yunxue a favor.

The Empress Dowager's voice turned cold as she thought of this.

"In that case, you may rise now. After lunch tomorrow, I would like to take a stroll in the Imperial Garden. I'll have your empress accompany me."

The Empress Dowager's words also provided a precise time and place.

Having achieved its purpose for coming here today, the butterfly will naturally not linger.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will go back and inform the Consort immediately."

Seeing that Cai Die was perceptive, the Empress Dowager didn't say anything more and let her go.

After the butterfly left, the Empress Dowager looked at the jade hairpin in her hand, her eyes filled with nostalgia and sadness.

The old woman standing next to her was named Shiqing.

Shi Qing was about the same age as the Empress Dowager and had served her since childhood.

When the Empress Dowager entered the palace during the reign of the late Emperor, Shiqing and Huayi were her two maids who accompanied her as part of her dowry.

When Huayi passed away years ago, all that remained was his poetic spirit.

Seeing the Empress Dowager's sad expression, Shi Qing couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

"Your Majesty, what happened back then is in the past. Please try to think more positively about it."

Upon hearing her say this, the Empress Dowager gave a wry smile.

"It's not that I can't let go of my poetic feelings, it's just that back then..."

Her voice choked up as she spoke.

"My son was so young, how could he have left me at such a young age?"

The Empress Dowager's voice was tinged with sobs.

Shi Qing was heartbroken to see this scene.

She gently patted the Empress Dowager's back, then gave a wink, signaling all the palace servants to leave.

When the Empress Dowager is in such a vulnerable state, she naturally does not want others to see it.

Therefore, she did not speak when Shiqing dismissed the servants.

"Your Majesty, His Highness possesses the beauty of a celestial being, which is why Heaven has summoned him back to your side."

She comforted the Empress Dowager, day after day, for ten years.

Although the Empress Dowager knew that she was just saying comforting words, she still harbored some illusions in her heart.

Even if they are taken away by the Eternal Heaven, it's still better than suffering in hell.

"Yes, she was simply called back by God. Heaven is jealous of talent, why did it have to be my son?"

She murmured to herself, her heart clenching with pain.

Seeing this, Shiqing subtly changed the subject.

"Your Majesty, in your opinion, what is the Consort's request when she sent this gift today?"

Although the Empress Dowager knew that the matter was being changed, she went along with it.

"Even I can't figure out what the Imperial Concubine is thinking. Why don't you go and inquire about it?"

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's instructions, Shiqing nodded in agreement.

But by the time she had investigated the general outline of the matter, it was already past midnight.

The Empress Dowager was already resting, so Shiqing naturally didn't disturb her.

The Empress Dowagers on both sides arranged to meet Jiang Yunxue after lunch.

It's still early, and it's not easy for the Empress Dowager to go to bed so early despite her emotional turmoil.

Fearing that the Empress Dowager might need to get up in the middle of the night, Shiqing stayed by her side all night again.

The next morning, Shiqing told the Empress Dowager all the information she had gathered.

The Empress Dowager was having breakfast at that moment.

After hearing Shiqing finish explaining the whole story, he frowned slightly.

"In that case, it is the emperor's fault."

Seeing that she was not satisfied with Xu Leyao's entry into the palace, Shiqing understood how to respond to the Consort later.

"Your Majesty, would you like to meet that Miss Jiang? I've heard that she bears a resemblance to the late Empress in her features."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager paused slightly in the hand holding the soup spoon.

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly, recalling Xu Leyao's appearance in her mind.

She remembered that Xu Leyao used to be a kind person.

Although she wasn't a vegetarian or a Buddhist, she was a tolerant, generous, and well-educated woman.

The Empress Dowager had a high opinion of Xu Leyao.

Hearing Shiqing say this, she began to have some thoughts of meeting her.

Having served the Empress Dowager for so many years, Shiqing could see through her thoughts at a glance.

Of course, this was on the premise that the Empress Dowager was willing to let her know.

"Your Majesty, this old servant will make arrangements another day."

Upon hearing Shiqing's words, the Empress Dowager nodded slightly.

Similar to Xu Leyao, it's no wonder Zheng Zhihe would have such thoughts.

I just wonder how similar they are?

The Empress Dowager finished her breakfast while thinking about it.

After breakfast, it's time to chant Buddhist prayers.

The Empress Dowager recited Buddhist scriptures almost daily, three times a day. And whenever she recited scriptures, poetry accompanied her.

Today is no exception.

However, because she had an appointment to meet with Jiang Yunxue today, the Empress Dowager moved up the time for lunch.

Jiang Yunxue only learned of this news when she finished lunch and went to the Imperial Garden.

After Cai Die hurriedly finished speaking with Jiang Yunxue, she heard Jiang Yunxue urging her to get ready.

Although the incident happened suddenly and there was some initial confusion, there was still order within the chaos.

With Cai Die's skillful hands, Jiang Yunxue styled her hair into a flowing cloud bun, changed her clothes, and went to the garden to see the Empress Dowager.

At this moment, the Empress Dowager was feeding the fish in the koi pond.

She cast the bait while chatting and laughing with Shiqing.

When Jiang Yunxue arrived, the Empress Dowager didn't even spare her a glance.

Although she had to help Jiang Yunxue this time because of the jade hairpin incident yesterday, the Empress Dowager was not someone who could be threatened.

Fortunately, Jiang Yunxue is an obedient person.

Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, Jiang Yunxue immediately bowed and greeted her.

The Empress Dowager ignored her for a moment before calling her to get up.

Jiang Yunxue didn't take it to heart at all.

She knew that sending her things would displease the Empress Dowager, so she had long been prepared to be harassed.

At this point, it was just a matter of bowing a little longer, and Jiang Yunxue could handle it.

Moreover, having already made things difficult for her on the surface, the Empress Dowager naturally wouldn't make things harder for her anymore.

"Your Highness is truly clever; I never noticed it before."

The Empress Dowager spoke these words to Jiang Yunxue, but she didn't spare a glance for her.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunxue smiled ingratiatingly.

"Your Majesty is too kind in your praise."