"You’re here, kneel." The Empress Dowager spoke softly when she heard movement behind her.
Li Yuyu glanced around, and aside from the thick and soft cushion on which the Empress Dowager knelt, there was no second one.
She understood that the Empress Dowager wanted to punish her.
Thinking about the things she had done since she arrived, it wasn’t unreasonable for the Empress Dowager to punish her.
Before she came, she had inquired and learned that the Emperor’s morning court session had ended later than usual today, and afterward he would be discussing matters with the ministers. He might not even have lunch in the harem, let alone visit the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace.
The Empress Dowager had prepared thoroughly, intending to punish her. Now she could only deal with it step by step.
"Yes." As Li Yuyu knelt on the ground, she felt that her elaborate long dress was truly useful.
For instance, now she deliberately folded the long dress a few times and cushioned it beneath her knees while kneeling.
It was quite soft.
Li Yuyu didn’t have Buddha Beads, so she clasped her hands together and mimicked the Empress Dowager, closing her eyes.
The Empress Dowager recited scriptures beside her. Li Yuyu listened for a moment and suddenly smiled slightly; what a coincidence, she knew this scripture.
Thus, Li Yuyu joined the Empress Dowager in reciting, using a small but audible voice for the Empress Dowager to hear.
Hearing her response, the Empress Dowager opened her eyes and turned her head toward Li Yuyu.
Her recitation didn’t pause, but the volume clearly decreased, highlighting Li Yuyu’s voice.
Li Yuyu was overjoyed; perhaps today she would avoid punishment.
With this thought, she recited the scriptures with greater sincerity.
The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, barely perceptible, and closed her eyes again to finish this section of scripture with Li Yuyu.
Both opened their eyes simultaneously.
"I, your humble servant, pay respects to the Empress Dowager. May she have everlasting peace and health." Li Yuyu shifted forward on her knees and made a grand salute to the Empress Dowager.
"Hmm." The Empress Dowager responded indifferently.
Chen Jing entered then, assisting the Empress Dowager to stand.
Li Yuyu kept her head down, kneeling on the ground, her delicate face showing only respect.
The Empress Dowager was pleased with Li Yuyu’s response but thought of Li Yuyu’s recent actions. She then asked sternly, "Does Lady Li know why I summoned you here?"
Li Yuyu: "I do not know."
"Do you not know, or are you pretending not to know?" The Empress Dowager huffed lightly.
"Replying to the Empress Dowager, I am pretending not to know." After speaking, Li Yuyu raised her head to look at the Empress Dowager, her beautiful face showing a very obedient expression.
Empress Dowager: ...
Imperial Study.
Yan Xiu, after finishing court, led the ministers to the Imperial Study to continue discussing important matters.
Shen Quan received the news and gestured to Donglai to stand guard outside Cining Palace. If necessary, he should make an appearance to intervene. As for whether he could stop it, it depended on Lady Li’s fortune.
Such troubles, he hoped the Empress Dowager wouldn’t really punish Lady Li heavily; otherwise, how heartbroken would the Emperor be if he knew?
Shen Quan re-entered the Imperial Study, bowing his head respectfully at Yan Xiu’s side.
Yan Xiu glanced sideways at Shen Quan.
He seemed to have seen Donglai speaking to Shen Quan outside the study.
Shen Quan’s face revealed nothing, but from Donglai’s face, everything was clear. Could it be something had happened again with Yu’er?
Yan Xiu looked at the sky, sighed in his heart.
What was he worrying about? At this time, Yu’er should be asleep in Luaxin Pavilion; what trouble could there be?
"Emperor, Emperor?" Shen Quan called softly.
Yan Xiu pressed his lips together and gestured with his eyes to indicate the timing.
Shen Quan whispered a reminder, "Emperor, Vice Minister Sun just discussed the escort plan; do you find it feasible?"
Yan Xiu: ?
What plan?