Emperor Jingming’s reaction both relieved and met Jiang Si’s expectations.
Having decided to no longer conceal her talents, whether it was the trick of making flower buds bloom at the plum blossom banquet, or now curing Princess Fuqing, as well as many future peculiarities, she needed an explanation. But what explanation could a noble lady raised in seclusion provide? She couldn’t simply invent a mysterious master.
Rather than fabricating such a lie, it was better to attribute it to innate knowledge. After all, whether others believed her or not, they could only accept her word.
Those in power don’t truly care about reasons; they always value results that benefit them.
Jiang Si knew the Emperor would send people to investigate later, but having lived without any abnormalities, she wasn’t afraid of scrutiny.
Yu Jin glanced lightly at Jiang Si and smiled, “It was Father Emperor’s keen eye that found such a good daughter-in-law for your son.”
Emperor Jingming laughed even more heartily.
He thought to himself, that having a daughter-in-law who could perform magic tricks would make the palace much more interesting in the future.
Princess Fuqing approached Jiang Si and bowed deeply, “Seventh Sister-in-law, Fuqing thank you—”
Jiang Si reached out to support Princess Fuqing, “Princess, there’s no need for such formality. You suffered from an eye ailment, and I happened to be able to cure it. This must be heaven’s will.”
“Heaven’s will?” Princess Fuqing murmured, her eyes reddening again.
Since becoming aware, she had complained countless times about heaven’s injustice, but now that her eyes were healed, did it mean that heaven hadn’t forgotten her?
“Whether it’s heaven’s will or not, it was Seventh Sister-in-law who cured my eyes. Fuqing is very grateful…” Princess Fuqing said, looking towards the Empress.
The Empress was still overwhelmed with emotion.
She had only this one daughter, and her daughter’s blindness was her deepest pain. Now that her daughter’s eyesight was restored, it lifted a great burden from her heart.
As for princes—watching one prince after another grow into adulthood, with even the youngest Eighth Prince being betrothed, the Empress had long given up hope of bearing a prince.
She and the Emperor were old now, not only unable to conceive but even if they did bear a prince now, what good would it do?
As the son of the Empress, if the Crown Prince could successfully ascend to the throne, all would be well. If not, he was destined to struggle to live as a wealthy and idle prince like the other princes.
The Empress directly grasped Jiang Si’s hand, “Fuqing is a child who knows gratitude, and you are a sensible child. In the future, you should come often to Kunning Palace to keep me company…”
As she spoke, the Empress signaled to her trusted maid, “Bring a Lingxiao bracelet.”
The trusted maid was startled for a moment, then quickly turned and left.
Palace maids and eunuchs knelt on the ground, shouting, “Congratulations to Your Majesty, congratulations to the Empress, congratulations to Your Highness—”
Emperor Jingming was in high spirits, “Rewards for everyone!”
The Empress nodded with a smile.
Hearing the deafening congratulations, the palace maids outside the hall looked at each other in confusion.
Today, Prince Yan and his consort came to pay respects to the Emperor and Empress. What could have happened to cause such a commotion?
Not long ago, Prince Shu had brought his consort but left after just the time it takes to burn an incense stick.
Seeing a eunuch who had been serving inside come out, a palace maid outside boldly asked, “Eunuch Tao, what joyous event has occurred?”
The eunuch couldn’t contain his joy, “Her Highness Princess Fuqing’s eyes have recovered. His Majesty has ordered me to report the good news to Cining Palace.”
The eunuch hurried away, his steps betraying his excitement.
The palace people who learned this news were all overjoyed.
Kunning Palace hadn’t had such a joyous event in a long time. Regardless of how many rewards the Empress might bestow, at least for the next few months, they would be working in a much more relaxed atmosphere, without fear of punishment for the slightest mistake.
Moreover, Princess Fuqing had such a good nature; it was truly pitiful that she couldn’t see.
Inside and outside Kunning Palace, a festive atmosphere instantly prevailed, with everyone wearing expressions even more joyful than during the New Year.
In Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager was listening to Cui Mingyue tell amusing stories when a palace servant came to report, “Eunuch Tao from Kunning Palace has come by imperial command to report good news to the Empress Dowager.”
Good news?
The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but straighten her face, feeling puzzled.
What joyous event could have occurred in Kunning Palace that warranted sending someone specifically to report?
Realizing that at this hour, Prince Yan and his consort should be paying respects to the Emperor and Empress in Kunning Palace, the Empress Dowager had a thought.
Could it be related to Prince Yan and his consort?
But she really couldn’t imagine what ability that couple could have that would be connected to such joyous news.
With this doubt in mind, the Empress Dowager signaled for the servant to bring in the eunuch to report the news.
As soon as Eunuch Tao entered, he immediately knelt down and loudly proclaimed, “This slave offers congratulations to the Empress Dowager!”
“What is there to congratulate?” the Empress Dowager asked sternly.
Although Eunuch Tao didn’t dare raise his head, his tone was extremely excited, “Reporting to the Empress Dowager, Princess fuqing’s eyes have recovered—”
The Empress Dowager stood up abruptly, “What?”
The news brought by the eunuch was so bizarre that she couldn’t help but wonder if she had misheard.
“Empress Dowager, Princess Fuqing’s eyes have fully recovered!” Eunuch Tao repeated loudly.
The Empress Dowager, supported by a palace maid, walked closer to Eunuch Tao, her expression extremely severe, “Do you know the consequences of deceiving me?”
Eunuch Tao hurriedly kowtowed, “This slave would never dare deceive the Empress Dowager. It was His Majesty and Her Majesty who ordered this slave to report the good news to the Empress Dowager.”