Chapter 102: The Summoning

Chapter 102: The Summoning

"Nine years old?" Xiao Sheng set down the cup, asking in detail, "Who else knows about Mother adopting her as a foster daughter?"

Luo Yunlai quickly replied, "When the Empress Dowager took Miss Song as her foster daughter, she had the wife of the local governor, the wife of the deputy governor, and the wife of the county magistrate of Xiurong County under Mount Wutai as witnesses."

Xiao Sheng frowned slightly and instructed Sheng'an, "Go to Fengyi Palace, tell the Empress to summon Miss Song to the palace tomorrow."

"Yes," Sheng'an promptly responded.

Xiao Sheng then turned to Luo Yunlai, "Those palace maids and guards who attempted to flee, send them all to Ning Shou Mountain for burial. The rest can return to their original posts."

"Yes," Luo Yunlai thought the matter was concluded, but the Emperor spoke again in a grave tone —

"For those who died in the mountain fire, go to the Internal Affairs Department and check against the roster carefully. I don’t expect rapid results, but make sure the investigation is thorough."

Luo Yunlai's heart tightened, and he respectfully replied, "I will obey the order."

The next day, Old Madam Qing waited at Chaoyang Gate as instructed by the Empress, ready to guide Miss Song, who had been personally cared for by the Emperor.

Miss Song arrived at Chaoyang Gate in a carriage drawn by red-maned horses, assisted by a twelve or thirteen-year-old maid. She looked around cautiously and then timidly lowered her head.

From a distance, her attire was modest — a deep blue plain skirt with a light blue jacket, hair styled in twin buns, without any pearl adornments.

Though plain, the fabric was of good quality, likely specially prepared by the Empress Dowager's palace maids, considering Miss Song lost her parents at seven and was still in mourning. Only after the turn of the year could she wear brighter colors. Particularly, as the adopted daughter of the late Empress Dowager, and with the Empress Dowager's recent passing, it was even more inappropriate to dress extravagantly.

Old Madam Qing, having thought through all these details, adjusted her clothing, stepped forward, and bowed, "This old servant greets Miss Song."

Although she was nominally the Empress Dowager's adopted daughter, there was no official imperial edict or formal investiture, only a mention at a banquet in Jinzhou among several officials' wives. Hence, Nanny Qing could only offer such respects.

Miss Song seemed startled by Nanny Qing’s approach, instinctively wanting to hide behind a nearby maid, but she restrained herself and said in a soft voice, "There's no need for such formality, Nanny."

Nanny Qing straightened up and took a closer look at Miss Song. She was taken aback, nearly stepping back in surprise, which would have been a breach of etiquette.

The reason being, Miss Song bore a striking resemblance to Noble Consort Zhao. At only nine years old, she obviously didn't look exactly like the Noble Consort, but anyone who saw her would know that when she grew up, she would resemble Noble Consort Zhao to a great extent.

However, their demeanors were worlds apart. Naturally, one was a princess raised in luxury and the other a lonely orphan who lost her parents young. It was normal for only their faces to be similar.

Nanny Qing momentarily lost her composure, then managed a smile and said to Song Ran, "I serve by the Empress Dowager's side. Please follow me this way, Miss Song."

She gestured in a direction and started leading the way slightly ahead.

Nanny Qing, instructed by the Empress, naturally had to converse with Song Ran. Even though Song Ran remained silent throughout, Nanny Qing initiated the conversation, asking, "Where are you from, Miss Song? What is your birth year?"

Upon hearing this, Song Ran replied in a soft and timid voice, "I am from Cen County. I turned nine this May."

Noticing her trembling voice, Nanny Qing smiled and said, "Miss Song, there's no need to be nervous. The Empress Dowager is very kind. She summoned you today because the Empress Dowager has taken you as her adopted daughter, and naturally, she wants to meet you."

Song Ran, who had been looking down at the cobblestones, her eyes shining subtly, responded timidly, like an orphan worried about having nowhere to go, "Nanny, will the Empress Dowager send me back to the Orphanage?"

"Why would she?" Nanny Qing replied gently. "Since the Empress Dowager has summoned you, she wouldn't do such a thing."

"Really?" Hearing this, Song Ran still sounded somewhat fearful as she said to Nanny Qing, "But I, I can't do much, only recognize some characters…"

"Miss Song, being literate is quite remarkable! Most of the servants in the palace are illiterate." Nanny Qing praised her and then asked, "So, what did you usually do in Jinzhou?"

Song Ran followed closely behind Nanny Qing, still looking down, and said softly, "My aunt arranged a teacher for me... In the mornings, I study and in the afternoons, I practice calligraphy, painting, and musical instruments... But I'm not very good, I can't seem to learn anything well..."

If she were really so useless, the Empress Dowager wouldn't have taken her as an adopted daughter.

Glancing back at her, Nanny Qing thought to herself: She's somewhat cunning, but still just a naïve nine-year-old girl.

She continued with a gentle smile, "These arts are for cultivating one's mind and character. You don't need to excel in them, Miss Song. You're too modest."

"Yes, my aunt says the same," Song Ran's voice grew even fainter.

As they conversed, they soon arrived at Fengyi Palace.

Nanny Qing instructed Song Ran and her maid to wait outside Mingluan Hall while she went inside to report to the Empress.

It was only then that the maid, Xiaoxing, who had been silent all along, whispered to Song Ran, "Miss, the palace is so big and beautiful! Much larger than our courtyard!"

Xiaoxing was a servant girl bought by the Empress Dowager's sister for Song Ran's personal service.

Yes, big and beautiful indeed. As a child, she too had a life of ease and comfort...

Song Ran lowered her eyes and gently tugged at Xiaoxing's sleeve, fearfully saying, "Xiaoxing, don't talk too much. I'm afraid of being sent away."

Xiaoxing understood that if Song Ran lost her status as the Empress Dowager's adopted daughter, she too would be in trouble. She quickly nodded and closed her mouth.

Inside the main hall, Nanny Qing was reporting back to the Empress.

With a surprised look now on her face, she spoke softly, "My lady, that Miss Song looks very much like Noble Consort Zhao, especially her eyes – as if carved from the same mold. When she grows up, she'll certainly resemble the Noble Consort."

"What?!" The Empress stood up swiftly from her seat upon hearing this and walked a few steps towards the curio shelf, saying sarcastically, "The Empress Dowager is actually harboring such intentions..."

Nanny Qing continued, "Miss Song is only nine and studies calligraphy, painting, and music in Jinzhou every day. Perhaps the Empress Dowager originally planned to nurture her for a few years before sending her to the palace..."

"Sending to the palace?" The Empress scoffed, "Just an imitation. With the original still present, the Empress Dowager is truly muddled."

The Empress's words were offensive, and Nanny Qing, along with Chunyan and Xiachan, all bowed their heads, not daring to respond.

After a moment, Xiachan cautiously spoke up, "My lady, since the Empress Dowager has taken Miss Song as her adopted daughter, perhaps... she's not intended for the selection of court ladies."

Although only an adopted daughter, in name, she's the Emperor's sister. It's not impossible for her to become a court lady, but that would certainly give the imperial censors something to talk about.

"Not yet formally conferred, the title of adopted daughter can be easily revoked." The Empress shook her head, a sly smile curling her lips, "His Majesty only said to meet Miss Song, and if she is satisfactory, perhaps grant her a county princess title... This Miss Song, if used wisely, could be a good move."