Stung by Yun Xi's sarcasm, Princess Eight's face froze. She gritted her teeth in hatred.
"Your excuses are useless. You'll soon see what's in store for you when you meet my mother!"
Princess Eight wore a gloating expression, which made Yun Xi's heart skip a beat. However, her face remained calm.
"Then please step aside, Princess Eight. After what you've said, I can hardly wait!"
When she first heard that the Empress Dowager had summoned her, she had a bad feeling. With Princess Eight's words, her suspicion was almost confirmed.
But she wasn't one to be daunted. Fear was the most useless burden in the face of difficulties.
After all, she was going to be Qi Rong's wife. She couldn't hide under his wings forever.
She wanted to share joys and sorrows with him, and stand side by side!
Princess Eight had expected to see fear or unease on Yun Xi's face. Failing to get the reaction she wanted, she grew angry. She sneered, "You're just putting on a brave face. Let's see if you can even shed a tear later!"
Facing Princess Eight's mockery, Yun Xi smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Princess Eight. When you cry one day, I'll be happy to offer you a handkerchief."
With that, Yun Xi ignored Princess Eight's twisted face. Smiling, she strode past her.
Yun Xi entered the Kunning Palace. Guided by a maid, she observed the surroundings.
Although some time had passed since the fire, and there were few casualties, it had burned down several buildings and trees. Even after the servants had cleaned up, there were still patches of charred ground.
Just then, a maid carrying an iron basin caught Yun Xi's eye.
The maid's hairpin was askew, and her clothes were tattered. She looked as if she had been in a fight. There were several red marks on her face. She walked while muttering curses. She scolded a young maid beside her who was crying pitifully, "I've told you countless times not to untie the ropes, but you just wouldn't listen! Now look at us. Are you satisfied?"
The young maid covered her bitten arm. Looking aggrieved and teary-eyed, she said, "Sister, I didn't expect this! After all, she had to eat. Since her hands were tied, I thought I'd untie them for her."
Who would have thought that crazy woman would attack them!
Hearing this, the older maid sneered, "Your sympathy is misplaced! You can't treat a crazy person like a normal human being. Have you ever seen a beast eat with its hands? From now on, just treat her like a dog. Throw the food bowl on the ground and let her eat if she wants. If she dies, it'll save us the trouble!"
"Do you remember your lesson now?"
The older maid was stern. The young maid nodded meekly, saying, "I remember, sister."
Once bitten, twice shy. She would never be so sympathetic again.
She didn't want to get into trouble!
Hearing the young maid's answer, the older maid nodded in satisfaction. With a fierce expression, she muttered, "Starve her for a few days starting today. Let her learn her lesson and see if she dares to bite people again!"
As the older maid's voice faded away, Yun Xi fell into deep thought. Her hand unconsciously touched the wound on her arm that had just healed.
In her mind, the face of the crazy woman, pressed to the ground by the maids, appeared. Her heart tightened.
She unconsciously stared in the direction the maids had come from. She was so lost in thought that the maid beside her reminded her, "Princess, it's time to turn. This way, please."
Yun Xi realized her gaffe and forced a gentle smile.
"Okay. Thank you for showing me the way."
She quickened her pace to keep up with the maid. Soon, she saw the Empress Dowager and Concubine Yu, who seemed to have been waiting there for a while.
"Yun Xi pays respects to the Empress Dowager and Concubine Yu!"
Yun Xi concealed her surprise and bowed respectfully to the two of them.
When the Empress Dowager saw Yun Xi enter, she showed a smile that was both imposing and kind.
"Take a seat."
The Empress Dowager didn't make things difficult for Yun Xi. She ordered someone to offer her a seat.
Yun Xi thanked her. Just as she sat down, the Empress Dowager's imposing voice rang out.
"Yun Xi, do you know why I summoned you?"
In response to the Empress Dowager's question, Yun Xi shook her head gently and answered honestly, "I don't know, Your Majesty. I hope you can enlighten me."
Although she had a vague idea, she wasn't sure.
So, she decided to wait for the Empress Dowager to speak first and respond accordingly.
"Let me ask you, do you have any beef with Concubine Wei?"
Yun Xi was taken aback. Her intuition was right!
After seeing Concubine Yu and recalling Princess Eight's words, she had guessed that this matter was related to Yu Xueming.
She just didn't expect the Empress Dowager to be so direct.
Yun Xi looked at the Empress Dowager with a feigned puzzled expression and asked respectfully, "Your Majesty, why do you ask such a question? Yun Xi and Concubine Wei were classmates in the Girls' Academy for a year. Although our relationship wasn't close, we weren't on bad terms. Otherwise, Concubine Wei wouldn't have invited me to the palace to chat a few days ago."
So, no matter how things turned out that day, it was Yu Xueming who had provoked her first and tried to frame her with Song Yulin.
Moreover, Yun Xi deliberately concealed the fact that Yu Xueming had tried to assassinate her in the Prince's Mansion before entering the palace.
Because others weren't fools. If this matter got out, a simple investigation would reveal Yu Xueming's jealousy and her affection for Qi Rong.
Given Yu Xueming's current status, her feelings would not only disgrace the Emperor but also cause trouble for Qi Rong.
As the saying goes, "A man is innocent, but his wealth may be a crime."
Qi Rong had made great achievements, which already made the Emperor and the Empress Dowager wary. So, she couldn't bring him any more trouble and give others a chance to take advantage of him!
So, Yun Xi deliberately avoided answering.
The Empress Dowager wasn't in a hurry about Yun Xi's evasive answer. She exchanged a look with Concubine Yu and said in a solemn tone, "If what you said is true, then why have I heard that after you learned from Concubine Wei that the Emperor might betroth the Fifth Princess of Kekqin to Prince Xian, you sought revenge? You plotted with the Song girl to damage all of Concubine Wei's imperial gifts and even injured her?"
The Empress Dowager still looked calm and dignified, but her eyes were fixed on Yun Xi. She exuded an imposing aura without getting angry.