the Yao clan who received news of Dugu City must report it immediately.After issuing the command, Feng Lingxi and Xiao Li set off back to the capital. As they exited the inn, they saw a carriage waiti...A figure walked in, clad in a phoenix robe. She was graceful and elegant, with a smile on her face, as she stepped forward to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

"I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."

Feng Lingxi hurriedly pulled Wan'er forward, "This concubine greets Your Majesty, Long live Empress, long live, long live!"

The Empress looked at Feng Lingxi, sizing her up and down with a smile in her eyes.

“Mother Empress, I presume this is the Crown Princess of Chen I heard that the Crown Princess came to pay respects with Young Miss Wan'er, so I came to take a look. The Crown Princess of Chen truly lives up to her reputation as the First Beauty of the Capital. She has such a beautiful face, it pleases me greatly.”

Feng Lingxi heard the Empress's smiling praise, but her heart wasn't happy at all.

The Empress is the granddaughter of the current Chancellor and the Emperor's cousin. It is said that the Empress is kind and generous, but in this harem, there are few women with good looks who can stand out before the Emperor. Naturally, this is inextricably linked to the Empress.

“I dare not accept such praise. These are just rumors spread by outsiders and cannot be trusted.”

"Your Majesty, since you're here, why not stay and chat with this humble Queen and Madam Chen It's rare for us to meet like this, so make the most of it and get to know each other."

“Your Majesty, this servant has come to seek advice from Crown Princess Chen on some health-preserving recipes. This servant heard from the Emperor that Crown Princess Chen's medical skills are exceptional, even surpassing the imperial physicians. This servant has been married to the Emperor for over half a year but hasn't conceived yet. It would be fortunate if Crown Princess Chen could take a look.”

The Empress's words sent a shiver down Feng Lingxi's spine.

How could he possibly come looking for her again when she's already infertile

At first, Xiantian showered her with praise. Then he ordered her to seek medical treatment. "If this can't be cured," he said, "wouldn't that again bring blame upon you"

The Empress Dowager looked at Feng Lingxi, "Princess Consort of Chen, since the Empress has spoken, you should help her take a look. Perhaps she hasn't conceived in a long time."

Feng Lingxi responded and quickly stood up in front of the Empress. The Empress stretched out her hand, smiling brightly at Feng Lingxi.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess, I heard that you not only have superb medical skills but also know many strange things. You can even fight! Could it be that you also know martial arts"

Feng Lingxi took the pulse, when asked about this sensitive topic, calmly explained, "Your Majesty, I only know a few moves of flower boxing and embroidered legs, learned from my martial arts master. As for fighting, I only went with Prince Chen to suppress bandits, not really fighting. Your Majesty, please don't laugh at me."

"Such amazing skills! What else could you possibly tell jokes about This palace is envious of you. The Emperor has praised you to the heavens!"

"I dare not accept such praise."

The Emperor even brought her up to the Empress, saying that the men of the Dugu family were really abnormal in their preferences. Didn't she have these things that all ordinary women possessed

To even bring it up to his own queen, he really wasn't afraid of her dying soon.

"The Emperor told me that Princess Chen is a woman of great courage and character, the most unique woman he's ever met. I've always wanted to meet you, and I'm so happy we finally have this opportunity."

Feng Lingxi smiled, listening to the empress chatter on and on about her, as if she were speaking of her idol, praising her to the heavens.

Shu Taizi watched Feng Lingxi's composure, feeling even more heartache, self-blame, and guilt.

What has she gone through that Xi'er would become like this She has lost her former aura and become so humble and obsequious. Does she think Xi'er will still harm her

Shutai Hou wanted very much to tell Feng Lingxi that she missed them dearly, Cheng'er, Wan'er, and most of all, she yearned to hug them. But she couldn't.

This Ci'an Palace is all under the emperor's watchful eyes. Her every move is under his gaze.

"Your Majesty, please be quiet and allow the Princess Consort to take your pulse."

The Empress, upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, quickly closed her mouth. However, her eyes remained fixed on Feng Lingxi, her gaze as pure and innocent as a girl who had never known the world. There was not a trace of impurity in her eyes.

Feng Lingxi seriously felt the empress's pulse, and found that her body was well-adjusted.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. I hope this finds you in good health."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's brows furrowed.

"But Your Majesty, I haven't conceived a child yet. How can there be no problem"

Feng Lingxi was very embarrassed when she heard this. She couldn't give her medicine because she wasn't sick. Even if she were sick, she wouldn't dare to prescribe it herself.

This could very well be a crime punishable by the extermination of her entire clan. She couldn't gamble with her life and family for this. She wasn't that lone wolf, Feng Lingxi, anymore.

"Your Majesty, you are still young. When the former Crown Princess married Prince Cheng, she did not become pregnant right away either. You are about the same age as she was then, perhaps it is just that you haven't reached the right age yet."

The Empress Dowager rescued Feng Lingxi from danger, leaving the Empress furious.

"But this palace isn't young either."

At this age, most women she knows are already mothers, yet she hasn't even been able to conceive. If this continues, how can she possibly keep her position as empress

"Nevermind, this palace was just asking. The imperial physician also said the same thing to this palace."

The Empress looked at Feng Lingxi, "Then you chat with the Empress Dowager, this Palace won't disturb your reunion, I'm leaving first."

"Farewell to Your Majesty the Empress."

The Empress does have a bit of a childlike air about her. On the surface, she doesn't seem to be scheming much, and it's quite different from the rumors.

Feng Lingxi let out a sigh of relief, this was finally over.

The Empress is like that, you needn't worry too much, she means no harm.

Queen Shu looked at Feng Ling Xi's tense expression and explained.

Feng Lingxi hurriedly said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager. I understand."

"It's getting more and more familiar."

Sütàihòu sighed, she didn't know how to make Xī'er get along with her without so much awkwardness. She wanted to say a few kind words, but after so long in the palace, she rarely saw Xī'er, and it was like this.

Feng Lingxi remained silent. Shu Taizi watched Wan'er and beckoned her over.

"Wǎn'er, come to grandmother here."

Wan'er glanced at Feng Lingxi, seeing her mother nod before approaching the Empress Dowager. Her timid eyes were filled with fear.

Queen Shu gently stroked her head, her eyes full of love.

"Wan'er has grown so much taller, hasn't her second birthday passed yet"

Wan'er nodded obediently.

The Empress Dowager watched her in silence, then took off the bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Wan'er. She said with a kind smile, "This was something I always wore, so I'm giving it to you as a birthday present."

Wan'er looked at the huge bracelet, her eyes full of confusion.

Feng Lingxi, seeing the situation, hurriedly opened her mouth and said, “Empress Dowager, you should keep this bracelet. Wan’er can’t accept it.”

"Why can't you accept it This is from the imperial concubine, just keep it."

"But it's too precious."

Feng Lingxi was afraid that Wan'er would drop the bracelet. This bracelet was priceless; if anything happened to it, the consequences would be dire.

"I have nothing to give her, Xier. Don't you dislike this bracelet of mine"

Feng Lingxi's expression changed abruptly, and she hurriedly knelt down.

“I dare not, I'm just afraid the gift is too valuable, Wan’er is still young and can't keep it safe.”

Then you put it away for her.

Shu Taihou looked at Feng Lingxi, her expression turning serious. "This is an order,"

Windling Xi hard-faced skin forward to take over the bracelet, Empress Shu was only then satisfied.re both people of the Jianghu, there shouldn't be so many restrictions."Xiaoli listened and nodded, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your guidance."Now she knows how to face Ye Xi. That fellow should ha...