"Your Majesty, you've already retired for the night, why are you up so early? It's still very early, you should rest a bit longer."
Feng Jin was startled by the Empress Dowager's sudden voice. Hadn't she just fallen asleep? It hadn't been long, how could she be awake so soon?
"I am old and don't sleep well. Under these circumstances, it's difficult to fall asleep. If I lie down for too long, my bones will become brittle. It's more comfortable to sit up..."
She had only been lying down for a short while, yet her whole body felt sore and uncomfortable. It was better to sit here for a while and feel more at ease.
Indeed, she was old, and one couldn't deny it...
"By the way, is the Emperor alright now?"
Seeing Feng Jin return, she guessed that the Emperor must be fine. Otherwise, given Feng Jin's character, if the Emperor were still in danger, she would certainly not have returned.
"Your Majesty is wise. Indeed, nothing escapes your eyes, and not a single detail can be hidden from you. Your heart truly has seven apertures, and even more!"
Feng Jin felt that the Empress Dowager was like a figure who had ascended to immortality. Nothing could be hidden from her. If she lived any longer, she would truly become an ancient deity.
At that moment, the Empress Dowager was amused by Feng Jin's playful words. How long had it been since someone spoke to her like this?
When others saw her, they were either respectful or timid, not even daring to speak loudly. It was truly the first time anyone had spoken to her so casually and humorously without restraint, like Feng Jin.
"You girl... your words are truly to my liking. I've forgotten how many years it's been since anyone dared to speak to me like this. You are truly the first."
"That is because they are all respectful of Your Majesty. Like me, who is lawless and ignorant of propriety, there are naturally few. I hope Your Majesty does not dislike my vulgar ignorance."
The Empress Dowager liked Feng Jin even more now. Feng Jin's temperament and disposition were completely to her taste, and she found her more likable the more she looked at her.
It was just a pity that such a good girl was being given away to Ling Mo Han. What a shame...
It was truly a regret that such an excellent girl like Feng Jin could not become a part of her family.
"Your Majesty, what are you thinking about? Your face looks a little regretful."
"I just feel that we cannot become family, it is simply fate..."
Feng Jin smiled faintly and sat intimately beside the Empress Dowager, "Who says we have no fate? In my heart, Your Majesty is exactly like my own grandmother, equally亲. I have long regarded Your Majesty as my own kin. Our fate is very deep, a fate that transcends blood relations. Isn't such a fate powerful?"
With a few words, Feng Jin completely pleased the Empress Dowager. The slight knot in her heart instantly dissolved without a trace.
The Empress Dowager took Feng Jin's hand and patted it, "You are right, our fate is indeed very deep!"
"By the way... where is Chen Yi? Why didn't he return with you..."
The Empress Dowager looked around, not seeing Chu Chen Yi's figure. Under these circumstances, she couldn't help but worry and start to overthink.
"I dared to ask Prince Jing to stay and look after His Majesty. His Majesty's poison has been cleared, but he was poisoned too deeply and will need some time to wake up. I was worried that His Majesty would have no one to attend to him, so I asked Prince Jing to stay and care for him."
"It's also good for them to have some private time together as father and son, to cultivate their relationship. If I stayed any longer, it would seem like I was in the way, so I returned ahead of time."
If Emperor Xuan Wen were not out of danger, she would naturally not dare to leave Chu Chen Yi alone there.
It was also a rare opportunity to let the father and son have some quality time together, to foster their relationship. This way, Emperor Xuan Wen could properly see how outstanding his son was, who had been so ignored by him.
Moreover, with Chu Yan Xi also present for comparison, it would make Chu Chen Yi's filial piety even more commendable.
The Empress Dowager immediately understood Feng Jin's true intentions and looked at Feng Jin with even more admiration, "You child are intelligent. You understand what needs to be done without me saying a word. With you helping Chen Yi, I am at ease."
Allowing Chu Chen Yi to stay now would certainly make the Emperor change his perception of Chu Chen Yi significantly.
The rift between father and son had been deep for a long time, and there had never been an opportunity for them to talk properly. She had worried about this matter for a long time but had been unable to find a suitable opportunity.
Now, this opportunity was truly rare, and it was a chance for the father and son to talk properly and put aside their past grievances.
Let them stop dwelling on past events and tormenting themselves.
She also hoped that the Emperor would show more affection towards Chu Chen Yi and let him see for himself what kind of person the beloved Empress and the favored Chu Yan Xi truly were.
"You did the right thing. After this matter is over, I will definitely reward you handsomely. Tell me, what reward do you want? I will do my best to satisfy you."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand generously, giving Feng Jin the choice directly, letting her pick whatever reward she desired.
Feng Jin's eyes immediately lit up. Such a good thing was something she couldn't wish for enough, and it had now fallen into her lap. Heaven had truly opened its eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Feng Jin suppressed her excitement, trying her best to appear calm. It wouldn't do to be too agitated and make the Empress Dowager think she was greedy. Her hard-earned image couldn't collapse so quickly. She had to continue pretending.
"Your Majesty, these are all things I should do. Moreover, Your Majesty has always doted on me, and your rewards on a daily basis are countless. I truly have nothing else to ask for..."
"In that case, why don't... why don't we consider this reward matter as if I never mentioned it? Let's just let this matter go!"
Upon hearing this, Feng Jin immediately panicked. She had never expected the Empress Dowager to suddenly do something like this. This was completely playing by the rules of unpredictability.
Panicked, Feng Jin instinctively said in a hurry, "That won't do! Your Majesty keeps your word, and once you speak, there's no taking it back. Since Your Majesty is being affectionate, I cannot refuse your kindness. I will reluctantly accept."