Chapter 1

Cizhanguan Palace Bedchamber

"Empress Dowager, would you like to freshen up a bit?"

"Empress and Empress Consort will be coming to pay their respects soon!"

Auntie Qi, seeing that the Empress Dowager had been sitting in front of the bronze mirror in a daze for a long time, was worried that it would be inappropriate to keep Empress and Empress Consort waiting outside, so she hurriedly bowed and asked.

After being reminded by Auntie Qi, Qiaomu suppressed her anger at being misled by her superior and immediately got into character.

"Let them come in. Today, just do a simple makeup, and wear something plain!"

"Understood!"

Auntie Qi bowed in response.

She then turned sideways, waved her hand, and signaled the palace maids waiting in the side hall to come in quickly. In a moment, over a dozen maids carrying various grooming tools walked in quietly and swiftly.

There were jade basins, brocade cloths, warm water, cotton gauze, cleansing creams, and facial powders, all top-quality tributes from the imperial merchants, some of which even the current Empress found hard to use.

Although the items were top-notch and the service was attentive, Qiaomu couldn't help but feel unhappy when she looked at the wrinkles on her face and her 78-year-old body.

She never expected that the retirement mission her superior mentioned would be like this. She thought the retirement mission would have no requirements, just to live comfortably for the rest of her life.

But it turned out to be real retirement!

Fortunately, the original body had low expectations, only hoping to restrain her family's behavior and protect them.

This task was a piece of cake for Qiaomu, which somewhat alleviated her dissatisfaction.

After half an hour, Qiaomu, with the help of the palace maids, was completely refreshed from head to toe, from her hair to her nails. Although she had asked for simplicity, in this world, the simpler the request, the harder it was to achieve.

It's like how a natural makeup look is always harder to do than a heavy one.

"Empress Dowager, Empress and Empress Consort, along with the other consorts, are waiting outside the palace. Shall we summon them?"

Just as Qiaomu finished her makeup, a female official hurried in from outside the hall, bending her knees slightly.

"Let them wait in Anping Hall. We'll go there too!"

Qiaomu extended her left hand, and Auntie Qi quickly stepped forward, respectfully extending both hands to support Qiaomu's left hand and help her up.

At this moment, the palace maids quickly tidied up and left, while another group of maids quietly entered, following Qiaomu and Auntie Qi to Anping Hall.

Anping Hall was not far from the bedchamber, so Qiaomu didn't bother to take the phoenix carriage. She and Auntie Qi walked slowly, taking their time. After about ten minutes, they entered Anping Hall.

As soon as they entered the hall, before they could see the inside, they heard a chorus of greetings for the Empress Dowager.

Qiaomu looked up and saw that there were nearly a hundred people in the hall, with Empress and Empress Consort leading their respective groups of consorts, standing on either side, all bending their knees in greeting, but it wasn't chaotic.

"Rise!"

Qiaomu waved her hand, signaling everyone to rise, and then, under the protection of Auntie Qi and the chief female official, she sat in the main seat of Anping Hall.

"Thank you all for coming to see me. My hall is finally lively today!

I heard that my son was unwell yesterday. Is he better now?"

Given Qiaomu's status, no matter how unpleasant her words, they couldn't say anything. Instead, they had to apologize for not visiting and paying respects more often.

Now that she was asking about the health of the Retired Emperor, Empress had to quickly rise and bow to apologize:

"It is my fault. I will come to pay respects more often in the future. I hope you will not find it a bother!

The Emperor overindulged in alcohol and caught a chill. He was seen by a physician last night and took medicine. I believe he will be much better this morning!

I have failed in my duty and am at fault!"

"What fault do you have? He doesn't take care of himself and drinks excessively. How could you stop him?

Rise. You don't need to come every day. Just come on the first and fifteenth of each month to chat with me!"

Qiaomu thought the Empress was quite decent, coming at least once a month and doing her duty, far less arrogant than the former Concubine Zhen. So, her attitude was better, and she had no intention of blaming her.

Just as Qiaomu finished speaking, the announcement of the Retired Emperor's arrival came from outside the hall. Everyone in the hall immediately stood up and bowed respectfully to greet the Retired Emperor.

Only Qiaomu remained seated.

It must be said that although this body was old, its status and position were truly enviable. Even the Retired Emperor had to respectfully greet her as "Mother Empress."

In fact, no one could receive such respect, not even the Empress, who had to greet her husband, the Retired Emperor, when she saw him.

The Retired Emperor didn't let the consorts rise immediately but first bowed to Qiaomu:

"Mother Empress, I caused you worry yesterday. It is my fault!"

"You are so old. If you followed the Yellow Emperor's health regimen, I wouldn't have to worry. Sit down quickly!"

Qiaomu rolled her eyes and signaled a female official to bring over the long-unused dragon throne for her adopted son, the Retired Emperor, to sit on.

"Everyone, rise!

Hmm... Where is Zhen Mi? Why isn't she here? Is she ill?"

The Retired Emperor didn't sit down immediately but first let the people below rise, then scanned the room and noticed that Zhen Mi was not there.

He frowned and asked.

"Your Majesty, Zhen Mi sent someone to say she is unwell and has a slight chill, so she cannot come to pay respects. I didn't want to force her!"

Empress Xi's expression and tone became much calmer, clearly showing her dissatisfaction with Concubine Zhen. She reluctantly repeated the poor excuse.

"Slight chill?

But she sent me bird's nest porridge this morning!

She must be feeling better quickly!

Since she is ill, let her be confined to her palace for a month to rest and recover, so she doesn't develop a chronic illness!"

The Retired Emperor had just heard some news about the Zhen family's illegal activities. Now, finding that his beloved concubine dared to feign illness and not come to pay respects to his mother, he was furious and decided to punish her to vent his dissatisfaction.

"Understood! I will follow your command!"

Empress Xi's response was still calm, but Qiaomu, standing far away, could see a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

Clearly, Empress Xi was also very unhappy with the former Concubine Zhen's arrogance and tyranny, but she couldn't punish her because of her favor with the Emperor.

"What new trouble has the Zhen family caused?

A wet nurse's family rose to such a high position. Are they still not satisfied?

I don't see you being particularly kind to your maternal family!"

Qiaomu thought that since she had to complete the old lady's mission sooner or later, it might as well start with a reason to intervene in her family's affairs.

Starting with the Zhen family was not a bad idea.