"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, you are already asleep, why did you get up so soon? It's still early, you should sleep a little longer."
Feng Jin was startled by the Empress Dowager's sudden voice. She had just fallen asleep, and she had woken up so quickly.
"I am old and I have trouble sleeping. In this situation, it is difficult to fall asleep. My bones will go numb if I lie down for too long. It's more comfortable to sit up..."
She had only lain down for a while and already felt uncomfortable all over. It was better to sit here for a while.
Indeed, she was old and could not resist it...
"By the way, is the Emperor alright now?"
Seeing Feng Jin return, she guessed that the Emperor must be fine now. Otherwise, given Feng Jin's temperament, she would not have returned if the Emperor was still in danger.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is wise. As expected, nothing escapes your eyes, and not a single detail can be hidden from you. Your heart truly has more than seven apertures!"
Feng Jin felt that the Empress Dowager was like an immortal being. Nothing could be hidden from her. If she lived longer, she would truly become an old immortal.
The Empress Dowager was amused by Feng Jin's playful remarks. It had been a long time since anyone had spoken to her like this.
When people saw her, they were either respectful or timid, not even daring to speak loudly. Feng Jin, who spoke and joked with her so unreservedly, was truly the first.
"You girl... your words are truly to my liking. I have forgotten how many years it has been since anyone dared to speak to me like this. You are truly the first."
"That's because they are all respectful to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. People like me, who are lawless and ignorant, are naturally few. Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please do not dislike my vulgarity and ignorance."
The Empress Dowager liked Feng Jin more and more. Feng Jin's temperament and disposition completely suited her taste. She found her more and more likable the more she looked at her.
It was a pity that such a good girl was taken by Ling Mo Han. It was truly a shame...
It was a pity that such an outstanding girl like Feng Jin could not become a family with her.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, what are you thinking about? Why does your face look so regretful?"
"I just feel that we cannot be a family, and we have no fate..."
Feng Jin smiled faintly and sat intimately beside the Empress Dowager, "Who says we have no fate? In my heart, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is exactly like my own grandmother, equally close. I have long regarded Your Majesty the Empress Dowager as my closest relative. Our fate is deep, a fate that transcends blood ties. Isn't such a fate powerful enough?"
With a few words, Feng Jin completely amused the Empress Dowager. The slight knot in her heart immediately dissipated.
The Empress Dowager held Feng Jin's hand and patted it, "You are right, our fate is indeed deep!"
"By the way... what about Chen Yi? Why didn't he come back with you..."
The Empress Dowager looked around and did not see Chu Chen Yi. In this situation, she couldn't help but worry and start to overthink.
"I boldly asked His Highness Prince Jing to stay and take care of His Majesty. The toxins in His Majesty's body have 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 care for him, so I asked His Highness Prince Jing to stay and take care of him."
"It's also good to give them some time alone, so they can foster their father-son relationship. My continued presence there would be intrusive, so I returned early."
If it weren't for the fact that Emperor Xuan Wen was no longer in danger, she would naturally not dare to let Chu Chen Yi stay there alone.
She also took advantage of this rare opportunity to let the father and son foster their relationship well, so that Emperor Xuan Wen could properly see how excellent his son, who had always been ignored, was now.
With Chu Yan Xi also present as a comparison, it made Chu Chen Yi's filial piety even more commendable.
The Empress Dowager immediately understood Feng Jin's true intention and looked at Feng Jin with even more admiration, "You child are intelligent. You know what to do without me saying anything. With you helping Chen Yi, I am relieved."
Now that Chu Chen Yi was allowed to stay, it would definitely make the Emperor change his opinion of Chu Chen Yi considerably.
The rift between them had been deep for a long time, and there had never been an opportunity for them to have a good talk. She had been 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 would allow the father and son to have a good talk and let go of their past grievances.
They should stop dwelling on past events and tormenting themselves.
She also hoped that the Emperor would show more affection to Chu Chen Yi and let him see for himself what kind of person the Empress, whom he had always doted on, and Chu Yan Xi, whom he had always favored, truly were.
"You did the right thing. After things are over, I will 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 and gave Feng Jin the choice, letting her choose what reward she wanted.
Feng Jin's eyes immediately lit up. Such a good thing was what she had always wished for. It had finally come to her. She felt as if heaven had opened its eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Feng Jin suppressed her excitement and tried to appear calm. It wouldn't do to be too excited and become a laughingstock in front of the Empress Dowager. She couldn't let her image, which she had painstakingly built, collapse so quickly. She had to continue pretending.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, these are all things I should do. Moreover, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has always doted on me, and your rewards are countless. I really have nothing else to ask for..."
"In that case, then... then let's consider this reward matter as if I never mentioned it, and let's forget about it!"
Feng Jin was instantly flustered upon hearing this. She had never expected the Empress Dowager to suddenly do this. This was completely unpredictable.
In a panic, Feng Jin blurted out, "That won't do! Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's word is your bond. Since you have said it, there is no taking it back. Since Your Majesty the Empress Dowager dotes on me, I cannot refuse your kindness. I will reluctantly accept it."