"It seems you've hit the Empress Dowager where it hurts," Lu Yichen realized, "so your affairs will certainly go smoothly."
"Of course," Zhong Niangyao replied with a smile, nodding, "so tomorrow I'll have a good chat with the Empress Dowager. It seems she must be well-versed in righteous principles and will surely make Nangong Xin pay for her deeds."
Lu Yichen smiled but said no more.
Early the next day, Zhong Niangyao went straight to the Empress Dowager's palace, with Lu Yichen not accompanying her. Firstly, because that was the Empress Dowager's bedchamber, and as an outsider male, it was not proper for him to enter. Secondly, there were some matters she wanted to discuss with the Empress Dowager alone.
Lu Yichen didn't say anything and stayed behind. It was a good opportunity for him to watch over Zhong Mingxin. They were not at ease leaving Mingxin alone in the National Master Hall.
