The Princess Consort was speechless.
She merely looked at her son and daughter, wanting to speak but hesitating.
In the end, all that remained was a sigh.
"Mother, your imperial grandson's upbringing has been negligent… Today, I shall not interfere."
After she finished speaking, she actually took two steps back.
Chu Nandong and Chu Qianqian were shocked.
They had thought their mother would scold them again, but unexpectedly, their mother was letting them off the hook this time?
Chu Qianqian immediately turned to look at the Empress Dowager, her voice hoarse, "Imperial Grandmother, we are also your grandchildren. I only wish for your health to improve! I had no intention of being disrespectful…"
"Imperial Grandmother, it's not like that! It's Chu Qianqian, she deliberately…"
The Empress Dowager suddenly raised her hand.
Her expression was extremely displeased.
Finally, she lowered her hand.
Chu Feiyan wanted to say more, but Nanny Dian said sternly, "Princess Feiyan, the banquet has already begun. Why don't you go out and entertain the guests on behalf of the Empress Dowager?"
Chu Feiyan was startled, her face immediately changing drastically.
The Empress Dowager wanted to send her away; this meant she believed Chu Qianqian's words!
"Imperial Grandmother, you cannot believe her words. She has been slandering me! She is simply jealous that you dote on me!"
She couldn't let Chu Qianqian stay; this would give her a chance to curry favor with the Empress Dowager in front of her!
The former Chu Feiyan had always prevented such opportunities, which was why Chu Qianqian had never had many chances to speak with the Empress Dowager alone.
Before she could have a heart-to-heart with the Empress Dowager, she was already dismissed by the impatient Empress Dowager.
Of course, this was largely due to Chu Feiyan's actions.
If she were to stay now…
"Princess Feiyan…"
"Imperial Grandmother! You cannot…"
"Are you even refusing to listen to the Empress Dowager's words now?" This time, it was the Empress Dowager herself who spoke.
How could Chu Feiyan dare to say anything more? Gritting her teeth, she lowered her head and curtsied, "Yes, Feiyan will go entertain the guests for the Empress Dowager now, but…"
As she left, she was still unconvinced, saying, "Imperial Grandmother's heart is like a clear mirror; you must distinguish right from wrong!"
The Empress Dowager did not respond.
Chu Feiyan had no choice but to curtsy, then look up at the Empress Dowager.
A tear slid down from the corner of her eye.
Afterward, she turned around pitifully and left.
As she passed by Chu Qianli, her gaze was filled with a hatred so intense it could kill.
Chu Qianli merely smiled at her, saying nothing.
Chu Feiyan left.
The Empress Dowager's gaze fell upon Chu Qianqian.
Both were her granddaughters, but neither was her biological granddaughter.
The time she spent with Feiyan was indeed much more than with Chu Qianqian.
Basically, in her memory, there seemed to be no opportunity to speak with Chu Qianqian alone.
"You, come in with me. I have something to say to you."
As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Nanny Dian immediately helped her to her feet.
Glancing at Chu Qianqian, who was still standing there in a daze, Nanny Dian's eyes were also complex.
Indeed, she was not as adept at pleasing the Empress Dowager as Princess Feiyan. The Empress Dowager wanted to speak with her privately, yet this girl was still stunned and at a loss.
If it were Princess Feiyan, she would have eagerly followed along.
Chu Qianqian was indeed frozen in place because, ever since she could remember, she had never been alone with her Imperial Grandmother.
She was afraid.
The Empress Dowager turned and looked at her, "You don't want to?"
Chu Qianqian was so scared her legs almost went weak, and she quickly said, "I do! Of course, I do!"
Saying this, she hurriedly and cautiously followed.
But the Empress Dowager did not walk far. She suddenly turned back, her gaze falling upon Chu Qianli.
"You… you have a big grievance with Feiyan? Are you here today to seek revenge on Feiyan?"