The next morning, Zhangsun Tai had Chi Ying woken early, washed, dressed, and escorted to the main hall. Indeed, escorted. On the way to the main hall, Chi Ying wanted to stop by the restroom, and her pace slowed slightly. The maidservant immediately reached out to grab her arm, clearly fearing she might escape. "How dare you!" Chi Ying shouted angrily, slapping the servant across the face. The servant, still unsatisfied, seemed ready to retort, but another slap silenced her. Chi Ying crossed her arms, glaring coldly at the surrounding four or five maidservants: "Who do you think I am? Don't mistake a chicken feather for an arrow. Whoever dares touch me again won't get off easy." These servants were new, employed after she left, loyal only to her parents and the Empress, showing no respect for her as the concubine of the enemy camp. Otherwise, the original servants wouldn't dare touch her. Upon reaching the main hall, Zhangsun Tai sat in the right-hand chair, scowling as she entered: "Why are you so late? Useless slaves, unable to serve properly!" "Lord Zhangsun is quite impressive," Chi Ying remarked indifferently, entering, "Having become the Emperor's father-in-law, you no longer respect the Princess Consort." Zhangsun Tai glared: "This is the Zhangsun residence. I only see my daughter Zhangsun Chi Ying, never the Princess Consort." Chi Ying chuckled, turning to the noblewoman seated on the left—Queen Mother's hairpin adorned with kingfisher feathers, red brocade robe embroidered with flying phoenixes. It was none other than the current Empress, her younger sister Zhangsun Lingfang. After a year apart, Zhangsun Lingfang seemed more mature, her gaze no longer shy but composed and calm, reflecting the demeanor of a young Empress. Recalling her own reflection, Chi Ying felt a wave of emotion. "Sister," Zhangsun Lingfang greeted warmly. Chi Ying nodded, acknowledging her. The Empress's attendant objected: "Zhangsun, you should kneel before Her Majesty!" Chi Ying replied calmly: "Here, I only see my sister Zhangsun Lingfang, never the Empress." The attendant protested, but Zhangsun Lingfang intervened: "Sister is right. Here, we are family. Leave court etiquette aside. Everyone, leave, including you, Yayi." The attendant obeyed, leading the servants out. Noticing her mother wasn't present, Chi Ying guessed her father kept her away to prevent her from pleading for mercy. "Ying'er, you've been gone for over a year," Zhangsun Tai began. "A year and a half," Chi Ying corrected. Zhangsun Tai nodded, not minding her impertinence: "How did the Wu Wang treat you? Yanzhou is remote, desolate, with scarce food supplies. Must have been tough, right?" Chi Ying smiled: "Wang treats me extremely well, doting on me and lovingly caring for Xian'er. Though Yanzhou is barren, we have enough to eat and wear. Compared to living in the capital, it's freer and more pleasant." Zhangsun Tai snorted, disbelieving, assuming she was putting on a brave face. "Since Yanzhou is so good, why did you return alone? Why isn't Wu Wang with you? As the legitimate son, shouldn't he return to mourn the late Emperor?" "Lord Zhangsun shouldn't speak recklessly," Chi Ying interrupted smoothly, "There's a difference between 'didn't return' and 'couldn't return.' While I wasn't in Gan Prefecture, I knew the Emperor issued an edict the moment the late Emperor passed away, exiling Wang to Yanzhou immediately. Wasn't it 'couldn't return' rather than 'didn't return'?" Zhangsun Tai was flustered, his face flushed with embarrassment: "You sure have a sharp tongue." Chi Ying smiled amiably: "Thanks to Lord Zhangsun's teaching." Zhangsun Lingfang interjected softly: "Sister, how is Xian'er? Can she walk steadily? Does she talk?" Women naturally have maternal instincts. Mentioning her child made Chi Ying soften: "Xian'er can walk steadily and call Father Wang and Mama. She can form short sentences and sometimes makes faces to cheer me up when I'm sad." Zhangsun Lingfang listened with a smile, while Zhangsun Tai frowned at her, making Chi Ying recall Cui Xiang's words, realizing she shouldn't boast. "People say only women who become mothers live complete lives. Now, I believe it. Unfortunately, I lack such fortune," Zhangsun Lingfang murmured gently. Chi Ying hesitated, deciding to pretend ignorance, comforting her: "Don't worry. You're young. There will be many children. No need to rush." Zhangsun Lingfang stared intently at her, Chi Ying puzzled: "Lingfang? Why are you staring at me?" Zhangsun Lingfang blinked, forcing a smile: "Just lost in thought. Did you return alone? I heard this morning you'd returned, expecting Wang to accompany you. Why isn't he here?" Chi Ying thought, 'I didn't return; I was captured. If Wang had come, we'd both be dead now.' "Wang returned with me," Chi Ying said, noticing their eyes light up simultaneously, inwardly smirking, "But halfway, urgent news from Yanzhou forced Wang to return, asking me to visit the Taifei's illness on his behalf." Zhangsun Tai's disappointment was evident, realizing his slip only when he saw Chi Ying's mocking smile. To regain composure, he changed the subject: "Taifei Heqing suddenly fell ill and passed away last night. Jing Wang mysteriously disappeared while attending her at the palace. Her sudden illness might be related. Have you heard anything about this?" Hoping to glean information, Zhangsun Tai watched Chi Ying closely, but she merely expressed surprise, saying, "So that's what happened," then fell silent. Zhangsun Tai's attempt to probe failed. Zhangsun Lingfang muttered: "It's truly unfortunate. The Emperor has to manage the funeral and search for Jing Wang, probably unable to return soon. I'm lonely in the palace. Since you're back, why not visit the palace?" Chi Ying started to decline, but Zhangsun Lingfang added: "As a representative of Wang visiting the sick, you should pay respects to the late Emperor and greet the Empress Dowager. Perfect timing. What do you think?" By now, Chi Ying understood their true intention—to bring her into the palace. Whether she agreed or not, she'd be escorted there. "I should pay respects to the Empress Dowager and offer incense to the late Emperor and Empress Xiaoling." Accepting the inevitable, she resolved to buy time for Cui Ye to persuade the Zhong family. From the main hall to the gate, the servants maintained a respectful distance, surprising Zhangsun Tai. Entering the carriage, Yayi assisted Zhangsun Lingfang first, then Chi Ying. Closing the door, they were finally alone. Using the sounds of hooves and wheels as cover, Chi Ying asked directly: "Why did you and Father scheme to bring me into the palace?" Zhangsun Lingfang smiled: "Didn't I say in the carriage? I miss you. In the palace, I trust no one except you. Tell me everything, like before." In the past, sisters often participated in social events among the capital's aristocratic ladies, enjoying flower appreciation and tea tasting. Zhangsun Lingfang, timid by nature, often avoided gatherings, and Chi Ying usually accompanied her, handling greetings and small talk. Chi Ying knew her sister's dependency, but observing her changes, sensed complexity. Whether intentional concealment or fear of eavesdropping, Lingfang wouldn't reveal her intentions now. They'd have to wait until they reached the palace. Zhangsun Lingfang claimed to visit the Empress Dowager, but the carriage headed to Yaohua Palace instead. Chi Ying's suspicions deepened. Asking multiple times about visiting the Empress Dowager, Zhangsun Lingfang always deflected, dragging her around, showing her jewelry and insisting she choose some. Selecting a pair of bracelets, Zhangsun Lingfang insisted on helping her put them on. The afternoon passed, and as dusk approached, Chi Ying's doubts peaked. Lingfang clearly didn't intend for her to visit the Empress Dowager. What was her true purpose?