These words were already quite severe. Chen Meng Jiao heard them and hurriedly tried to kneel, but was so flustered that she fell down. It seemed to hurt quite a bit, and she sat on the ground crying.
The Empress Dowager softened: "Meng Jiao, get up. As an empress, your demeanor and words must be befitting of your noble status. Xiao Xiao, you are the long-lost sister of the Flower Clothing person and the emperor's beloved woman. Considering their sake and your years of wandering among the common people, I allow you to not perform etiquette or bow to anyone in the palace from now on. Let this matter pass today, and no one should hold a grudge or mention it again! The emperor is already exhausted from state affairs, so we women of the inner palace should not create any more disturbances and disturb the emperor's peace!"
Her words showed love and admonition to the empress, rewards and pressure for Mu Xiao Xiao, and the final reprimand was both scene-setting and sufficiently stern. Truly worthy of someone who has long played with power.
One Heart 5
The Empress Dowager allowed Xiao Xiao to not bow, but Xiao Xiao was not particularly happy about it.
