The Princess Consort slowly stood up and called out in surprise, "Miss Jing, have you returned?"

Zhi’er looked at her in confusion.

Even Song Qingrui couldn’t help but be amazed, "Sister Jing, do you actually know my grandmother?"

Zhi’er shook her head, "We’ve never met."

With this statement, the Princess Consort steadied her mind.

Upon closer inspection, she saw that the young girl before her, although resembling that celestial woman from the past, was indeed different.

The woman surnamed Jing had an ethereal presence, with a brow full of authority and calm.

In contrast, the young girl before her was tender and charming, like a flowing clear spring.

After comparison, there were indeed differences.

The Princess Consort sat down again.

She waved her hand, "All of you step back first, this Miss Jing will stay, I have a few questions to ask."

Then the young ladies took their leave.

Song Qingrui hesitated, looking back several times.

Finally, she gave Zhi’er a look, indicating she would wait outside the door.

If the Princess Consort were to punish Zhi’er, she could plead for her.

After the door was closed, the Princess Consort beckoned, "Young girl, come and sit here."

Zhi’er walked over openly and sat beside her on a chair.

The Princess Consort examined her closely, surprised as she looked, "So similar, truly so similar."

Zhi’er roughly guessed that the Princess Consort had met her mother.

She said, "Does the Princess Consort think I resemble the young lady you encountered back then?"

The Princess Consort nodded, "More than resemble, it’s like you were... carved from the same mold, but there seems to be a difference in demeanor and character."

Zhi’er couldn’t help but smile playfully, "Of course there’s a difference, my mother and I are not the same person."

The Princess Consort’s eyes widened in surprise again, "So, Miss Jing is your mother? No wonder you look so alike, you also have the surname Jing."

Zhi’er wanted to say her surname was Bai, but it wasn’t important, moreover, her identity was inconvenient to disclose.

In conversation with the Princess Consort, Zhi’er learned.

Years ago, Jing Jia visited Great Qin, and one day it suddenly poured with rain. That day, the Princess Consort happened to be at the temple offering incense, and sheltered from the rain under the same eaves as Jing Jia.

Back then, Jing Jia’s exceptional grace was apparent, and though the Princess Consort was knowledgeable, it was rare to see such a beautiful woman, so she couldn’t help but take a few more looks.

Unexpectedly, Jing Jia turned back, smiled calmly as they met eyes.

At that time, the Princess Consort was just a young lady newly married to Prince Li Zheng, only seventeen years old.

She couldn’t resist striking up a conversation with Jing Jia, and during a brief interaction, Jing Jia told her a prophecy.

"At that time, your mother said, studying my appearance, she knew I was married to a noble figure, and my husband would reach the pinnacle of power."

"But if I wished to avoid disaster, I needed to acknowledge as a student a girl whose birth date was yin, born in Tianshui, and had a small mole on the neck to escape the calamity."

"After the rain stopped, the moment I turned to instruct my maid, your mother disappeared."

"From then on, I dispatched people everywhere to search for the girl she spoke of, searching for a full eight years."

"Finally, a newborn girl matched all the conditions your mother described."

This baby girl, upon reaching four years old, was brought into Prince Li Zheng Mansion, personally cared for and raised by the Princess Consort.

Upon growing up, she was taught by Prince Li Zheng to study the Four Books and Five Classics.

Later, during a garden outing, she attracted the Emperor’s attention and was taken as a concubine, and due to her exceptional favor, she was promoted to Empress in less than two years.

At that time, the entire harem, the Emperor favored her alone.