Chapter 1344: The Sins Committed by the Xia Family

Chapter 1344: Chapter 1344: The Sins Committed by the Xia Family

Once the Dowager Ji and her daughter-in-law left, Empress Dowager Wang invited Song Ci to sit on the other side of the Arhat bed, making it easier for them to talk.

"Honestly, is she blaming the heavens and the earth, without a hint of self-blame? The son who sprang from her own belly was swapped all these years without her realizing—isn’t that rather blind?"

Song Ci replied, "We can only say Xia Houzhe’s acting is remarkable?"

Empress Dowager Wang swallowed and said, "No matter how convincing, there will always be flaws. A fake is still a fake; the child’s sincerity or insincerity should be somewhat clear in one’s heart, right? Especially at our age, whether the people around are truly sincere or merely flattering, it’s even more apparent."

"You are right." Song Ci nodded with a smile and added, "Not noticing for so many years can only mean Xia Houzhe rarely showed up before Dowager Ji, especially during those first years after the swap. By the time he grew up, he was used to it."

Empress Dowager Wang fell silent for a while: "You do have a point, but a mother and son are connected heart to heart; there should be some unease, right? But she never doubted."

"Perhaps her background limited her vision and insight," Song Ci hesitated and added, "and her intelligence."

She thought Dowager Ji’s intelligence was quite worrying; living in noble comfort for years, she truly was a fool’s blessing.

Empress Dowager Wang agreed since she had thought the same before.

"Dowager Ji came from the wilds and soared to a branch overnight. Her family all relied on her favor for glory and wealth. To be honest, Dowager Ji as a concubine has brought honor and fortune to her entire family."

Empress Dowager Wang chuckled, pointing at her playfully: "You little devil, even at this age, still mischievous."

"To cheer you up, Lady, it’s worth my effort to come up with these flattering words." Song Ci blinked with a smile.

Empress Dowager Wang smiled with her eyes and continued on the topic: "As you said, I’ve pondered it as well. Years without noticing, it’s due to upbringing issues."

"That’s right. In her maiden family, she was just a farmer’s daughter without proper education, unable to comprehend the filth in noble families. Even with wealth later, her family couldn’t develop before the late emperor’s death, and she went to a fiefdom. If the Ji family had anyone capable and wise, she wouldn’t be entirely unsupported by her maiden family, would she?"

"The Ji family can’t figure themselves out; if someone had any plans, could they cause trouble like Madam Ji did?" Empress Dowager Wang sneered, "Honestly, the Ji family is hopeless, no wonder she failed to recognize her own son was swapped."

"She probably never imagined something as outrageous as her son being swapped, let alone that the child had already established himself." Song Ci praised with a smile, "In hindsight, Dowager Ji successfully giving birth was due to your mercy, Lady, and in part the late emperor’s blessing."

If Empress Dowager Wang had harbored ill intent back then, it wasn’t just the safe birth she’d prevent; she could have dealt with her directly.

It was because Empress Dowager Wang was kind-hearted that Chu Ze was born.

Empress Dowager Wang sighed, "No matter how great the blessing, now it’s but empty words. They say the child won’t live beyond thirty. Alas, the Xia family’s sins are indeed grievous... what were they thinking with this scheme?"

Song Ci thought, "How would I know, Lady, as an honest Empress Dowager? I imagined they aimed to craft the fake as genuine, thus legitimizing the development of their power, particularly in Xuzhou fiefdom, where resources, military, and grain abound. If opportunity arises, who knows, they might disrupt this empire."