"Please rise."
Empress Jiang's gentle yet calm voice echoed in the palace, adding a touch of authority. Shang Ruyi slowly stood up, seeing the Empress already raise her hand: "Sit."
She apologized and sat on a seat below the Empress.
Empress Jiang smiled at her, saying, "I missed you a bit today, so I summoned you to the palace for a chat. I hope I haven't disturbed you."
Shang Ruyi hurriedly replied, "It is my honor to be summoned by Your Majesty. How could it be a 'disturbance'? How could I ever be worthy of such a term?"
Empress Jiang waved her hand and smiled, saying, "If it were some other lady, I'd just call them to the palace, but you—somehow, I feel different about you."
Saying this, perhaps she felt her words were too heavy, and continued, "Moreover, your family has just had a significant event, and now the Duke is about to leave the Eastern Capital for Taiyuan to take up his position. Has he left?"
