The decor in the side room was simple, with just a table, four chairs, and a mat on the floor.
On the table stood a foot-tall Jade Buddha, with a small golden incense burner in front of it.
Thin wisps of smoke curled up from the burner.
There was also a scripture on the table.
The Empress Dowager was praying to Buddha.
She held Buddha beads in her hand, eyes slightly lowered, flipping through the scriptures in front of her, chanting softly.
"Madam, they have left." The Chief Palace Maid approached and spoke softly.
The Empress Dowager raised her eyes, looking at the kind-faced Bodhisattva before her, and smiled, "The Wei Family brought quite a few people, didn't they?"
The Chief Palace Maid replied, "Indeed, quite a few. Her eldest son came with a family of five, and her two daughters with their spouses."
