After departing from the Empress, Jiang Ning let Xiaoman push her leisurely in preparation to leave the palace. As they passed the Imperial Garden, they happened upon the sedan of Concubine Jin.
Xiaoman steered her to one side.
Upon sighting her, Concubine Jin instructed her sedan to pause, waving her over, "Come here."
Xiaoman propelled the wheelchair towards her.
Concubine Jin inquired, "Where are you coming from?"
"From Her Highness the Empress."
"Oh." Concubine Jin slightly nodded, "You left my quarters this morning, went to the Empress, and you are only leaving now?"
It was almost midday.
Essentially, she must have spent over an hour with the Empress.
Jiang Ning jested, "Surely Your Highness Concubine Jin is not planning to invite me to dine?"
"What were you doing with the Empress?" Concubine Jin sidestepped her question, switching to another topic.
"Nothing much, just accompanied the Empress in eating some litchis."