AWB Chapter 180: Visiting the Queen Mother (Part 1)
Chapter 180: Visiting the Queen Mother (Part 1)
"Oh?" Jiang Ruyin became interested and tempted, "Good Hongxuan, what do you want to do? Now I tell you, you can have your favorite red bean and yam dumpling soup tomorrow morning."
Hongxuan said with a serious face, "My son wants to live with mother forever and eat together every day! However, I'm not asking for the dumpling soup. I told you because mother asked me!"
Jiang Ruyin was relieved but also a little frightened, and coaxed Hongxuan to sleep in a gentle voice.
It was late at night, and the candlelight flickered gently in the bedroom, occasionally popping a spark of light.
Hongxuan lay on the couch, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Jiang Ruyin, who was standing beside him, noticed something was wrong with her son and gently pulled him into a hug. "Hongxuan, is something bothering you? Why do you love being so close to mother lately? You used to be the one who insisted on going out to play right after breakfast."
Hongxuan nestled in Jiang Ruyin's arms without saying a word. Jiang Ruyin didn't urge him and hummed a Jiangnan tune.
As soon as the clear voice stopped, Hongxuan pouted and said with a hint of grievance, "Mother, the Emperor hasn't come to see us for a long time. Hongxuan thinks that maybe the Emperor asked me about the words in the Thousand Character Classic a few days ago, and I couldn't answer, which made him angry, so he didn't want to come."
Jiang Ruyin was stunned when she heard this, because Hongxuan had memorized the contents of "Thousand Character Classic" by heart last year.
But after all, a year had passed, so forgetting was no big deal. So he patted Hongxuan's head and said softly, "Silly child, your royal father is very busy with many affairs at court. How could he not come for such a small matter?"
Hongxuan, however, still had a confident look on his face, his eyes slightly reddened. "But mother, the emperor didn't look too good at the time. Hongxuan couldn't even answer such a simple sentence. The emperor must have been extremely disappointed."
Jiang Ruyin hugged Hongxuan tighter and said softly, "Hongxuan, you're only four and a half years old. The Thousand Character Classic is difficult to learn, but you've definitely mastered it. You didn't just learn it in a haphazard way. Your Royal Father loves you so much, how could he really distance himself from us because of this? Perhaps it's because your Royal Grandmother hasn't been feeling well lately that your Royal Father has neglected us. When she's better, he'll come to see you with your favorite cakes."
Hongxuan blinked and nodded, not quite understanding. "Is that so? Then your son will honor your grandmother on behalf of your father. Mother, let's go visit your grandmother tomorrow."
Jiang Ruyin looked at Hongxuan's serious expression and smiled with relief.
Hongxuan hadn't been allowed to go before because Shoukang Palace was soaked in the bitter smell of herbs, and the Empress Dowager looked haggard, so she didn't dare take him with her. Thinking that the Empress Dowager was much better now, Jiang Ruyin agreed: "Okay, our Hongxuan is filial to his elders, friendly to his brothers, and studious. The Emperor would surely be delighted to know this. Go to sleep, good boy."
Jiang Ruyin comforted her softly, and Hongxuan slowly closed her eyes. Just when Jiang Ruyin thought she had fallen asleep, Hongxuan suddenly opened her eyes.
"Then mother, next time the emperor asks, should I answer?"
Jiang Ruyin paused, "Then why didn't Hongxuan answer?"
The candle burned out, and in the darkness, Hongxuan's eyes reflected the faint moonlight, which was surprisingly bright.
"Last time, when Mother said that cleverness and skill would lead to harm, Mother cried!"
After a long while, Jiang Ruyin hugged Hongxuan and said solemnly, "With mother here, no one can hurt you."
"Yeah!" Hongxuan answered happily.
After a while, Hongxuan squeezed Jiang Ruyin's fingers and said, "Mother, I feel a little hot."
Jiang Ruyin's face darkened and she let go of the little man in her arms.
......
......
Jiang Ruyin took Hongxuan's hand and slowly stepped into Shoukang Palace. As soon as they entered the palace, the lingering smell of medicine hit their noses, mixed with the unique sandalwood scent of the palace, lingering on their noses, making their hearts inexplicably heavy.
Hongxuan wrinkled his nose and tugged at Jiang Ruyin's hand, as if to say something.
Jiang Ruyin hurriedly patted his hand gently, signaling him not to say anything more, and then the two of them walked towards the inner hall with light steps.
Entering the inner hall, I saw the empress dowager reclining on a couch. She had always looked sickly, but now she seemed a completely different person, remarkably energetic. Her complexion had become much rosier, and her eyes were bright, the turbidity of the past completely gone.
"Your concubine pays her respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager live a thousand years in good health and enjoy everlasting happiness." Jiang Ruyin bowed and said respectfully.
Hongxuan followed suit and greeted in a childish voice: "Grandson greets the Imperial Grandmother."
The Queen Mother's face lit up with a smile, and although her voice was still a little weak, it was filled with joy: "Fang Fei, please get up and sit down. Hong Xuan is here too, come quickly, come to my place."
Jiang Ruyin hurriedly pulled Hongxuan forward, pushed him to the edge of the couch, and sat on the small stool underneath.
The Queen Mother touched Hongxuan's head lovingly, her eyes full of doting, "Hongxuan has grown taller and looks even more clever and obedient."
Hongxuan raised his little face and replied crisply, "Grandmother, I miss you so much. It's just that the smell of medicine in this palace is too strong. It must be very uncomfortable for you."
The Queen Mother laughed softly, her laughter echoing in the palace. "Silly child, I'm used to the smell of medicine. As long as it can make me feel better, it doesn't matter if I smell it."
Jiang Ruyin smiled and agreed, "The Empress Dowager is blessed with great fortune. She will surely get better and better. You look so energetic today. It's really pleasing to see."
The Queen Mother sighed slightly and said with emotion, "I am an old woman, usually feeling sick. But seeing you all here today, I feel happy and refreshed, and I am able to talk to you for a while longer."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruyin hurriedly held the Empress Dowager's hand and said, "May your Majesty live a thousand years, and may you live a hundred years longer. This will allow Hongxuan to see the Imperial Grandmother more often."
The Queen Mother nodded with a smile, then pulled Hongxuan aside to ask about his recent reading and literacy. It wasn't until Zhuxi brought the medicine bowl that the Queen Mother leaned back, revealing a hint of fatigue.
Jiang Ruyin understood the elegant meaning of the music and was about to stand up to say goodbye, but the Queen Mother held her hand down and said, "Hongxuan doesn't like the smell of medicine. How about asking Aunt Zhuxi to take you to eat some delicious snacks?"
Hongxuan's eyes lit up and he looked back at Jiang Ruyin.
Jiang Ruyin smiled and said nothing, so Hongxuan obediently went out with Zhuxi.
Suochun and Fuqiu were guarding outside the hall. When they saw Zhuxi and Hongxuan walking towards the side hall, they looked at each other and Suochun followed them.
Jiang Ruyin looked at the steaming medicine bowl beside the Queen Mother and said, "Your Majesty, why don't you let me get you some candied fruit so you can drink the medicine while it's hot?"
"I know my own body condition very well. I am only taking these medicines for psychological comfort." As soon as Hongxuan left, the Queen Mother immediately restrained her smile and spoke in a light tone.
"It's you." The Queen Mother cast her eyes at Jiang Ruyin, her eyes so bright that Jiang Ruyin's back tensed.
"You raised Hongxuan very well. Hongxuan listens to you very well."