AWB Chapter 158 Follow-up
Chapter 158 Follow-up
Inside Yongshou Palace, candlelight flickered, and the stoves emanated wisps of heat, filling the entire palace with a warm breeze. Jiang Ruyin returned from a busy day at Concubine Guo's. When she stepped into the palace, the hall was so quiet that only the gentle crackling of the burning candle wicks could be heard.
The emperor was half leaning on the couch, his head tilted back slightly, his eyes were a little blurry and he was drowsy.
Jiang Ruyin was slightly surprised. She raised her hand to take off the cloak that was stained with the cold air outside the palace and handed it to the palace maid to keep. Then, she changed into a light and soft dress behind the screen.
After changing her clothes, Jiang Ruyin tiptoed to the edge of the couch and carefully lay down beside the emperor. She leaned slightly to the side and stared at the emperor's face, which was flushed with wine.
She knew very well that the emperor was busy with government affairs, but she was also worried that excessive enjoyment would damage his health. Hongxuan was still too young, and the emperor could not afford to lose his life too early.
After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Ruyin called softly, "Your Majesty..." Her voice was as gentle as the spring breeze, for fear of disturbing the tranquility.
The emperor seemed to have noticed something and moved slightly, but he did not open his eyes. He just responded vaguely.
Jiang Ruyin pursed her lips, deciding not to tell the emperor about Concubine Guo's death just yet. She reached out and gently pulled a thin blanket over the emperor.
Just as she was about to get up and wash up, the emperor grabbed her arm.
"I'm sorry to bother the emperor."
The emperor snorted softly, "No, I just wanted to wait for Yin'er. What happened in Qixiang Palace?"
Jiang Ruyin paused, "Guo Guiren gave birth to a boy."
"Good news! It's worth your time away." The emperor said this, rubbing his sore eyes.
Jiang Ruyin gently pinched the tip of his ear and said, "How long has the emperor been here? Why didn't you send someone to inform me?"
"I felt very dizzy and wanted to sober up, but I fell asleep without realizing it." The emperor hugged her and rubbed Jiang Ruyin's slightly wet hair affectionately.
"Why is the emperor here today? Concubine Lou has amazing talent, but has the emperor's appreciation for talent been eroded by alcohol and sex?" Jiang Ruyin raised her head.
"hiss!"
There was a clear tooth mark on the shoulder. Jiang Ruyin's eyes were filled with tears and she glared at the emperor with dissatisfaction.
The emperor sobered up much more as his lover shed tears. He smiled and coaxed her: "I came to see you overnight and waited for you for a long time. You still teased me and didn't allow me to be angry. That's my fault. Considering that I waited for you, you should forgive me..."
Jiang Ruyin burst into laughter and said, "I just said that by accident."
"What's so surprising? I always come to see you during the reunion festival."
"Are you here to look for me? Why do I feel like you're here to bully me?"
"Be good, wash up before going to bed."
"what?"
......
......
"Mrs. Guo was unlucky. Her daughter will be buried according to the rites of a Heshuo Princess and will not be included in the order of seniority. Mrs. Guo will be buried in the mausoleum of a concubine with the rites of a concubine. The young prince will be taken care of by Ze Fei and Imperial Physician Guo for now. I believe he would not dare to neglect his duty as he is of his own family." The emperor looked extremely bad and swung his jade bracelet.
Yesterday, I heard that a son was born, but today, it turned out that after giving birth to twins, both mother and daughter died, leaving only the son. The dragon and the phoenix are auspicious signs, but now the emperor feels only bad luck.
Nian Shilan curled her lips silently, tacitly not mentioning who would raise the little prince.
The emperor suddenly thought of someone, "Zhen is still pregnant. She must take good care of this baby. Don't let this happen again."
Nian Shilan's smile froze, "Yes, I understand." Her happy mood suddenly became unhappy. It would be great if the bastard born by Concubine Guo was Zhen Huan's child, Nian Shilan thought to herself.
"Shilan is very different from before," the emperor said suddenly.
"Yes, is that so?" Nian Shilan was stunned and subconsciously rubbed her cheek with the back of her hand.
The emperor nodded in agreement, "It has somewhat regained some of the innocence and liveliness of when I first entered the palace."
Nian Shilan curled the corners of her mouth.
So, it seems that the dust has settled.
But there are always people who don't want to live in peace.
The little prince's full moon banquet was deserted. As the person in charge of the whole situation, Concubine Hua had to come. Jiang Ruyin and Concubine Duan arrived one after another.
Jiang Ruyin narrowed her eyes, "This doesn't seem to be the Madam Guo from that day."
"Madame Guo said that Concubine Guo often praised Concubine Duan for her loyalty, kindness, and sincerity, and she wanted to invite Concubine Duan to be the young prince's adoptive mother. Someone with such high aspirations would have to hold their chin high even when walking, and now she fell into the well and lost her life." Nian Shilan said this, looking at Concubine Duan with a smile, "Don't you agree, Concubine Duan?"
If she had entered the well, Jiang Ruyin might have suspected Nian Shilan, but from what she said, it seemed that Madam Guo had petitioned Concubine Duan to be the young prince's adoptive mother, and she lost her life shortly afterwards.
Jiang Ruyin's gaze fell on Concubine Duan's face, and she saw that she was looking at the confused little prince sitting on the carpet with an indifferent expression.
A smile never faded from Madam Zefei's wrinkled face. She held the little prince's hand and bowed to Nian Shilan and others.
Nian Shilan nodded and said that she wanted to reward Nanny Zefei.
Jiang Ruyin looked at Ze Fei and felt that he really liked the little prince. It was a pity that this nanny's reputation was ruined by Zhen Huan and Concubine Guo.
In February, Zhen Huan gave birth to a princess. The emperor named the princess Longyue, which means "hazy moonlight", and lifted Zhen Huan's house arrest.
Upon hearing that the emperor was coming, Zhen Huan hesitated greatly, and a complex expression of heartache and resentment appeared on her sick face.
"I guess Sister Wan hasn't woken up yet." Lou Yong'er said this as she lifted the smoky blue bed curtain.
The silver silk-wrapped double-buckle bracelet on her fair wrist is particularly eye-catching.
The two of them looked at each other in surprise, but Lou Yong'er turned around first and said, "Sister Wan is awake. Your Majesty, come and see her."
Then, Lou Yong'er stepped aside, and the emperor's indifferent face was revealed.
"It's been a long time since we last met. I'm really tired of you. I just went to see Longyue with the Emperor. She's such a lovely girl." Lou Yong'er's chattering was in her ears, and Zhen Huan spoke dryly:
"After ten months of absence, the Emperor is even more charming than before."
Upon hearing her voice, the emperor couldn't help but soften his tone, "Hanhuan has become much more haggard."
Zhen Huan suddenly became agitated. "My mother and sister are imprisoned in the dead of winter, and my father is languishing in a cell, his life or death uncertain. How could I, a concubine, not be emaciated?"
The emperor clenched his palms and asked her patiently, "You have already given birth to a princess for me, are you still so willful?"
Zhen Huan's eyes were red. "Willful? Just a collection of poems, is it worthy of the Emperor imprisoning my entire family? Isn't it enough for the Emperor to imprison me alone?"
"Sister Wan! Uncle Zhen was wrong first after all..."
The emperor frowned, and Lou Yong'er hurried to hold Zhen Huan's hand, but was pushed away.
Zhen Huan continued to stare at the emperor, muttering, "Your Majesty once said that the Forbidden City's feng shui is good for health, but now it seems that it has brought disaster to my concubine and my family. If I had known this would happen..."