Chapter 192: Chapter 189: Who Should Avoid, Who Should Care
Ever since she first met Empress Jiang in Yanmen County, she had been worried about what this Empress’s attitude might be towards the feelings between Yu Wenye and Princess Xinyue, and what she might think of herself; but judging from the Empress’s words and her attitude at that time, she seemed not to harbor much hostility toward her despite disrupting her daughter’s marriage alliance.
At the same time, however, she did not seem to oppose her daughter continuing to interact with the now-married Yu Wenye.
That was very strange.
Yu Wenye was already married, and given Chu Ruoyan’s status as a Princess, not to mention avoiding the perception of impropriety, even if the two continued developing their feelings, this relationship would be very awkward, and Chu Ruoyan would find it even more so.
Because, even a three-year-old knows that a princess cannot become someone’s concubine.
Could it be that they wanted her to—?
As soon as this thought emerged, Shang Ruyi quickly suppressed it, not because the thought was unnecessary, but because such an approach would be unnecessary. If the Empress truly intended to pave the way for her daughter’s feelings by eliminating Yu Wenye’s main wife, they could have employed such drastic means before their marriage half a year ago, avoiding Princess Xinyue’s current awkward situation.
Therefore, Shang Ruyi couldn’t fathom the Empress’s actions no matter what.
While countless thoughts tangled and turned in Shang Ruyi’s mind, Empress Jiang, as if reminiscing something, whispered: "Speaking of which, since the Duchess’s passing, I ought to have visited, but there have been too many affairs at the palace since returning from the Northern Border, I haven’t been able to spare the time."
Shang Ruyi quickly consoled, "Your Majesty, your concern shows thoughtfulness, and my mother-in-law would be grateful."
Empress Jiang nodded with a smile.
Beside her, Chu Ruoyan blinked her large eyes and softly said, "Mother, next time you could summon second brother into the palace to meet."
Upon hearing this, Empress Jiang immediately shook her head and gave her a slightly reproachful look, saying, "Do you think it’s still like your childhood, where he could come into the palace whenever he wanted?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback by her words: "Se—he, often came into the palace during childhood?"
Chu Ruoyan promptly answered, "Yes, second brother often came into the palace to play with me in Daxing City too, Father even assigned someone to take care of him."
As they spoke, Chu Chengfei’s laughter continuously echoed from outside, as he ran around chaotically, causing several palace maids and eunuchs to chase after him, everyone was busy and sweating, while he enjoyed himself immensely.
Watching the scene, a hint of nostalgia surfaced in Empress Jiang’s gentle eyes, and she smiled, saying, "Feng Chen was also a mischievous child once, just like Feier, dashing about the palace, the older eunuchs couldn’t keep up with him. Thanks to him, Ruoyan wasn’t so lonely."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but look outside.
That distant and indifferent Yu Wenye, who barely ever smiled at her, capable of wounding the Turkic Khan and defeating an army of a hundred thousand, was once like that as a child?
What kind of experiences turned him into who he is now?
No one offered her an answer, only Empress Jiang sighed and said, "Afterwards, as they gradually grew up, they couldn’t behave like they did in their younger days—he hasn’t been in the palace for many years."
"..."
For a moment, Shang Ruyi was stunned.
This, she didn’t know.
No wonder Yu Wenye and the Princess had such a deep bond, having grown up together since childhood, it made sense that the Emperor and Empress saw fit to arrange their marriage; unfortunately, because of her—
A pang of guilt stirred in her heart, only to be swiftly disrupted by another train of thought.
Why did Empress Jiang tell her these things?
Could it be that she really didn’t mind her daughter continuing with the married Yu Wenye, and wanted her to accept all of this?
Shang Ruyi lightly shook her head, feeling she was being unnecessarily suspicious. If not for that, she truly couldn’t explain why this dignified Empress would say these things to her, what other intentions there could be?
Although her mind was in turmoil, outwardly she gave nothing away, merely accompanying the Empress and the Princess in casual conversation and laughter.
Gradually, time passed.
When she looked outside, the sky had already darkened, and Empress Jiang and Princess Xinyue had chatted with her for so long, surprisingly discussing only trivial matters, even mentioning how delicious some palace snacks were; it seemed that the Empress had indeed merely summoned her for conversation, with no deeper intentions.
Thus, Shang Ruyi rose and said, "I’ve disturbed Your Majesty and the Princess for so long, I should be going now."
Empress Jiang replied, "Visit the palace again when you’re free, to chat with me."
"I will."
"Ruoyan, see Mrs. Yu Wen out for me."
Shang Ruyi was about to decline, but Chu Ruoyan had already risen and stood by her side, seemingly wanting to say something, so she thought for a moment, apologized, and left with Chu Ruoyan.
Just outside the main hall, the Princess softly spoke, "Madam, there is something I wish for you to give to the second brother on my behalf."
"..."
Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but smile bitterly in her heart.
This Princess, was it innocence or frankness, or was it innocence to a fault of frankness?
She turned with a smile and said, "What does Your Highness wish to give, please just instruct me."
Outside the main hall stood two young palace maids, obviously brought along by the Princess, and with a wave of Chu Ruoyan’s hand, one immediately brought over a small brocade box, which Chu Ruoyan handed to Shang Ruyi, softly saying, "Please pass this on."
"This is—"
"Inside is a remedy I found from various places."
"A remedy?!"
If it were something else, even a token of affection between two people, Shang Ruyi would have taken it calmly and passed it on without another word, but the word ’remedy’ startled her.
Yu Wenye asking the Princess for a remedy, could it be that he was ill?
Shang Ruyi quickly asked, "Your Highness, second—Yu Wen, Feng Chen, is he alright?"
Seeing her somewhat flustered, seemingly avoiding using the same address, Chu Ruoyan pursed her lush lips and softly said, "Madam, I know you’ve always called him second brother, there’s no need to be so evasive. I, I don’t mind..."
"..."
This remark left Shang Ruyi momentarily stunned.
In fact, she should be the one who minded, yet she avoided it, while the Princess did not; it was unclear who should be evading and who should mind.
How could things be so tangled?
Shang Ruyi gave a bitter laugh and softly said, "Thank you, Your Highness. So, what is this remedy for? Is there a symptom that second brother has that I don’t know about?"
Chu Ruoyan waved her hand and said, "Madam need not worry, it’s nothing serious."
"Then what—"
"It’s his old ailment, leg cramps."