Chapter 302: Chapter 279: Whether Catching Up or Not, It’s All Not Good
Eunuch Lu’s face changed upon hearing this, and he hurriedly reached out to stop Shang Ruyi from continuing inside, whispering, "Oh dear, why has the Imperial Uncle suddenly entered the palace? Madam, we should wait a bit."
Shang Ruyi nodded her head, though her heart suddenly sank.
Imperial Uncle?
Could it be, the brother of Empress Jiang?
It was said that Empress Jiang lost her parents at a young age and had no siblings, so this "Imperial Uncle" is—
As she was pondering this, the voice of the "Imperial Uncle" sounded from inside, now with a hint of annoyance, saying, "Because of your illness, the departure has to be delayed, and you can’t go to Jiangdu with Your Majesty. Not only are Princess Xinyue and Prince Zhao left behind because of you, but even I have to stay here with you. Everyone knows that only those beside the Emperor are trusted; this way... aren’t you dragging me down with you?"
Shang Ruyi’s brows furrowed even more tightly.
Empress Jiang is unable to depart with the Emperor due to illness? Even Princess Xinyue and Prince Zhao Chu Chengfei are staying to accompany her?
A slight cough echoed from inside, revealing Empress Jiang’s very weak voice. She coughed for quite a while before slowly saying, "Chong’en, I do not wish to impede your future. However, this time, following south with so many officials, there isn’t much opportunity to stand out. Perhaps staying behind in the Eastern Capital will open up another realm for you?"
Jiang Chong’en immediately sneered, "Another realm? Everyone knows Liang Shide is about to attack, and the Lei father and daughter are helping him! Lei Yi, once the Left Imperial Guard General, how well does he know the city’s defense at the Eastern Capital? If I fall here, would you be happy then?"
"..."
Empress Jiang said nothing more, only continued to cough, though the sound was more suppressed than before.
Shang Ruyi’s eyebrows twisted into a knot, almost unable to resist barging in and scolding him!
No matter what Jiang Chong’en thinks, Empress Jiang is the Empress after all. Not only is there no respect in his tone, but he even lacks any compassion or tenderness for his sick sister, utterly cold-hearted!
However, she restrained herself.
After all, these are family matters of Empress Jiang; listening here is already inappropriate. To intervene further would be truly improper.
When Empress Jiang’s cough finally subsided, she gasped and softly said, "Chong’en, the pains I go through, you will come to understand. For now, you should return; I have guests arriving soon."
Jiang Chong’en snorted, turned, and walked out.
As he approached, he ran into Shang Ruyi and Eunuch Lu, allowing Shang Ruyi to clearly see him. Jiang Chong’en is about thirty years old, somewhat handsome, with features similar to Empress Jiang, yet his expression is indifferent, and his eyes habitually roll upwards, giving off an impression of heartlessness and indifference.
Of course, perhaps it’s not just an impression.
Upon seeing Shang Ruyi, he said nothing, merely rolled his eyes and left.
Once he was gone, Eunuch Lu immediately went inside to report, and soon, Empress Jiang’s gentle voice sounded from within: "Ru Yi is here. Come in."
Shang Ruyi gathered her spirits and hurriedly walked inside.
This was her first time entering the inner chamber of the Queen’s East Palace; it was more simply arranged than the outer area, with only a dressing table, a low table, and a bed against the screen, with only a few layers of gauze hanging from the beams adding a faint complexity to the otherwise sparse inner chamber.
Shang Ruyi walked step by step inside, finally seeing that thin, pale figure on the bed.
Empress Jiang was reclining on the bed, smiling as she looked at her.
She was wearing a long gown of goose yellow, the room warm enough that the clothes weren’t thick, further accentuating her thin and frail state, her lips lacking much color. Even so, the gentle aura she emitted made her look serene and lovely, with the cheeks flushed from violent coughing, paradoxically reflecting a kind of — peculiar allure.
It was the first time Shang Ruyi realized that Empress Jiang was not just composed and pretty like an Empress, but also possessed a woman’s beauty.
It’s the kind of beauty that one cannot help but be moved by!
She stared dumbstruck for a moment, and Empress Jiang, already smiling, said to her, "Ru Yi, you are here."
"...Yes."
Shang Ruyi snapped back to reality, quickly stepping forward to greet, Empress Jiang raised her hand slightly and said, "At this time, let’s not engage in these formalities. Come, sit down."
Unexpectedly, she patted the edge of the bed.
Shang Ruyi hesitated for a moment; though they were close, there was still a distinction between superior and subordinate, causing her some apprehension. Yet Empress Jiang smiled and said, "Calling you here while in illness indicates a lack of formality. If you feel formal with me, you wrong me."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi quickly apologized and leaned forward to sit down.
Empress Jiang smiled and nodded slightly.
Seeing the slight change in Shang Ruyi’s expression, she thought a moment before smiling faintly and saying, "Just now, forgive me for letting you laugh."
Shang Ruyi promptly replied, "How dare Ru Yi?"
Empress Jiang sighed and said, "Chong’en, he is my cousin— I lost my parents young and grew up in my uncle’s home. Chong’en is one I watched grow up. This child, inevitably arrogant, I often advise him not to aim too high, yet he does not listen."
Shang Ruyi’s heart trembled slightly.
It turns out the Empress, too, lost her parents at a young age and was raised by relatives.
Their backgrounds were so similar...
Shang Ruyi steadied her heart and softly said, "Honest words often offend, not everyone can appreciate Your Highness’s painstaking efforts."
"Indeed, honest advice usually sounds unpleasant..."
These four words seemed to stir some emotion in Empress Jiang, adding a touch of bitterness to her smile, but she seemed unwilling to dwell in this mood for long. She looked up at Shang Ruyi and softly said, "I heard that the Duke took your family’s third child away too. Now, you are the only one left in the mansion, aren’t you?"
Shang Ruyi nodded.
Empress Jiang asked, "Is everything going smoothly?"
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and replied, "Everything is fine. It’s just that the estate outside the city was left to me by my father. If we really go on the tour to Jiangdu with Your Majesty this time, it will be difficult to return for a while. I wanted to go there and make some arrangements for the people there."
Empress Jiang said, "That is indeed reasonable. Then, you should go tomorrow, and return early."
Shang Ruyi’s eyes lit up and she immediately said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Empress Jiang smiled, but suddenly covered her mouth and coughed twice. Shang Ruyi hurriedly reached out to support her, feeling that she had become quite thin, and bravely patted her bony back gently, whispering, "Your Majesty really must take good care of your health."
"Don’t worry,"
Empress Jiang, with her weak breath, revealed a kind of innate determination and said, "I don’t wish to be ill for too long."
"..."
Shang Ruyi glanced at her, her eyes flickering.
Empress Jiang slowly leaned back, and Shang Ruyi quickly took a cushion from nearby to prop her up. After panting for a while, she finally calmed her breath and then smiled, "Speaking of which, your Assistant General has been on the expedition for several days, I wonder where he is now."
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "If he’s quick, he should be at Yuanwu now. But—"
"But what?"
"But, he said he would first go to Xingluo Granary to fetch the provisions for this expedition, afraid he might be delayed there for a day or two."
Empress Jiang laughed, "He even told you about this?"
Shang Ruyi lowered her head, feeling slightly shy, and said, "In Feng Chen’s heart, the major matter is leading troops to war; I am willing to listen, so when he has spare time, he tells me some things."
"Oh."
Empress Jiang, upon hearing this, as if something resonated within her eyes as soft as spring water, causing ripples.
And those ripples were gentle and smiling.
She smiled, looking at Shang Ruyi for a while, then softly said, "It seems your relationship has grown better than before."
"Ah?"
Shang Ruyi was stunned for a moment and then thought—she was referring to herself and Yu Wenye.
Thinking further, she seemed to realize that previously she called Yu Wenye "Second Brother" in front of everyone; it was casually called initially and later found it coincided with Princess Xinyue’s term for him. It sounded close, but she always felt slightly uncomfortable in her heart.
And now, she started calling him Feng Chen because that night, he clearly told her that at such times, she could call him Feng Chen.
Recalling that night, Shang Ruyi’s face suddenly grew hot.
Immediately feeling she shouldn’t think of such matters at this time, her expression turned cold, alternating between hot and cold, her face flushed then pale, not knowing if anyone noticed.
Empress Jiang silently observed her for a while, then kindly said, "Seeing the harmony between you young couples eases my mind."
"..."
"Feng Chen, this child since young—"
She paused here, thought for a moment, then smiled, "It’s nothing."
"..."
For some reason, though the words seemed relieving, even relaxed, Shang Ruyi felt as if a feather landed in her heart, clearly weightless yet subtly pressing on her.
Empress Jiang then said with a smile, "In fact, it should have been arranged for Xinyue to meet you too, but she went to the temple today to pray for me, so she couldn’t meet."
Shang Ruyi responded, "Her Highness’s filial piety will surely move the God Buddha; your recovery will certainly be swift."
Empress Jiang smiled, "I hope so."
Afterwards, they chatted idly for a while without discussing anything important.
After approximately half an hour, seeing Empress Jiang weary and somewhat tired, Shang Ruyi stood up to take her leave. Empress Jiang instructed Eunuch Lu to escort her out of the palace, repeatedly urging him to ensure she returns to Yuwen Mansion.
Shang Ruyi said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern."
Empress Jiang leaned against the head of the bed, tenderly said, "Ruyi, make sure to manage your time when you go to that estate outside the city; Your Majesty departs in six days, don’t miscalculate the date to return—whether you catch it or not wouldn’t be good."
Shang Ruyi looked at her and softly replied, "I understand."