Because of Emperor Zhaoming’s attitude, Jiang Jingshu was already in a bad mood.
Now, hearing Jiang Jibai’s reprimand, she became even more irritated.
“Jibai, do you think I’m a disgrace? Do you think I wanted to do this?”
As she spoke, Jiang Jingshu glanced at Fan Suwan and Jiang Zhong, her expression hesitant.
Jiang Jibai instantly understood, but became even angrier.
“This is actually Father and Mother’s idea? How could they let you do such a thing in public? It’s disgraceful! It ruins the family reputation! Don’t worry, elder sister, when we get back, I will definitely talk to Father and Mother properly and make sure this never happens again!”
Jiang Jingshu lowered her head, remaining silent, looking extremely heartbroken.
But in Jiang Jingshu’s eyes, there was coldness, even a deep disgust.
Jiang Jibai just said she was disgraceful and ruined the family reputation?
She knew it!
Because Jiang Zhiyu had returned, Jiang Jibai, a man who strictly adhered to rules and etiquette, only recognized Jiang Zhiyu as his biological sister, completely forgetting about her as his elder sister!
Not only Jiang Jibai, but everyone else in the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion felt the same way!
Jiang Jingshu pinched her palms hard to keep herself from losing her composure.
But when she heard the Minister’s eldest daughter finish her song and receive praise from Emperor Zhaoming, her expression twisted for a moment.
These noble ladies of the capital were meticulously raised from childhood.
Each had their own unique skills.
Playing musical instruments, singing, poetry, calligraphy, painting—they were all incredibly talented.
Jiang Zhiyu sat beside the Empress Dowager, enjoying a clear view and plenty of food and drink, feeling happy and carefree.
However, sitting for a long time made her uncomfortable.
Noticing Jiang Zhiyu shift her body, the Empress Dowager immediately understood.
Jiang Zhiyu couldn’t sit still anymore!
Ayu was naturally cheerful and rarely sat so obediently.
She had been sitting for almost an hour, which was already quite a strain on her.
The Empress Dowager spoke to Emperor Zhaoming, then pulled Jiang Zhiyu to her feet and led her to a palace near the Imperial Garden where the Empress Dowager could rest temporarily.
Once inside the inner palace, the Empress Dowager left only her head maid, Aunt Sun, and the Grand Eunuch, Shen Lu.
These were the two who had served the Empress Dowager when she visited Shennong Manor.
Jiang Zhiyu, who had been so proper outside, collapsed onto the couch without any regard for her image once she saw no one in the inner palace.
Seeing Jiang Zhiyu like this, the Empress Dowager felt both amused and distressed. “You’ve had a hard day, A-Yu. Were you uncomfortable staying at the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence? Why don’t you stay in the palace for a few days?”
Wouldn’t staying in the palace be even more uncomfortable?
“No, I’d rather go back to the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence!” Jiang Zhiyu refused directly.
Given her relationship with the Empress Dowager, she didn’t need to hold back; she could say whatever she wanted.
Hearing Jiang Zhiyu’s refusal, the Empress Dowager wasn’t surprised.
“Since A-Yu doesn’t want to live in the palace, then she won’t. But if I miss you and summon you to the palace, you can’t refuse!”
Jiang Zhiyu nodded repeatedly, “Of course!”
But as soon as she agreed, Emperor Zhaoming’s face appeared in her mind.
Emperor Zhaoming looked gentle, but his eyes were deep, and it was clear at a glance that he was a man of deep thoughts.
If she went to the palace, she would inevitably encounter Emperor Zhaoming.
Thinking of this, Jiang Zhiyu quickly stood up, “Your Majesty, does the Emperor not know my identity?”
If Emperor Zhaoming knew her identity, she feared she would never have peace.
The Empress Dowager shook her head. “I know you must have your own reasons for going to the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence. Since you’ve been so discreet, I certainly won’t reveal your identity everywhere.”
Jiang Zhiyu breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good! Thank you, Your Majesty, for helping me conceal my identity!”
“You saved my life. It was just a small favor, nothing to thank me for! If you keep being so polite, I’ll get sad!”
The Empress Dowager said, picking up a handkerchief and pretending to wipe away tears.
Although she was no longer young, already a grandmother, her heart was clearly young.
Jiang Zhiyu was amused by the Empress Dowager’s series of actions.
“Your Majesty! Don’t cry! If you cry, I’ll cry too!”
Jiang Zhiyu said, pretending to wipe away tears with her sleeve.
Seeing Jiang Zhiyu’s mischievous appearance, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but laugh even louder.
Xiao Yanchen had just stepped outside the hall when he heard the Empress Dowager’s hearty laughter and immediately stopped.
Although his mother was the Empress Dowager, the most honored woman in the world
, living in the deep palace meant she had to abide by all sorts of rules and deal with various matters every day.
Three years had passed, yet the person who poisoned his mother was still nowhere to be found.
Although his mother didn’t say anything, she must be worried about it, and it might even prevent her from getting proper rest.
He hadn’t heard such hearty laughter in a long time.
That Jiang Zhiyu, with her quirky and clever nature, was completely different from the noble ladies of the capital; she could certainly make his mother happy.
After waiting a while, and hearing the hall quiet down, Xiao Yanchen sent someone in to announce his arrival.
Inside the hall,
upon hearing that Xiao Yanchen had arrived, Jiang Zhiyu wanted to leave, “Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Chen is here to see you, so I’ll go out first.”
“Where are you going!”
The Empress Dowager grabbed Jiang Zhiyu’s hand. “This isn’t the first time you’ve met. You’ve never avoided me before, so why are you hiding today?”
“Where am I hiding!”
Jiang Zhiyu denied it, and didn’t get up again, just sitting there quietly.
Seeing that Jiang Zhiyu wasn’t going to leave, the Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction and turned to Aunt Sun, saying, “Aunt Sun, quickly let A-Chen in!”
“Greetings, Mother!”
The Empress Dowager waved her hand. “Why bother with those formalities? Come and sit down! You and A-Yu haven’t seen each other for several years. It’s quite touching that you recognized me as soon as we met and even told me.”
Haven’t seen each other for several years?
Jiang Zhiyu looked at Xiao Yanchen with a strange expression.
She and Xiao Yanchen had just met last month!
In the past three years, they had met every month!
How did it become that they hadn’t seen each other for several years in the Empress Dowager’s mouth?
Could it be that the Empress Dowager didn’t know that Xiao Yanchen was poisoned every month?
As Jiang Zhiyu was thinking, she saw Xiao Yanchen looking over.
Her expression remained unchanged, but a pleading glint appeared in her eyes.
The infamous Prince Chen was actually asking for help?
It seemed his monthly poisoning wasn’t so simple!
Jiang Zhiyu’s eyes darted around, but she didn’t speak.
Xiao Yanchen remained silent. The Empress
Dowager was already used to Xiao Yanchen’s attitude.
She had only three children in her life.
But each of them had a distinct personality, none of them easy to manage.
Her eldest son appeared humble, polite, and gentle, but was ruthless and cruel.
Her second daughter was cute and petite, but had a notoriously volatile temper and acted somewhat…strictly, constantly being impeached by court officials.
Her youngest son was even worse; at a young age, he already had a fearsome reputation, secretly known as the “Demon of the Capital,” his hands stained with the blood of countless officials and clerks. Some even said he was a living Yama who could stop children from crying at night. Thinking
of this, the Empress Dowager wanted to sigh.
What sins had she committed!
None of her three children were easy to manage!
“Ayu is so much better!
Not only is she capable, but she also has a good personality, always cheerful and talkative! ”
The Empress Dowager held Jiang Zhiyu’s hand, her gaze towards her growing increasingly affectionate.
“Ayu, I’m not outside the palace, so I can’t protect you all the time. Luckily, Achen is in the capital. If you encounter any difficulties, just send someone to inform Achen. If he refuses to help you, just come to the palace and tell me, and I’ll deal with him!”
With that, the Empress Dowager took a token from Aunt Sun’s hand and personally helped Jiang Zhiyu put it on her waist.
“With this token, you can enter the palace anytime. Don’t just wait for my summons; come
to the palace whenever you have time to chat with me!” Jiang Zhiyu smiled, her eyes crinkling. “Your Majesty, don’t worry, I’ll come to see you whenever I have time! I brought many fine things with me this time to the capital, and they’ve all been sent to the Zhexian Tower. Your Majesty can have someone pick them up later.”
“Why are you sending things again? I haven’t even finished eating what you sent before!”
Although she said this, the Empress Dowager’s smile grew even brighter.
It wasn’t entirely because of the things, but more because of Jiang Zhiyu’s thoughtfulness.
Who wouldn’t want to be remembered constantly!
The Empress Dowager was pleased and again instructed Xiao Yanchen, “Achen, did you remember what I just told you? You must protect Ayu well and not let her suffer any injustice at the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence!”
Jiang Zhiyu smiled at Xiao Yanchen, “Your Highness is a busy man, I’m afraid you don’t have time to concern yourself with such trivial matters!”
“Don’t talk nonsense!” The Empress Dowager looked at Jiang Zhiyu reproachfully, “Your affairs are never trivial! Achen, I’m talking to you! Did you hear me!”
Xiao Yanchen glanced at Jiang Zhiyu expressionlessly, and seeing the cunning look in her triumphant eyes, his mood inexplicably improved.
“I understand, Mother, don’t worry.”
Hearing Xiao Yanchen’s agreement, the Empress Dowager was finally relieved.
The three of them didn’t stay in the palace for long and returned to the Imperial Garden together.
Several noblewomen and relatives came to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager, but Jiang Zhiyu left without making a sound; she really disliked such occasions.
Just as she reached a secluded spot, she heard footsteps approaching behind her.
Turning her head, she saw Xiao Yanchen following her.
“Is there anything else, Your Highness?” Jiang Zhiyu asked with a smile.
Xiao Yanchen stopped beside Jiang Zhiyu. “Don’t tell Mother about my poisoning.”
“Since Your Highness is afraid I’ll tell the Empress Dowager, why did you specifically send me to the palace to see her?”
She had previously thought Xiao Yanchen had ulterior motives in sending her to the palace.
Now it seemed it was simply to let the Empress Dowager see her.
“Mother often mentions you, always saying she can’t leave the palace to see you. Now that you’re in the capital, it’s only right that you come to the palace to see Mother.”
Hearing Xiao Yanchen’s words, Jiang Zhiyu was slightly surprised.
Although Xiao Yanchen was ruthless and had a bad reputation, he now seemed to be a truly filial son!