Chapter 256

Chapter 0256: Kind-hearted Person

Birds had already started to come in search of food.

When the music stopped, Mei Shu Consort reflected, "My mother once said that good music is universal. Even if it's an unfamiliar instrument or a language you don't understand. As long as it's music, it can touch the heart. My mother could play the pipa but seldom did, always saying it was too sorrowful. But listening to your zither, I truly feel at ease."

"To receive such high praise from sister is truly an honor," Yunli laughed.

"I mean it," Mei Shu Consort said with a smile, sitting down: "It's really nice. I feel when you play the zither, your heart is utterly peaceful. Your music pleases yourself, pleases the mountains and rivers. Not people."

Yunli smiled, "If sister likes it, then I'll play another piece."

Saying so, she began a stirring melody.

It was "Remnants of the Battle," played during a northern tour years ago. Mei Shu Consort, being pregnant at the time, hadn't been able to attend and naturally hadn't heard it.

She listened in surprise, finding it hard to imagine that the same person who had just played such a comforting piece could now evoke such intensity.

He Jinli, originally on his way to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, passed by the Imperial Garden and heard the zither music.

He didn't need to guess. Apart from Yunli, no one in the harem could play like that.

Even the Yue Mansion's arrangement pales in comparison.

Thus, He Jinli makes a beeline towards the pavilion in the center of the lake.

Indeed, it's her.

Mei Shufei stands while Yunli plays the zither.

He approaches, Mei Shufei greets him, and Yunli merely raises an eyebrow, continuing her melody.

Perhaps in high spirits today, she plays another piece, "High Mountain Flowing Water," after finishing the previous one.

Stopping, she complains, "I won't touch the zither for months; my hands are sore."

Extending her hands towards He Jinli, who notices her reddened fingers, he takes her hands gently: "Meng Chang, send someone to the Imperial Medical Bureau for some anti-swelling ointment. Get the kind that smells pleasant and isn't too medicinal."

Meng Chang promptly went off with an "Aye."

"Why so delicate?" He Jinli laughed, looking at Yunli.

"Perhaps it's because I know someone will care? Ah, not sure if that's true, maybe it's just me thinking someone cares," Yunli sighed.

Mei Shufei covered her mouth and chuckled.

She has seen such scenes often over the years, usually involving Yunli, finding her personality endearing.

Her thoughts on He Jinli's words aren't much different from those of ancient women.

It's fine if you come, my days are better with you. If you don't, I won't be sad.

In essence, Mei Shu Consort doesn't love the Emperor.

Though in their era, love itself isn't much discussed.

"Where is Your Majesty headed?" Mei Shu Consort asked.

Naturally, He Jinli couldn't say he was on his way to pay respects to the Empress Dowager and then detoured here.

He simply replied, "The morning court was busy, and I'm weary. I came for a walk in the Imperial Garden and heard the zither music. Coming over, indeed, it was you."

"That's Your Majesty coming on his own accord, not us seeking favor," Yunli said.

He Jinli chuckled and pinched her face: "Always you with the schemes."

"Ah, I wasn't finished," Yunli swatted his hand away: "What I mean is, since Your Majesty has walked into the trap himself, you can't leave. You must join us for lunch."

He Jinli chuckled: "Let's make it dinner, I'll accompany you tonight."

He had already sent word to the Empress Dowager about his visit; it wouldn't do to not show up.

Yunli hummed but didn't insist. He Jinli lingered for a while before standing up to leave.

After seeing off the Emperor, Mei Shu Consort laughed: "I think His Majesty was indeed headed to the Empress Dowager's. It was the sound of the zither that attracted him here."

Yunli smiled and nodded. Wasn't it obvious? The rain had just stopped, and the Emperor decided to take a walk?

The two of them didn't pay much mind to this incident, but little did they know it would lead to further developments.

Just after noon, as He Jinli was leaving the Empress Dowager's place after lunch, he encountered some of the newly introduced consorts in the Imperial Garden.

He was busy and naturally wouldn't pay them much attention.

However, for a long time afterward, a visit to the Imperial Garden would coincidentally lead to encounters.

Of course, that's a story for another time. That night, when He Jinli arrived, Yunli was cuddling with the coquettish Ninth Prince.

Upon seeing He Jinli, the Ninth Prince excitedly waved his hand, calling out, "Father Emperor, Mother won't let son eat sweets."

Yunli slapped his little bottom: "Learned to tattle, have you?"

The Ninth Prince giggled, "Father Emperor, save me, Mother is hitting me."

He Jinli chuckled, "Would your mother really?"

"She did! Father Emperor saw!" The Ninth Prince widened his eyes, puzzled why the cunning adults pretended not to see.

"Hmm, I saw. So, what should we do? Should Father Emperor hit your mother?" He Jinli asked.

The Ninth Prince paused: "No!"

"So, Father Emperor didn't see," He Jinli teased him.

The Ninth Prince was in a quandary, but he insisted on complaining, even though it wouldn't be right for Father Emperor to hit Mother.

After some hesitation, he suddenly knelt down: "Son pays respect to Father Emperor."

Yunli burst into laughter: "You're really clever, just remembered now, huh?"

He Jinli also laughed, holding his forehead: "This child."

"Next year, go study with your Seventh and Tenth brothers," He Jinli said.

"Yes! I will study hard," the Ninth Prince said.

Nowadays, the princes are still young, studying within their mother's palace, only going to Guanghong Palace during the day.

Yunli naturally had no objections to this; it's time for the children to study when they grow up.

He'll be six next year.

Although he was born in the last lunar month, the child is healthy and robust, so she's not worried.

Children in the palace must go when they reach the age.

It's only the Fourth Prince who hardly gets up for most of the year, studying in a manner of three days fishing, two days drying the nets.

After soothing the child for a while, and once the wet nurse took him away for a meal, He Jinli went to change his clothes.

Changing into a green robe, he remarked, "I've noticed your clothes have been less bright lately. What's the matter? Didn't the Internal Affairs Office deliver new summer clothes?"

"Hmm? Wasn't it because Uncle Wang passed away recently? I thought to dress plainly for a few days. I've changed just recently," Yunli said.

"Yun'er is thoughtful," He Jinli sincerely said.

"Really? What if I did it to please Your Majesty?" Yunli teased with a smirk.

"There are many who wish to please me. What if I didn't notice?" He Jinli retorted.

"But Your Majesty did notice, ah, it's because Your Majesty has good eyes," Yunli pretended.

He Jinli, with a straight face, said, "Are you suggesting that if I hadn't noticed, it would mean my eyesight is bad?"

Yunli remained silent, giving off a "figure it out yourself" vibe.

He Jinli couldn't help but laugh out of frustration, too lazy to argue further, and took her to have a meal.

However, He Jinli couldn't really think that way. After all, she did put in the effort.

Just as new faces entered the palace and the old guard flaunted their finery, indeed, very few dressed plainly for a deceased uncle.

Yun'er is just stubborn, but her heart is in the right place.

He Jinli: Our Yun'er is stubborn, but her heart is very soft.

Ninth Prince: I got hit! Does anyone care?