Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Just as Jiang Mo was about to ask the meaning of these words, she heard the Empress's voice from the doorway. "Chou'er, you arrived later than I expected."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mo pushed away from Chen Yingchou and went to greet the Empress, curtsying. "Greetings, Empress Mother."

Chen Yingchou turned around, his tone brusque. "Lan'er has just recovered from a serious illness. Even if you were putting on an act, Mother, you've gone too far."

The Empress frowned at these words, quickly stepped into the room, and looked around. "Guixi!"

Guixi hurried over, bending low. "Your Highness."

"How did you handle things? Why isn't there even a teapot or a brazier?"

Guixi was clearly puzzled—he had given orders, so how could this be? It was also his fault; he had brought the person here and left without checking again.

Someone must have interfered. As a veteran of the palace, he knew this was not the time to make excuses for himself.

"It is all this old servant's fault. I will go now and receive twenty strokes."

Jiang Mo sensed that Guixi seemed to have something he couldn't say, and guessed that the arrangements in this room were not his doing. She immediately said, "Wait."

"Mother, I am perfectly fine. Eunuch Guixi is advanced in age. Please spare him the flogging."

The Empress was naturally reluctant to punish Guixi, but since things had gone wrong, she needed to give Prince Yu an explanation. Now that someone had interceded, she could take the opportunity to relent. "Since the Princess Yu has pleaded for you, the flogging is waived, but you will be fined three months' salary."

Guixi quickly knelt. "This old servant thanks Your Highness for your grace, and thanks the Princess for her plea."

The Empress waved her hand. Guixi rose and stepped behind her, looking at Jiang Mo with gratitude. He knew the Empress was reluctant to punish him, but he still needed someone to speak up for him.

Jiang Mo went to the desk, quickly organized the copied sheets, and presented them with both hands to the Empress. "I have copied the 'Admonitions for Women' eighty times. Please, Mother, take a look."

The Empress picked up the top sheet and examined it. "The handwriting is neat, the strokes delicate. It was written with care."

She placed the papers back down and sighed. "What really happened the night before last? I heard Prince Yu left your quarters in a terrible state."

Jiang Mo was about to speak, but Chen Yingchou spoke first. "It was my fault. During the day, I failed to notice an infiltrator in the camp who poisoned me. The poison took effect that night, making me irritable and violent. I was afraid I would hurt the Princess, so I rushed out without thinking."

Jiang Mo silently scoffed at how easily he could lie.

The Empress quickly stepped over to Chen Yingchou, her face full of concern. "Has the poison been dealt with? Have you found out who administered it?"

"Rest assured, Mother, the poison is dealt with. But the poisoner killed himself, so we haven't determined who was behind it." Chen Yingchou continued, "Please don't tell Father about this, so as not to worry him."

The Empress looked up at Chen Yingchou, raised her hand as if to touch the black blindfold over his eyes, then stopped and patted his arm instead. "Chou'er, now that you have returned to the Flying Cavalry Camp, the court situation has shifted because of you. Some are pleased, some are worried. You must be extremely cautious. There are also foreign enemies eyeing you covetously. Stay safe."

"Mother, rest assured. I will handle everything."

"Growl—" Jiang Mo's stomach growled at an inopportune moment.

The Empress looked at her, surveying her from head to toe. "You suffered last night. Ya Lan, I misjudged you. As compensation, at the New Year's Eve family banquet, you will sit beside me."

Being allowed to sit beside the Empress at the royal family banquet was a symbol of status and affirmation—the Empress's silent endorsement, showing that she, as Princess Yu, was more honored than Princess Rui or Princess Kang. This was far superior to being rewarded with jewelry or silk.

"I thank Empress Mother for her grace."

The Empress had not originally intended to be so high-profile, but since someone dared to try to poison her Chou'er, she would put on a grand display, ensuring everyone knew Chou'er's high status—whoever dared to harm her son would be killed.

"Chou'er, in that case, you will sit beside your father at the banquet."

According to protocol, to the left of the emperor are the empress and other consorts; to the right, the first seat should be the crown prince, or if there was no crown prince, then in order of primogeniture. This arrangement was exactly the treatment of a crown prince and crown princess.

Jiang Mo sighed to herself. If not for Prince Yu's blindness, he might already be the Crown Prince.

Chen Yingchou said, "Yes." Then he took Jiang Mo's hand in his. "Mother, Lan'er must be tired and hungry by now. We'll return to the mansion first."

"Chou'er, wait outside for a moment. I have something to say to Ya Lan."

Before releasing Jiang Mo's hand, Chen Yingchou gently squeezed it twice, signaling her not to be afraid.

After dismissing the attendants, the Empress looked at Jiang Mo for the first time with a mother's loving gaze. "I have worried too much. Before your marriage, you two had not opened your hearts to each other. I feared both that Chou'er might not like you and that you might be forced into this life of hardship."

The words were beautiful, but Jiang Mo knew well that the Empress was not truly worried about her suffering—she only cared about Prince Yu.

The Empress continued, "A few days ago, there were rumors that Chou'er had pulled himself together because of you. I didn't believe them. True, on the day you entered the palace, you two seemed harmonious, but that was only because Chou'er is of noble character and acknowledged you as his wife—he should treat his lawful wife like that. Later, there were tales of your deep affection in the marketplace, but I still didn't believe them. Chou'er has been distant and reserved since childhood. He would not develop such deep feelings for someone he had known for only a little over ten days. He must be using you as an excuse. Only today did I learn that even if Chou'er hasn't developed romantic feelings for you, he values you greatly. It's like the Emperor—even though his heart belongs only to Consort Rong, he treated the former Empress and me with respect.

Unfortunately, the former Empress did not understand the Emperor, nor did she understand Consort Rong, and she brought ruin upon herself. I am different. I knew that Consort Rong was naturally free-spirited and had no ambition for power, so I took the initiative to confide in her. Thus, Consort Rong is the only person in my life with whom I have truly opened my heart.

Ya Lan, like father, like son. The Emperor's affections are singular, and Chou'er may be the same. If one day Chou'er meets someone he truly loves, you must know how to act. Do not be like the former Empress, who damaged the marital bond and hurt herself in the end."

How could Jiang Mo not understand? Unfortunately, these words were wasted on the Empress—she should be cautioning the real person, not a stand-in.

But for now, she had to play her role and clarify her stance.

"Marriage has always been decided by one's parents. Among men and women in the world, especially those of noble birth, almost no one marries for love. I appreciate how rare that is. I truly respect and cherish His Highness. His joy is my joy, and what he loves is what I love. I hope His Highness soon meets the one he truly desires, and when that day comes, I will treat that person as a dear little sister."

After all, these words weren't meant for her—she wouldn't have to live up to them. It was better to say whatever would please the Empress, to make her own life easier.

The Empress laughed, but with little joy—an undertone of self-mockery. "To be able to say such things, it seems you haven't fallen for Chou'er yet. Very good, very good."

She looked toward the Guanju Palace, where Consort Rong once lived, and after a moment of silence said, "You are a lot like me. What you value is family glory. You do not talk about love with your husband, only of mutual benefit and common destiny. Chou'er needs a wife like you. With that, I have nothing more to worry about."

The Empress's thoughts drifted. She had long seen that most men in this world were greedy, especially those in high positions. They wanted a proper wife from a suitable family, one who could hold her own in public and manage both the inner and outer households, and also a beautiful, gentle woman to share romantic moments with.

And most women in the world had no control over their lives, especially those from official families. They were placed in certain positions and had to play the role. If they were discontent or harbored unrealistic hopes, they would meet a bad end—like the former Empress, who already enjoyed public glory but coveted private intimacy. She would have been better off focusing on raising her children and securing her position.

"You should know that the Prince Yu's mansion will not have only you as a female member. Bearing a royal heir as soon as possible is the foundation of your security."

What she wanted was stability in Prince Yu's inner household, and she was cultivating a mistress who was broad-minded, flexible, and capable of enduring. These words were sincere and heartfelt.

Jiang Mo curtsied. "I understand."

"Good. Help me out of the room. Don't keep Chou'er waiting too long."

When the door to the unused side chamber closed and the eunuchs and maids waiting at the entrance had left, An Zeyou finally jumped down from the beam.

He sat at the desk, gathering the sheets Jiang Mo had copied one by one. His eyes caught the oilpaper packet at the corner of the table. He slowly opened it. Inside lay the five-colored cakes he had bought from Liuxin Zhai. He had kept them warm against his chest all night, and they were still warm when he took them out. But Jiang Mo hadn't eaten a single one. If only he had known, he should have let her eat the five-colored cakes first last night.

He popped a piece into his mouth, remembering the conversation between Jiang Mo and the Empress. The words "it seems you haven't fallen for Chou'er yet" kept echoing in his mind, and he couldn't help smiling, the corners of his mouth lifting.

At that moment, on the palace path, Lanqiu quietly asked Jiang Mo, "What happened to the Princess's neck?"

Jiang Mo had forgotten all about that. Fortunately, Lanqiu had draped a thick white cloak over her, its high collar fastened tightly against the cold, completely covering her neck. If the Empress had seen it, she wouldn't have known what to say.

"Nothing."

Lanqiu did not dwell on it and helped Jiang Mo walk toward the palace gate.

Chen Yingchou, walking ahead, suddenly turned around and asked, "Would the Princess like to have some fish soup from Luoyun Tower?"

Speaking of fish soup, Jiang Mo was reminded of the cook who was brutally killed on the day of her visit back to her family home, leaving her with a bitter taste. Besides, fish soup was Wei Yalan's favorite, not hers.

"That day during our return visit, Lady Guogong said you were very fond of fish soup, and the best fish soup in the capital is made at Luoyun Tower."

Jiang Mo said, "I don't want to eat it."

Moreover, once inside the heated private room of Luoyun Tower, she would have to remove her cloak, revealing the wound on her neck. Prince Yu can't see it, but He Ji was not blind.

"I'm not hungry; I'm more tired. I didn't sleep last night, and now my head is spinning. I'd rather return to the residence."

Chen Yingchou immediately instructed He Ji, "Send word to the residence to have the Chaomu Courtyard prepare food and hot water. As soon as the Princess returns, she will bathe and rest."

Once seated in the carriage heading back to Prince Yu's residence, Jiang Mo expected to feel drowsy, but instead, she was unusually alert.

The fact that the Empress had punished her by making her copy texts would eventually reach Duke Qingguo's ears, and the reason for the punishment couldn't be hidden. When that time came, Duke Qingguo would blame her for not attending to Prince Yu properly.

She could use this as an excuse, claiming she hadn't gained Prince Yu's trust and couldn't yet enter the study to find the roster, thus buying some time.

But she feared Duke Qingguo would take his anger out on her father.

Duke Qingguo needed a year to accomplish his plans, and she only had three months to copy the roster, proving it was crucial for the scheme. Even if she tried to stall, she couldn't buy much time, and she had no way to send her father and younger brother away from the capital within three months.

Her father's every move was under surveillance by Duke Qingguo's men, and she had no freedom either—watched by various spies in Prince Yu's residence and trailed by both Prince Yu's and Duke Qingguo's men when outside.

Now, thinking back to the day at Luoyun Tower when she met her father, she had believed that, as Princess Yu, she could find a way to send her father and brother away. She had only focused on persuading her father and never considered the difficulty of leaving. How naive she was.

In the days since returning from Luoyun Tower, she had racked her brains but couldn't think of a perfect plan, not even a flawed one. Prince Yu had given her a jade pendant symbolizing her identity, but the guards in the residence were Prince Yu's men. How could she dare to command them freely? Even if she did, how could she trust them to keep silent about what she did?

A sense of despair suddenly gripped Jiang Mo. She lifted the carriage curtain and gazed at the bustling street, the colorful shop fronts, the flowing crowd—children running, vendors hawking, busy women, graceful ladies. None of them were dressed as luxuriously as she was, but each was their own person.

Only she seemed unable to be herself.

"That day, I promised I would not let you be punished by the Empress. I failed to keep my promise." As the carriage neared the entrance to Prince Yu's residence, Chen Yingchou suddenly spoke.