Chapter 229: Things from My Youth

Yuan Siyin stopped outside the Buddhist hall, staring blankly at her aunt's slightly hunched back.

He looks incredibly energetic on ordinary days, but when he's alone after the crowds have dispersed, this figure inevitably shows signs of vicissitude.

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes, muttering incantations and counting on her prayer beads. Hearing footsteps outside, she paused and said, "Why don't you come in?"

"I was afraid of disturbing my aunt's peace and quiet."

Yuan Siyin continued the conversation, smiling as she entered and knelt on the prayer mat beside the Empress Dowager.

The Buddhist hall was decorated in a simple and serene style. An incense burner was burning incense, and the golden lotus lid was naturally carved, which could be described as a masterpiece of nature.

The Empress Dowager put down her prayer beads, clasped her hands together, and murmured something before opening her eyes to look at her: "Is it resolved?"

"Of course, there's no need for my aunt to get involved."

Yuan Siyin laughed and leaned into her arms, only to have her nose flicked by the Empress Dowager. "You're so unruly, sit up straight now."

"Why did Aunt suddenly decide to worship Buddha? Have you been worrying too much and not sleeping well these past few days?"

The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, sighed, and shook her head, saying, "I had a bit of a headache when I woke up this morning, so I thought I'd come here to find some peace and quiet."

Yuan Siyin, who was still somewhat reluctant to get up, immediately sat up straight and took her hand upon hearing this: "Have you consulted the imperial physician? Did you catch a cold this morning from being exposed to the wind?"

The Empress Dowager withdrew her hand with relief and gently stroked the back of her hand instead: "It's alright, you don't need to be so nervous about me. I'm still quite healthy. You little rascal, you're making such a fuss, it's like I'm making a mountain out of a molehill."

“How can this be making a mountain out of a molehill? If you’re not feeling well, you should have your pulse checked.” Yuan Siyin couldn’t help but frown.

Her aunt treated her very well, and she didn't want anything to happen to her aunt's health.

"Would I lie to you?" the Empress Dowager feigned anger.

Yuan Siyin wasn't afraid at all, and became even more shameless: "Didn't I fool you once?"

You wouldn't believe it, he has a criminal record and a criminal history.

The Empress Dowager was taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "You do hold grudges. I was just thinking about things from my youth."

"Things from when you were young?"

Yuan Siyin's eyes lit up. "Yin'er wants to hear it."

When she was little, she loved listening to her parents talk about their youth. Although her memory has become hazy over time, she still remembers the warm smiles on her parents' faces.

Unfortunately, no one could tell her that after that.

The Empress Dowager had no choice but to sigh, “I entered the palace at your age. You may not like to hear about those old, trivial matters. It’s just that I wasted my life in this deep palace, exhausting my life force, and only to get what I didn’t want but had to have.”

"You don't want it, but you have no choice?"

Yuan Siyin softly repeated the sentence, seemingly lost in thought.

My aunt entered the palace for the sake of the Yuan family. Before the late emperor passed away, my aunt had no children. But to everyone's surprise, the prince who was adopted by my aunt ascended the throne, and my aunt naturally became the empress dowager.

The current emperor has been subject to much criticism, and was not without criticism from scholars and students in his early years. It was only when his aunt produced the late emperor's edict that this adopted son was able to secure the throne.

Putting aside everything else, just the favor bestowed upon my aunt was enough to make others envious, even if it wasn't the late emperor's true affection.

"Perhaps the late emperor did have some genuine feelings for my aunt," Yuan Siyin said cautiously, pondering the question.

"sincere?"

The Empress Dowager gave a self-deprecating laugh and ignored it.

"I may not be truly sincere towards him."