Time flies in the mountains, and before they knew it, it was the day of the spring hunt. Yongle left the Jokhang Temple, leaving only Shen Qingyu and Song Yaozhu to keep him company.

Before leaving, Yongle pulled Song Yaozhu aside and whispered to her, "I'm leaving the person with you. Remember what you promised me."

Song Yaozhu smiled and saw her off.

Shen Qingyu pretended not to notice the misunderstanding between the two. After seeing Yongle off, Song Yaozhu and Shen Qingyu walked side by side on the mountain path between the temples.

A thin mist hung in the mountains, like a veil over one's eyes. Sunlight broke through the clouds, pierced through layers of leaves, and dispersed the mist, instantly clearing the view.

Shen Qingyu turned her head to look at Song Yaozhu. She had a face that exuded peace and prosperity, making people feel kind and approachable. Her almond-shaped eyes were so bright that they seemed to be able to pierce through all the hardships in the world.

Shen Qingyu had many things she wanted to say, but she also knew some things shouldn't be said. But in an instant, she impulsively blurted out, "Your Highness, I don't know what I can do for you..."

She was a woman trapped in the inner quarters of the palace, struggling even to save herself. She knew the princess had her eye on her father, but she didn't want him to be in danger.

"What do you want to do?" Song Yaozhu asked in return. "Whatever you want to do is follow your own will. The most important thing for a person is to take care of themselves before considering others."

Song Yaozhu's words startled Shen Qingyu slightly. Then she heard her say, "The Dowager should get up. Let's go and have a talk with her."

After the New Year, although Song Yaozhu did not visit the Jokhang Temple again, she still sent a letter and some of the latest fashionable fabrics to the Dowager Princess. The two maintained a polite relationship.

The Dowager Princess accepted her overtures without question. After all, she was lonely on the mountain, and she was happy to have someone care about her, regardless of their motives.

Interactions between people are always intertwined with interests, whether for material things or for feelings.

"Yongle has left?" The Empress Dowager had a set of bowls and chopsticks taken away. "I thought I could have breakfast with her again."

Song Yaozhu sat down and picked up her chopsticks. "She couldn't stand it anymore. She eats vegetarian food all day long, and she says she's lost weight."

The Dowager found it amusing and had them eat breakfast with her, then had a chessboard set out.

"I'm such a terrible chess player, I won't play with you. Let Miss Shen keep you company." Song Yaozhu pushed the silent Shen Qingyu forward.

Shen Qingyu dared not speak carelessly in front of the Empress Dowager, but Song Yaozhu had already given her a chance, and she was no fool.

"My chess skills are not good, but I only wish to keep the Empress Dowager company and relieve her boredom."

The Empress Dowager didn't mind, and the two started playing chess. Song Yaozhu then sat casually on the threshold of the main hall, basking in the sun. The sunlight shone on her, making her feel warm and cozy, and she squinted her eyes.

The mountains were quiet, and the rear hall where the Empress Dowager resided was a place inaccessible to pilgrims. The silence was so profound that it brought a sense of relaxation to both body and mind.

This is what life is like, peaceful and serene. For her, rediscovering the warmth of the sun is extremely precious.

After an unknown amount of time, a shadow suddenly fell over her, and Song Yaozhu opened her squinting eyes. Against the light, she couldn't quite make out who was in front of her. Raising her hand to shield her eyes from the shadow, she could then see that the person was wearing a bright yellow robe.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The Empress Dowager in the hall quickly rose to pay her respects, feeling somewhat uneasy. The letter from last time had ultimately failed to be delivered. She didn't know if the Emperor's men were monitoring her, or something else entirely; since then, she had become even more cautious.

Therefore, the Emperor's sudden arrival today inevitably made her feel flustered.

Song Yaozhu also stood up and bowed. She cursed inwardly, "Why did Yuwen Wuji come over?"

Yuwen Wuji's gaze shifted from Song Yaozhu to the Empress Dowager. "No need for formalities. Today is the spring hunt, and the hunting grounds are located behind the Jokhang Temple. I was thinking of the Empress Dowager, so I came to take a look."

I didn't expect Song Yaozhu to be here too.

She sat on the threshold, basking in the sunlight with an uninhibited and carefree manner, which stirred his heart for a moment, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

She really resembles Xie Wanqing, but not quite.

Xie Wanqing's heart is filled with love for her country and the world; she would never waste her time like this, just to enjoy this moment of sunshine.

"So the carefree princess is here too?"

Despite her disgust, Song Yaozhu said, "I have been staying at the estate these days. When I came to the Dazhao Temple to offer incense, I happened to meet the young mistress of the Shang family praying for her husband. We hit it off and decided to stay together."

"It's a pity that Ali couldn't participate in today's spring hunt due to illness. Do you know how he is feeling?"

Song Yaozhu, unaware of Xie Liwei's intentions, said, "I was unaware of Your Highness's illness. A few days ago, Your Highness and several teachers led students to the capital for the imperial examinations, so it must have been then that you fell ill. Thank you for informing me, Your Majesty. I will return to attend to you immediately."

Her tone was hurried, as if she were very worried about Xie Liwei, which displeased Yuwen Wuji.

But she was someone else's wife, and caring for her husband was instinctive.

He originally wanted to keep her to accompany him on the hunt, but given what she said, forcing her to stay might cause controversy.

Thinking of this, Yuwen Wuji said, "Send a royal physician to accompany the princess on this trip."

Song Yaozhu cursed inwardly, thinking that this dog emperor simply didn't believe Xie Liwei was sick and wanted to test them!

But all she could do was express her gratitude.

Yuwen Wuji spoke with the Empress Dowager for a while before leaving. As soon as he left, Song Yaozhu couldn't help but urge him on.

"Has the Dowager Consort ever thought of returning to the palace after living in seclusion for so long?"

The Empress Dowager paused upon hearing this, wondering what she would do upon returning to the palace. The emperor on the throne wasn't her own son; going back would only result in being looked down upon and treated coldly.

“The Dowager Consort is getting old and misses her son but can’t see him. Why not have the Prince send a grandson to your side to enjoy your company? It would be better than being lonely on this mountain.” Song Yaozhu spoke with a sincere expression, her face full of purity, as if things were as simple as she made them out to be.

The Empress Dowager smiled but didn't respond, though she was tempted.

If I could raise a grandson, I wouldn't be lonely for the rest of my life. And with a child around, my correspondence with the Prince of Yan would be less likely to attract criticism...

She knew that Yuwen Wuji would not be happy, but he was concerned about his reputation and wanted to have another hostage to blackmail the Prince of Yan, so he might agree.

Song Yaozhu stayed on the mountain until the afternoon before heading down, accompanied by a royal physician sent by Yuwen Wuji.

She said a few words to Granny Qin, who then went to do it. After descending the mountain, the group headed into the city.

Unlike the bustling scene before I left, the capital city now seemed to be asleep, and the pedestrians on the street all had solemn expressions, as if they were carrying heavy stones in their hearts.

Upon arriving at the Prince Xiaoyao's residence, the gatekeeper, seeing that it was the Princess Consort returning, hurriedly went in to announce her arrival.

Meanwhile, Peng Si, who was pretending to be Xie Liwei inside the house, panicked. "Why did she bring back an imperial physician?! What am I going to do?! I'm not sick at all!"