Chapter 029 Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Young Master Yu quickly came back to his senses, frowned, knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Yan Shiyu's brows were filled with sternness, and the majesty of the emperor was fully revealed at this moment. He turned around and walked up the jade steps. Only after he sat down did he say, "Get up."

Young Prince Yu dared not say more, and only said the military intelligence report from the south: "The rebels are good at naval warfare, so our soldiers are inexperienced at sea, and most of them are sick. Although this battle was a victory, I think it is also because of the training of soldiers' ability to fight at sea; moreover, when I returned to Beijing, there were many refugees on the way, and many people died of hunger on the way. However, when I passed through Xuzhou, Tongzhou, Yuzhou and other places, the officials all entertained me lavishly, which was really heartbreaking."

Yan Shiyu rubbed his brows and picked up the memorial that Ruan Yun had just swept to the ground. It was full of words opposing the implementation of official assessment. He sneered and threw the memorial in front of Young Master Yu, saying:

"That is why I am implementing the official assessment system. Who knew that those aristocratic families would be so entangled and so cunning that they would dare to take advantage of me?"

Young Master Yu read the contents of the memorial quickly, then handed it to Wei Maoyuan beside him and said respectfully, "Although the Duke Dingguo's Mansion is in decline, my father and I will do our best to serve the emperor."

Yan Shiyu clasped his fingers on the table, then laughed heartily and said, "Okay!"

…

Ruan Yun took Nuan Jiao back to Ruiyu Pavilion. Ying Ning placed the snacks in Ruan Yun's hands, but found that her young master looked worried, so she couldn't help asking, "Young master, are you feeling unwell?"

Ruan Yun shook her head. She always had an indescribable feeling. In her impression, she did not remember meeting Young Master Yu, and she did not think that she would have any relationship with these dignitaries in the past. But the look in Young Master Yu's eyes when he looked at her was really strange. She had already noticed it in the Zichen Palace, and the emperor must have seen it as well.

"Do you know the honorable young master?"

Ying Ning smiled and sat beside Ruan Yun and said, "The achievements of the Dingguo Mansion were won by the old Duke, who fought with the Holy Ancestor. But the current Honorary Duke is not very capable, and the Dingguo Mansion has gradually gone downhill. However, the Honorary Young Duke has the style of the old Duke. He is good at leading troops in battles and is good at both civil and military affairs. When the Emperor was still in charge of the country, he was already a close minister to the Emperor."

Ruan Yun grabbed Ying Ning's hand and asked her to sit beside her. Yunling Pavilion was where the emperor lived when he was in charge of the country. Ying Ning had been working in Yunling Pavilion and knew everything about it. Ying Ning was willing to tell her about these things in the past dynasty, which was a risk. "I know."

Ying Ning smiled and said, "Young Master Yu is handsome and elegant, comparable to the emperor, and is the favorite of many palace ladies."

Ruan Yun was a little dazed for a moment. When she was still a palace maid, she seemed to have never thought about talking about this with others. At that time, she only thought about protecting herself and saving some money to wait until she was old enough to leave the palace. She didn't know much about other things.

"I didn't notice that."

Ying Ning supported Ruan Yun and said, "Since you have become the emperor's concubine, you must not have any other thoughts."

Knowing that Ying Ning must be a misunderstanding, Ruan Yun didn't say much, picked up a piece of pastry and put it into his mouth tastelessly. If it was reported that Young Master Yu saw her today, it was just a romantic affair for Young Master Yu, but if it happened to her, the emperor would definitely be angry. She had no intention of explaining, so it was good to let it go.

…

Fengyi Palace.

Concubine Shu looked as usual, and had been in high spirits recently.

Her father was ordered to supervise the official assessment, which was quite an honor in front of the emperor, and even Concubine Shu became arrogant.

Putting down the teacup in her hand, Concubine Shu smiled with a thin face, glanced at Ruan Yun and said, "Ying Baolin went to the front of Yu yesterday. I heard that he stayed there for several hours before coming out? Do you admit your guilt?"

Ruan Yun's almond-shaped eyes revealed weakness as she looked towards the Empress, bowed softly to Concubine Shu, and said, "I don't know where I went wrong."

Concubine Shu suddenly slammed the table and said, "Concubine Xun Chang can only bring a bowl of soup or snacks before leaving. Who dares to stay in Zichen Palace for a long time? Ying Baolin actually stayed in Zichen Palace to rest. She is really a fox who seduces the master!"

She stood up, knelt down in front of the empress and said, "I heard that Ying Baolin was pestering the emperor for quite some time yesterday. How can such a charming person be allowed to stay in the palace!"

Ruan Yun squeezed a tear from her eyes. Ying Ning supported her and she knelt behind Concubine Shu. She said, "Even if Concubine Shu dislikes me, you shouldn't use this matter to slander me. State affairs are important matters. I was indeed sleepy yesterday, so the Emperor asked me to stay in Zichen Palace to rest. I don't know how Concubine Shu heard about the other things, or who told her?"

Ruan Yun turned to the empress and said, "It was because the empress pitied me yesterday that she allowed me to go to the front. I have failed the empress's kindness. It was just a false accusation. If I had admitted it, wouldn't I have also ruined the empress's kindness?"

Concubine Shu suddenly turned her head, her beautiful eyes filled with anger as she said, "Ying Baolin is really good at speaking. How can you put the blame on me for secretly spying on Yu Qian's affairs?"

Ruan Yun wiped the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "I dare not."

The queen was dignified and elegant. She handed the teacup in her hand to Ran Xia, put her hands in front of her, and said in a steady voice: "Ying Baolin is right. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, how could I have determined what happened in Zichen Palace yesterday?"

Concubine Shu frowned, and the Queen looked at Ruan Yun and said, "Help your young lady up. Don't kneel down because your wounds haven't healed yet."

"Sister has always been well-behaved. I have never blamed her for not paying respects in the morning after she accompanied me on the ride. Besides, Ying Baolin is seriously injured and the green card has been taken away for a long time. I thought that Fengyi Palace made two new snacks yesterday and they were very delicious. Why not let Ying Baolin deliver them to the emperor on my behalf? How dare Ying Baolin charge the emperor with blood? How did sister hear these gossips? I have to ask her carefully."

After these words, it seemed that all the faults were previously Ruan Yun's, but now the situation has changed and it is all Shufei's fault.

Concubine Shu pulled the corners of her lips, her face full of reluctance, and said in a weaker tone: "I just thought about how Ying Baolin stayed in Zichen Palace for a long time yesterday, so I made some guesses. It was my fault for not considering it carefully."

"Sister, please get up." The Queen raised her hand slightly, and Liu Jin helped Concubine Shu up.

The queen smiled at the crowd below, but her tone became serious. She said, "I have always disliked rumors spreading in the palace. If I hear any gossip in the future, I will not be as easy to talk to as I am today. The bad habit of catching wind and making groundless accusations must not become a trend in the palace."

All the concubines stood up and listened to the instructions.

After they sat down, Shen Chongyi spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, her eyes wandering around Ruan Yun, who was wearing a white fairy dress with a moon-shadow pattern, and said, "The war in the south has just ended. I heard that the emperor intends to match court ladies with soldiers. After all, soldiers are all meritorious officials, and court ladies serve very attentively in the palace. I really have a few such court ladies around me. If they can find a good husband, I will be relieved."

Ruan Yun's hands hidden in her sleeves gradually clenched. The news that she met Young Master Yu in Zichen Palace yesterday must have been spread by someone. However, the timing was so coincidental that if anyone wanted to know what happened to Yu Qian, they would probably be able to guess it.

Shen Chongyi is really good at this. She used this incident to belittle her status and happened to mention the soldiers. Isn't Young Prince Yu one of them? Yingning also said yesterday that many palace maids admire Young Prince Yu. She really wants to destroy her.

Yu Ronghua spoke up, picked up the teacup in her hand, thought for a moment, and suddenly realized, "There are many palace maids of the right age in the palace. It is much better to leave the palace than to stay in it."

The Queen looked at Concubine De, who understood and said, "The Emperor has also talked to the Empress Dowager about this. I will help the Empress Dowager manage the six palaces and make sure this matter is handled properly. This time the Emperor said that the maids must be of a certain age before they can be appointed. One or two months old is fine, but if they are a full year younger, then it won't work."

Shen Chongyi smiled and continued, "Yes, I will check it carefully when I return, and then hand the list to the Empress, and there will be no mistakes."

Ruan Yun frowned, and when Concubine De looked at her, she smiled gently. After all, she was helping her, so she couldn't look sad.

A woman's innocence and reputation are the most important. She got into such trouble just by going to the front of the enemy. She must be vigilant in the future.

The Fengyi Palace had returned to its former state of open and secret warfare, and everyone was happy again. Ruan Yun looked back and forth between the Empress and Concubine De, smiling with a spring breeze on her face.

When they walked out of Fengyi Palace, Concubine Ji fell behind. Ruan Yun was also behind because she was thinking about something, and she couldn't help but see Concubine Ji's pale face.

The deal she had made with Ji Xuanshi had ended the moment she became Ying Baolin. Ji Xuanshi used her to humiliate Shufei, and she became the emperor's concubine. However, when Ruan Jun saw Ji Xuanshi's behavior, she couldn't help but be surprised. She seemed fine a few days ago, how come she suddenly became like this?

"Is my sister okay?" Ruan Jun took the initiative to express her concern and looked at Ji Xuanshi worriedly.

Concubine Ji felt a little dizzy, but she quickly regained her composure and said with a forced smile, "I'm sorry to have worried Sister Ying. I've been feeling dizzy and uncomfortable lately, and I can't sleep well at night. I think I'll just need to take a good rest for a while."

Ruan Yun looked at the pale face of Ji Xuanshi and asked with a frown, "Did my sister invite the imperial physician?"

Lady Ji nodded, "The imperial physician went to see her yesterday and said that it was because of the onset of winter that her spleen and stomach became unbalanced, and that was why she became like this. He has already prescribed a prescription, so please don't worry, sister."

Ruan Yun breathed a sigh of relief and watched Ji Xuanshi slowly walk back to Yixiang Pavilion. Then she took Yingning away. Unexpectedly, Wen Yunu was waiting for her not far away. She looked at Ruan Yun coquettishly for a while:

"Since Sister Ying became friends with Lady Xuanshi Ji, she no longer cared about her younger sister."

Ruan Yun quickly grabbed her hand and said, "What are you talking about? I just saw that Concubine Ji didn't look very happy, so I went to ask a few questions."

Wen Yu Nu held Ruan Yun's arm and said, "Sister is really likable."

Ruan Jun gave a smile and said that Youzhouxuan and Ruiyu Pavilion were in the same location, so the two of them could just walk together.

But before they took two steps, a bright yellow figure rushed in, and they both hurriedly greeted him, "Your Majesty, long live the emperor."

Yan Shiyu put his big hand in front of Ruan Yun and said to Wen Yunu in a calm voice, "Get up."

Ruan Yun was too shy to put her hand on Yan Shiyu's. Wen Yunu saw this and was full of envy. She said, "Since the emperor has come to look for you, I won't bother you."

Looking at Wen Yunu's figure, Ruan Yun said in a coquettish voice: "The emperor scared everyone away."

Yan Shiyu nodded, not quite understanding, "Wei Maoyuan, call her back."

Ruan Yun immediately grabbed Yan Shiyu's sleeve, and the dragon claw was in Ruan Yun's palm. She pursed her red lips and said, "Your Majesty!"

Yan Shiyu sneered and led Ruan Yun to the imperial guard. Ruan Yun leaned against Yan Shiyu's chest and said in a gentle voice, "I heard that after some time, the families of concubines above the fourth rank will be able to enter the palace."

Pinching Ruan Yun's waist/hips unhappily, Yan Shiyu's eyes turned cold and he said, "If you dare to have other ideas, I will throw you down!"

Ruan Yun sat up and frowned, "Your Majesty is so unreasonable. I am just asking."

Yan Shiyu pinched the little face of the girl in front of him. Her eyes and eyebrows were charming, and every part of her was as delicate as if outlined by a brush. However, she was too bold and presumptuous. She dared to say anything and think anything.

Today she dared to say that a fourth-rank concubine could see her family, and tomorrow she would dare to ask him for a higher position. She felt that she was not respected enough in the palace, and she had to let the historians of the previous dynasty know!

Ruan Yun let go of his hand, her eyes filled with grievance, and she looked at Yan Shiyu timidly, her voice becoming softer, and she said, "I didn't mean that, Your Majesty, please don't be angry."

Yan Shiyu was most uncomfortable with her behaving like this. He clearly knew that she was just acting in front of him, but when she really showed that weak look, he didn't want her to live so cautiously.

Pulling Ruan Yun into his arms again, Yan Shiyu pinched her earlobe and asked, "Want to see your family?"

She was still young, and whenever she was sick she was still calling for her mother. Even if she didn't have the fourth rank, there was a way for her to see her if she wanted to.

Who would have thought that after asking this, the woman in his arms didn't move for a long time. Yan Shiyu lifted her chin, and his fingertips were stained with the tears rolling down her almond-shaped eyes.

There was a burning sensation in his palms. Yan Shiyu's hands stiffened and he moved to wipe away the tears that were about to fall from the corners of her eyes.

Ruan Jun grabbed Yan Shiyu's dragon robe, pulled it away, and then calmly wiped her tears with the sleeve of the dragon robe and said, "My parents are both dead."

Yan Shiyu's eyebrows twitched when he saw her little movement, and they jumped even more violently after hearing Ruan Jun's words.

If he wanted to know about Ruan Yun's background, the Ministry of Internal Affairs would have recorded it and asked someone about it. But he didn't think of this. From the very beginning, he never doubted Ruan Yun's family background. He just thought she was just waiting to leave the palace when she reached a certain age.

Seeing that the sleeves of his dragon robe were rubbed all over by her, Yan Shiyu no longer had the idea of ​​scolding her. He rubbed her face with his fingertips and said in a rare and gentle tone, "Don't cry."

"From now on, I will be here."

The imperial procession stopped at the gate of Ruiyu Pavilion. Wei Maoyuan saw that there was no movement inside the procession for a long time, so he had to bite the bullet and step forward and said, "Your Majesty, Master Baolin, we are here."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Ying Baolin being carried out by the emperor wrapped in a dragon cloak. Wei Maoyuan's heart skipped a beat. He didn't hear any sound from the imperial procession just now. What happened? If there really was something, then... the saliva of the Empress in the harem would drown Ying Baolin.

Yan Shiyu passed by Wei Maoyuan and said coldly, "Go get the imperial physician."

Wei Maoyuan even adjusted the crown on his head, and was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. He knocked on Xiao Muzi's head and said, "Why don't you go quickly!"

Then he cleared his throat and said to the people in front of the Ruiyu Pavilion: "I don't want to hear any words, so you all should shut up."

After saying that, she hurried in to serve the Emperor, and was even more confused. Why did the Emperor look like he was a little unhappy, but he still carried Ying Baolin back?

Thinking this in his mind, he was about to go behind the screen in a panic, but he suddenly met the emperor's cold eyes. Wei Maoyuan's legs went weak and he stepped back. He was really stupid. He dared to force his way in under such circumstances.

Before he could say anything, he heard Yan Shiyu say, "Come in and serve your young mistress."

Ruan Jun's face was flushed with shame, but there was also a paleness in it. She lay stiffly on the bed, not daring to move. When she caught a glimpse of the mark on Yan Shiyuming's yellow dragon robe, she felt that she could not face anyone.

Every time she moved, her lower abdomen ached terribly, but she still pushed Yan Shiyu and said, "Your Majesty, go change your clothes quickly."

On the imperial staff, the woman in front of him suddenly turned pale, and fell into his arms with cold sweat on her forehead. He was inexplicably panicked for a moment, but soon calmed down and heard the woman crying and saying, "Your Majesty, please go down first."

When his buttocks moved away, Yan Shiyu realized what had happened.

A small stain of blood spread out. The woman was in great pain but still wanted to stay away from him out of courtesy for fear of bumping into him.

Ruan Jun had never thought of this and kept watching the emperor's expression from time to time, fearing that she would displease him.

Her menstruation has always been irregular, and it is common for her to be delayed, but she didn't expect it to be such a coincidence this time. Concubines have to inform the bedroom in advance when they have their menstruation, for fear of offending the emperor, but she still did it on the emperor...

The more Ruan Jun thought about it, the more frightened she became, and she was about to cry as soon as she closed her eyes.

With his face restrained, Yan Shiyu stood up, looked at the timidity in Ruan Yun's eyes, and said in a hard voice: "I don't blame you."

When he went to the inner room, Wei Maoyuan knew what was going on from overhearing their conversation, and was waiting for the emperor with his clothes prepared.

After the emperor had changed his clothes, Imperial Physician Sun also arrived.

Yan Shiyu, with a chilly aura, sat beside the bed and watched the movements of Imperial Physician Sun. Imperial Physician Sun put away the pulse pillow and said, "The cold energy of Ying Baolin has entered her body, which is why she suffers from unbearable pain every time she has her period. I wonder if Ying Baolin has taken the medicine I prescribed on time?"

Ever since being threatened by the Emperor, Ruan Yun has been drinking on time every day, nodding weakly. Imperial Physician Sun is relieved. "I have added blood-tonifying and qi-soothing herbs to the prescription. My lady, drink it on time, and your body will gradually recover."

However, Yan Shiyu saw that Imperial Physician Sun was hesitant to speak. He brushed away Ruan Yun's hair with a cold face, told Yingning to take good care of Ruan Yun, and strode out.

Yan Shiyu turned the white jade ring in his hand and said, "Speak!"

Doctor Sun knelt down quickly and said softly, "The bitter cold tea is too potent. Even if the remaining poison is removed, Ying Baolin's body will not be able to return to its previous state. She has caught a cold inside her body. I'm afraid she will have trouble having children in the future. Even if she is pregnant now, she will be in danger of death, and both mother and child will suffer."

Yan Shiyu swung his sleeves and shouted, "How dare you curse Ying Baolin."

A group of people were kneeling outside the hall, and no one dared to speak.

Yingning supported Ruan Yun with a worried look on her face. When she looked at Ruan Yun, she found that the young lady's face was calm, as if she had known it for a long time.

When Ruan Yun saw Yan Shiyu go out just now, she thought that she had annoyed him, so she ignored the pain in her body and went out. She didn't want to hear what Doctor Sun said.

But there is a long way to go, so there is no need to rush now.