"It seems that the Empress is reminiscing about someone from the past."

Gu Lin smiled somewhat reluctantly, "I have such an honor to be born with a resemblance to Your Majesty's old friend."

“No.” Jiang Yu’s expression returned to indifference. “You don’t look like him.”

The courtyard was lush with flowers and plants, but Jiang Yu felt a sudden chill in her heart.

He is dead, likely killed in a scheme.

Gu Lin dusted off his hands. "Then I'll take my leave."

After Gu left, Jiang Yu stayed in the courtyard for a long time. When Ling Mama came in and saw Jiang Yu who was not saying a word, she sighed heavily in her heart.

Back then, the Empress may have been tempted by the Prince of Xiang. Her daily emphasis on the Marquis of Dingyuan's family not getting involved in the struggle for the throne was perhaps a reminder to herself.

"Your Majesty, you've been outside for quite some time. Be careful not to get sunburned."

Jiang Yu lowered her head. "Granny, perhaps I've been sleeping lightly lately, and I keep thinking about things from the past."

Gu Qingyan would come to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence whenever he had time.

"Mother, Father said he wants to hold an autumn hunt next month." Gu Qingyan was a little puzzled. "I haven't figured out why Father is doing this yet, but Father has been going to my elder brother's place a lot lately."

At this particular juncture, Jiang He was once again dispatched out of the capital by Gu Heng.

What good could possibly come of Gu Heng and his son Gu Qingling getting together?

Jiang Yu's expression also became more serious. "Ayan, your uncle has been temporarily sent out of the capital. You must be more careful in the palace and be wary of your father, the Emperor."

Gu Lin, who was listening to the conversation between the mother and son, suddenly spoke up:

"Your Majesty, why not check on the Crown Prince's injuries, and also see who the Emperor has been particularly close to in court lately?"

Jiang Yu suddenly looked up at Gu Lin, "Mr. Huo, what you're saying..."

"I only heard what the Third Prince said just now: firstly, the Emperor always visits the Crown Prince, and secondly, Marquis Dingyuan has been transferred away from the capital."

As an emperor himself, he was better able to understand Gu Heng's schemes.

While instructing Wanji to investigate, Jiang Yu put her arm around Gu Qingyan. Gu Qingyan seemed to sense Jiang Yu's emotions and obediently stood beside her.

"Mr. Huo, here is what you requested."

The servant's words broke the silence, and a bunch of straw adorned with candied hawthorns was brought in.

"I thought that since the Third Prince is still young, he might like to eat these things."

Jiang Yu swallowed hard without making a sound. Several more servants came in, each carrying a large or small bag.

"I have some things to take care of first."

Gu Lin smiled mysteriously. No sooner had Gu Lin left than Jiang Yu took a few steps forward.

Suddenly, Jiang Yu seemed to realize Gu Qingyan's gaze, so she deliberately coughed a few times, "Ayan, let your mother taste it first to see if it's good."

Candied hawthorn berries, pastries, and even sour apricots from South Alley...

These are all her favorite foods!

On the other side, Gu Lin's expression suddenly turned icy. "What's the situation with Gu Qingling?"

"Your Majesty, this is very strange. Gu Qingling's hand injury seems to have improved a lot, but there was clearly no sign of it getting better some time ago."

Gu Lin's eyes narrowed. "There are spies from the Di Kingdom."

If it weren't for the medicinal herbs and insects from the Di Kingdom, Gu Qingling's injuries would have taken at least three to five months to heal.

"Go and investigate Gu Qingling, and also send some people to Jiang He's side."

......

"Mother, Mr. Huo is very good to me."

While enjoying his meal, Gu Qingyan said happily, "Besides my mother and uncle, he is the third person to treat me this well."

Jiang Yu took a bite of a candied hawthorn, her almond-shaped eyes narrowing comfortably: This Mr. Huo is indeed quite good; he can stay by Ayan's side as a trusted strategist in the future.

Mmm, candied hawthorns are delicious.

Ling Mama wiped away her tears. Before the Empress got married, she loved to eat candied hawthorns. After entering the palace, she once sent a palace maid out of the palace to buy them, which was caught by the Emperor. The Emperor scolded the Empress, saying that it was not proper for a queen to eat such things.

After that, the Empress never sent anyone out of the palace to buy these foods again; only the Marquis would bring some back for her when he returned.

"Empress Dowager also thinks this person is good."

Having only been at the Marquis's residence for a few days, Jiang Yu was already being pampered as if she were still the same person she was before her marriage.

"If there's anything I don't understand, may I ask Mr. Huo for guidance?" Gu Qingyan asked excitedly, as if he was about to rush over to find Gu Lin at any moment.

Why does Ayan trust Huo Xiang as much as he trusts me?

A wave of jealousy washed over him, and Gu Qingyan immediately fell silent.

"Can."

Jiang Yu sparingly uttered only two words, then took a vicious bite of the pastry, seemingly venting something, which made Gu Qingyan lower his head and chuckle.

Why does Mother act like a child whenever Mr. Huo is involved?

Gu Qingyan hurriedly returned to the palace, leaving only Jiang Yu as the mistress of the Marquis's residence.

On the night of the fifteenth, Jiang Yu sat on a recliner in the courtyard, drinking warm wine and looking up at the moon in the sky.

"The moon is so round. The moon will be even rounder on the sixteenth of tomorrow."

A tear slid down her cheek. More than a decade ago, on July 16th, she waved goodbye to her parents under such a full moon.

He never saw his parents return again.

"Where is Huo Xiang?" Jiang Yu asked, emboldened by the alcohol. "Tell him to come and drink with me."

"Your Highness, Mr. Huo hasn't come out of the courtyard all day, and there's still a medicinal smell in the courtyard."

"Hasn't come out all day?"

Jiang Yu slowly rose to her feet. "Help me go see if I'm ill?"

......

When Ling Hai saw Jiang Yu approaching gracefully, his brain went blank for a moment.

Unconsciously, he made way for Jiang Yu.

"Huo Xiang?" By the candlelight, Jiang Yu saw Gu Lin lying on the bed, his lips pale and his forehead covered in sweat, as if he were enduring great pain.

Jiang Yu reached out to check Gu Lin's forehead temperature, but Gu Lin grabbed her hand, revealing the bulging veins on the back of his hand.

"Huo Xiang, let go."

Jiang Yu's pretty face was icy, but no matter how she struggled, Gu Lin's hand held her firmly. "Ugh..." Jiang Yu noticed the bruises on Gu Lin's arm as his sleeves wrinkled.

[Has Huo Xiang been poisoned?]

Jiang Yu was so shocked by this realization that she almost jumped out of bed. So what exactly happened to Huo Xiang during his previous disappearance?

The jade pendant was still tied around Huo Xiang's waist. Jiang Yu pursed her lips, her heart trembling slightly.

The next instant, Jiang Yu used her other hand to lift up Gu Lin's sleeve, exposing the large and small wounds and terrifying bluish-black bruises on his arm to the air.

Jiang Yu inexplicably burst into tears.

Jiang Yu suddenly looked at Gu Lin, who was lying unconscious on the bed, and then reached out to lift up the other sleeve of Gu Lin's clothes.

Same...covered in scars...

Tears dripped onto Gu Lin's neck, and Jiang Yu's breath was tinged with alcohol. She reached out and untied the belt around Gu Lin's waist, and the scene before her eyes completely sobered her up.