When Emperor Yan thought of what Yan Zhen'er had said, he felt angry. Those words were not meant to embarrass Yan Shujin, but to embarrass him.
Yan Shujin was clearly so sad, yet she still appeared at the banquet. Why was that? Zhao Zhong must have explained it clearly, and Yan Zhen'er still said it.
"Your Majesty, while we are alive, we can naturally take care of Bao-jie and Gui-ge, but what will happen after we are gone?" Empress Dowager Yan said with great sadness, "If they grow up to be outstanding, and you let one of them inherit the throne, will Bao-jie and Gui-ge still have a way to live?"
Empress Dowager Yan thought of her eldest grandson who had died young. If only Jiawang were still alive, he would be kind to Baojie and the Imperial Concubine.
Emperor Yan had assumed his mother was worried about something, but then said seriously, "Mother, the selection of princes will begin after the New Year. I can guarantee that neither of them will be the crown prince."
Empress Dowager Yan didn't want those words; she just wanted to use the opportunity to get a guarantee from her two most beloved children: "I trust you, but I don't trust others. I've seen in plays that there are things like get-out-of-jail-free cards; get one for Baojie and Guige too."
Emperor Yan was both amused and exasperated, and said, "Mother, this dynasty does not have such a thing."
Empress Dowager Yan looked disappointed and didn't bring up the matter of the pardon again. Instead, she said, "Choose a royal physician who is good at treating external injuries to go with you."
Emperor Yan readily agreed.
Empress Dowager Yan was worried all night yesterday. Chen Qiu persuaded her to go back and rest, and then left the Empress Dowager's palace with Emperor Yan.
Emperor Yan sighed and said, "Keep a close eye on the Empress Dowager, and also comfort your younger brother and sister-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Chen Qiu replied, "I know."
Emperor Yan asked, "You didn't get enough rest yesterday either. Are you feeling alright? Should we have the imperial physician examine you again?"
Chen Qiu lowered her eyes slightly and said, "It's okay, I just feel a little tired."
"The affairs of the palace..." Emperor Yan hesitated for a moment before saying, "It's not suitable for Consort Liu, nor is it suitable for Consort Han's personality."
Chen Qiu said gently, "I think Consort Zheng is quite good."
Emperor Yan paused in his tracks.
Chen Qiu said, "I'm afraid I'll need to recuperate for a while longer. Although Consort Zheng is a princess from the previous dynasty, what can she do in the harem? Is my husband afraid that she will harm the three children?"
Emperor Yan remained silent.
Chen Qiu's eyes flickered, and he said, "Then let my aunt in the palace take care of it for now, and I'll keep a close eye on things from behind."
Emperor Yan then said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Chen Qiu shook her head and said, "But I think my husband should think more about what my mother said. I'm also worried about Bao Jie."
Emperor Yan thought for a moment and said, "It's too early to discuss this."
"That's true," Chen Qiu said. "By the way, has my husband decided where to grant Bao Jie and Zhen'er their fiefdoms?"
Emperor Yan said, "Not yet, but I just feel that nowhere is suitable."
Chen Qiu asked, "Have you thought about sending Bao Jie to her fiefdom?"
Emperor Yan frowned. He truly hadn't considered it: "Wouldn't it be better to let Bao-jie enjoy a life of luxury in the capital?"
Chen Qiu didn't say anything more.
Emperor Yan slowly exhaled: "Let me think about it."
"Besides Jiawang, I've only ever raised one child, Baojie." Chen Qiu cared about Yan Qiyu, but she wouldn't mention it now because Yan Qiyu was a boy. So she only fought for Baojie's interests, so that Emperor Yan would be at ease, the Xuan Prince's Mansion would be safe, and Guige could get more: "I always want to give Baojie more good things."
When Emperor Yan heard Jiawang's name, his heart ached.
Chen Qiu lowered her eyes slightly and said, "Moreover, Jiawang was still thinking about his younger sister Baojie before he died. I promised Jiawang many things but didn't do them. I don't want to disappoint him again."
Emperor Yan felt a pang of sorrow and said nothing more.
Chen Qiu didn't mention it again.
Yan Shujin was unaware of what was happening in the palace. After returning home, Liu Qin had the kitchen send over chicken noodle soup. After the group ate, Liu Qin told Yan Qiyu to go back to her room to rest, while she went to Yan Shujin's courtyard.
Liu Qin hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Should I go and talk to the Yuan family?"
Yan Shujin shook her head: "I'll go."
Liu Qin said, "It's not suitable for you to go."
Yan Shujin looked at Liu Qin with some doubt.
Liu Qin didn't explain much, but simply said, "Think about what you want to bring, and have Aunt Yu help you pack. Most importantly, decide who you want to take with you."
Yan Shujin said, "I'll go with my mother."
Ultimately, Yan Shujin didn't want her mother to face this alone.
Liu Qin refused. She couldn't do more for her daughter, but she wanted to help her daughter as much as she could. Besides, Han Jing had only lured people away to save her husband: "It's not right for me to cry in front of a junior like you. Go pack your things."
Yan Shujin then agreed, saw her mother to the door, stood there for a while before returning, and said, "Aunt, I'm going to the Northwest under the pretext of rewarding the troops. Please help me pack some suitable clothes and jewelry. I'm going to lie down for a while."
Aunt Yu knew that Yan Shujin had barely slept last night, and said, "Yes, Princess, please rest first."
Yan Shujin hummed in agreement, took off her clothes, and lay down on the bed. The thought that she might never see Han Jing again made her heart ache terribly, yet she also felt somewhat lost.
Author's Note: Han Songsong: Another day where I only have a name.
Jiawang: Another day living in memories.
Han Songsong: Suddenly I don't feel so miserable anymore.
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