Chapter 81 Make a wish, your wish will definitely come true.
Originally, it was agreed that after lunch and a bath, she would take Yong'an to paint. According to Shen Yujiao's idea, she would take Yong'an to paint some pictures in the afternoon, and then help her cut out some paper-cut window decorations to add to the sense of ritual for the New Year. However, when she thought of the scene at the entrance of the main courtyard, she abandoned this plan.
"Shi Yang, remember to have the palace maids cut out these patterns that the princess drew, and paste them on the window frames first thing on New Year's Eve."
Shen Yujiao raised her hand and touched the top of Yong'an's dark hair, her voice gentle as she asked, "How does Yong'an feel?"
“Excellent.” Yong’an looked at her with his grape-like eyes, a sweet smile on his lips, but his eyes were calm and undisturbed.
“Hmm,” Shen Yujiao nodded slightly, “You and Qi Zheng have been playing all afternoon, go take a nap so you won’t feel sleepy in the afternoon.”
"good."
Seeing that Yong'an still obediently agreed without saying another word, Shen Yujiao then recalled that ever since Yong'an moved into the East Palace, she had agreed to whatever she and Jiang Chen said. The child had never shown any reluctance and was obedient to an excessive degree.
After helping the little girl fall asleep, Shen Yujiao sat by the bed and watched Yong'an for a while. Seeing that she was breathing evenly and sleeping soundly, she then left the side hall with Shi Yang and a group of palace maids. After the door was closed, the little girl lying on the bed slowly opened her eyes. Her bright and clear eyes, which were usually so intelligent, were now empty.
"What did you say? Depression?" Jiang Chen asked incredulously.
“Yes,” Shen Yujiao sat down next to Jiang Chen, her face and eyes filled with worry: “It’s all my fault. I haven’t been able to take care of the child these past few days. Today I suddenly realized that Yong’an is cheerful on the surface, but actually has a lot on his mind.”
Perhaps... her gaze drifted towards the direction of the neighboring courtyard, and she guessed that Qi Zheng was doing the same.
Jiang Chen had never encountered this kind of child psychological problem before and couldn't offer any constructive advice, but he knew the situation was somewhat serious: "Should we talk to her?"
Shen Yujiao frowned and shook her head: "I want to call Chu Rou over to discuss this together. Today is the 29th, and tomorrow is New Year's Eve. We can't let the two children spend the New Year like this."
She was worried about Yong'an, and Chu Rou was just as worried about Qi Zheng. When Mu Jin came in to report that Consort Chu was requesting an audience, Shen Yu Jiao understood that the two of them were thinking the same thing.
"Mu Nan, go to the front yard and call General He over as well."
Qi Zheng's inner conflict stemmed from General Qi. If there was still one person in the Eastern Palace whom he could open his heart to, it would probably only be He Zhiju.
As soon as He Zhiju stepped into the main hall of the courtyard, he saw that the three people around the round table all had furrowed brows and gloomy faces. His heart sank, and he stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highnesses are well, and Consort Liang is well."
"Greetings, General He." Chu Rou stood up and returned the greeting, then moved her chair back to sit next to Shen Yujiao.
"I called my elder brother over because of the two children..."
That evening, as night fell, the group sat together for dinner. Normally, after dinner, everyone would go back to their rooms, but today Shen Yujiao kept them all behind: "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. We need to work together to decide on the menu for the New Year's Eve dinner. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
Everyone looked at each other, but no one spoke first. So, Shen Yujiao looked at the two children and asked, "What does Yong'an like to eat?"
"Anything is fine, Yong'an doesn't really have anything she wants to eat."
"That won't do, this is New Year's Eve dinner."
"New Year's Eve dinner..." Upon hearing this, the two children lowered their heads and became even more silent. It should have been a day for family reunion, but they were not by their parents' side.
Seeing this, Jiang Chen spoke first: "Then I'll go first. Tomorrow night we need at least a fish, and then there has to be some meat..."
As soon as he spoke, the others followed suit and began to name the dishes. Although the two younger ones were not very interested, they still mentioned a few of their favorite dishes. Their expressions were noticeably more forlorn than before dinner, which made the four adults feel sorry for them.
"Alright, now that the menu is finalized, let's have the kitchen prepare it tomorrow," Shen Yujiao handed the menu to Mu Jin, then took Yong An's small hand and said, "Today is the 29th, the New Year is just around the corner. Let's say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new. Let's not carry this year's troubles into next year. How about we go release sky lanterns together tonight?"
"Kongming lantern?" Yong'an looked up, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment, which made Shen Yujiao's heart ache.
Yes, even though this child now lives in Kunyi Palace, surrounded by fine clothes and delicacies, no one still treats her like a child and dotes on her. I'm afraid Yong'an has never even seen what a Kongming lantern looks like.
"Yes, we can write our wishes on sky lanterns and release them. That way, our wishes will come true next year. Yong'an, let's make a wish together, okay?"
A flicker of emotion suddenly appeared in those long-calm eyes, and she heard the little girl nod in response, "Okay."
The Kongming lanterns were prepared in the afternoon. When the group arrived at the largest open space in the front yard, there were already tables, chairs, writing brushes, and ink prepared there, one set for each person, which was just right.
Shen Yujiao glanced at Yong'an, who was focused on writing down his wishes, and felt slightly gratified. It was good that he was still willing to express his wishes. If he didn't even have wishes, it would be no different from losing all hope of life.
After everyone finished writing their Kongming lanterns, Shen Yujiao put down her pen, pulled Yong'an to an open space, and Zhu Yu, who had been waiting there, quickly stepped forward to protect the tinderbox when he saw the Crown Princess leading the princess over.
"Your Highness, there was no wind tonight, so Young Master Qi flew up in no time."
Shen Yujiao glanced at the Kongming lantern released from Qi Zheng's hand, then looked at Yong'an and saw the envy in her eyes. She squatted down and said, "Our Yong'an lanterns can fly too, come on."
As she spoke, Shen Yujiao put her share aside and joined Yong'an in releasing the Kongming lantern.
But for some reason, the sky, which had been calm and windless all day, suddenly started to blow a cool breeze at night. Every time the Kongming lantern tried to fly up, it was blown down. After several such incidents, Yong'an's eyes became a little red.
"It's okay, let's write another one."
Shen Yujiao wanted to write another copy with Yong'an, but before she could return to the table, her sleeve was tugged by the little girl beside her. Yong'an's voice choked with emotion as she spoke with difficulty, "Sister-in-law, is Heaven unwilling to grant my wish?"
“How could that be?” Shen Yujiao squatted down, cupped Yong’an’s face in her hands, and patiently said to her, “When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it will first test their will and body. The more windy it is, the more we should put this lamp up, so that Heaven will see Yong’an’s sincerity.”
“Sister-in-law…” Yong’an lowered her head, a few tears falling onto the bluestone slab beneath her feet. Her voice gradually changed from a choked sob to a whimper, her tone filled with an unprecedented sorrow: “Mother, is she not going to make it?”
The childish handwriting on the Kongming lantern caught her eye. Shen Yujiao pulled Yong'an into her arms and gently stroked Yong'an's back. She had no idea that Yong'an was so terrified. Rong Jieyu's miscarriage must have been a huge shock to her. She was not in the palace at the time and did not know how terrible the situation was.
"Sister-in-law..." Yong'an threw herself into Shen Yujiao's arms, her emotions gradually collapsing: "I don't want my brother anymore, I don't want to be a princess anymore, I don't want anything like this anymore, I just want my mother to live..."
As the child's cries progressed from restraint to sorrow, and finally to a cathartic wail, tears welled in Shen Yujiao's eyes, but the tension in her heart eased slightly. If Yong'an could release this grief, then everything they had prepared would have been worthwhile.
"Mother...I want my mother..."
It's unclear how long Yong'an has been suppressing her emotions. Hearing her hysterical crying, Shen Yujiao felt a surge of bitterness and guilt. Yong'an was far more sensible than she appeared. Even when she was unhappy, she never said a word. Her obedience to all her arrangements and her smiles when playing with Qi Zheng were, in retrospect, all signs of her not wanting them to worry.
Tragically, these adults were completely fooled by the two children's nonchalant attitude. During the three days they spent together, not one of them noticed the problem. With their parents' lives hanging in the balance, how could the children not worry?
Children's love is the purest and most unconditional. They love their parents without reservation. While General Qi was preoccupied with the military camp and the border defense, and Consort Rong was scheming for palace intrigue, the children were only worried about their parents.
Even if she were precocious and as astute as Qi Zheng, she would not understand that the open-mindedness of the military camp could conceal traitors and spies. Similarly, even as intelligent as Yong An would not comprehend that in the palace, there is no future without struggle. Consort Rong may disregard her own safety, but she cannot be allowed to become a victim of palace intrigue.
They all looked too high and too far, but the child's eyes could only hold them.
After crying for an unknown amount of time, Yong'an gradually lost her strength in Shen Yujiao's arms. Jiang Chen came over and, seeing her condition, comforted her, saying, "Let's take her back."
“No,” Shen Yujiao shook her head. She held Yong’an’s shoulders and helped her stand up straight again, saying each word clearly, “Yong’an’s wish will definitely come true. We must release the Kongming lantern tonight, right?”
"right......"
Although her voice was still trembling, Yong'an's face showed a rare hint of genuine anticipation. Shen Yujiao pulled her behind the desk, held her small hand, and wrote down her wish again stroke by stroke. Then they walked to the open space, where the two held the bottom of the Kongming lantern, Jiang Chen helped stabilize the top, and Zhu Yu handed over the tinder again.
This time, the lantern was lit and set ablaze. Although there was still a wind, the lantern wobbled and rose into the sky. Witnessing his lantern being released, Yong'an's eyes were once again blurred with tears. Unlike last time, this time, even though tears welled up in his eyes, his heart was filled with joyful excitement.
That night, Shen Yujiao stayed with Yong'an in the side hall. She and Yong'an chatted in low voices for a long time until Yong'an was so tired that he fell asleep.
The moonlight that night was exceptionally bright, shining through the window and onto the bed curtains. Shen Yujiao used the dim light to wipe away the remaining tears from Yong'an's eyes. No one knew what the little girl was dreaming about, but even in her sleep, a smile lingered on her lips.
Shen Yujiao held Yong'an in her arms, gently patting her arm tenderly, like a mother soothing a child to sleep. This gave Yong'an a long-lost warmth and peace of mind. In her sleep, she seemed to hear a soft promise, like the whisper of a celestial being:
"Yong'an, your wish will definitely come true."
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