After entering the Eastern Palace, Yan Huisheng went straight to his study, while Su Rong headed towards Qiuying’s courtyard.
As she approached the gate, she saw three figures emerging from within. Little Qiuying dashed out the fastest, exclaiming cheerfully, "Sister Su."
Su Rong greeted her with a smile, "Little Qiuying, we haven’t seen each other for a while, and it seems like you’ve grown taller."
Qiuying, seemingly wanting to embrace Su Rong but hesitant to do so, responded with a laugh, "Really, Sister Su? Have I really grown taller?"
"Yes," Su Rong bent over to hold her close, "You truly have grown taller."
After holding Qiuying for a while, she released her and affectionately patted her head. "So, are you getting along well in the Eastern Palace?"
"Yes," Qiuying assured, living comfortably with plentiful food and no one bullying her. The people of the Eastern Palace treated her nicely, but still, she craved the warmth of her family.
Leading Qiuying further in by the hand, Su Rong greeted the smiling maidservant, "Wet nurse Zhao, have all the things been packed?"
"Yes, Miss, everything is packed," wet nurse Zhao replied with a smile, "Miss, you’ve lost weight."
"That’s okay, I will regain it gradually," Su Rong acknowledged that she had indeed lost some weight, but it wasn’t much noticeable since she was already slim, it must be only a few pounds, only those close to her who hadn’t seen her for a long time would notice it.
"Good, we’ll restore it. Once I’m back by your side, I’ll watch over your health every day," wet nurse Zhao declared resolutely. After all, her main purpose of coming here was to take good care of Su Rong.
With a smile, Su Rong agreed, "Okay."
Wet nurse Zhao replied with a smile, "Why not chat with Miss Qiuying while I go and load our belongings on the cart with Yuewan."
Su Rong nodded.
So, as wet nurse Zhao and Yuewan busied themselves with packing, Su Rong and Qiuying retreated to Qiuying’s room for a chat.
Qiuying, who was still smiling moments before, now seemed more serious. She held Su Rong’s hand and asked in a whisper, "Sister Su, I’ve heard that you’re leaving the capital to return to Nanchu. Can’t you take me with you?"
Su Rong shook her head, "I can’t."
Qiuying’s face fell, and she murmured, "I miss home. I miss my grandparents, father, and little uncle."
Su Rong gently caressed Qiuying’s head, understanding how lonely and homesick the young girl must feel, stranded in Daliang on her own. However, it was beyond her capacity to take Qiuying with her, even though she was returning with a huge army of three hundred thousand. She explained, "I’ve received news from the Crown Prince about the situation in Nanchu. Currently, the Nangong family and the royal family of Nanchu are in a fierce power struggle. Your father’s refusal to marry a lady from the Nangong family led to a dramatic confrontation on their wedding day, with both parties ending up injured. This has resulted in an irreparable rift between the two families. Given these circumstances, you can’t return. If I were to return to Nanchu and get involved in this strife, I’m afraid it would only put you in danger. Thus, it would be safer for you to stay here in Daliang, at the Eastern Palace."
Qiuying gasped, "But, my father...I..."
Su Rong, realizing Qiuying’s concern, reassured her, "His life is not in danger, at worst he might be severely wounded. You need not worry."
If her father encountered a life-threatening situation, people from the Ye Xiang Residence would surely come and fetch Qiuying to mourn for her father.
Qiuying sighed in relief, though her petite face remained pale, "Sister Su, you’ll win, right?"
"Yes, rest assured," Su Rong stated, "The moment I return to Nanchu, your family will also be safe. I will make it my mission to eradicate the Nangong family."
Qiuying nodded, "I believe in you, Sister Su."
With a smile, Su Rong reassured her, "Just stay obediently in the Eastern Palace. After I leave, the Crown Prince will arrange another wet nurse for you. He intends to maintain cordial relations with Nanchu and would definitely not let anything happen to you, nor allow you to be persecuted by anyone. Besides, the Crown Prince is a man of integrity, as you must have noticed over the past few days. Trust him and stay in the Eastern Palace, leading a peaceful life. As for your family, they are all capable people, so don’t worry too much."
Qiuying nodded, "Thank you, Sister Su."
She continued, somewhat embarrassed, "Sister Su, you are always busy with important matters, yet you managed to find time to comfort me. Don’t worry, I know how to behave."
Su Rong laughed, "You are too sensible for your own good."
Her maturity made her lovable, yet also stirred feelings of pity.
Su Rong pinched Qiuying’s cheek and chatted casually with her for a while. When Qiuying curiously asked about her journey out of the capital, Su Rong narrated the interesting experiences she had encountered, much to Qiuying’s amusement.
After conversing with Qiuying for more than half an hour, Su Rong excused herself and left the courtyard.
Despite Qiuying’s reluctance to say goodbye, she waved at Su Rong, saying, "Goodbye, Sister Su."
Su Rong waved back, "You can write a letter to each member of your family and give them to the people of the Eastern Palace to deliver to Dongsi Hutong. I will take these letters to Nanchu for you."
Qiuying looked delighted, "Okay."
Since it was already growing late, Su Rong asked her not to accompany her any further and proceeded to leave the courtyard.
Initially, she intended to leave the Eastern Palace directly, but remembering a matter she forgot to discuss with Yan Huisheng, she headed towards his study again.
At the entrance of the study, she encountered Qin Luan.
After paying her respects to Su Rong, Qin Luan lowered her voice and requested, "Miss Su, may I talk to you for a moment when you have some spare time?"
Surprised, Su Rong consented, "Alright."
Upon entering Yan Huisheng’s study, Su Rong saw him reviewing some memoranda. Seeing her enter, he looked up and said with a smile, "I thought you had already left."
Su Rong looked at him and said, "There’s something I remembered that I need to discuss with Your Highness."
Yan Huisheng raised an eyebrow.
Su Rong lowered her voice, "It’s about my senior sister, Shen Yi."
For a moment, Yan Huisheng looked confused, only to realize shortly after, "the former Imperial Concubine?"
"Exactly," Su Rong agreed. Although Shen Yi has lost her status as Imperial Concubine, people still instinctively refer to her by the former title.
"Go on," Yan Huisheng put down the memoranda.
Su Rong explained how Shen Yi murdered Duan Xiao’s family and how she later visited Shen Yi in Jibei City. After seeing her condition, Su Rong changed her mind, deciding to protect the last of her master’s line, truly acknowledging Shen Yi as her senior sister and brought her to Nanchu.
After listening, Yan Huisheng nodded, "Alright, I understand now."
Su Rong continued to watch him, "You agree? I promise that the child in her womb will never return to usurp the throne."
Yan Huisheng laughed lightly, "I am not worried about that. If he indeed manages to usurp the throne, it would be due to his own capability."
Su Rong admired him, "How generous of you, cousin!"
Yan Huisheng replied with a faint smile of resignation, "It’s not that I’m generous. It’s just that if you insist on keeping her, you must have a reason. She is indeed a capable individual. Once you return to Nanchu’s royal palace, having someone you can trust to manage the palace affairs will be of great help, relieving you from worries. After all, you can’t expect Zhou Gu to be buried in the Imperial Harem’s chores."
"Indeed, I was considering this as well. Not only can she assist me in the palace, but her abilities can also extend beyond its confines." Su Rong perfectly understood the depths of the former Imperial Concubine’s reach, given that she was the one who directly uncovered her in the past.
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