Chapter 235 The Dowager Consort Chen Enjoys Watching the Sogdian Whirl Dance
The last day of summer, at dusk.
After a busy two weeks, all the costumes for the "Jinghua Neon Fashion Gathering" were finally delivered to the various residences by the ladies-in-waiting of Princess Yongfu's mansion, just before the arrival of autumn.
After seeing everyone off, Lu Zhaoruo had just returned to her inner room when a snow-white figure lightly leaped into her arms, speaking with a slightly coquettish nasal voice: "Mother, Mother, you're finally done! Abao was so bored!"
Lu Zhaoruo smiled as she caught the heavy little creature, gently stroking its fluffy fur with her fingertips: "Yes, I'm finally done with my work. Abao, you've gotten quite plump lately, has General Xiao secretly given you extra food again?"
Abao lazily flicked his tail: "Meow, of course! The candied peas that Brother Xiao brought taste amazing! But..."
It raised its nose and looked at Lu Zhaoruo with pleading eyes, "Even the best candied peas can't compare to the fun of playing with Ah Sha! When is Mother taking Ah Bao to the Yongjia Marquis's Mansion?"
Hearing this adorable complaint, Lu Zhaoruo's heart softened, and she gently comforted her, "I know you miss Ah Sha. Just bear with it for one more day. Once the Ni Chang event ends smoothly tomorrow, I will definitely take you to the Yongjia Marquis's Mansion to play with Ah Sha from the Gu family to your heart's content, okay?"
"Really? It's a deal!"
Ah Bao happily rubbed his head against her palm.
Lu Zhaoruo's gaze unconsciously drifted towards the direction of the Yongjia Marquis's residence.
Since their parting at the Xiao residence, she had never seen Gu Xian again, and the complex expression he displayed at the banquet that day always lingered in her heart with a strange feeling.
Did something happen to him?
Although the past two weeks have been busy, the Lu residence has been filled with warmth.
Princess Yongfu visited almost every day, enthusiastically participating in the preparations.
Madam Xiao would come without fail. Although she was not skilled in needlework or design, she was a natural cheerful person. With just a few words, she could dispel the fatigue in the room and turn it into bursts of laughter.
What Lu Zhaoruo loved most was hearing her hearty recounting her youthful adventures on the water with General Xiao. The stories were filled with both the grandeur of "ships sailing for thousands of miles" and the tender affection of "sharing weal and woe," making them truly captivating.
Lady Di, the wife of the Duke of Di, also occasionally came to visit. With her extensive experience, she inadvertently revealed the preferences of the various members of the royal family in her conversations, which provided a reference for Lu Zhaoruo's design.
at the same time.
Xiao Yeming did not stop. He, along with Wang Wu, Ban Ling, Lu Seng, and others, continued to secretly investigate the mastermind behind the Japanese pirates who were condoning their activities and reaping the benefits.
Zhanfu often came to help, and as she spent time with Lu Bohong, feelings quietly blossomed between them.
Abao would often jump onto the windowsill, tilting her snow-white little head, watching the two people busily working together in the yard, and whisper in a voice that only Lu Zhaoruo could hear: "Mother, look, the way Sister Fujun looks at Uncle Bohong is so bright, just like when I look at my favorite candied peas!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo smiled but remained silent, though she felt genuinely happy for her brother.
Lu Bohong cherished this growing affection in his heart and secretly resolved to win fame and fortune in the autumn martial arts examination and the winter palace examination, so that he could go to Anguo Pavilion in glory and ask for Zhanfu's hand in marriage in a dignified manner.
The night was deep, enveloping the tranquil Lu residence.
Tomorrow is the crucial Rainbow Dress Gathering, but Abao in Lu Zhaoruo's arms is curled up listlessly, her voice trembling with tears: "Mother, Abao feels a tightness in her chest, I miss Xiao Wuyun so much... Abao is afraid he will never come back..."
Lu Zhaoruo suddenly remembered her chat with Princess Yongfu the day before yesterday, and she had forgotten to tell Abao because she had been busy for days!
Yongfu mentioned that during the reign of the late emperor, there was a highly favored Consort Chen who had a son who is now eight years old.
Lu Zhaoruo's heart stirred, and she asked a few more questions about Yongfu's appearance and temperament. Yongfu's description was strikingly similar to that of Xiao Wuyun, the young official she had met in Jizhou!
She immediately asked Xiao Yeming and received confirmation.
He did indeed know the son of this imperial concubine, Prince Shou, the youngest son of the late emperor, and had even instructed him in martial arts.
No wonder Xiao Wuyun chose the surname Xiao for himself.
At the time, Lu Zhaoruo thought he was Xiao Yeming's younger brother.
Lu Zhaoruo immediately drew a portrait from memory, and Yongfu and Xiao Yeming confirmed at the same time after only one glance: "The boy in the painting is none other than Prince Shou, Shushao. However, after the late emperor passed away and the new emperor ascended the throne, Prince Shou had already been enfeoffed, and his fief was far away in Xunzhou, Lingnan. The new emperor, considering his young age, graciously allowed Consort Chen to accompany him to raise him. Therefore, he is no longer in the capital."
Lu Zhaoruo sighed softly.
She never expected that the young man she had met once in Jizhou, who was elegant and well-mannered, was actually a prince of the late emperor and the son of Consort Chen.
She lowered her head and met A Bao's emerald green eyes in the darkness, and told A Bao what had happened.
Abao immediately became excited.
Its snow-white fur fluffed up with surprise.
Lu Zhaoruo added, "His true identity is Prince Shou's subordinate, Shao."
Abao eagerly nuzzled Lu Zhaoruo's hand with her head: "So he's Prince Shou! Mother, when are we going to Xunzhou to find him?"
Lu Zhaoruo hugged it tighter, her voice gentle yet firm: "We can't go now. Lingnan is far away, and the new emperor has just ascended the throne, the situation is still unclear, we can only wait for his return. But don't worry, your mother has a promise to him, and since he has agreed, he will definitely return to the capital."
Abao tilted its head back, its eyes glistening with moisture, and nodded vigorously: "Yes! He will definitely come!"
In Xunzhou, Lingnan, at the residence of Prince Shou.
Although it was named a royal residence, the place was filled with an atmosphere of decadence.
Consort Chen was leaning back on a soft couch, drinking wine. She was stunningly beautiful, but a hint of lingering malice was hidden in her eyes and brows.
Several pretty dancers were performing the Hu Xuan dance to Hu Le, with the leader being particularly outstanding in appearance.
Consort Chen watched with great interest, beckoned to the lead dancer with her finger, and said with a light laugh, "You, Hu Xuan, are quite handsome."
The man immediately stopped dancing, obediently knelt before the couch, and filled her wine cup: "May Your Highness the Empress Dowager remain forever young and beautiful, your face surpassing even the flowers of Lingnan."
"They certainly know how to talk."
Consort Chen chuckled softly, her fingertips brushing against his chin.
At this moment, a maid quietly entered and whispered a few words in the ear of her trusted old palace maid who was standing guard to the side.
Upon hearing this, the old palace maid showed a hint of pity on her face. After hesitating for a moment, she stepped forward, bowed, and whispered, "Your Highness... His Highness... has fainted again."
She paused, then cautiously inquired, "Could we... perhaps have some soup first?"
The Dowager Consort Chen paused in her cup-raising gesture, her languid expression instantly turning cold and stern: "Does he know he's wrong? Is he willing to bow his head?"
The old palace maid lowered her head and remained silent.
The Empress Dowager's face darkened, and she downed the wine in her cup in one gulp, her voice icy: "Since he's still so stubborn, let him continue to starve! Let's see how long he can hold out!"
Having said that, he ignored her and continued to flirt with the dancer beside him.
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