Chapter 38 The Empress is currently sewing something.
“A-Yao”.
At night, Jiang Zhiyao was sitting on the couch embroidering after taking a bath when she heard a shout from the doorway.
"Zhenxi!" Jiang Zhiyao replied excitedly, and as soon as she stood up, Yan Zhenxi hugged her tightly.
Feeling someone gently brush against her neck, Jiang Zhiyao couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Okay, okay."
"Ah Yao," Yan Zhenxi said in a muffled voice, nestled against Jiang Zhiyao's neck, "I'm so tired these past few days."
I miss you.
I thought seeing Ayao would make me feel better when I got back last night, but I missed her even more after leaving this morning.
"Do you have a headache?" Jiang Zhiyao asked softly with some concern.
"Yes." Yan Zhenxi nodded.
Without A-Yao by his side, coupled with the fatigue of the past few days, he did have a bit of a headache.
"Lie down, I'll give you a massage."
“Okay.” Yan Zhenxi obediently followed Jiang Zhiyao to the bedside and rested her head on her lap.
After pressing for a while, Jiang Zhiyao heard Yan Zhenxi's breathing gradually become steady, and tentatively called out softly, "Zhenxi?"
Under the lamplight, Jiang Zhiyao's gentle eyes slowly removed Yan Zhenxi's blindfold.
Then he gently left, helped Yan Zhenxi put on her pillow, and covered her with a blanket.
When Jiang Zhiyao woke up the next day, Yan Zhenxi was no longer beside her. When she reached out to touch him, she only felt something cold.
Jiang Zhiyao lowered her eyes and suddenly thought, "I should have kissed him before bed yesterday."
"Miss," Nan Zhi said excitedly as she entered, "Someone from the palace has arrived. They say the Empress would like to invite you and Miss Cheng to a meeting. If there are other commitments, we can arrange another time."
"Really? No problem, no problem, I'll go right now!" Jiang Zhiyao asked happily. She thought that Sister Ji was busy and wouldn't be able to meet her for a while.
Jiang Zhiyao quickly got out of bed to wash up.
More than half an hour later.
"Sister Ji!" Jiang Zhiyao called out eagerly upon seeing Ji Wanqing.
After calling out, he realized he had been somewhat impolite and quickly bowed, saying, "Your Majesty the Empress."
Jiang Zhiyao's bowing movements were a bit clumsy. Before she could finish bowing and look up, Ji Wanqing reached out and slapped her head hard.
"Huh?" It didn't actually hurt, but Jiang Zhiyao was a little confused and stared blankly at Ji Wanqing.
"Don't call me Empress, there are only a few of us here." Ji Wanqing said, looking somewhat sad. "There's no need for formalities. Has Yaoyao become distant from me now?"
"No, no." Jiang Zhiyao waved her hands repeatedly, moved closer to Ji Wanqing, and took Ji Wanqing's hand. "Sister Ji."
Ji Wanqing patted Jiang Zhiyao's head, then gently pinched Jiang Zhiyao's cheek: "I will always be your Sister Ji."
"Mmm." Jiang Zhiyao nodded obediently and was pulled down to sit by Ji Wanqing.
Cheng Mingzhu didn't bow, but sat down naturally: "I don't want to be hit by you."
"Aren't you busy?" Cheng Mingzhu asked curiously. "Yaoyao and I thought you wouldn't have time for at least a few more days."
Ji Wanqing sighed: "It's not just not busy, it's practically too idle."
"I was prepared to be busy for a long time, but there were no other concubines for me to arrange. Everything in the palace is managed by dedicated people and is in good order. I only spent one morning yesterday to get everything done."
"I wanted to see you yesterday afternoon, but it was a bit rushed and I was afraid there wouldn't be enough time, so I wanted you to come over first thing this morning."
"By the way, you should try this Dragon and Phoenix Tea." Ji Wanqing rarely exclaimed, "The things in the palace are really good. I'll send someone to deliver some to your residence later."
-
Yan Zhenxi is also in the palace today. Because he has just started to have many things to deal with, he spends most of his days in the palace.
He is not handling any business at the moment.
If anyone who knows him saw what he was doing now, they would probably think Yan Zhenxi had gone mad.
His usually composed and strategic expression was now somewhat solemn as he looked at the object in his hand.
He's sewing something right now.
The sewn-up material is still in its very early stages; it's impossible to tell what it is.
"Lord Yan." A knock came at the door.
Yan Zhenxi put the things in her hands into the basket beside her, covered them with a cloth, tied her blindfold, and said in a calm voice, "Come in."
They were several officials who had come to discuss matters.
"Lord Yan, regarding the Ministry of Rites..."
"Lord Yan, and also the Ministry of Revenue... His Majesty has sent me to inquire about Lord Yan."
"Lord Yan, there's also something about..."
Yan Zhenxi carried out their requests in an orderly manner, and by the time everything was done, more than half an hour had passed.
As the officials were about to leave, they looked at each other for a moment, then one of them stepped forward and asked, "Lord Yan, how are your eyes?"
Their official positions were all higher than Yan Zhenxi's, and they addressed him as Lord Yan only because they knew that he had been assisting the new emperor, and that it was on His Majesty's orders.
Judging from His Majesty's current intentions, Yan Zhenxi might be promoted to a higher official position than them. However, for some reason, His Majesty has been delaying issuing the edict to promote Yan Zhenxi.
They were all high-ranking officials in the court, and it was inevitable that they would feel somewhat displeased to be so obsequious to a young junior like Yan Zhenxi, especially since this person was blind.
Given his level of disability, it was already a great favor from the late emperor to allow him to retain a fourth-rank official position. How can he be promoted again now?
His Majesty's delay in issuing the edict of promotion is probably due to this.
Even though they know Yan Zhenxi is indeed capable after these two days, they are still dissatisfied, feeling that the most important thing is that Yan Zhenxi stood on the right side before.
The reason they asked Yan Zhenxi about his eyes now was because they wanted to subtly remind him, hoping he would realize his shortcomings.
"Thank you all for your concern," Yan Zhenxi said calmly. "His Majesty has taken pity on me and found a renowned doctor who will heal my eyes soon."
"Oh, oh." The official who asked the question was taken aback, then quickly said, "That's good, that's good. Congratulations, Lord Yan. I wish you a speedy recovery."
Other officials also offered their congratulations, and then left with their own thoughts.
After everyone left, Yan Zhenxi lifted the cloth covering the basket, picked up the contents, and continued what she had been doing.
He wanted to make a rag doll for Jiang Zhiyao.
Yan Zhenxi didn't want to keep hiding the matter of his eyes from Jiang Zhiyao, and he knew he was in the wrong.
Even if he told Jiang Zhiyao in advance, it wouldn't have a big impact on the plan, but because of his own selfish reasons, Yan Zhenxi hadn't been able to speak up.
So Yan Zhenxi wanted to apologize to Jiang Zhiyao, and when he didn't know what to give her, he saw the rag doll on the bed.
Yan Zhenxi noticed Jiang Zhiyao's rag doll as soon as she placed it on the innermost side of the bed. It was a very cute and delicate little rabbit.
When Yan Zhenxi was alone in the room, he picked up the little rabbit. It was very soft to the touch and quite novel, something he had never seen before. The two sewn-on rabbit ears looked perfectly natural, and it even had a short tail. It was a bit different from a real rabbit, but Yan Zhenxi thought it was even cuter this way.
The rag doll is a bit old, but you can tell that its owner takes good care of it; it's very well maintained and clean.
And perhaps because Jiang Zhiyao often carried it with her, it was filled with her scent and had a faint fragrance.
Yan Zhenxi knew that Jiang Zhiyao really liked that rag doll. Sometimes he would see Jiang Zhiyao embroidering a very small sachet for the rag doll and then hanging it on the rag doll.
So Yan Zhenxi plans to make an identical rag doll for Jiang Zhiyao, and after he finishes it, he will tell Jiang Zhiyao everything about the eyes.
However, Yan Zhenxi frowned as she looked at the thing in her hand.
It's so difficult to do.
In the study, he often appeared to be reading, but in reality, Yan Zhenxi was always watching Jiang Zhiyao.
How come Ayao can embroider so easily and smoothly?
After sewing another crooked stitch, Yan Zhenxi put down what she was holding and picked up a book about embroidery to read.
That night, Yan Zhenxi returned to his residence.
"Where is Madam?" Yan Zhenxi asked, looking at the empty room.
"Reporting to Your Excellency," the attendant replied, "Madam was summoned to the palace by the Empress this morning and has not yet returned."
"Didn't they send anyone to say anything?"
"No," the attendant replied.
Yan Zhenxi lowered her eyes: "I understand, you may leave."
After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Zhiyao cautiously pushed open the door.
I had so much fun playing with Sister Ji and Mingzhu that I lost track of time. When I remembered I had to go back to the manor, I realized it was already very late.
After returning, I asked the servants in the mansion and learned that Yan Zhenxi had returned an hour earlier.
They should be asleep by now, right?
Jiang Zhiyao looked at the dark and silent room and tiptoed inside.
"Ah Yao." Jiang Zhiyao was startled by the sudden voice.
Jiang Zhiyao quickly looked over and discovered that Yan Zhenxi was sitting on the edge of the bed, fully dressed and showing no signs of wanting to fall asleep.
"Zhenxi." After realizing what was happening, Jiang Zhiyao patted her chest reassuringly, "I thought you were already asleep."
"Why aren't you lighting the lamps?" Jiang Zhiyao walked over and lit the candles.
After asking the questions, Jiang Zhiyao frowned in annoyance. What was she asking? Of course, he wouldn't turn on the lights when he was alone.
Jiang Zhiyao walked to Yan Zhenxi's side and asked softly, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Noticing Jiang Zhiyao approaching, Yan Zhenxi hugged her, his voice sounding somewhat muffled: "I've been waiting for you."
"I'm sorry," Jiang Zhiyao said apologetically, patting Yan Zhenxi's head. "I forgot to tell you that I would be back later."
"It's nothing. I thought Ayao wasn't coming back today." Yan Zhenxi hugged Jiang Zhiyao, as if he were absorbing her essence.
"No way." Jiang Zhiyao patted Yan Zhenxi. "Zhenxi is still at home, how could I not come back?"
"Mmm." Yan Zhenxi's voice was very soft as he slowly released his arms from Jiang Zhiyao.
Just as Jiang Zhiyao was about to leave his side, Yan Zhenxi grabbed her hand again: "Let me help Ayao take off her hair ornament."
“Okay.” Jiang Zhiyao sat down next to Yan Zhenxi.
Yan Zhenxi's movements were very light and slow, and Jiang Zhiyao couldn't help but laugh and say, "Just take it off directly, no need to be too careful."
He looked at her as if she were some rare and fragile treasure. After removing the hair ornament, Jiang Zhiyao went to wash up, while Yan Zhenxi took off his clothes and went to bed first.
After Jiang Zhiyao got into bed, Yan Zhenxi immediately pulled her into his arms.
“A-Yao”.
"Hmm?" Jiang Zhiyao asked softly.
"I just wanted to call you." Smelling the fragrance in Jiang Zhiyao's hair, Yan Zhenxi felt that the emptiness and anxiety he had felt while waiting alone in the room were slowly being filled by other things.
Yan Zhenxi thought that once the doll was finished, he wouldn't have to deal with affairs in the palace anymore; it would be the same if he stayed at his residence.
I want to stay by Ayao's side forever.
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