Chapter 50. When did it begin that she and Pei Chengyu became so close...?
In recent days, he had been inquiring about her from the imperial physician, and he kept hearing that her wound was not healing and that she was constantly in pain.
He also blamed the Imperial Hospital for not taking it seriously, so it seems that she did it on purpose.
Heartache, bitterness, and turmoil... a multitude of indescribable emotions swirled in his chest, yet he could only gaze out the window, feeling a desire to stop them, but utterly helpless.
She has her own ideas and plans, and he has no right to interfere.
All he could do was remain silent and pretend he knew nothing.
He tried to change things, but he couldn't do anything. Every step he took closer, she drifted further away…
During this period, Yu'an always slept for a long time. If Baozhu didn't come in to call her for dinner, she wouldn't wake up.
"The son-in-law came in the afternoon, but seeing that the young lady was still asleep, he didn't disturb her."
As Baozhu served the dishes, she also placed the freshly brewed medicine on the table.
"My son-in-law personally instructed me to make sure the girl finished drinking the medicine."
Baozhu sat by the bedside. "The young master asked the imperial physician to change the prescription. Miss, you can try it again. It might be more effective than the last one."
Yu'an's wound heals very slowly; it's been almost half a month before the stitches were removed. She can't hold a pen for long periods of time either, or it will hurt.
As Baozhu spoke earnestly, Yu'an felt a pang of guilt and subconsciously looked towards the window, only to find that nothing was there.
Where's that flower on the windowsill?
Baozhu said "Oh" and casually replied, "The master said that they were boring to look at, so he had them taken down. He said he would bring you some flowering ones in a few days, with bright colors, so that you would feel more comfortable looking at them."
A faint sense of unease crept into my heart.
Could it be that we've been discovered?
"How long have you been here?" she asked again.
Baozhu: "I just stood outside for a while."
Yu'an picked up her chopsticks and ate her meal as usual, not thinking about anything else.
Even if we get caught, so what?
He would neither expose himself nor do anything to her.
She regained her composure, smiled faintly, and let the matter rest.
The next day, Mingjia came to see her on time as usual.
Yu An had her own thoughts, and once they became more familiar, she couldn't hide them anymore, especially after she realized she had met such a simple-minded person.
The two chatted for a while, and then Yu'an steered the conversation to other things.
“I haven’t seen Father much these days. My brother told me that Father is always arguing with Grand Secretary Xia, and he came back from court this time with a belly full of anger.” Mingjia shrugged.
Yu An smiled and said, "Is it really that exaggerated? Every single time?"
Xiao Mingjia nodded, "Yes, I overheard my grandmother and mother talking about it once, so it can't be fake."
Yu An handed over the completed sample drawing, saying, "Look, doesn't it look like the pattern you told me about yesterday?"
Upon seeing the pattern, Mingjia nodded repeatedly, "It's just like it! It's so similar!"
"This was the pattern of the handkerchief that my grandmother used most often. It was said to be my aunt's favorite when she was alive, but unfortunately it was lost later..."
Mingjia's eyes sparkled. "Teacher, if we gave this to the Empress Dowager, she would be very happy."
Yu An shook her head. "Instead of me giving it to her, you should study hard and then make it for her."
Before Mingjia could answer, Yu'an took it and began to revise it.
"If I were to do it, I don't know how long it would take, and whether it would be feasible."
“The princess is quick to learn and skillful. In my opinion, it will only take half a year to complete her studies,” Yu’an comforted her.
Mingjia was so embarrassed by the praise that before she could even reply, her earlobes quickly turned red.
“I think the teacher did a good job. The Empress Dowager likes you. If she knew how much you care about her, she would be very pleased.”
After all, she looks so much like her aunt.
Having spent half a month at Shou Kang Palace, it was time for her to play tricks. She had been taking her medicine on time every day for the past few days, and her wounds had healed considerably. She was now planning to leave.
Because the female tutor needed to assess his studies, Mingjia temporarily stopped visiting her for two days.
In the absence of Mingjia, Yu'an simply stayed in the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager.
"The imperial physician said he changed the prescription, and you're feeling much better now. Does it still hurt when you're working?"
"No, I'm much better now," Yu An replied with a smile.
The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the table, gazing intently at her, her lips seemingly holding many words, yet she uttered not a single one.
She always felt that the Empress Dowager was looking through her and observing others.
"The emperor has few children, and there are few concubines who can speak with me. Why don't you stay in Shou Kang Palace for a few more days and go back after your injury has fully healed?"
Yu An paused for a moment, then lowered her eyes and smiled bitterly: "But Yu An has already been staying in the palace for half a month. If she stays any longer, it might not be good if word gets out."
"Even I won't say anything, so what do they dare to say? Could it be that the Ji family is urging you to go back and manage the household?" the Empress Dowager said with a slight reproach.
Yu An repeatedly said no, “My mother-in-law and sister-in-law help me at home, so I don’t need to worry about anything, and they have never urged me to do anything.”
"So it was Ji Jinghe urging you?" the Empress Dowager said to herself, "He's just picked up those rigid rules from Xu Yunjin, and he's become so cold and unapproachable..."
Yu An chuckled softly. Seeing how relaxed the Empress Dowager was in front of her and how she was willing to tease the court officials in public, she felt much more at ease.
People only act this way when they are familiar with someone.
The Empress Dowager is treating her as one of her own.
Yu An rose and bowed, saying, "I am deeply grateful for the Empress Dowager's kindness to me during this time. I know that this is because the Empress Dowager values me. But all good things must come to an end, and I must return home."
"I will always remember the Empress Dowager's kindness. If I make any more beautiful embroidery in the future, I will definitely come to the palace to visit you."
The Empress Dowager clicked her tongue in amazement, “Even if you can’t make the embroidery, you still have to come. I’ve said it before, as long as you have that gold hairpin, no one in the entire palace will dare to stop you.”
Yu An nodded repeatedly and said "okay" several times.
Before leaving, Mingjia took the time to see her off at the palace gate. Yu'an laughed at her for being too serious, saying that she wasn't going anywhere far, so why bother?
Mingjia: "Once I finish my studies, I'll come to the Marquis's residence to find you."
Yu An smiled and said, "Princess, there's no need to make a fuss. If you want to see me, just send someone to let me know, and I'll come to the palace."
After exchanging a few words of advice, Yu'an left in his carriage.
A carriage carried her and Baozhu, while another carriage was filled with things they had received in the palace.
After returning to the manor, Yu'an asked Baozhu to select some items and send them to Wanfang Courtyard and Rongshou Hall respectively.
Ji Shu had been waiting at the gate of the mansion since she arrived home. Seeing that she looked much better, she chatted with her for a while and then went back.
Because Shen Qiulan remembered that she had just suffered a serious illness, she had not entrusted the housekeeping to her.
Yu An was too lazy to care, and Ji Jinghe had been busy outside for a few days, so she had a few days of peace and quiet. She spent her days writing and drawing, and when she had the energy, she would sit in front of the embroidery shed and embroider for a while.
After diligently taking the medicine and recovering most of her health, Ji Shu, seeing that she was back to normal, took her out for a stroll.
The two women, an aunt and a sister-in-law, went to admire the lotus flowers in the south of the city and to the market in the west. After having a great time, they chose a very popular restaurant nearby for a meal.
The restaurant's interior is uniquely decorated, and the upstairs corridor offers a panoramic view of the city's streets.
Ji Shu went downstairs to buy some snacks. Yu An was leaning against the railing, admiring the scenery below, when she happened to run into Pei Chengyu, who had come to socialize.
The assassination attempt on the Empress Dowager was such a big deal that it was almost common knowledge in the capital. Pei Chengyu had heard about it before, but unfortunately he had not been able to see it. Today, the opportunity had come by by chance.
How is your injury healing?
Yu An smiled and said, "I've been treated to good food and drink in the palace, and I'm almost fully recovered."
"Judging from your complexion, you seem to be fine."
Pei Chengyu felt relieved and teased, "I only remember how brave you were when you were a child, but I didn't know that after all these years, you still haven't changed."
Yu An realized he was joking, but she didn't back down at all and laughed, "I'm also wondering, how come someone who was afraid of even a puppy back then is now a great general charging into battle?"
"Look at what you're saying. Didn't I kill a snake for you back then?"
"Was that for me? I'd never even seen a water snake before. You were just curious and wanted to catch it to play with, but you couldn't catch it. You were afraid it would bite you, so you killed it in a moment of panic, right?"
Yu An bluntly exposed their lie, making the two of them laugh for quite a while.
When they talked about their youth, the stories were still full of fun and purity, a rare sanctuary in Yu'an's heart, so much so that she couldn't care less about anything else and laughed exceptionally brightly.
Upon seeing this scene after finishing her shopping, Ji Shu couldn't help but slow her pace.
Pei Chengyu still had guests to entertain, so he stopped and left at the appropriate time.
Ji Shu stepped forward and, watching Pei Chengyu's departing figure, couldn't help but ask, "What were you talking about? You were laughing like that."
"Some old stories from Jiangling."
Ji Shu looked at her with a mixture of belief and doubt, her heart filled with suspicion.
When did she and Pei Chengyu become so close? No wonder she always argues with her brother, could there be another reason behind it?
Seeing the paper bag in her hand, Yu'an smiled and asked, "Did you buy it?"
Ji Shulu smiled, "Of course."
After the meal, the two sisters-in-law strolled around the street for a while before heading home. Yu-an enjoyed such a relaxed and carefree life.
"If you have nothing else to do in the future, go out with Miss more often. Today, the smile on your face is more than all the previous ones combined."
Baozhu was preparing the clothes she would wear tomorrow.
Yu An lay on the bed stretching and realized that the pain in her shoulder blade was gone.
"I think so too."
Snuggled in bed, a gentle breeze blows in from the window, neither too hot nor too cold, it's incredibly pleasant.
"Miss, remember to close the window later. The imperial physician advised us to avoid drafts." Baozhu reminded her as she walked forward with a basin of water.
Yu An seemed to be listening but not really, lying on the bed, her body aching all over, she was resting comfortably, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.
Remembering Baozhu's words of comfort, she forced herself to wake up and go to close the window, only to suddenly notice a figure sitting in the distance, and the window was already closed.
"Why are you here, sir?"
Ji Jinghe held up the book and read quietly, his eyelids not moving at all. "Seeing that you were sleeping soundly, I didn't disturb you. I heard from Ji Shu that you went out to play all day today. Did you have a good time?"
He looked up at her, meeting her gaze directly. The calmness in her eyes brought a sense of peace to anyone who saw it.
Yu An: "It's naturally delightful."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Ji Jinghe put down his book. "That's good then."
Yu An found him strange, and knowing it was too late, the two of them went to sleep.
I just slept for a while, but now when I try to sleep again, I'm wide awake.
Yu An turned her back to the side, her mind wandering as she pondered what to present to the Empress Dowager next time she entered the palace, when an arm reached out from behind her.
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Author's Note: Ji Shu: Brother, no wonder my sister-in-law can't stand you [laughing and crying while covering face]
Ji Jinghe: Watch out, or I'll dock your allowance! [eye roll]
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