Chapter 14 If her daughter were still alive
Huang Ying was a little surprised, not expecting her to ask such a question: "Yes, it's very far. It would take two months by carriage. If you walk, it would take at least half a year to get there."
"It's so far away."
The image of that bamboo brother appeared in Sheng Sheng's mind.
No wonder she always felt that even though he was smiling, there was always a faint sadness lingering around him.
I understand, being away from home must be really tough...
She once couldn't find her own home either.
“Princess, Princess?” Huang Ying pulled Sheng Sheng out of her reverie. “Princess, it’s already noon. Would you like to take a nap? By the time you wake up, His Highness will have almost returned to the palace.”
"Okay!"
Huang Ying changed Sheng Sheng's clothes, and Sheng Sheng lay down on the soft bed, where sleepiness quickly enveloped her.
Before falling asleep, I kept thinking about it in my sleep.
Brother Bamboo must be very lonely here all by himself.
*
Inside the Brocade Palace.
Xie Yunchuan was having lunch with Consort Rong.
Consort Rong was thirty-six years old. She was well-maintained and had a dignified and elegant air, but the slight weariness in her eyes could not be hidden even by heavy makeup.
Skin and body can be cared for, but emotions and feelings cannot be repaired.
Consort Rong served her son several dishes and said with a smile, "Chuan'er, what brings you here to dine with your mother today?"
Xie Yunchuan smiled and said, "Mother, are you upset that I've been too busy? I've been held up by some things lately. I'll definitely come and dine with you more often in the future."
"No need for that. Your mother is busy playing dominoes with her sisters every day. I'd love for you, you brat, to stay away from me."
Xie Yunchuan raised an eyebrow. Lüping, the head maid beside Consort Rong, poured fruit wine for the two of them and said on behalf of her mistress, "Your Highness, the Consort is just being considerate of your busy schedule. Actually, the Consort thinks about you every day and worries that you're too busy to eat properly."
"Mother, don't worry, I will take good care of myself."
Consort Rong was taken aback. Her son had grown up without her realizing it, and was now able to stand on his own and take care of himself.
If her daughter were still alive...
Consort Rong's chopsticks fell from her hand and clattered against the white porcelain bowl.
"Your Majesty!"
"Mother!"
Xie Yunchuan's expression changed, and he realized that Consort Rong's eyes had reddened at some point, and a tear had rolled down her cheek. She was no longer the person who had been teasing him just moments before.
Green Lotus helped Consort Rong up, but Consort Rong waved her away, saying, "I'm fine."
Green Lotus looked to Xie Yunchuan for help: "Your Highness..."
Xie Yunchuan frowned, knowing that his mother was thinking of his younger sister.
Even though several years have passed since her younger sister's "death," Consort Rong still feels this way; whenever she thinks of her daughter, she cannot stop shedding tears.
"I'm fine, Chuan'er, you can go back now."
Consort Rong got up and, without waiting for his reply, went to the side hall alone.
The side hall of the Brocade Palace was originally where the little princess lived.
Now, the side hall is filled with clothes and handkerchiefs that Consort Rong has embroidered for her by hand over the years, as well as gifts that she has collected from all over the place.
It's as if my daughter is still here.
Xie Yunchuan remained silent and did not chase after them.
Lü Ping saw Xie Yunchuan out. Xie Yunchuan pursed his lips and asked, "Is Mother still like this?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Lüping said with a pained expression, "The Imperial Concubine often does this, but she doesn't allow us to tell you because she's afraid Your Highness will worry."
"Um."
Xie Yunchuan sighed and suddenly asked, "If... if my younger sister appeared before Mother, what do you think Mother's reaction would be?"
"ah?"
Green Lotus was startled, thinking she had misheard: "Your Highness, what did you say?"
"It's nothing." Xie Yunchuan waved his hand and left. "Take good care of Mother."
Watching Xie Yunchuan's departing figure, Lüping muttered to herself in suspicion, "Could I have misheard?"
Xie Yunchuan returned to Yuqing Palace, and the guards who were with Sheng Sheng told him what had happened that morning.
"The hostage from the Song Kingdom?" Xie Yunchuan recalled for a moment, "He did not come to the Wenhua Hall today."
The Emperor of Yu was discerning. The war between the two countries involved a child. He could not be considered friendly towards the hostage from Song, but he would never deliberately target him. He even granted Pei Ji the privilege of studying calligraphy with the Grand Tutor in the Wenhua Hall alongside the royal children.
Pei Ji did not arrive today; his servant came to ask for leave.
The guard said, "Your Highness, the hostage prince seems to be ill. I noticed that his breathing is disordered and his steps are unsteady, which doesn't seem like he's faking it. It must be a coincidence that the princess met him in the bamboo forest today."
"Okay, go down."
Xie Yunchuan nodded, and the guards disappeared from sight, returning to the shadows.
Xie Yunchuan entered the hall. The little dumpling was fast asleep on the couch, unaware of his presence.
When Huang Ying saw him come in, she curtsied and left with great awareness.
Xie Yunchuan sat to the side, quietly watching the sleeping little dumpling until she woke up.
As soon as Sheng Sheng opened her eyes, she saw her beloved brother. She rubbed her eyes and happily exclaimed, "Brother!"
The little dumpling's voice was still groggy from sleep, and her cheeks were rosy from sleep. She just threw herself into his arms, and Xie Yunchuan's heart melted. He opened his arms and caught her.
"woke up?"
"Yes, Sheng Sheng is sleeping soundly!"
Xie Yunchuan chuckled and ruffled her hair: "Are you hungry?"
Just then, Sheng Sheng's stomach rumbled, and Sheng Sheng chuckled, "Brother, did you come back to have dinner with Sheng Sheng?"
"Of course, I will do everything I promise you."
Sheng Sheng's eyes were bright as she looked up at him, her joy overflowing.
Xie Yunchuan ordered someone to serve him a meal, but Sheng Sheng was still ill and could only eat light food.
The dishes were mostly vegetables, and although they were vegetarian, they were all prepared by the imperial chefs in the palace, and were fresh and delicious.
"Wow, this is delicious!"
This garlic broccoli is not very salty, and the soup base is matsutake chicken soup, which is simply delicious.
The little dumpling's eyes lit up as she ate, and she quickly put two florets of broccoli on Xie Yunchuan's plate: "Brother, this is delicious!"
Xie Yunchuan was very obliging and finished it in one bite: "Mmm, it's delicious."
"hey-hey."
The little boy was very happy to have his older brother eat with him.
Xie Yunchuan didn't sleep a wink last night, and this morning he went straight to the Wenhua Hall for his morning lesson. He hasn't closed his eyes yet.
Although Xie Yunchuan was skilled in martial arts and could endure more than others, and his spirits seemed good, the dark circles under his eyes hinted at his fatigue.
Upon seeing this, Sheng Sheng quickly put down her chopsticks, sat down next to Xie Yunchuan, and hugged him: "Brother, are you very tired?"
Xie Yunchuan paused, and the little dumpling's small, warm body wrapped around him, comforting his heart.
Xie Yunchuan hugged her back: "Hmm?"
She gently stroked the dark circles under his eyes: "Brother, you're as tired as Uncle Tree God, you've even developed a tan."
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