Chapter 945 Springtime Splendor
The next morning, after having breakfast, Shang Ruyi saw that the weather outside was fine, so she took Tushe'er and headed towards the inner court.
These days she spends most of her time in the Thousand Autumns Palace, rarely coming to the inner court. But she sees that the place is now lush with green trees. Many flower bushes that were bare in winter have grown lush green leaves, and there are even red and pink flower buds hidden in the center, occasionally showing a touch of fresh color.
I broke out in a light sweat after walking for a short while.
While fanning Shang Ruyi, Tu She'er was also worried that Shang Ruyi would want to go back soon. After all, it was a rare opportunity to get out for a walk and relax, and she was very happy. So she said, "Your Highness, let's go to the corridor to rest for a while."
Shang Ruyi had the same idea, so she nodded.
So the two of them went up to the Thousand Steps Corridor. It was open on all sides and not exposed to the sun, so it was cooler than outside. As they walked, they counted the magnolias, forsythia, azaleas, and weeping crabapples that were about to bloom outside. Before they knew it, they had arrived at the Stop-the-Boo Pavilion.
As soon as I got closer, I found that there were already people sitting inside.
As soon as the man saw Shang Ruyi approaching, he slowly stood up, and Shang Ruyi immediately stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Beauty Tao."
The person sitting in the pavilion was none other than Tao Wanyin, a concubine in Yuwen Yuan's harem.
Shang Ruyi didn't frequent Yuwen Yuan's harem. She had only seen the favored Consort Zhang a few times, and as for this Lady Tao, she had met her twice at a palace banquet. She was in her thirties, but looked no more than twenty. She had fair skin, exquisite features, and was a gentle and beautiful woman. It was said that she had been married before entering the palace, and the couple had a relatively harmonious relationship. Unfortunately, her husband had died young, leaving no children. She was beautiful and gentle, and although she was selected to enter the palace, she was not particularly favored by the emperor.
Perhaps not expecting to meet Princess Qin here, this beauty Tao was also quite surprised and hurriedly said, "Princess Qin, there's no need for such formalities."
As she spoke, she instructed the maid Qiaoshu beside her to clean the stone bench opposite her and invite Shang Ruyi to sit down. Tu She'er, naturally, couldn't allow someone from the concubine's entourage to serve Shang Ruyi, so she hurriedly stepped forward as well. The two maids quickly finished cleaning. Shang Ruyi sat down and said with a smile, "Did Consort Tao come out for a stroll today?"
Tao Wanyin lowered her head: "There's nothing to do if I stay cooped up in the room."
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Yes, Father is busy with state affairs every day. I heard he goes to court early in the morning."
Tao Wanyin was a little embarrassed: "Really?"
Qiao Shu, standing to the side, glanced at Shang Ruyi with displeasure.
In her eyes, it was an open secret in the palace that her master was not favored. Could it be that Princess Qin was trying to humiliate her by saying this? But the two of them had no contact, let alone any grudges. For Princess Qin to come here and rub salt into someone’s wounds was simply too much of a bully.
However, Consort Tao was not favored after all. Even when ridiculed by the Princess Consort of Qin, who was a junior, they could not say anything. After all, this Princess Consort of Qin had given birth to His Majesty the Emperor's most beloved eldest grandson and was now very favored.
They could only grit their teeth and bear it silently.
Seeing the awkward expressions on the faces of the master and servant, Shang Ruyi didn't care and continued, "But Father is so busy that he may not be able to take care of his health. I heard Father's voice was very hoarse when he spoke the other day."
Tao Wanyin was even more embarrassed and could only say, "It seems so."
Shang Ruyi said, "If someone could send some soothing soups to Father Emperor, that would be wonderful."
"..."
It wasn't until this moment that Tao Wanyin came to her senses. She looked up at Shang Ruyi and saw the Princess Consort of Qin smiling at her with gentle eyes that sparkled with intelligence. Tao Wanyin thought for a moment and could only awkwardly smile and say, "That's naturally good, but it's a pity that His Majesty doesn't visit me often."
"I see..."
Shang Ruyi was not surprised, and said, "I have a prescription here. If Lady Tao doesn't mind, take a look. If Father really goes to your place, it will be good to be prepared."
Tao Wanyin seemed to understand something.
Seeing that Shang Ruyi had indeed taken out a piece of paper, she gestured for Qiaoshu to fetch it. After taking it and looking at it, she said, "Thank you, Princess Qin."
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "You're too kind, Miss Tao."
As she spoke, Tao Wanyin folded the paper into a neat square and put it into her sleeve. The two of them sat in the pavilion and enjoyed the scenery outside for a while. When they saw that the sun was getting stronger, they got up to say goodbye and returned to their respective palaces.
Springtime was in full bloom in the inner palace, but the court was still filled with murderous intent.
The debate over whether to send troops to Xia Prefecture has been going on for two days, and there is still no conclusion.
Although Yuwen Yuan has expressed his willingness to send troops, the practical problems remain: if he does send troops, how many? How many should be left in Chang'an? What if other enemies take advantage of the situation and launch an attack?
More importantly, if the battle of Dongdu is lost, Liang Shide has already colluded with the Western Turks. What if they take this opportunity to attack the Dasheng Dynasty together?
These questions made Yuwen Yuan hesitate.
But one thing was quietly taking root in his mind: to send an additional supervisor to Yuwen Ye's army. After all, they might be facing a two-front war, and he needed to know the situation in Dongdu at all times, rather than being completely in the dark.
After the court session ended, he discussed matters with several ministers for a long time until it was time for dinner.
Just as they were about to serve the meal, Eunuch Yu came in to report: "Your Majesty, Princess Qin has arrived with the young prince."
"oh?"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan's face lit up with joy, and he immediately said, "Let them in."
Eunuch Yu hurriedly went out to deliver the message, and soon after, Shang Ruyi walked in from outside with Tushe'er and Changwan, and kowtowed and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"Rise, no need for such formalities."
Yuwen Yuan smiled and raised his hand, his eyes already fixed on Tu She'er, who was staring at him with wide eyes. Then, as if recognizing him, he suddenly grinned and laughed at Xiao Yuangan, whose laughter seemed to brighten the whole world. He said, "Come, come, come to Grandpa Huang."
Grandpa Yu hurriedly stepped forward and picked up Xiao Yuangan, who eagerly rushed into his arms.
Yuwen Yuan burst into laughter.
While laughing, Yuwen Yuan looked up at another palace maid who had come with Shang Ruyi. Usually, Shang Ruyi only brought Tu She'er, but this time Chang Wan came along carrying a food box. So he asked, "What did you bring?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Yesterday, when I was strolling around the inner court, I met Consort Tao. She told me that Father Emperor has been coughing a bit these past two days. I thought that with the arrival of spring, the weather is changing quickly and there is a risk of catching a cold, so I specially brewed some cooling and lung-moistening soup. If Father Emperor doesn't mind, please make do with some."
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