Chapter 140 Empress Jiang
At that moment, Shang Ruyi could hardly believe her ears.
She even felt that Lei Yu was joking with her, or playing a prank, but she couldn't bring herself to doubt the woman who had rushed out to protect her at the critical moment; and turning to Tusheer, she wanted to find even a hint of solace, even if it was just a joke, on her face—
No, it's not possible either.
Tushe'er's expression was solemn, and his hesitant demeanor from the beginning seemed to confirm Lei Yu's words at this moment.
"..."
After a long silence, Shang Ruyi finally said in a hoarse voice, "This... how is this possible?"
"How could it be impossible? We saw it with our own eyes!"
Lei Yu's face showed a hint of anger. After thinking for a moment, he added, "Moreover, not only did we see it, but the surrounding soldiers and civilians all saw it, even—"
Before she could finish speaking, a soft voice, seemingly tinged with amusement yet carrying an unassailable air of authority, suddenly rang out from outside the window: "Even I have seen it."
"...!"
All three of them turned to look out the window at the same time.
The windows were tightly closed, but the sunlight outside was bright, casting a person's silhouette onto the thin window paper.
It was a profile with soft, flowing lines, like a fairy in the clouds. Her hair was piled high, and her hair ornaments swayed gently. As she slowly walked past the window, she truly looked like a fairy wandering among the clouds.
Shang Ruyi subconsciously held her breath.
Looking towards the main entrance, the person had already slowly walked in.
This was a stunningly beautiful woman, with cloud-like hair and a face adorned with flowers, possessing unparalleled beauty. In particular, her gentle, affectionate eyes shone brightly, as if they could melt away any place, even the most icy and snow-covered, if they looked upon it.
Shang Ruyi was so stunned by the beauty that she couldn't speak for a moment, and could only stare at her with wide eyes.
The beautiful woman said calmly, "Young mistress, you wouldn't disbelieve even what I say, would you?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the other two people in the room knelt down with a thud, bowing and paying their respects to the beautiful woman, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress!"
Shang Ruyi gasped.
The woman before me is the Empress Dowager of the current Emperor, and Chu Ruoyan's mother.
The Empress Jiang, who ruled the world with grace and dignity—Jiang Xinyue!
She walked slowly into the room with graceful steps. Shang Ruyi stared at the Empress almost without blinking. Although she was dressed in gorgeous clothes and adorned with jewels, Shang Ruyi felt that all of this was a burden. Just her presence was more noble than all of this, or even the Empress's status.
At that moment, for some reason, she suddenly remembered that night when someone said something to her—
"I really didn't expect that there would be a woman like the young mistress in the world. She is so young, yet she has such a majestic presence, enough to make her the mother of the world."
Now she realizes that it was a huge joke.
Only a woman like this could be an empress who embodies the virtues of motherhood for the entire nation!
Shang Ruyi had never met her, but she had long heard of her name, and it was a very prestigious one. This empress was born into a prominent family in Lanling. It was said that she was exceptionally intelligent from a young age and was favored by the late emperor. At the age of sixteen, she married Chu Yang, who was only thirteen at the time. Later, when Chu Yang became the crown prince, she also became the crown princess, and then she ascended to the throne as empress.
At the beginning of the emperor's reign, Empress Jiang had close ties with officials in the outer court and often advised and restrained the emperor's behavior and words. She was respected by the court officials as a "virtuous empress". However, in recent years, the emperor's behavior has become more and more unruly and unrestrained. The empress's voice has gradually faded, and her figure seems to have been swallowed up by the hustle and bustle.
I never expected to meet the Empress here.
Just as Shang Ruyi was feeling sentimental, Empress Jiang walked in. As she passed Lei Yu and Tu She'er, she gently flicked her sleeve, and a faint fragrance wafted from it: "You may leave."
The two dared not say another word and quickly got up and left the room.
Then, only the two of them were left in the room.
Shang Ruyi suddenly became nervous again.
She hurriedly tried to stand up to pay her respects to the Empress, but a tearing pain shot through her shoulder wound, and she fell back down, covered in sweat.
Seeing her disheveled appearance, Empress Jiang smiled calmly, walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. She reached out and gently pressed on the uninjured shoulder, saying, "No need for formalities. Young Madam Yuwen has already suffered such a serious injury, so please don't get up."
Her hands were as white as jade, perhaps because of her gentle nature; they were as soft as willow branches swaying in the wind.
Shang Ruyi's shoulder went numb.
She dared not look up and meet the Empress's gaze, and could only lower her head and whisper, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Does the wound still hurt?"
"Your Majesty, the situation is much better now."
"That's good. When I saw your injury before, it was truly frightening; the blood had stained half of His Majesty's body red."
"..."
Shang Ruyi dared not accept these words no matter what.
Seeing the emperor carry her back to the government office in front of everyone already put her in a precarious position, but now it seems that's not the most troublesome thing. The most terrifying situation is right now!
The Empress has come in person. What does she want?
Just as Shang Ruyi was in a state of turmoil, and was so careful that she didn't even dare to breathe too fast, she heard Empress Jiang slowly say, "Therefore, I have specially asked my servants to prepare some blood-tonifying medicine, which they will send to the young mistress later."
"...?"
Shang Ruyi was stunned and looked at Empress Jiang in disbelief.
She thought that after what had happened, the Empress would at least reprimand her for her misconduct, and might even use her imperial authority to punish her. But the way the Empress was acting now, she didn't blame her at all. Instead, she condescended to show concern for her injuries.
Is this her true feeling, or is it just a pretext to find another opportunity?
Shang Ruyi couldn't help but look at those gentle, radiant eyes again. Although she understood that the Emperor's heart was heavy and the thoughts of the Empress who accompanied the Emperor were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people, Empress Jiang's gaze, though not clear, was so gentle that it was captivating. Just looking at those eyes, one would be willing to believe that she was a person of profound gentleness.
She dared not believe it, yet she had no choice but to believe it.
Seeing Shang Ruyi's puzzled expression, Empress Jiang said gently, "Young mistress, are you looking at me like that because you have something to say?"
"ah?"
Shang Ruyi then came to her senses and realized that she had been staring at the Empress. She quickly lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Empress Jiang said, "I have already said that there is no need for further formalities."
"..."
Shang Ruyi then raised her head with mixed feelings and met those gentle, autumn-water-like eyes. Even as a woman, being gazed at so tenderly by such clear eyes made her heart flutter.
After a long pause, she murmured, "This humble woman has never seen anyone as graceful and dignified as Her Majesty the Empress."
Empress Jiang smiled and said gently, "I never expected that Fengchen's wife would be a woman like you."
"...?"
Shang Ruyi's body stiffened.
It was as if a stick had been suddenly inserted into already chaotic mud and water and stirred it vigorously; this time, her mind was completely thrown into disarray.
Yuwen Ye?
Why did Empress Jiang bring up Yuwen Ye at this time?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com