Chapter 1213 Words of Wisdom
Originally, Shang Ruyi planned to come back and tidy up the internal affairs, especially the matters left behind after she left, before visiting Tao Wanyin. However, after hearing what Chu Ruoyan said, Shang Ruyi realized that she could not wait any longer. Moreover, Yuwen Ye had specifically mentioned this matter last night. Tao Wanyin and Eunuch Yu were the only two people in the harem with whom they had some connections, but now Eunuch Yu was getting old, and many affairs had been assigned to the eunuch supervisor Liu Yu.
Therefore, in some matters, they needed to rely more on the concubines in the harem.
However, if Tao Wanyin falls out of favor and Zhang Yuping monopolizes the emperor's affections, they will have even fewer opportunities to speak to the emperor in the future.
Thinking this, Shang Ruyi immediately changed her clothes after seeing Chu Ruoyan off, and headed to the inner palace with Tu She'er. Along the way, looking at the surrounding scenery, although several months had passed, not much had changed. However, in the dead of winter, the desolation of withered branches and yellow leaves inevitably made people feel gloomy.
Perhaps, this is why Tao Wanyin was unable to let go of it for so long.
Before long, they arrived at Shicui Palace, where the gates were indeed tightly closed. Tushe'er, familiar with the place, went up and knocked on the door. After a while, footsteps were heard from inside, and then the gates opened.
A familiar face peeked through the crack in the door; it was Qiao Shu, Tao Wanyin's personal maid.
She wasn't surprised to see Tushe'er at all; it seemed the two had become quite familiar with each other over the days. She simply said, "She'er, why are you here again? Is our Consort here today—the Princess Consort of Qin?"
Upon seeing Princess Qin behind Tushe'er, Na Qiaoshu paused for a moment, then immediately took a step back and bowed to her, saying, "This servant greets Princess Qin."
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "I'm back, and I'd like to see your Consort."
Qiaoshu looked troubled and said softly, "Your Highness, please forgive me, but our Consort... is really unable to get up and does not want to see anyone. Even when His Majesty came before, he did not want to see her."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi frowned slightly.
It seems that Tao Wanyin was truly hurt, both physically and emotionally. Otherwise, with her intelligence and understanding, she should have realized that in the harem, if one does not respect the emperor and only cares about one's own emotions, there will be no benefit, and the road ahead will be even more difficult.
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, then winked at Tu She'er, who immediately handed over the box of pastries she was carrying.
Shang Ruyi said, "Since your concubine doesn't want to see anyone, I won't force her. The pastries here were made by Madam Chu herself, and they taste quite good. Please take some to your concubine to try, so she can have a good appetite and be happy."
Qiaoshu quickly accepted it and thanked her.
Shang Ruyi added, "There's another piece of advice for you, Jieyu: A good road can be walked smoothly; a muddy path requires stumbling and trudging, but no matter what, if you stay in one place, you'll never reach the end. She shouldn't be like that."
These words startled Qiaoshu slightly, and her eyes lit up.
Shang Ruyi said, "Thank you for your trouble."
After saying that, he turned and left with Tushe'er. After a long while, the sound of the palace gates gently closing could be heard behind them.
As Tushe'er walked away, she kept turning back to look at Shang Ruyi with reluctance, and then asked, "Your Highness, could Consort Tao understand what Your Highness meant?"
Shang Ruyi smiled and glanced at her: "Did you understand?"
Tushe'er immediately said, "Of course, how could I not understand? What the princess means is that she can't always be so sad about the past. The past is the past, but if she keeps being sad, she will be even sadder in the future."
"...!"
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi stopped in surprise and looked at her, then smiled and said, "Not bad, you've improved even after just a few months apart."
Tushe'er had been smiling smugly, but after a moment she realized what she meant: "The princess is scolding me!"
Shang Ruyi chuckled and said, "You are clever and quick-witted, but you couldn't have spoken so eloquently before. Who taught you that?"
Tushe'er pouted, still displeased, and said, "Does a servant need to be taught how to speak?"
Shang Ruyi was still smiling.
After walking for a while, Tushe'er said, "It's Changwan. Every time she comes back from her uncle's house, she says those things to me, in a roundabout and sarcastic way. At first, I didn't want to listen, but after listening for a while, I found it quite interesting."
"oh."
Shang Ruyi then remembered that she had left something behind before she left, namely, Sun Xianyue from Shen Shiyan's family.
This man who had nearly ruined her reputation and caused Xiao Yuangan so much suffering, she sent him to the Shen family to be cared for by her uncle and aunt, and also asked Chang Wan to visit him from the palace every now and then. She wondered how he was doing now. So she asked, "By the way, how is Sun Xianyue now?"
Mentioning this, Tushe'er sighed: "The person can move around now, but—"
"But what?"
"Changwan said that her injured leg prevents her from traveling far and from practicing martial arts and dancing."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi frowned.
If she can't practice martial arts or dance, it's practically a death sentence for Sun Xianyue.
He was originally a student of Pei Yun Shen, and his sword dance was light and agile. However, due to that unexpected disaster, he broke his leg. Even if he recovers, he can no longer practice dancing... This is such a pity.
Shang Ruyi sighed deeply: "In the end, it's also because of us that he's been dragged down."
Tushe'er remained silent. Although she sympathized with Sun Xianyue, she felt that Shang Ruyi shouldn't be held responsible for the consequences of his own decisions. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Your Highness doesn't need to feel guilty for him. I don't think he's too upset. Changwan told me that he's doing quite well at the Shen family. His uncle and madam are kind to him. Every day, besides recuperating from his injuries, he reads books. After reading, he spouts long-winded philosophical musings to Changwan, and then Changwan tells me the same things. Sigh, I'm so tired of hearing it."
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi couldn't help but laugh and said, "In that case, I'll have to find a day to go back and visit."
As he spoke, he gazed leisurely at the sky: "He was originally a free spirit, and he shouldn't have gotten involved in this quagmire of the court. It would be better for him to leave as soon as possible."
Tushe'er nodded and said, "That's true. When will Your Highness return? I'll accompany you."
Shang Ruyi gave her a reproachful look: "You just want to go out and have fun, don't you?"
"hey-hey."
"Very well, after we finish dealing with matters in the palace, we'll inform His Highness in a couple of days. After all, the Ministry of Rites is still selecting residences for us to settle the Prince of Qin's mansion. Once that's done, we can go back to visit our uncle and aunt anytime without having to go through the trouble of requesting permission."
Upon hearing this, Tushe'er immediately clapped his hands with joy: "That's wonderful!"
Shang Ruyi smiled and shook her head, then couldn't help but look back. Under the gloomy sky, the quiet palace was devoid of any life or vitality. She wondered if Tao Wanyin had heard what she was saying.
Will she be able to understand...?
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