In Jingren Palace, the empress sat in a side hall, leaning against a bright yellow pillow embroidered with a "hundred birds paying homage to a golden phoenix." Charcoal was burning inside. Beside her, a slender-necked Ru kiln plum vase, adorned with the "Four Seasons Like Spring," held a few budding red plum blossoms. Warming herself with a hand warmer lined with Zhang velvet, she lazily remarked, "Today's red plum blossoms weren't cut well; the buds haven't even opened yet."
The maid in charge bowed and said, "Your Highness, it's too cold. The buds are afraid of the cold and won't open. Just warm the charcoal fire for a while and they'll be fine."
The queen seemed to be lost in thought.
The palace maid came in and said, "Your Majesty... the person the governor wants you to see is here."
The Queen sat up straight in an instant. After all, she couldn't resist Lu Jiaxue. She let out a breath. "Send someone in."
She was actually very curious about who Lu Jiaxue valued so highly. She asked her attendants to leave, and a moment later, two burly women came in, carrying a young woman.
Luo Yining, wrapped in a scarlet mink cloak, stood not far away, quietly looking up at the furnishings around her. She had certainly been to Jingren Palace before; it was after that disaster that he had expressed his willingness to marry her. Now that she thought about it, everything was linked together.
The Queen ordered tea to be brought to her, and then she saw her reaching out to take off her cloak.
When her face showed, the Queen's eyes widened.
Isn't this... Lu Jiaxue's adopted daughter? The one she hadn't paid any attention to back then, and even planned to marry her to be the Third Prince's concubine!
Luo Yining bowed to her and said, "Your Majesty, it's been a long time."
She sat down and took the teapot on the kang table to pour herself some tea. The tea was steaming hot. "I came to see you. Lu Jiaxue asked you to tell me the story of the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion."
The Empress was even more puzzled when she heard her address Lu Jiaxue by name. He said Luo Yining was his adopted daughter, but Lu Jiaxue's attitude definitely didn't seem like one he'd treat one. There was also Zhao Mingzhu in the palace who also claimed to be his adopted daughter, but he hadn't seen her question her. Those two maids just now, while claiming to be serving her, were more likely monitoring her.
She sighed and said, "Forget it. I don't know why he dragged you, an innocent person, into this. If you want to hear it, I'll tell you. But once you get out of here, you have to forget everything."
The queen had her personal maid change the charcoal in the stove, and the room was so warm it made her want to sleep. It was like basking in the sun on a sunny afternoon. Everything was warm, and there was no danger.
Those past events that were ready to unfold and secretly brewing seemed less thrilling because of this.
Yi Ning, however, kept staring at the Queen's face as she slowly unraveled the story. She became increasingly speechless. From the Queen's narration, she pieced together a complete story that matched the clues she had gathered, explaining some of her doubts. For example, why Lu Jiaxue didn't marry her after killing her. Or the strange way Lu Jiaran sometimes looked at her.
She forced herself to ask the Queen a few questions, becoming increasingly certain that what the Queen said might be true! Lu Jiaxue really didn't need to kill her. With his abilities, it wasn't impossible for him to obtain the title of Marquis, without resorting to her death. The person who killed her... turned out to be someone she had never expected!
He really didn't kill her!
What then was the point of her hating Lu Jiaxue for all those years? What were her so-called acts of revenge? He had done nothing wrong, yet he had suffered the loss of his wife and children, a heavy blow. In their past, he had truly loved her.
Concealment and deception were merely protection. The teasing and warmth of the past have now turned into coldness and indifference. It's all just fate playing tricks on us.
Seeing that she was silent, the Queen continued, "It's been many years. In fact, my memory of many things is vague... maybe there are some discrepancies."
Seeing Luo Yining's strange expression, she asked, "Are you... feeling unwell?"
Luo Yining stood up and said, "Thank you for your concern, Her Majesty. I'm fine, but I'm afraid I have to take my leave now."
I caught a cold and traveled a couple of days ago, and now I feel a bit dizzy. I didn't recover at all in Datong.
The Queen saw her hands resting beneath her scarlet cuffs, two bracelets adorning her wrists, one gold and one jade. She wondered what kind of attire she wore, as it wasn't allowed. Could it be that Lu Jiaxue liked it this way? She replied, "Don't worry. Look at your pale face. I'll have my regular Nanny take a look at you. She's my go-to. Her medical skills are passable." She then had Nanny Xu called in. Seeing the Queen's insistence, Luo Yining sat down.
Nanny Xu was waiting outside and came in to take Luo Yining's pulse.
After a few breaths, Madam Xu let out a sigh. She was able to serve the Empress, and her specialty was women's and children's illnesses. She could easily detect any clues.
Madam Xu slowly let go of her hand and said with a smile, "This lady is still young and pregnant. She must not catch a cold. She must rest and take care of the baby."
Luo Yining was just trying to be perfunctory and didn't listen carefully. Suddenly she realized what she was talking about...pregnant?
Madam Xu paused for a moment and then advised, "Your pregnancy is a little uncomfortable. Did you forget to take the anti-abortion medicine on time? This is your first child, Madam, you don't know the importance of taking care of the fetus. Anti-abortion medicine should be taken on time."
The eunuch's voice came from outside, and Lu Jiaxue came to pick her up.
Because the side hall was for receiving guests, Lu Jiaxue came in. He was still wearing his sable cloak, with a hint of a smile on his face, "Has the Empress told you everything about that?"
Luo Yining looked up at him, suddenly feeling a little nervous. She actually had a child... and it was Luo Shenyuan's child! If Lu Jiaxue knew...
But it was too late to stop them. Madam Xu bowed and said, "Excuse me, it must be the Marquis' wife! The Marquis' wife is pregnant, and she must take medication to maintain her pregnancy. Your Excellency, please pay attention to this."
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