Chapter 267 She's my great-aunt! (Third update)
Empress Dowager Zhuang talked with the Zhuang family for a while, then felt tired.
Grand Tutor Zhuang led the children away, and he told Zhuang Mengdie and Zhuang Yuexi to return to their respective courtyards to rest. Then he said to Prince An, "Come to my study."
"yes."
Prince An went to Grand Tutor Zhuang's study.
An oil lamp was lit in the study, the light not too dim, but not very bright either. The wind and rain outside continued, showing no signs of abating.
Grand Tutor Zhuang waved his hand, dismissing the servants, leaving only him and Prince An in the room.
The Empress Dowager was found, but Grand Tutor Zhuang found that his grandson's mood was not as excited as he had imagined. In fact, he had been like this ever since the palace examination.
This made Grand Tutor Zhuang suspect that Prince An had lost confidence after just one defeat.
Grand Tutor Zhuang said earnestly, "One imperial examination is nothing to worry about. You will rise through the ranks of officialdom in the future and still be able to beat him. To be precise, you will definitely beat him!"
Life is a long journey. A small victory or defeat is nothing. The important thing is to look forward, aim higher, and not look back.
"The Empress Dowager and the Zhuang family are your backers!"
Prince An's loss wasn't solely due to his performance in the imperial examinations. In his view, his defeat to Xiao Liulang in the palace examination was understandable, as the emperor was trying to suppress the gambling industry. However, it was the difference between Gu Jiao's treatment of Xiao Liulang and her treatment of him on the day of the parade that truly pierced his heart.
But he couldn't express these things.
"Grandson understands. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now." He bowed and prepared to leave.
"Regarding the Empress Dowager..." Grand Tutor Zhuang stopped Prince An, his gaze revealing a deeper meaning, "You should know in your heart what should be said and what should not be said."
Prince An asked blankly, "Grandfather, what do you think should be said, and what shouldn't be said?"
Grand Tutor Zhuang was displeased with his attitude, his eyes turning slightly cold: "You are young, so I allow you to be a little emotional, but don't go too far."
Prince An gave a self-deprecating laugh: "Is the Empress Dowager truly controlled by His Majesty? Then why did His Majesty personally go to Jiangnan to find her?"
Grand Tutor Zhuang said, "Xiao Liulang has pledged allegiance to Marquis Xuanping, who is His Majesty's trusted minister. Who knows if His Majesty's trip to the south is just a smokescreen to deceive us?"
Prince An sneered: "She cured the Empress Dowager's leprosy and even saved her life. Does Grandfather consider all of this as exploitation?"
Grand Tutor Zhuang said in a deep voice, "The Empress Dowager does not have leprosy. Leprosy is incurable. Besides, there's no question of saving her or not; it's just that they need the Empress Dowager and cannot let anything happen to her. If it were any of the guards in the Zhuang family, they would do the same. They would all be willing to die for the Empress Dowager!"
Prince An did not argue with his grandfather any further. He lowered his eyes and said, "If Grandfather says so, then so be it."
After saying this, he bowed and turned to leave.
Grand Tutor Zhuang watched his retreating figure and said, "Remember your place, and don't act impulsively!"
"knew."
A low reply came from the darkness.
The rain was heavy, and Gu Jiao's injuries were also severe, so she couldn't return to Bishui Hutong. She would stay in the clinic's courtyard tonight.
Doctor Song brewed a bowl of calming soup, which Xiao Liulang fed to her. The medicine took effect, and she quickly fell asleep.
Marquis Xuanping was under the eaves, with the dejected old chief priest beside him, while Chang Jing was playing marbles on the floor at the end of the corridor.
Marquis Xuanping, his hands tucked into his wide sleeves, frowned slightly as he gazed at the torrential rain pouring down like a reversed Milky Way and said, "So it was the Empress Dowager who fainted at the doorstep of Liu Lang and that girl?"
"I heard that's how it is," the old chief priest said dejectedly.
Marquis Xuanping asked, "Did they know it was the Empress Dowager?"
The old chief priest looked at him coldly: "You're setting me up."
Marquis Xuanping remained expressionless: "I did not."
The old man looked so distraught after losing his wife; I thought I was just trying to get some information out of him.
Of course, that girl wouldn't know it was the Empress Dowager, and the real Xiao Liulang wouldn't recognize her either. Only Aheng would know her. So if the old chief priest hesitated even for a moment and said, "How would I know?", then he would have given himself away.
Marquis Xuanping had a toothache.
That old rascal is too hard to fool!
But then again, is that ugly girl actually Xiao Liulang's wife?
The first time she saved herself, she gave the emperor the smallest silver gem; the second time she saved the emperor, she gave him the second smallest silver gem.
Recalling his stingy behavior in front of his daughter-in-law, Marquis Xuanping's teeth ached even more.
Damn, that was too hasty!
Liu Quan went home to deliver a message, telling Gu Jiao about her condition. He said Xiao Liulang was taking care of her at the clinic, and that her family shouldn't worry or go to see her in the rain, and that taking care of themselves was the most important thing.
These are Xiao Liulang's original words.
With Yao Shi pregnant, Gu Yan suffering from heart disease, and Xiao Jingkong too young, it's best for them all to stay home. Only Gu Xiaoshun is resilient enough, but precisely because of this, he should stay and take care of the family.
"Why were you injured?" Gu Yan asked.
"It's just...it's just that the rain was too heavy and the roof slid down," Liu Quan said sheepishly. There were some details he couldn't tell in front of the children, but he explained them all to Yao.
It was only then that Yao realized she hadn't misheard; the young guard named Wu Yang had indeed called the Empress Dowager "aunt."
Her feelings were complicated.
On the one hand, I was shocked by my great-aunt's background, and on the other hand, I felt a deep sense of loss at her passing.
She was a sheltered woman who lived far from the capital for many years, so she didn't hear many rumors about Empress Dowager Zhuang. The only person she knew was her children's great-aunt, who seemed carefree but was actually very protective of everyone.
"Are they all alright?" Yao asked.
Liu Quan smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing, just superficial injuries."
Gu Jiao's condition is more serious, but it's not life-threatening; she just needs to recuperate for a long time.
Little Jingkong looked around, peeked out with his little head, and after looking for a long time without seeing anyone, he went into the house, spread his hands, and asked, "Where is Auntie?"
Liu Quan didn't know how to answer.
Gu Yan sensed something but remained silent.
Yao paused for a moment, then gently pulled Xiao Jingkong, whose head was wet from the rain, into her arms, wiped his little bald head with a handkerchief, and said, "Auntie is going home."
Xiao Jingkong tilted his head, looking puzzled: "No, I didn't see it!"
Yao suppressed her bitterness and patted his little bald head: "Go back to your aunt's own home."
Xiao Jingkong shrugged: "Isn't this my great-aunt's house?"
The torrential rain lasted for several days, flooding the nearby rivers until the rain stopped on the sixth day of the fifth lunar month.
The Ministry of Works was busy managing flooding in the main streets of the capital, clearing underground pipes, and restoring normal travel for the people. The Imperial College and other academies also resumed classes.
In May, a major event occurred in the capital: the Empress Dowager, who had been recuperating at the imperial palace, suddenly announced her recovery and returned to the palace in a grand procession with her ceremonial regalia.
The people flocked out to watch, eager to catch a glimpse of the Empress Dowager of Zhao. This spectacle was no less impressive than that of the top scholar's parade, which took place only once every three years, while the Empress Dowager's outings were a rare occurrence in her entire life.
The Empress Dowager went to the temporary palace to recuperate in secret, and the people did not know about it. The last time the public saw the Empress Dowager's entourage was when the late Emperor passed away. She saw him off and helped his coffin out of the palace.
From then on, the virtuous woman became the powerful Empress Dowager Zhuang.
Liu Quan sent Xiao Jingkong to the Imperial College.
The commotion on the street drew the students' attention, and Xiao Jingkong also ran out, squeezing into the crowd, looking at the Empress Dowager's procession being solemnly escorted by thousands of imperial guards.
In front of them were officials holding signs that read "Silence" and "Avoidance," followed by dozens of dignified and proper eunuchs and palace maids, and then an extremely luxurious carriage.
"Wow! What a huge carriage!" Xiao Jingkong exclaimed.
"Empress Dowager—"
"Long live the Empress Dowager!"
The people along the way knelt down and kowtowed to the people on the carriage.
Little Jingkong didn't kowtow, but since he's small, standing there didn't look out of place.
He stared at the magnificent carriage. Suddenly, the carriage curtain was blown open by the breeze, revealing the Empress Dowager wearing a heavy phoenix crown and a gorgeous phoenix robe.
Although her clothes and aura were different, Xiao Jingkong still recognized her at a glance: "Grandma?"
The carriage passed by the gate of the Imperial College at a leisurely pace.
"Auntie!"
"Auntie!"
Little Jingkong chased after the horse-drawn carriage along the street.
However, the people's voices were too loud, ruthlessly silencing his small voice.
"oops!"
He tripped and rolled to the feet of a guard.
The imperial guards, with stern expressions, helped him up: "Whose child is this? Take him back?"
"Her family's! Her family's!" Xiao Jingkong pointed at Empress Dowager Zhuang's carriage.
The Imperial Guards shouted sternly, "Insolence! That's the Empress Dowager!"
Little Jingkong stomped his foot: "She's clearly my great-aunt!"
It's my great-aunt! He can't be mistaken!
An old man standing nearby laughed: "Child, that's the Empress Dowager from the palace, not your great-aunt."
Is this child stupid? He can't even tell the difference between his own great-aunt and the Empress Dowager.
Xiao Jingkong gave a serious "hmm".
So, my great-aunt lived in the palace?
"Little Seven! Little Seven!"
Little Jingkong dashed into the classroom at the Imperial Academy and shook Qin Chuyu, who was fast asleep with drool drool escaping from his desk, awake. "Take me to the palace! I need to find my great-aunt!"
(End of this chapter)
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