"What's wrong?"
Jiang Yu, who was deep in thought, was startled by the actions of the father and son. As Gu Qingyan nimbly began to hide behind her like a snake, Jiang Yu couldn't help but smile.
"Mother, Father is bullying the younger ones!"
"It's clearly this kid who has no respect for his elders!"
Jiang Yu looked left and right, and couldn't help but laugh, her gloom completely vanishing.
"What a nemesis."
...
The following day, Jiang Yu personally summoned Yun Mo.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Yunmo still looked somewhat aloof, and Jiang Yu smiled when she saw this. "How have you been in the capital lately? I've heard that you've become quite articulate these days."
Strangely enough, Yunmo stopped stuttering after only a month in Dayu!
Yunmo's eyes darkened upon hearing this; he hadn't been a stutterer since birth...
During that time, he was awakened every night by his mother's ghost. When he opened his eyes, he would see a long-haired woman standing by the window with a ferocious face.
He tearfully said that his birth was the reason his mother lost her life.
He was so frightened that he trembled all over and began to stutter.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Despite the turmoil in his heart, Yunmo's expression remained unchanged.
"How is Yao Yao learning from you? She has a lively personality, so you'll probably have to put in a lot of effort."
Upon mentioning Jiang Yao, Yun Mo's aura softened considerably. "The princess is exceptionally intelligent, and given time, her achievements will surely surpass mine."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu's smile deepened.
"I called you here today because I have a favor to ask of you."
Yunmo stayed in Zhaoning Palace for a full hour. After Jiang Yu explained his true purpose, Yunmo remained silent for a long time.
The hot tea in the cup was changed twice before Yunmo slowly spoke, "Your Majesty, are there ghosts in this world?"
Jiang Yu was stunned for a moment, then smiled.
"I don't know if there are ghosts, but I did have someone pretend to be a ghost before, which scared Consort Rong to the point of madness."
Upon hearing this, Yunmo gave a self-deprecating laugh.
He should have realized long ago that it was all Yun Zhi's doing.
In order to allow Yun Qing to inherit the Yun family, they actually tried to frighten him into becoming an idiot. Perhaps because of his mother's protection, he only became a stutterer.
"I agree to what Your Majesty the Empress Dowager just said."
Yunmo met Jiang Yu's gaze, but showed no fear whatsoever. "But I also have a condition."
After Yunmo left, Gu Lin just came out of the inner room.
"This Yunmo is not as simple as we imagined."
A murderous glint flashed in Gu Lin's eyes. Jiang Yu reached out and tugged at Gu Lin's sleeve. "Killing is not a long-term solution."
"Using talent is the key."
A genius like Yunmo should be put to use by the Great Yu.
In the following days, Yunmo continued his daily routine as usual, going to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence every day to teach Jiang Yao some simple knowledge.
Even Gu Qingyan couldn't help but feel a little anxious, but Jiang Yu didn't seem anxious at all, and just advised Gu Qingyan not to rush.
"Ayan, you must have plenty of patience with Yunmo."
...
Before Yunmo could make a move, Wanji, whom Jiang Yu had sent to Qingcheng, returned. "Your Majesty, this servant has found what you are looking for."
Wanji held a roll of Xuan paper in both hands. Jiang Yu opened it and her expression changed. All her thoughts eventually turned into a deep sigh. "Go to Jing'an Palace."
Just a few days later, Consort An's face began to turn ashen. Jiang Yu and Mei Chu, who was standing next to her, exchanged a glance, and Mei Chu shook his head.
The disease has progressed to a critical stage and is beyond cure.
"I have brought you something."
Jiang Yu's voice rang out, and Consort An slowly opened her eyes. If it weren't for Jiang Yu's words a few days ago, she wouldn't have made it to today.
She has been working so hard these past few days.
The page was filled with the words "Peace be with Mother Empress," the familiar handwriting brought tears to Consort An's eyes.
"The princess prayed for the Empress Dowager every day in the small Buddhist hall. Now that the Empress Dowager is safe, the princess... can no longer see her."
"Take another look."
Upon hearing Jiang Yu's words, Consort An tried to open her eyes wide, and suddenly, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
Amidst the countless "Peace be with Mother Empress" messages, she surprisingly spotted a few tiny words in a corner: "Peace be with Consort An."
"Am I...am I seeing things?"
Even disregarding the rules, Consort An looked at Jiang Yu with disbelief in her eyes.
"You read that right."
Jiang Yu pursed her lips, betting that Gu Qingyao wouldn't turn a blind eye to Consort An's kindness in this lifetime.
That's why Wanji was sent to find out if Gu Qingyao had left anything about Consort An.
Consort An laughed, and laughed out loud.
"I have no regrets."
She began to treat the princess as her own child, a princess who was sensitive due to her obesity and felt guilty towards the Empress Dowager, living a life of extreme caution.
Just like... herself.
"Your Majesty, thank you..."
Consort An's complexion suddenly became rosy, and Jiang Yu understood that this was probably a final burst of energy before death.
"You have helped me before, and I don't like to owe favors."
When Jiang Yu's words reached Consort An's ears, Consort An reached out her hand to Jiang Yu.
"Yao'er and I are in heaven, and we will always protect the Empress Dowager."
Yao'er, will you be my child in the next life?
...
Consort An was buried next to Gu Qingyao's grave. Wanji said that on the day of the burial, the wind there blew uncontrollably.
It seems as if an old friend has visited.
Jiang Yu never set foot there from beginning to end, and for her and Gu Qingyao to never meet again in future lives is the best ending.
"Your Highness, a report has come from the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence that Young Master Yun has requested a day's leave and will not be attending classes at the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. "Go and tell the Emperor that it will happen in the next few days."
The next day, Yunmo opened the courtyard gate as usual, but instead of heading towards the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence, he turned and walked towards the outskirts of the capital.
In almost half an incense stick's time, the heads of several families received the news.
"Brother Qin, you must have received the news by now, right?"
The heads of the Sun and Gong families rushed over, saying, "That kid Yunmo didn't go to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence today."
The Qin family patriarch nodded upon hearing this, "Something is definitely not right."
"Yunmo has no relatives or friends here, what would he be doing in the outskirts of the capital?" The Sun family head had barely finished speaking when the Gong family head immediately chimed in:
"But we're not related by blood, isn't Yun Zhi a relative?"
The three of them fell silent for a moment.
"He's most likely gone to find Yun Zhi. After all, they're father and son, bound by blood. How could he really abandon Yun Zhi?"
The Qin family patriarch concluded, "I have already sent people to follow him, and they will definitely record the route to where Yun Zhi is imprisoned."
"Brother Qin, Yun Zhike must die!"
If Yun Zhi doesn't die, they will be in big trouble, and may even face annihilation.
"Brother Sun is right."
Yun Zhi must die!
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