"cousin?"
Jiang Yao stared blankly. Didn't she kiss her cousin this morning, and he didn't stop her?
Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh out loud. When she met Gu Qingyan's gaze, Gu Qingyan was clearly a little uncomfortable.
Jiang Yu indulged Gu Qingyan and didn't expose his words. She just reached out and pinched Jiang Yao's cheek, "Whose little girl is this? She's so cute."
In an instant, little Jiang Yao was coaxed into submission.
With a smug look on her face, she kicked her short legs and squinted her eyes, speaking sweetly, "It's from Auntie's house!"
This was clearly the first time the aunt and niece had met, yet they were as close as if they had never been apart.
"Mother, the palace here is exactly the same as the palace in Qingcheng back then, as is your Zhaoning Palace. They were all built according to the original design." Gu Qingyan's voice was also filled with laughter, and his eyes followed Jiang Yu closely.
"Qingcheng?"
A hint of doubt flashed in Jiang Yu's eyes.
"It's the capital city of Daqing."
The more Jiang Yu walked through the palace, the more her heart ached. This place was almost exactly the same as the palace back then. Over the years, A Yan hadn't changed a single thing.
"Let's go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony first."
Jiang Yu spoke slowly, wanting to see where Ayan lived.
Upon arriving at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Jiang Yu stood frozen in place, unable to utter a single word.
The bedding in the inner room was neatly arranged, showing no signs of being a permanent resident. Outside was the place where state affairs were handled, with approved memorials piled high.
"Auntie, why aren't you saying anything?"
Jiang Yao's voice brought Jiang Yu back to her senses. Jiang Yu reached out and touched Jiang Yao's budding hair, then slowly walked to the desk. "You've been using these things all this time?"
"This is the first set of writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone that my mother prepared for me, and I'm already used to using it."
Jiang Yu forced a smile, her eyes welling up with tears.
"These past four years have been tough on you."
Jiang Yu slowly stretched out her hands towards Gu Qingyan, who pursed his lips and hugged her.
The child, who had worked so hard to grow up, burst forth with the grievances and sadness that had been building up for four years the moment he saw Jiang Yu.
"I almost thought I was going to never see my mother again."
His voice trembled with tears, and Gu Qingyan's body shook almost imperceptibly. "Now that Mother is back, it's all worth it."
Tears streamed down Jiang Yu's face. Where had her Ayan lived for the past four years?
A thought popped into Jiang Yu's mind, and her tears flowed even more profusely.
"Wow--"
A loud cry rang out, and Jiang Yu and Gu Qingyan quickly looked toward the source of the cry, where little Jiang Yao's face was flushed red from holding back her sobs.
"What's wrong? Why is Yaoyao crying?"
Even though he was teasing Jiang Yao, Gu Qingyan, who still loved her dearly, squatted down and hurriedly hugged her, saying, "Yao Yao, don't cry. Did you scare Yao Yao?"
Why are you all...crying?
She cried and even hiccuped while crying; she looked so pitiful.
"Aunt and cousin are crying because they are so happy." Jiang Yu reached out and took Jiang Yao in her arms. Jiang Yao immediately calmed down and gently sniffed Jiang Yu's scent.
Is it true?
Jiang Yao's eyes were as red as a rabbit's. Jiang Yu couldn't help but kiss Jiang Yao. The sweet scent of milk made Jiang Yu's heart melt. "If your grandparents could see you, they would definitely like you."
"Where has Auntie gone?"
Tears welled in Jiang Yao's eyes as she leaned close to Jiang Yu's face, saying, "Auntie likes Yao Yao, and Yao Yao likes Auntie too."
The next second, all three people in the Hall of Supreme Harmony couldn't help but burst out laughing.
......
On the way to Zhaoning Palace, Jiang Yu felt a sense of trepidation, as if she were returning home.
"Mother, Ling Mama and Wanji have been waiting for you at Zhaoning Palace." Gu Qingyan said softly, knowing that he was not the only one waiting for his mother.
The gates of Zhaoning Palace opened, as if welcoming its long-lost master.
"This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty live a thousand years and be well."
"This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty live a thousand years and be well."
"Get up, everyone get up quickly." Jiang Yu couldn't help but take a step forward. Ling Mama looked up and her face was already covered in tears. Wanji, who was standing next to her, also had a look of both sorrow and joy.
"Your Highness has suffered a lot these past few years." Granny Ling looked much older than she had four years ago, with wrinkles all over the back of her hands.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu shook her head. "Let's go inside and talk."
But as soon as Jiang Yu stepped into the room of Zhaoning Palace, she was so shocked by the scene before her that she was speechless.
There were also some memorials in the room, which was obviously where Gu Qingyan often reviewed them. There were also Gu Qingyan's casual clothes in the room. Jiang Yu's brows furrowed and she walked towards the inner room.
As expected.
"Ayan, do you usually live here?"
“It’s more comfortable here than in the Hall of Supreme Harmony,” Gu Qingyan said with a smile. “But now that Mother is back, I’ll be staying in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.”
Jiang Yu opened her mouth several times, but ultimately said nothing more.
Some things cannot be clearly expressed in just a few words.
Jiang Yu's return revitalized the entire palace. The officials were surprised to find that the emperor's mood had improved significantly, so they took the opportunity to raise those thorny issues in the next few days.
In this harmonious atmosphere, only Gu Lin and Jiang He were dissatisfied.
The Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.
"The Empress is too busy to attend to you today, isn't she?"
The two were playing chess by the stone table, taking turns placing pieces. Jiang He was clearly quite resentful. Bai Qian was now heading straight to the palace after leaving the military camp, while Jiang Yao had even moved into Zhaoning Palace.
Jiang He was left alone in the Dingyuan Marquis's mansion, guarding an empty room.
Oh wait, Gu Lin is with them too.
"My lord." Ling Hai slowly appeared, and Gu Lin spoke without even looking up, "What is it?"
"Madam...Madam has summoned Wei Ruo."
Ling Hai's unusual hesitation made Jiang He raise an eyebrow. Sure enough, the next second Gu Lin's face turned completely dark.
Before Ayu could even reminisce with him about the past, she summoned Kui Ruo first.
"Don't take it too seriously. You and I both know how much Wei Ruo has done in these four years. It's only natural that the Empress summoned Wei Ruo." Jiang He curled the corners of his mouth. Sure enough, happiness is always relative.
Compared to Gu Lin, he is far better than anyone else.
Why would I care?
Gu Lin gritted his teeth and said, "If Wei Ruo were here right now, Jiang He wouldn't believe she would have left unscathed."
"However, there is something that really should be put on the agenda."
Gu Lin gritted his teeth, otherwise A Yu would have completely forgotten about him.
How could this be?!
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