Gu Linchao stood by the door, still feeling uneasy, but the matter in the capital was urgent, so in the end he mounted his horse and left.
Unbeknownst to him, just as he mounted his horse and left, the Empress Dowager, who had entered the palace, staggered out again.
She stood outside the mansion gate for a long time, watching him leave, her expression a mixture of relief and loneliness.
After a long while, she sighed deeply, took Zeng Mama's hand, and turned around.
Seeing her sad expression, Granny Zeng didn't know how to comfort her.
The Empress Dowager took two steps and suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Granny Zeng was shocked and exclaimed, "The Empress Dowager..."
The Empress Dowager gently wiped it away with a handkerchief, then waved her hand, "Don't make a fuss."
Granny Zeng was so sad that she shed tears.
"Don't do that, don't let Nong Nong see it," the Empress Dowager instructed. "It's no big deal."
Granny Zeng knew that she was afraid that the princess would worry, so she didn't say anything more, but she sighed inwardly.
...
After Gu Linchao left, Wen Nongnong continued her life in the Prince's Mansion as before.
Because she had to take care of two children, she didn't have time to think about him anymore.
Taking care of two children every day keeps me very busy.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, she was out of confinement.
March is the season when peach blossoms are in full bloom. Several peach trees were planted in the garden, and their branches were covered with pink and white flowers, which were exceptionally beautiful.
Wen Nong Nong held Yao Yao in her arms, while A Tuo Jiang Hua carried Gu Huai Jin as they strolled and basked in the sun in the garden.
Looking at the child in her arms who had grown so much, Atuo Jianghua felt a little reluctant to part with her. She looked up at Wen Nongnong's beautiful face, which had long since regained its color, and hesitated several times before speaking.
Wen Nongnong had already noticed her unusual behavior, so she asked gently, "Jiang Hua, is there something you want to say to me?"
When Atuo Jianghua asked, she could only say, "My brother stayed in Xiangzhou for some time to welcome me back. Now that you've finished your postpartum confinement, it's time for me to go back too."
Wen Nongnong frowned. "You want to go back to Xinjiang?"
“Hmm.” Atuo Jianghua nodded, took a few steps with Gu Huaijin in her arms, and looked south with some melancholy. “I’ve been staying here for almost half a year. My father has been writing to urge me to go back. Before, when you were in confinement, I thought I would bring it up after you finished confinement.”
Wen Nongnong walked to her side with her daughter in her arms. "But aren't you waiting for my uncle? The situation in the capital should have been settled by now, and my uncle should be back soon."
Atuo Jianghua lowered her head and kicked a pebble on the ground hesitantly. "My elder brother said that Father Khan has already found a suitable husband for me. Once I return, we will discuss the marriage. I may not be able to wait for the Duke of Jingguo to return."
Upon hearing this, Wen Nongnong became anxious. "Don't be so impulsive. The person your father chose for you may not be the one you like. If you go back, you won't be able to see each other again."
“Nong Nong.” Atuo Jianghua turned her head and interrupted her, “I do have feelings for the Duke of Jingguo, but even though we Hui women are straightforward by nature, he has never made any promises to me. I can’t keep waiting for him here. What if he goes to the capital this time and falls in love with another girl? Wouldn’t I become a laughing stock?”
If he really had those feelings for me, he would probably come looking for me even if I went back to Xinjiang.
Wen Nongnong was stunned.
Since we met, A-Tuo Jiang Hua has always been a carefree person. I never expected her to say such mature and rational words today. It seems that she has thought it through carefully.
Since that's the case, there's no need for her to try to persuade her any further.
She paused for a moment, then nodded. "You're right. If your uncle likes you, he'll come to find you even if you're far away in Xinjiang."
Seeing that she understood, Atuo Jianghua smiled and said, "Nongnong, I will miss you."
“Me too.” Wen Nongnong sighed, without saying anything more to persuade her to stay. “After you go back, you must write to me.”
“Okay.” Atuo Jianghua nodded. Just as she was about to hand Huaijin to Lüqiao, Butler Wang hurried over and said with a sorrowful expression, “Your Highness, the Empress Dowager requests that you and Princess Atuo come over.”
Wen Nongnong was stunned for a moment. Seeing that his expression was a little off, her heart sank.
The Empress Dowager would visit her and her two children almost every day, but she didn't come today. She had originally planned to go with Atuo and Jianghua later, but unexpectedly, she sent Steward Wang to invite her instead.
Without asking any further questions, she carried the child and hurriedly went with Atuo Jianghua to the courtyard where the Empress Dowager lived.
When the two arrived, the Empress Dowager was lying in bed, and Granny Zeng was sitting on the footstool, holding her hand, tears streaming down her face.
Physician Lin stood in front of the bed, looking utterly defeated.
Upon seeing the two enter, Granny Zeng quickly wiped away her tears and stood up.
"Your Highness, Princess, the Empress Dowager has something to say to you."
Wen Nong Nong and A Tuo Jiang Hua stepped forward carrying the child.
"Mother."
"Empress Dowager".
The Empress Dowager lay on the bed, her face ashen and her spirits low.
Hearing their voices, she barely opened her eyes, revealing a kind smile, "You've come..."
Seeing her like this, Wen Nongnong felt a lump in her throat and almost burst into tears. She couldn't understand how the Empress Dowager, who had visited her and her child in her courtyard just yesterday, had changed so much in the blink of an eye.
Holding the child, she knelt down on the footstool, asking, "Mother, how are you?"
"I...I'm fine..." The Empress Dowager coughed and tried to touch her hair, but she couldn't lift it halfway.
Seeing this, Wen Nongnong quickly grabbed her hand and placed it on her head, then smiled and said as if nothing had happened, "Mother, you must take good care of yourself. Xiao Jin and Yao Yao still need your guidance."
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